On Friday I'm heading out on a little roadtrip which will eventually take me to Cleveland, Ohio.
In Cleveland I'll be taping the upcoming season of Scrapbook Soup TV.
Today I thought I'd share a little bit about what goes into prepping for a segment on the show.
Each segment is 6-7 minutes long. When I'm creating a project for the show I need to think about that fact.
What is a project that I can do from start-to-finish in 6-7 minutes with some step-outs?
Do you know what step-outs are? They're a TV invention. Remember when Julia Child would put a turkey into the oven on TV and then remove one that had already been cooked? That's a step-out. If paint needs to dry on a canvas, I'll say, "…and here's one that's already dry…" and pull out a new canvas. It makes it possible to get each project down to 6-7 minutes, but boy is it a pain-in-the-you-know-what to do all those step-outs. It means that I make each project multiple times. I'd like to say that this has absolutely no bearing on the types of projects that I create for the show, but I have to admit that I do end up limiting the numbers of layers just because I want to do fewer step-outs.
When I have an idea for the project, I'll do a sketch or two.
Once the idea in my head looks good on paper, I start to figure out what supplies I'm going to use. When creating for myself I tend to like to use everything I own. When creating for TV it's important to severely limit the supplies that I use. I have a very limited amount of time to show off the products and talk about how they work or why I like them, so keeping it minimal is helpful. In my mind I think about the Green Room trays….
We lay each segment out on one of these big trays before filming. In my mind, I try to imagine the least amount of stuff possible on that tray.
At this point I know what my project is going to be and I have my supplies. It's time to get to making. I'm sure that I look like a crazy person as I create each project. I sit there in my studio talking to myself as I create. On TV it's important to talk-and-do. You should never stop talking or doing. Both must be happening at all times. So to get myself ready to do that I give the instructions for everything I'm doing out loud as I do it.
Crazy. Person.
Once the project is done I sit back to determine how many step-outs are required. I want to do enough to keep the segment moving quickly, but not so many that the viewers get overwhelmed. It's a balancing act. I tend to write out how I'm going to teach the project. Usually when I look at the steps I can see where a step-out will help speed things along. Then, of course, I have to sit down and make all those step-outs.
Once the step-outs are done it's time to photograph the project, edit the photos, write up instructions, and create a .pdf of the instructions for download on the Scrapbook Soup website. This takes a surprisingly long time.
Finally, each project goes into a bag with the name of the segment, the instructions, the finished project, the step-outs, and all of the supplies needed to complete the project on air.
Whew.
For this taping I have prepped nine segments. Well, technically I've prepped eight and have one more that needs to get finished before Friday…eep! It's time for me to get back to work!
I hope you found this peek backstage interesting! Thanks for stopping by!
—
P.S. I'm going to be interviewed on Mark Lipinski's internet radio show "Creative Mojo" today (Wednesday, April 11) at 3:35pm EST.
Here's a bit about the broadcast:
As you might know, Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski was chosen by Digg.com as one of the Internet's five most motivational webcasts and was a featured podcast on iTunes.com. The entire premise of the show is to spotlight creativity and the creative process and has a following of roughly 40,000-plus listeners. Let your friends and fans know that in order to listen in to the show LIVE, they will need to go to www.toginet.com on their computer and click on the "listen live" button on the right-hand side of the page. The show airs every Wednesday at 3:00 pm EST (New York) and runs LIVE, with listener call-ins, for two hours! If you can't listen live, you can catch the taped version anytime, starting from a few hours after the live broadcast. Just check out the Creative Mojo web page.
Hope you can tune in!
P.P.S. The winner of the Pomegranate Stencil is….
Anne, e-mail me with your mailing address and I'll get those stencils out to you!
Wow that sounds like a lot of work Julie…. Thanks for doing all this… You are an awesome source of inspiration…
Wow that sounds like a lot of work Julie…. Thanks for doing all this… You are an awesome source of inspiration…
Wow that sounds like a lot of work Julie…. Thanks for doing all this… You are an awesome source of inspiration…
Wow that sounds like a lot of work Julie…. Thanks for doing all this… You are an awesome source of inspiration…
Wow that sounds like a lot of work Julie…. Thanks for doing all this… You are an awesome source of inspiration…
Wow, thanks for the inside peek. Its hard to imagine the steps when you see the finished product. Thats a lot of work. Kind of you to share the process. Good luck and I hope its a great series.
