Zach Galifianakis isn’t the only one who can rock a scruffy beard and a pair of dark sunglasses.
Vote for Theater Hopper at Top Web Comics to see what I’m talking about.
As you know, The Hangover comes out today and I, for one, am very excited to see it. Even though I felt the marketing campaign focused a little too heavily on our trio of heroes stumbling upon Mike Tyson singing along to Phil Collins’s “In The Air Tonight,” I think the movie looks like a lot of fun.
I was almost going to do a comic that was more of a literal interpretation on the title of the movie and make my comic about drinking to excess. I couldn’t really find a punchline that I liked. But after the week I’ve had, I could use a stiff drink.
Not to bum everyone out, but I need to communicate with you the manner in which my circumstances have recently changed and they have changed dramatically.
If you’ve been following my Twitter account, you know that on Wednesday, the corporation I work for eliminated my position. That’s a nice way of saying I was laid off. I was one of 220 that were let go on Wednesday. So I suppose I can take solice in the knowledge that it wasn’t personal.
It sucks being unemployed, that’s for sure – Especially in a down economy. But there’s not much that can be done about it. The decision to eliminate my position was made long before I could have hoped to have any influence over the outcome.
The good news is that I was given a respectable severance and I have a little bit of breathing room as I try to find new work. So the pressure isn’t on just yet. Still, I’m not taking any chances and plan on hitting the bricks first thing on Monday.
This isn’t my first time around the block when it comes to the whole job-loss thing. So I’m not freaking out as badly as maybe I should. I feel confident that the experience I’ve cultivated over the last 10 years will help me find a job in new and creative work environment.
To that end, if you know of any companies looking for a web or print designer, let me know, won’t you?
What does all this mean for Theater Hopper? Truthfully, I don’t know.
I have to admit that I was on the fence about continuing Theater Hopper after a particularly stressful first half of 2009. Diminished site traffic, ad revenue and a lack of store purchases made me wonder if I was spinning my wheels.
But after 7 years working on the comic, it’s hard to turn my back on it. I’m sticking with it.
Now that I’m unemployed, I’m trying to decide if I want to ramp UP production of the comic to 5 days a week. If I do that, I think the change would go into effect on Monday. But I really need time to sit and think about it. Either I’ll come up with a long-term story idea that will carry me through for a month or two at 5 days a week or I won’t.
I also have to decide if it’s worth it to pour that much effort into the comic while I’m trying to find work.
In either case, you will probably see me talking more about the books and shirts I have for sale though the site.
I’m willing to share that pre-orders on Theater Hopper: Year Three and the Spoiler Alert! shirt were not strong. As a result, the people who DID pre-order have been waiting and waiting and waiting. I appreciate their patience.
I think after the first two books (released in 2007), I became a little gun shy about promoting my stuff. I worked very hard to spread the word about Theater Hopper: Year One and Theater Hopper: Year Two. As a result, some people complained that they were tired of hearing about it. So I dialed back. WAY back.
I can’t afford to do that any more. In addition to gathering pre-orders for the new material, I need to work on getting rid of my existing inventory. So you’ll probably hear me mention those things more often.
Look, I know times are tough for everyone. I know there are those of you out there that WANT to support the comic but can’t afford to do so. That’s fine. I’m not trying to pressure anyone into buying anything. All I want to do is put reminders out there. So, if by luck you find a $20 in the street, maybe you’ll spend it with us.
I hope these renewed efforts in promotion don’t alienate any of you and if you have any suggestions as to how I can keep things in check before they become annoying, I’d appreciate it.
Bottom line: This layoff could be a huge opportunity to do something drastically different with Theater Hopper. Before I make any changes, I wanted to bring everyone up to speed on what was happening in my life so it didn’t feel like it was coming out of nowhere.
I want to say “thank you” to all of the people who responded to my Twitter posts with words of encouragement and support as well as the good friends who have checked up on me through e-mail or over the phone. I appreciate it more than you know.
As for the future, who knows what it will bring? But I’m encouraged to work hard and do the best I can.
Thanks for your time, your understanding, your support and have a great weekend.
It's got Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifi?...
Zach Googlefoo?
Zach Gallyway?
Zorb Gooflefraub?
Screw it.
"Beardo the Weirdo."
The first thing you have to get rid of is the down attitude. 🙂 I think anyone who reads webcomics can understand you have to make money somewhere – even just saying “This is the obligatory ‘I would really appreciate people buying some of the books’ statement that webcomic people are supposed to say. If I don’t say this, I get kicked out of the cabal.”
Second point, sorry to hear about getting laid off. We met briefly at Emerald City Comic-Con, and you came across as a really great guy. Unassuming, nice, a good person. If my fellow fans haven’t had a moment to find you at a convention, it’s their loss.
I’m planning to see The Hangover at the Big Picture with some friends in Seattle on Tuesday. (It’s a small theater, 21+, with a bar.) 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Crazy – can it be that good?
Aw, man that sucks. FWIW, my wife might be in the same boat job wise by the end of this month.
Best of luck to finding a new job, man.
Hey Tom,
Sorry to hear about your luck, losing a job sucks big time. Best of luck finding another one.
Sorry about that man.I hope you find a job soon.
Hey Tom,
Sorry about losing your job, that really sucks. Concerning your store, I’ve been considering purchasing your books for a while, I might just do that now (especially with the canadian money almost being on par with yours!). I’d also like to get a shirt or two, but honestly, none of your current designs interest me… I’d much prefer something simpler with a couple of TH’s characters on it… I’m not sure what exactly though; I’ll check back in your archive to see if I find something that I think might make a good shirt design. I’m not big on blobs of text on shirts.
