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Summary of site status for 2013

Christian Clemmensen
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(bubonicplague.filmtracks.com)
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Summary of site status for 2013   Saturday, March 1, 2014 (12:05 p.m.) 

2013 Summary of the Reviews:
--------------------------------------------------------

To say that Filmtracks survived 2013 is perhaps appropriate; although I knew the production for the site was going to decrease due to extremely hectic real-life circumstances, the extent of the decline in the amount of reviewing was truly unforeseen. Fewer reviews debuted on Filmtracks last year than in any year since the site opened in 1996.

Reviews of 2013 and late 2012 scores totaled 34 while only two first-time reviews of older scores were completed. All re-writes during the year involved adding newly-released albums to existing reviews, and 23 of these were done during 2013. With the exception of the all-new review for City of Ember, all "touches" of reviews during the year were due to new album releases. Only 59 reviews were "touched" in sum, down from 130 in 2012 and 316 in 2011, a remarkable and disappointing reduction in writing.

The goals for Filmtracks in 2014 are unfortunately even more conservative. With my day job in Wyoming consuming more hours than any job I've ever had before, there is simply less time to devote to writing for Filmtracks. All coverage will pertain to new album releases; no optional reviews of older scores will be attempted. With luck, I will be able to write 30 reviews of new scores and 20 re-writes to account for expanded or re-issued new albums for scores already reviewed on the site. The total goal for review "touches" in 2014, thus, is only 50, a far cry from years past, but an honest projection of what I may be able to accomplish.

By the numbers:

2013 Goals:
--------------------------------------
New Reviews of New Albums: 40
New Reviews of Old Albums: 10
Re-Writes: 30

2013 Final Stats:
--------------------------------------
New Reviews of New Albums: 34
New Reviews of Old Albums: 2
Re-Writes: 23

2014 Goals:
--------------------------------------
New Reviews of New Albums: 30
New Reviews of Old Albums: 0
Re-Writes: 20


2013 Summary of the Overall Site:
--------------------------------------------------------

Filmtracks was an exercise in patience in 2013, extended periods of time passing without any activity on the site due to my issues moving to and working in Wyoming, some of which ongoing. There were five months without any reviewing activity whatsoever, the absence of new writing in most of the final quarter of 2013 matching the site's long break in coverage in 2005. There were no projects planned for the site in 2013, but a successful server migration was undertaken in April and May, moving the site to a smaller, slower server.

On the upside, 2013 wasn't the fiscal disaster for Filmtracks that 2012 was, the site losing significant money only in the first quarter of the year. The move to a smaller, less expensive server has caused maintenance and loading speed issues with the site, but it has also led to a sizable reduction of costs. In the end, Filmtracks only barely lost money in the year, and if revenues continue at current levels in 2014, the site may yield its first notably profitable year since 2008. Traffic did decline on the whole during 2013, but not as much as expected given the absence of new coverage in the last three months.

There is no indication that Filmtracks will achieve any of its major projects (total redesign, composer tribute reformatting, etc.) anytime soon. The overwhelming schedule of my day job in Wyoming simply will not allow me any free time to dedicate to these projects or even a return to previous reviewing levels. There is a chance that 2015 or 2016 will bring yet more life changes that will inhibit the site, so the only advice I have for Filmtracks' gracious readership is to stay with me for the long haul and lower your expectations for the next two years. The commitment of the site's veteran readers and the generosity of your donations continue to be heartwarming and encouraging!

Best wishes to all in 2014,

Christian



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rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Christian Clemmensen at Filmtracks Publications. Scoreboard created 7/24/98 and last updated 4/25/15.