Wow, thanks for the inside peek. Its hard to imagine the steps when you see the finished product. Thats a lot of work. Kind of you to share the process. Good luck and I hope its a great series.
Wow, thanks for the inside peek. Its hard to imagine the steps when you see the finished product. Thats a lot of work. Kind of you to share the process. Good luck and I hope its a great series.
Wow, thanks for the inside peek. Its hard to imagine the steps when you see the finished product. Thats a lot of work. Kind of you to share the process. Good luck and I hope its a great series.
Wow, thanks for the inside peek. Its hard to imagine the steps when you see the finished product. Thats a lot of work. Kind of you to share the process. Good luck and I hope its a great series.
here’s my question. don’t you people sleep. i know why i’m awake-i’m at work. seriously i’m glad i’m not the only one up but i hope you get to create at this time. julie thanks for the info. i thought with all the premade steps tv was harder than it looked and now i know. ruth
here’s my question. don’t you people sleep. i know why i’m awake-i’m at work. seriously i’m glad i’m not the only one up but i hope you get to create at this time. julie thanks for the info. i thought with all the premade steps tv was harder than it looked and now i know. ruth
here’s my question. don’t you people sleep. i know why i’m awake-i’m at work. seriously i’m glad i’m not the only one up but i hope you get to create at this time. julie thanks for the info. i thought with all the premade steps tv was harder than it looked and now i know. ruth
here’s my question. don’t you people sleep. i know why i’m awake-i’m at work. seriously i’m glad i’m not the only one up but i hope you get to create at this time. julie thanks for the info. i thought with all the premade steps tv was harder than it looked and now i know. ruth
here’s my question. don’t you people sleep. i know why i’m awake-i’m at work. seriously i’m glad i’m not the only one up but i hope you get to create at this time. julie thanks for the info. i thought with all the premade steps tv was harder than it looked and now i know. ruth
Thanks for sharing this Julie, very interesting to read a bit about the backstage work – have fun on your trip!
Thanks for sharing this Julie, very interesting to read a bit about the backstage work – have fun on your trip!
Thanks for sharing this Julie, very interesting to read a bit about the backstage work – have fun on your trip!
Thanks for sharing this Julie, very interesting to read a bit about the backstage work – have fun on your trip!
Thanks for sharing this Julie, very interesting to read a bit about the backstage work – have fun on your trip!
Hi Julie, I’m so excited your coming to Cleveland!! I live a little over an hour from there would be so COOL to see you and say hello!!
This was fun to read and learn about the process going into this show. That is a lot of work you put into it, so much thinking and planning! Thanks for explaining it to us!!
So excited to know your coming here!!!!
Hi Julie, I’m so excited your coming to Cleveland!! I live a little over an hour from there would be so COOL to see you and say hello!!
This was fun to read and learn about the process going into this show. That is a lot of work you put into it, so much thinking and planning! Thanks for explaining it to us!!
So excited to know your coming here!!!!
Hi Julie, I’m so excited your coming to Cleveland!! I live a little over an hour from there would be so COOL to see you and say hello!!
This was fun to read and learn about the process going into this show. That is a lot of work you put into it, so much thinking and planning! Thanks for explaining it to us!!
So excited to know your coming here!!!!
Hi Julie, I’m so excited your coming to Cleveland!! I live a little over an hour from there would be so COOL to see you and say hello!!
This was fun to read and learn about the process going into this show. That is a lot of work you put into it, so much thinking and planning! Thanks for explaining it to us!!
So excited to know your coming here!!!!
Hi Julie, I’m so excited your coming to Cleveland!! I live a little over an hour from there would be so COOL to see you and say hello!!
This was fun to read and learn about the process going into this show. That is a lot of work you put into it, so much thinking and planning! Thanks for explaining it to us!!
So excited to know your coming here!!!!
Oh my, what a lot of work for just a few minutes on air! It’s so interesting to learn about the process and how much you have to put into each show – thanks for taking the time to share with us.
Oh my, what a lot of work for just a few minutes on air! It’s so interesting to learn about the process and how much you have to put into each show – thanks for taking the time to share with us.
Oh my, what a lot of work for just a few minutes on air! It’s so interesting to learn about the process and how much you have to put into each show – thanks for taking the time to share with us.
