We have to end the show.

Summary

In this video, the creators of *Sonic Boom* reflect on the show's journey, sharing both its successes and the challenges that led to its end. Originally inspired by their fun collaborative band project 'First of October,' *Sonic Boom* involved complex production, tight deadlines, and high costs. Despite initial success, the show became financially unsustainable due to declining performance in season two and the increasing demands of their personal lives. They discuss the personal struggles faced, including health issues, and how balancing family, work, and creative projects ultimately led to the difficult decision to end the show. The video offers closure and gratitude to fans for their support.

Takeaways

• 😀 The end of *Sonic Boom* is a result of the unsustainable workload and resource intensity behind the scenes.
• 😀 Rob and the creator were inspired by their band, *First of October*, to create *Sonic Boom*, aiming to have more frequent content while keeping things fun.
• 😀 The production process for *Sonic Boom* involved shooting multiple episodes in a single week, with some episodes filmed months in advance.
• 😀 Despite its initial success, the second season of *Sonic Boom* performed poorly compared to the first, resulting in a significant financial loss.
• 😀 The high production value, with six cameras and complex editing, made the show more challenging and resource-heavy than expected.
• 😀 The show’s rapid turnover of content led to a high rate of burnout for the creators, especially given the ambitious nature of the project.
• 😀 One of the primary challenges was the inability to make *Sonic Boom* a long-term sustainable project due to the massive amount of pre- and post-production work.
• 😀 Financially, *Sonic Boom* required a huge budget for studio rentals, crew, and equipment, and ended up costing more than it made, especially in season two.
• 😀 The team had difficulty replicating the enthusiasm and audience engagement from *First of October*, and the show didn’t capture the same level of ongoing interest from fans.
• 😀 Personal challenges, including Rob's health struggles and the creators' growing family responsibilities, contributed to the show's decline.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, the creators are proud of the music produced and have released a compilation album with remixed and previously unreleased songs from the show.

Q & A

Why did Sonic Boom ultimately come to an end?

Sonic Boom ended because it became unsustainable due to several challenges, including the complexity of pre- and post-production, the high costs of production, and the declining performance of the show in terms of audience engagement and income.

What was the initial inspiration for creating Sonic Boom?

The idea for Sonic Boom came from the fun Rob and the creator had working together on their band 'First of October.' They wanted to create a way to hang out more often, produce content for their fans, and replicate the energy of their one-day-a-year band in a more frequent format.

What was the format of each episode of Sonic Boom?

Each episode of Sonic Boom focused on a different musical challenge, where the hosts would create one song under unique constraints, often with a time limit or other challenge. The episodes were typically 10 to 20 minutes long.

How did the production process of Sonic Boom differ from their band First of October?

Unlike First of October, which involved creating an album in a single day, Sonic Boom episodes were filmed in batches over a week. The show required more coverage, with six cameras used per episode, and much more editing, as each episode had a different musical concept and challenge.

What challenges did the creators face during production?

The main challenges included the complexity of pre- and post-production, which took months, the high costs of studio rentals, crews, and equipment, and the unsustainable nature of managing all aspects of the show while balancing personal and professional lives.

What led to the financial difficulties of Sonic Boom?

Despite the successful performance of season one, season two saw a significant drop in audience engagement, leading to a loss of income from ads and sponsors. The show ended up losing tens of thousands of dollars, making it financially unviable to continue.

How did Rob's health affect the production of Sonic Boom?

Rob's health played a significant role in the difficulties of filming, especially during season one, when he was impaired by a medication side effect that caused mania. His mental state affected his performance and the overall production process.

What kind of support did Sonic Boom’s house band provide during the filming process?

The house band came in for the last two or three hours of each shoot, reacting to pre-recorded music snippets from each episode. They provided short, on-the-spot music stingers, contributing to the final touch of the episode.

Why did the creators decide to cut back on their involvement in Sonic Boom?

Both creators were already stretched thin with other projects and personal commitments. They wanted to focus on their other content, like 4 Producers 1 Sample and Weird Gear, and spend more time with their families. The high workload of Sonic Boom was draining their energy and affecting their other creative endeavors.

How did the creators feel about the impact of Sonic Boom on their mental health and personal lives?

The creators reflected on the toll Sonic Boom took on their mental health, particularly Rob's struggles with his health and the emotional strain of balancing their careers and personal lives. While they were proud of the show, they recognized the importance of self-care and the need to adjust their priorities.