I tend to do quite a bit of making with the TV on. It actually makes me a lot slower, but it does allow me to feel as if I’m multi-tasking (sort-of) and allows me to work through a few things I’ve recorded before the Sky box gets full!
However, there are certain types of movies/TV shows which don’t allow multi-tasking. You have to give them 100% concentration if you want to enjoy them. When deciding what to watch while crafting I follow the following simple rules:
What Not to Watch
- Slapstick comedies (you’ll miss all the best jokes looking down to thread a needle)
- Silent movies (you’ll have no idea what is going on)
- Foreign-language movies/TV shows (you’ll drive your partner mad asking them to read you the subtitles while you finish a tricky section)
- Natural history (you won’t appreciate the amazing photography)
- Animation (this one is borderline as it can be done but you’re not really getting the full benefit if you’re only looking at the screen 50% of the time)
What to Watch
Anything else is acceptable, however the following are particularly recommended:
- Crafty shows (good for inspiration. In particular I’d recommend Next Great Artist, but at the moment I’m enjoying Great British Sewing Bee)
- Shows your partner loves but you think are only so-so (only deserving of 50% concentration anyway, plus you’ll win some brownie points)
- Wordy shows with less than amazing visuals (e.g. history shows, some documentaries)
And of course you could always just listen to the radio…