Actually, “new job” isn’t really the right way to put it, as I’m still on the MSDN Events team, and I’m still doing all the stuff I was already doing.

But, in addition to my established job duties, I’m taking on one more as the “executive producer” of The CodeRoom.

I know what many of you think about the show, and I’ve had a few opportunities now to sift through thousands of survey opinions and responses, and…

…I’m pumped.

The pilot was good for a pilot. It had some rough spots, but that’s to be expected. The point was to prove that the show could be done. Now that it’s been demonstrated to management that the show is perfectly feasible, and even more cost effective than some of our other approaches to community involvement, we’ve been given the green light to move forward with the project, and my boss, Paul Murphy, very kindly handed the keys to the project over to me last week.

To say the least, I’m excited. I’ve never done anything like this before, which means it’s going to be a new set of problems and challenges. I know that sounds cheesy, but life is a lot more fun with interesting obstacles.

Before taking over officially, though, I got to take part in the filming of episode two this week (that’s where I’ve been and why the blog has been so quiet). It gave me the chance to see how the production works, and also to meet the staff.

At this point, unfortunately, I can’t divulge many details about the second episode. It’s going to be better than the first, and that’s about all I can say.

I guess I can also add that episode three is going to be the first for which I’ll be providing the concept behind the show, and I have some crazy plans that I hope you’ll dig. Whatever you may have thought about the pilot, remember that it was a pilot and that the show is going to improve as we move along. I think this episode is going to be good, but I think the next one is going to utterly kick ass. I have about six solid episode ideas right now, and I can’t wait to bring them to life.

I’ll also be modifying the website for the show so that there’s an opportunity for interactivity. I’ll also be adding, of course, a blog or two.

In the meantime, I can leave you with a few photos from the shoot. Unfortunately, my boss told me that I couldn’t show “too much,” so I’ve had to edit these things CIA style and black out anything that might give away what was going on.

Hey – it’s better than nothing…

The CodeRoom: Episode Two – Production Photos

If you look closely, you can see Jessi’s (she’s the host) butt off to the side. On the left is a building that tells you nothing about the content of this episode. In the center is a censored blob which might be Jabba the Hutt, but probably isn’t.

I had to wipe out everything in this photo except for a random man and some sidewalk. This was a really fun location, let me tell you.

This is Jessi’s nose. I think I can show you that.

I didn’t clear this shot with my boss, and I think I may have gone too far, but only if you can tell what this guy is typing.

This is a plant that was at one of our locations. I’m including it here not because I thought it was particularly nice, but because I can’t show anything else that was in the shot.

That was fun!

Thanks for looking at the photos.

The next episode of The CodeRoom should be out in early May, and we’re working on some nifty distribution deals right now so that you’ll have your choice of viewing mediums.

I can wait to hear what you people think.