Also, sorry to bring it up again, but how are the donation drive drawings coming along? 😉
I don’t know if you ever thought about it but Hijinks Ensue ( http://hijinksensue.com/ ) sells signed prints of their webcomics for $10 a piece . . . i don’t know if this would be something your fans would be interested in but it could help generate extra income.
Good luck on the job search. ^_^
I’ve got faith in you, Tom. You won’t be out in the cold for long.
As far as The Hangover goes, I’m looking forward to it. Todd Philips is one of the best comedy directors out there these days. Also, Zach Galifinakis is from my hometown. Wilkesboro represent!
Sorry to read you lost your job. I’ve been there and it is rough. If I remember correctly, you’ve mentioned that Cami works for the same company, is she still okay in her job? On the bright side, you’ll be able to spend more time with Henry. Just keep your chin up and you’ll find something…
BTW, I would be totally psyched to have TH 5 days a week. Quite a few of the comics I have been following have shuttered their sites so I definitely have room for daily TH.
Sorry to hear about the job loss, and just keep pounding on doors and you’ll have a job in no time, good luck.
If you made TH 5 days a week, that would be really rad. Good luck in these uncertain times.
Good luck in the job hunt, Tom. While I would love more Theater Hopper, my recommendation is to not jump into 5x update right away. Concentrate on finding another job (which will take a few months, especially in this economy). If after a little while you think you can handle it, then make the switch.
While I was unemployed for 6 months I applied to 10 places per day every day (minus weekends), and it took up a lot of time and energy. Granted, I’m in a field much less in-demand than you (I work in advertising).
I wish you the best of luck and keep us all informed about how things progress on the job front.
Sorry to hear about your job, my sister in law is in the same boat right now. As for five times a week for Theater Hopper, well I’d be back every day to check it out. But if I were you I’d ask how long it typically takes to create each comic and if its not too long go for it.
Maybe you could have some comics that are in black and white if that’s faster. Kinda like little gamers used to do.
Damn Tom, I’m really sorry to hear that you lost your job, just don’t lose hope and keep on looking, you’ll find an even better one. And hey I for one would LOVE to see TH five days a week, but don’t do it if it’s gonna interfere with the job hunt! Now I’m off to check out your store and see if I can find something to blow some cash on. 🙂
hey man long time reader (circa 04-05) so this is sad news to hear.
but hey you have made it this far and im sure you will be back on ur feet in no time!
as for the comic if u have to take a break or end it im sure us fans will be sad but will understand. i hope it doesnt come to that tho!! and i like the idea of doing a five days a week strip. i understand tho this will probably put on a lot more stress on yaa and i dont want ya to get bogged down!
have u considered maybe trying to get the strip syndicated with newspapers or something? that would be a great business venture! i cant remember if you were still with the college paper or not. ( i think its a college paper cant remember sorry) but yea maybe give that a look into.
anyways i have rambled on and on like i usually do but once again good luck in the job search buddy. live long and prosper and the force be with you!
Best of luck to you, good sir, on where you’re going from here. I sincerely hope that the comic continues on, but finding stable work is probably more important (and I promise I’ll get a shirt soon, one of them has been on my to-buy list for long enough). Though I suppose whatever you end up doing, you’ll still have my support 🙂
Good luck getting a new job. And whatever you decide to do with Theater Hopper, I’ll continue to support. I look forward to that 5 minute break 3 times a week with this page.
As for the Hangover, Zach G-whatever makes me not want to see it. I saw him live this year and hated his performance. It was an experience, but he wasn’t very funny, and overall was incredibly cranky and rude to his audience. I was very glad I didn’t pay to see him.
Do not let the economy get you down. I live in Portland and half the people I know have been laid off in the last 6 months.
I am of two minds about a 5 day a week Theater Hopper. Yes, I the end user would enjoy the constant stream of LOLs and ROFLs and other various text acronyms. However I think that consistency is important. When you get another job you will have to cut the 5 day a week comic back to 3 days a week. If you keep the same schedule there is a certainty that you can maintain in work times and non work times.
Honestly I would rather you spend the new free time with your family and just keep the comic at three days a week because when else will you get this opportunity to spend this much time with your wife and son once you start working again?
All though this new found free time will help you catch up on your incentive work from the hard drive crash last summer. (hint, hint)
I appreciate the comic and have been reading it for the past 6 years but the reality is that you have to do what is best for you and your family.
Sorry to hear about the job. No matter what you do I will be behind, but please do your best to avoid a total shut-down, there very comics that are as good as yours out there anymore. As for a story line idea, if you go 5-days, how Tom trying to break into/on the Ironman 2 set, it can be like a road trip movie but better.
Huh, it’s the opposite for me.
Zach Galifianakis is the only person I know of from that movie.
As I said on Twitter bad news about the job but good luck with looking for a new one!!
I’d also like to echo some of the posts here that I’d really love a 5 a week update schedule, however I’d rather you managed to find a new job and didn’t get too stressed (been reading your comic and blogs from nearly the start-never mind the podcast- so actually feel like I care). Though something similar to CTRL ALT Del’s sillies might not take as much out of you.
As for pushing your merch do it as much as you want if people don’t want to read that bit they’ll skip it, I on the other hand have just got around to buying a spoiler T and book.
‘nil carborundum illegitimi’
TianRee
Congrats on getting your strip published on FML! I mean it! This site and its French brother are a big deal….
Seeing there is a new strip once in awhile is so sweet….
No job? Be it! The guys who come up with the best comic strip blogs in Europe have been doing beautifully in the past 5+ years…. go for it, full-time!
Thanks for the congrats. Working with Alice over at FML was a treat. They were very, very cool.
Although I didn’t know they day before it was due that they were in France! Had to scramble due to the time change!
Question: What did you mean by “be it?” Like, do the comic full-time? What comic blogs in Europe can you refer me to? I’m curious!
Thanks!