Entertainment Matters

With Claire Owen-Jones

This week I’m joined by Claire Owen-Jones, an accountant who works with freelancers in the creative industries. We talk about Making Tax Digital, getting organised, and why your relationship with your accountant might matter more than you think. Along the way we discuss: Making Tax Digital and what is actually changing. Why HMRC wants people doing more regular bookkeeping. The benefits of streamlining your finances and separating business and personal spending. Software options for freelancers and creative businesses. What “being organised” really means in practice. Why communication with your accountant matters more than most people think. How to think about finances as a story rather than just a list of numbers. And why accountants probably hear more fear, shame and avoidance than most people realise. Find out more about Claire: www.loudandclearaccounting.co.uk [http://www.loudandclearaccounting.co.uk] With thanks to Pete Faint for the Entertainment Matters theme tune. @petefaint_ [https://www.instagram.com/petefaint_?utm_source=chatgpt.com] petefaint.com [http://petefaint.com] Stay up to date with Entertainment Matters and receive the Cue Sheet: john-blackburn.com/pod [http://john-blackburn.com/pod]

Notes - on compliments

In this Notes episode, John reflects on compliments, and why people in live entertainment often struggle to receive them. Part of that seems to come from how seriously people take their craft, and how much of their attention is placed on technical detail. That can lead to quietly judging whether a compliment is “correct” before accepting it. What gets lost in that process is what the compliment is really about. Most people aren’t scoring technique. They’re describing the effect something had on them. And that effect is, ultimately, the point of the work. That same distinction shows up in criticism as well. Not all feedback carries the same weight, and timing, source, and context all matter. But separating the message from the messenger can make both compliments and criticism easier to handle, and sometimes more useful. — If you would like to hear when new Entertainment Matters episodes are released, please sign up to the Entertainment Matters Cue Sheet:  https://www.john-blackburn.com/pod [https://www.john-blackburn.com/pod] And thanks, as always, for whatever you do to make live entertainment happen.

Notes - inspired Jillian George-Lewis

Notes inspired by Jillian George Lewis In this Notes episode, John reflects on something Jillian said early in their interview: “I just got a sense for what the right show in the right venue means.” He looks at what that “sense” might actually be. The idea isn’t mystical. It’s repeated exposure, noticing what happens, and adjusting. There’s a tension in that process: ignore feedback and your instincts don’t sharpen; ignore your instincts and you never act. — If you would like to hear when new Entertainment Matters episodes are released, please sign up to the Entertainment Matters Cue Sheet: https://www.john-blackburn.com/pod [https://www.john-blackburn.com/pod] And thanks, as always, for whatever you do to make live entertainment happen.

With Jillian George-Lewis

With Jillian George Lewis “I had to go and meet Channing.” In this episode, John Blackburn chats with Jillian George-Lewis, Director of Creative Programming at the Hippodrome Casino in London where she played a central role in reshaping its theatre offer and bringing Magic Mike Live to London. Jillian is also an in demand performer working across cabaret, hosting, and live events. Amongst other insightful topics, Jillian discusses the realities of running a build inside a 24-hour casino, the negotiations behind a major international production, and the less glamorous work of getting departments to operate as one system. ... and if you’re watching the video version, stay tuned to the very end. — Connect with Jillian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delores_deluxe [https://www.instagram.com/delores_deluxe] — If you’d like to stay up to date with future episodes of Entertainment Matters, you can sign up for the Entertainment Matters Cue Sheet: https://www.john-blackburn.com/pod [https://www.john-blackburn.com/pod] And thanks, as always, for whatever you do to make live entertainment happen.

Notes - inspired by Luke Wade

Notes inspired by Luke Wade In this Notes episode, John reflects on three things Luke said that apply well beyond video production. Beginning with Luke's reference to leaving no stone unturned and exploring different ways of making an idea like that fit you, then moving to talking about the importance of a clear core concept for shows and projects. John then wraps up by talking through and riffing on some of Luke's excellent points about relationships, trust and collaboration. — If you would like to hear when new Entertainment Matters episodes are released, please sign up to the Entertainment Matters Cue Sheet: https://www.john-blackburn.com/pod [https://www.john-blackburn.com/pod] And thanks, as always, for whatever you do to make live entertainment happen.