Oh my, what a lot of work for just a few minutes on air! It’s so interesting to learn about the process and how much you have to put into each show – thanks for taking the time to share with us.
Oh my, what a lot of work for just a few minutes on air! It’s so interesting to learn about the process and how much you have to put into each show – thanks for taking the time to share with us.
wow, ALOT of stuff goin on we didnt think about :0 tfs and I live in Cleve..was wishing you were coming to teach so I could meet you 🙁 best wishes
wow, ALOT of stuff goin on we didnt think about :0 tfs and I live in Cleve..was wishing you were coming to teach so I could meet you 🙁 best wishes
wow, ALOT of stuff goin on we didnt think about :0 tfs and I live in Cleve..was wishing you were coming to teach so I could meet you 🙁 best wishes
wow, ALOT of stuff goin on we didnt think about :0 tfs and I live in Cleve..was wishing you were coming to teach so I could meet you 🙁 best wishes
wow, ALOT of stuff goin on we didnt think about :0 tfs and I live in Cleve..was wishing you were coming to teach so I could meet you 🙁 best wishes
That looks like so much work. Thank you Julie for explaining the variou steps that you go through. Many of us look at a piece of art and see only that, we never think of the process that goes behind it.
That looks like so much work. Thank you Julie for explaining the variou steps that you go through. Many of us look at a piece of art and see only that, we never think of the process that goes behind it.
That looks like so much work. Thank you Julie for explaining the variou steps that you go through. Many of us look at a piece of art and see only that, we never think of the process that goes behind it.
That looks like so much work. Thank you Julie for explaining the variou steps that you go through. Many of us look at a piece of art and see only that, we never think of the process that goes behind it.
That looks like so much work. Thank you Julie for explaining the variou steps that you go through. Many of us look at a piece of art and see only that, we never think of the process that goes behind it.
I find it ironic that you will film in Cleveland but we can not get the show on TV here in Cleveland. Hope Cleveland treats you well. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction this weekend. Lots of visitors will be in town.
I find it ironic that you will film in Cleveland but we can not get the show on TV here in Cleveland. Hope Cleveland treats you well. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction this weekend. Lots of visitors will be in town.
I find it ironic that you will film in Cleveland but we can not get the show on TV here in Cleveland. Hope Cleveland treats you well. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction this weekend. Lots of visitors will be in town.
I find it ironic that you will film in Cleveland but we can not get the show on TV here in Cleveland. Hope Cleveland treats you well. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction this weekend. Lots of visitors will be in town.
I find it ironic that you will film in Cleveland but we can not get the show on TV here in Cleveland. Hope Cleveland treats you well. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction this weekend. Lots of visitors will be in town.
Unbelievable amount of preparation. Good luck with the show.
Unbelievable amount of preparation. Good luck with the show.
Unbelievable amount of preparation. Good luck with the show.
Unbelievable amount of preparation. Good luck with the show.
Unbelievable amount of preparation. Good luck with the show.
I always thought it would be a ton of work to teach on a short TV segment and you have just confirmed it!
Break a leg (or an ATG gun). 🙂
I always thought it would be a ton of work to teach on a short TV segment and you have just confirmed it!
Break a leg (or an ATG gun). 🙂
I always thought it would be a ton of work to teach on a short TV segment and you have just confirmed it!
Break a leg (or an ATG gun). 🙂
I always thought it would be a ton of work to teach on a short TV segment and you have just confirmed it!
Break a leg (or an ATG gun). 🙂
I always thought it would be a ton of work to teach on a short TV segment and you have just confirmed it!
Break a leg (or an ATG gun). 🙂
Love the projects I could see!!! thanks for all the work you do and i love that shot of you moving around reminded me of one of those portraits moving in harry potter lol!
Love the projects I could see!!! thanks for all the work you do and i love that shot of you moving around reminded me of one of those portraits moving in harry potter lol!
Love the projects I could see!!! thanks for all the work you do and i love that shot of you moving around reminded me of one of those portraits moving in harry potter lol!
Love the projects I could see!!! thanks for all the work you do and i love that shot of you moving around reminded me of one of those portraits moving in harry potter lol!
Love the projects I could see!!! thanks for all the work you do and i love that shot of you moving around reminded me of one of those portraits moving in harry potter lol!
Whew – just in the nick of time. I need to do a live presentation and was trying to figure out wet stuff and time. I am sure I would have figured it out eventually, but now I’ve got it. Break a leg!
