Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sean O’connor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Sean thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.
When I started the Cine-Ful Cuts Podcast I reached out to just about every creative on the planet to discuss their favorite horror movie and promote their projects. Actors, directors, special effects artists, cinematographers, screenwriters and authors, you name it. There were many who never responded (to be expected), plenty that politely declined (no worries) and a great deal that kicked the can down the road, however one group, the authors, not only agreed enthusiastically but almost immediately accepted me into their community. Those wonderful people were some of the hottest horror authors writing today. Not only were they so welcoming, they were also completely open to providing access to other authors, influencers and associations. It’s been remarkable and no surprise whatsoever that these authors are popping up all over iTunes, Spotify and YouTube, not to mention some of the most exciting horror documentaries out in 2024. This current moment in horror literature in reminiscent of the mid to late eighties horror paperback boom. The welcome difference in 2024 however is that there are so many diverse voices to choose from. Previously it was a white male dominated field but no longer and it’s adding a richness to the genre that been sadly missing. This is an exciting moment in genre literature that looks to continue for some time because these works are being optioned by Hollywood at a staggering pace and will influence horror on the big and small screen for years to come.
Sean, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I got into podcasting after the COVID lockdown like roughly 8 million others. Having grown up on movies since seeing JAWS at age 6, it’s been a true passion of mine for decades. Wanting to combine a relaxed chat with an insightful dive into some of horrors best and worst I brought on my co-host Shannon Bushmann in August, 2023 and we launched our first episode later that month. Initially concentrating on actors and filmmakers I quickly realized that access was so restricted that our guest list would be sporadic to non existent. The one group that was openly receptive was the horror and dark literature community, so we organically became a landing pad for some of the bestselling authors and influencers in the genre today. It completely changed our esthetic and we’re better for it. Ironically, now that we’ve created a name for ourselves within that community it’s opened the doors to the actors, directors and effects creatives we had originally sought for the show. We’re happy to have everyone on but our branding is firmly in place, we are a home for horror literature and will always be a space for authors to drop in and chat books, movies and promote their work. We launched our @CINE-FULCUTSPODCAST channel on YouTube in October of 2023 and the reception has been fantastic. There are too few outlets for this kind of genre promotion and Cine-Ful Cuts is happy to be a megaphone for these incredibly creative people.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think the main reason our reputation is growing, and this has been confirmed by many of the authors we’ve had on, is that we’re FUN. We don’t take ourselves too seriously (a major issue with film based podcasts, lots of wannabe auteurs out there) and we’re not trying to be dude-bro shock-jocks (a bigger issue with film based podcasts). We put our guests at ease immediately with the vibe of our show and the conversational approach we take. More importantly we deliver on our promise to promote our guests fanatically. We also reach out to other podcasts within our demographic to collaborate and those relationships are some of the best we’ve made in the business. The concept of building walls and isolating ourselves is so counterproductive and the one piece of unsolicited advice I would give is to reach out to the creatives that inspire you and let them know it. Expect nothing in return, just let them know they’ve made an impact. It’s a good practice to make a habit and you’d be amazed how it can create those “magic” moments.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
There will be down times that you have to power through. I received some great advice early on from someone with an established brand to check you data but don’t obsess over it. There will be flat times that are unexplainable as well as boom times that come from nowhere. Put out a quality product that you’re proud of and let it go. Listeners will find it eventually. Be consistent with your social media presence and constantly push yourself to your next creative level. Most importantly, enjoy the experience! We’ve had last minute cancellations and no-shows, tech issues and complete meltdowns but they mean nothing in comparison to the joy we’re getting building something and sharing that experience with anyone how wants to watch or listen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cine-fulcuts.com/
- Instagram: @seanoc32
- Youtube: @CINE-FULCUTSPODCAST
