2022 Summary of the Reviews:
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In part due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Filmtracks experienced a productive rebound year in 2021, and that pace was largely maintained in 2022. The site's success over the two years marked the steadiest coverage since 2010-2011. There has been no break in new reviews since early 2020, and the site has managed to stay relatively current on re-releases as well.
The sudden, pandemic-driven shift of the technology sector to remote work has caused my day job to become mostly remote permanently, removing commute times and freeing another fifteen hours per week that can be spent in part on Filmtracks. I have no intent to switch employers, so we can expect this increase in available time for the site to continue into the foreseeable future.
Historically, Filmtracks has averaged 30 new reviews and 30 re-writes of older reviews per year. In 2021, that production increased to 81 new reviews and 65 re-writes for a total of 146 "touches," while in 2022 that writing continued at a pace of 99 new reviews and 44 re-writes for a total of 143 "touches." With the site more current on new albums of older scores, re-writes were replaced in the schedule with additional all-new reviews.
With the backlog of newly-released re-issues and expanded products minimized, more time can be spent in 2023 on all-new reviews, including additional coverage of older scores in high reader demand at the site. The majority of new reviews at Filmtracks in 2022 (53) were dedicated to these older scores, and you can expect that trend to continue if the overall pace of writing can be maintained. The goals for 2023 remain conservative, however, to account for possible distractions or maladies.
By the numbers:
2022 Goals:
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New Reviews of New Albums: 40
New Reviews of Old Albums: 25
Re-Writes: 35
2022 Final Stats:
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New Reviews of New Albums: 46
New Reviews of Old Albums: 53
Re-Writes: 44
2023 Goals:
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New Reviews of New Albums: 40
New Reviews of Old Albums: 30
Re-Writes: 30
2022 Summary of the Overall Site:
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Most of the non-review maintenance of Filmtracks in 2022 involved server-related work with no visible component for readers. A server enhancement in December should keep the site running smoothly for at least another three years. Automated attacks on the site increased on average. Minor bug fixes to the forums, supplemental enhancement of the composer pages and associated photos, and expansion of the Filmtracks Awards section are all ongoing projects.
Because of the consistent coverage over the past two years, readership to the site has remained steadily higher than in the late 2010's. Forum participation has been about the same, with a healthy turnover in membership bringing new voices to the site. Filmtracks finished 2022 in worse financial condition compared to the prior year, the site finishing with a total net loss due to diminished income from donations and ad revenue while costs remained stable. It still requires subsidization to survive.
Aside from the completion of enhancements to the Filmtracks Awards section, expect no major changes at the site in 2023. Filmtracks still has no permanent physical home, as the build of its future office remains delayed by an ongoing legal situation involving the property that could persist for years. Our forestation work there will continue regardless. In the meantime, new coverage at Filmtracks will include first-ever reviews of old favorites and obscure works by major composers, and the Scoreboard is as colorful as always. Enjoy!
Best wishes to all in 2023,
Christian