Whew – just in the nick of time. I need to do a live presentation and was trying to figure out wet stuff and time. I am sure I would have figured it out eventually, but now I’ve got it. Break a leg!
Whew – just in the nick of time. I need to do a live presentation and was trying to figure out wet stuff and time. I am sure I would have figured it out eventually, but now I’ve got it. Break a leg!
Whew – just in the nick of time. I need to do a live presentation and was trying to figure out wet stuff and time. I am sure I would have figured it out eventually, but now I’ve got it. Break a leg!
Whew – just in the nick of time. I need to do a live presentation and was trying to figure out wet stuff and time. I am sure I would have figured it out eventually, but now I’ve got it. Break a leg!
Wow! I thought I had a pretty good idea of what goes on behind the scenes, but there is so much more than I thought! Looking forward to the next season of the show! Safe travels!
Oh, and thanks for the heads up about your interview on “Creative Mojo”! Fun!
Wow! I thought I had a pretty good idea of what goes on behind the scenes, but there is so much more than I thought! Looking forward to the next season of the show! Safe travels!
Oh, and thanks for the heads up about your interview on “Creative Mojo”! Fun!
Wow! I thought I had a pretty good idea of what goes on behind the scenes, but there is so much more than I thought! Looking forward to the next season of the show! Safe travels!
Oh, and thanks for the heads up about your interview on “Creative Mojo”! Fun!
Wow! I thought I had a pretty good idea of what goes on behind the scenes, but there is so much more than I thought! Looking forward to the next season of the show! Safe travels!
Oh, and thanks for the heads up about your interview on “Creative Mojo”! Fun!
Wow! I thought I had a pretty good idea of what goes on behind the scenes, but there is so much more than I thought! Looking forward to the next season of the show! Safe travels!
Oh, and thanks for the heads up about your interview on “Creative Mojo”! Fun!
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing your process! Like a few of the other commenters, I’m in Cleveland too and wish you were teaching. I hope you enjoy your stay! And look out for all those rock stars. Lots of fun stuff happening if you arrive this weekend.
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing your process! Like a few of the other commenters, I’m in Cleveland too and wish you were teaching. I hope you enjoy your stay! And look out for all those rock stars. Lots of fun stuff happening if you arrive this weekend.
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing your process! Like a few of the other commenters, I’m in Cleveland too and wish you were teaching. I hope you enjoy your stay! And look out for all those rock stars. Lots of fun stuff happening if you arrive this weekend.
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing your process! Like a few of the other commenters, I’m in Cleveland too and wish you were teaching. I hope you enjoy your stay! And look out for all those rock stars. Lots of fun stuff happening if you arrive this weekend.
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing your process! Like a few of the other commenters, I’m in Cleveland too and wish you were teaching. I hope you enjoy your stay! And look out for all those rock stars. Lots of fun stuff happening if you arrive this weekend.
Thanks for showing us that “celebrity” is not all it’s cracked up to be. I’m amazed at the amount of time and effort you spend on the segments. They are SO appreciated by your viewers but, man, that’s a ton of work for you.
Question: Do you ever feel “held back” by the assignment specs when you’d like to create something more or different? If so, does it bother you as an artist or is it just part of the role? I ask because I did some custom work and felt it did this. I guess it was creating to someone else’s guidelines instead of my own. I came away feeling I had not done my best even though the buyer loved it. Just curious …
Thanks for showing us that “celebrity” is not all it’s cracked up to be. I’m amazed at the amount of time and effort you spend on the segments. They are SO appreciated by your viewers but, man, that’s a ton of work for you.
Question: Do you ever feel “held back” by the assignment specs when you’d like to create something more or different? If so, does it bother you as an artist or is it just part of the role? I ask because I did some custom work and felt it did this. I guess it was creating to someone else’s guidelines instead of my own. I came away feeling I had not done my best even though the buyer loved it. Just curious …
Thanks for showing us that “celebrity” is not all it’s cracked up to be. I’m amazed at the amount of time and effort you spend on the segments. They are SO appreciated by your viewers but, man, that’s a ton of work for you.
