Updates + Celebrations + Short Films
📽👩🏼💻because watch this: feel that ❤️s you!
Well, hello there!
We made it through January! Can you believe it?
This week I’m excited to share with you:
Updates and celebrations about watch this: feel that including what to expect in the year ahead.
A year at a glance — some fun stats from year one of watch this: feel that.
3 short films for you to enjoy!
🎉CELEBRATIONS:
Yesterday marked one year since I sent my first watch this: feel that newsletter post! Yay!
This was it:
This time last year, I had just heard about Substack and was only two months out from leaving my 9-5 job, so I impulsively took the leap and hoped for the best. I knew I wanted to write more and share my passion for film & TV, and I chose Substack because it gives writers the opportunity to earn income.
Now, 1 year and almost 40 newsletter posts later, I’m happy I took the leap and I’m grateful to all of you for being there on the other side of each email, opening them up to see which films and TV series I’m recommending or reviewing, and who I’m shining a spotlight on, or interviewing.
I’m nowhere near the subscriber status that many writers have on this platform (nor have I raked in the amount of income they have — I’m nowhere near it!), but I’m very grateful for the subscribers I do have, and as I continue to write recommendations, reviews and more this year, I hope to share my passion for film and TV with even more people.
My intentions for the coming year are:
To bring you more interviews with fascinating people from the Film & TV industry.
To be more consistent with weekly posts.
To write more in-depth reviews to share with you.
To come up with new, creative ways to share my passion for film & TV and make this newsletter more fun and valuable to you!
I ❤️ February.
First, it’s my birthday month :) Second, it means January is over! Third — I now have another reason to celebrate - the anniversary of this newsletter!
MY BIRTHDAY WISHES:
This year, when I blow out the candles, I’ll be wishing for all kinds of wonderful things, but what would also make me happy would be to grow and improve my little corner of Substack over the next 365 days. So with that in mind, and to build on the intentions I’ll be working on to make watch this: feel that even better, here are my wishes (hopes):
I hope to hear from more of you this coming year — tap that little heart at the bottom of a post to tell me you enjoyed it, or better yet, tell me in the comments. Send me a message, or join me in the Subscriber chat. I hope that like other writers on this platform, I can build a community with all of you, which I know will help me send you even better recommendations each week!
I hope if you like a post, you might consider sharing it — restack a post in Substack notes if you’re on the web or using the app, share it with a friend via email, or share it on your favourite social media channel.
I hope each of you finds amazing movies and TV series to watch that fit the mood you’re in, or will help you get to your desired feeling. That’s what this Substack is all about, after all!
🥳 BIRTHDAY + 1st ANNIVERSARY SALE:
I’m having a birthday + 1st-anniversary sale!
On February 28th, I will be one year older — and so will this Substack newsletter! So, I thought I’d celebrate with a sale on annual paid subscriptions. Note: this sale is for new one-year paid subscriptions or gift subscriptions only.
If you want to upgrade to paid or purchase a gift subscription — jump on it now because the sale ends on my birthday, February 28th, 2025.
If you are already a paid subscriber — thank you so much for your support — perhaps you have a friend or relative in your life who would appreciate a discounted subscription as a gift.
➡️ Click here to take advantage of this sale, and if you’re giving a gift subscription, you can download a gift card to print or attach to an email.
Here’s what the card looks like. I’ve included the links to download below:
📌UPDATES:
Update #1 — An update on my promised digital/printable gift for paid subscribers — it’s coming! Thanks for your patience. I have made much more progress on it lately, so I’m confident it will land in your inbox before the month ends. Hint: it’s delicious ;):
Update #2 — I’m offering two additional promotions including a 7-day trial for a paid subscription, and a group discount for groups of 2 or more if you and a friend or partner both want to subscribe, but you’d like to save 15%. You should see these offers in your inbox or when you try to view paywalled content or click a button to upgrade to paid.
These promotions come on the heels of my decision to paywall some of my content, because after all, Substack is a platform that makes it possible for writers to earn income from their work, so I’m doing my best to sell myself, even if it goes against my nature to do so, because hey — a girl’s gotta pay the bills, and every dollar counts, especially in this economy.
PAID vs. FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS:
First and foremost, paid subscriptions support me as a writer — and for that, I’m so very grateful.
If you’re wondering what the differences between paid and free subscriptions are, here’s a quick rundown for you that highlights the differences and the perks paid subscribers receive (which I hope to add to as this Substack grows).
Free Subscribers have access to:
All recommendation posts.
Access to reviews, interviews & spotlight posts for 1 week from their publication date.
Paid Subscribers have access to:
Full access to all recommendation posts, reviews, interviews, spotlight posts, and more.
Annual digital/printable gifts - coming soon!
Access to the subscriber chat to ask questions and nerd out on film & TV.
Founding Paid Subscribers (a.k.a. VIP subscribers) have access to:
Full access to all recommendation posts, reviews, interviews, spotlight posts, and more.
Annual digital/printable gifts - coming soon!
Access to the subscriber chat to ask questions and nerd out on film & TV.
Custom film & TV recommendations via chat or messaging. Send me a message or jump in the chat and tell me what mood you’re in or the mood you’re seeking, and the last thing you watched that you enjoyed, and I’ll respond as soon as I can with at least 2 recommendations for you.
This is my first tiptoe into the world of paywalling posts, so not much has changed, but as I pour more energy into this space, I may update these terms. I’ll keep you posted.
🎉WATCH THIS: FEEL THAT — YEAR ONE STATS:
I hope you enjoy this little infographic I created to share a snapshot of this past year! If you missed one of the most popular posts or want to read about one of the actors or directors featured, simply click here to visit my homepage and use the search function.
You can also search genres like “drama”, “comedy”, etc. in this search bar to help you find something to watch that fits your mood.
🎬 SHORT FILMS:
I can’t let you go without recommending something!
Here are 3 short films I found fascinating. Give them a watch, and let me know what you think in the comments, or join me in the chat (paid subscribers).
Something beautiful:
CREATING THINGS by Bryan Monroe Simpson and Taylor Simpson.
Something dystopian:
WILDMEN OF THE GREATER TORONTO AREA by Solmund MacPherson.
And a thoughtful, colourful view of a man many of us think we know:
JIM CARREY: I NEEDED COLOR by David Bushell.
Enjoy the movie(s),
Heather
Happy Birthday to your Substack!!!
Heather, your recent update is a delightful blend of personal milestones and creative endeavors. Your reflections on recent celebrations and insights into upcoming short film projects offer readers an intimate glimpse into your journey. Congratulations on your achievements, and thank you for sharing these moments with us.