This is the post I’ve been trying to put off as long as I could. For anyone that’s dropped by after San Diego Comic Con or Long Beach Comic Con you’ve noticed unfortunately a diminishing amount of publishing. It’s because I’ve learned that freelance is a good thing and so is web comics, but the two don’t mix well at all. Trying to both freelance as well as a be a web comics illustrator, writer AND editor for TomatoTV.net has not worked out as evidence of our terrible publishing “schedule”. I’ve been evaluating and some things gatta go. Now, you’ve read several posts that start with a similar prompt of “not enough time. Too much life” then they usually end with “it’s been great. Bye bye webcomic.” Well not here, for me it’s “Freelancing has been great, but bye bye Freelance. Hello TomatoTV.net” I’ll be returning to regular work for a company for a variety of reasons, but amongst those so I can donate the proper time to TomatoTV.net and really take it where I know it can go.

Why am I doing the opposite of what most people do when they get to this point? Am I the battered spouse that won’t leave? Do I need to admit I have an unhealthy addiction? Am I incapable of figuring out what real priorities are? Do I have delusions of grandeur? No.

On the personal side, TomatoTV.net is not something that I want to do; it’s something I NEED to do. It’s addressing an inner song that must be sung, or like a balloon filling with air MUST be let out other wise the pressure just increases until it pops. The characters and stories literally tug at me and demand to have a voice. Not updating the site isn’t going to stop the voices. I’ve tried that on another project and the voices never did fade away. In the end I’m a storyteller, whether I like it or have time for it or not.

On the professional side, if you’re wondering why I’d do such a thing for a “side project”, simply put TomatoTV is far, far from a “side project”. In the creative business world that we exist in with the “do your own thing THEN we’d love to talk” “side projects” like TomatoTV are almost as required as a portfolio. TomatoTV has been the reason I’ve stumbled onto such amazing professional attention, opportunity and connections that my portfolio alone would not have lead me too. It’s lead to such wonderful things as: developing pilot animation with LATV (and came a hairs breath of turning this volunteer staff into a animation production studio), development with Disney Television Animation, finding and becoming part of Animation Army and development of Geekdom Wear, and a “wow that sounds like an idea I’ve never heard of. I going to definitely check that out” with every art director, animation exec, and animation company owner I’ve shared it with and so much more. This site may not have paid the bills directly, but it’s far from a “side project”.

Also there are a few IP’s on this site where they really have potential. I truly believe that TomatoTV has content on it, and that it has enough quality and unique ideas and structure that if given proper time and growth will lead to this website being part or more of my income eventually, as well as the other staff who have graciously given their time.
So the plan:

TomatoTV is going to be updating when I can, but effectively now will be on hold for a short while as I look to transition back into working at a company again. Freelance has been fun, but it’s time to have something close to a set schedule again. That said it’s important to find the right job, and not just a job, as there’s a huge difference. I’ll make a separate post of what kind of work I’m looking for and what I can do so if any one knows work they can contact me, but this post is about you. Me letting you know that I’ve been truant, but am working things out to get back on track.

So viewers, TomatoTV.net reception may be spotty for a little bit, but I’m working on getting everything fixed much sooner than later.
Thank you and apologies for any interruption in regularly scheduled programming.