Question: Do you ever feel “held back” by the assignment specs when you’d like to create something more or different? If so, does it bother you as an artist or is it just part of the role? I ask because I did some custom work and felt it did this. I guess it was creating to someone else’s guidelines instead of my own. I came away feeling I had not done my best even though the buyer loved it. Just curious …
Thanks for showing us that “celebrity” is not all it’s cracked up to be. I’m amazed at the amount of time and effort you spend on the segments. They are SO appreciated by your viewers but, man, that’s a ton of work for you.
Question: Do you ever feel “held back” by the assignment specs when you’d like to create something more or different? If so, does it bother you as an artist or is it just part of the role? I ask because I did some custom work and felt it did this. I guess it was creating to someone else’s guidelines instead of my own. I came away feeling I had not done my best even though the buyer loved it. Just curious …
Thanks for showing us that “celebrity” is not all it’s cracked up to be. I’m amazed at the amount of time and effort you spend on the segments. They are SO appreciated by your viewers but, man, that’s a ton of work for you.
Question: Do you ever feel “held back” by the assignment specs when you’d like to create something more or different? If so, does it bother you as an artist or is it just part of the role? I ask because I did some custom work and felt it did this. I guess it was creating to someone else’s guidelines instead of my own. I came away feeling I had not done my best even though the buyer loved it. Just curious …
Sheesh Julie, I can only hope they pay you well to do all that work for 6-7 minutes! 🙂 TFS
Sheesh Julie, I can only hope they pay you well to do all that work for 6-7 minutes! 🙂 TFS
Sheesh Julie, I can only hope they pay you well to do all that work for 6-7 minutes! 🙂 TFS
Sheesh Julie, I can only hope they pay you well to do all that work for 6-7 minutes! 🙂 TFS
Sheesh Julie, I can only hope they pay you well to do all that work for 6-7 minutes! 🙂 TFS
thanks so much for a behind the scenes peek. There’s certainly an incredible amount of prep and time and organization involved!
thanks so much for a behind the scenes peek. There’s certainly an incredible amount of prep and time and organization involved!
thanks so much for a behind the scenes peek. There’s certainly an incredible amount of prep and time and organization involved!
thanks so much for a behind the scenes peek. There’s certainly an incredible amount of prep and time and organization involved!
thanks so much for a behind the scenes peek. There’s certainly an incredible amount of prep and time and organization involved!
Yes. Working for someone elses satisfaction or with someone elses supplies can be extremely difficult and frustrating. In the last year or two Ive tried to reorganize my work load so that my art making isnt dominated by projects for others. 🙂
Yes. Working for someone elses satisfaction or with someone elses supplies can be extremely difficult and frustrating. In the last year or two Ive tried to reorganize my work load so that my art making isnt dominated by projects for others. 🙂
Yes. Working for someone elses satisfaction or with someone elses supplies can be extremely difficult and frustrating. In the last year or two Ive tried to reorganize my work load so that my art making isnt dominated by projects for others. 🙂
Yes. Working for someone elses satisfaction or with someone elses supplies can be extremely difficult and frustrating. In the last year or two Ive tried to reorganize my work load so that my art making isnt dominated by projects for others. 🙂
Yes. Working for someone elses satisfaction or with someone elses supplies can be extremely difficult and frustrating. In the last year or two Ive tried to reorganize my work load so that my art making isnt dominated by projects for others. 🙂
That was incredibly interesting! I loved the behind-the-scenes look. Best of luck with your tapings!
That was incredibly interesting! I loved the behind-the-scenes look. Best of luck with your tapings!
That was incredibly interesting! I loved the behind-the-scenes look. Best of luck with your tapings!
That was incredibly interesting! I loved the behind-the-scenes look. Best of luck with your tapings!
That was incredibly interesting! I loved the behind-the-scenes look. Best of luck with your tapings!
This was really interesting to read. It’s always amazing to see how much behind the scene work goes into even a short segment. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This was really interesting to read. It’s always amazing to see how much behind the scene work goes into even a short segment. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This was really interesting to read. It’s always amazing to see how much behind the scene work goes into even a short segment. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This was really interesting to read. It’s always amazing to see how much behind the scene work goes into even a short segment. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This was really interesting to read. It’s always amazing to see how much behind the scene work goes into even a short segment. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Wow! Good job on doing those art piece! Definitely a stand out.
Wow! Good job on doing those art piece! Definitely a stand out.
Wow! Good job on doing those art piece! Definitely a stand out.
Wow! Good job on doing those art piece! Definitely a stand out.
Wow! Good job on doing those art piece! Definitely a stand out.