Video Required for Chairmans

[Beth Sweet]

So according to the 09 manual, regional Chairman's potentials now have to submit a video in addition to their regular presentation.

http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/5%20-%20The%20Awards.pdf

Anyone else have thoughts? I'm a little nervous, because we really don't have a video camera...

[Cynette]

Wow! Now I wish I'd listened on the FIRST Senior Mentor Phone Conference on the Chairman's Award.

On the camera dilemma, our High School actually loans us a camera to use to document our build season and competitions. So I recommend you start there. Maybe they even have a few budding cinematographers who will take on the project!

[rees2001]

"Although it is a requirement of submission, it is not a requirement for the judging process for 2009."

What does that mean? It is part of the section but makes no sense.

[Akash Rastogi]

"Although it is a requirement of submission, it is not a requirement for the judging process for 2009."

What does that mean? It is part of the section but makes no sense.

Let the Q & A begin?:rolleyes:

But yea...our team kinda sorta doesn't have a camera, and our school is not apt to loaning us one, we've tried before. So what about teams in this situation?

[Beth Sweet]

For an additional comment, the manual doesn't actually mention when the DVD is submitted. It can be assumed, based on the description, that a hard copy is required, but do we hand it to the judges when we go in? Do we submit it to pit admin the first day of competition. It says that the DVD has to have the event submitted to on it. Do Michigan teams have to make a new DVD for State Championship? Do we bring just 1 copy of the DVD to competition? 1 copy per judge?

A lot of questions are left unanswered in the manual about this :(

[Billfred]

Of note: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Chairman%20Award%20Criteria.pdf

Color me interested. Video gear has gotten dirt cheap--you can get a Flip Mino HD for under $250 (http://www.theflip.com/store/MinoHD.aspx), and most computers these days offer some rudimentary form of creating videos and burning DVDs. (If nothing else, network! Surely some person/business/school in your metropolitan area has a Mac with a SuperDrive they'll let you use to edit this.) The 16:9 aspect ratio requirement might trip up teams borrowing older equipment, but even iMovie '08 can alter the format.

All in all, I think it's a challenge any reasonable contender for the Chairman's Award shouldn't have much trouble with.

(Perhaps 842's prior acts (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/30316) set off some light bulbs in Manchester?)

[Madison]

"Although it is a requirement of submission, it is not a requirement for the judging process for 2009."

What does that mean? It is part of the section but makes no sense.

It seems to me that they're requiring teams to submit a video that, should they win the award, will be played as part of the ceremonies. It does not appear that, unless you play your video during your scheduled interview, it will otherwise enter into the judge's decision making process. Nothing, of course, explicitly mentions this. This is FIRST, after all.

[AdamHeard]

I'm crossing my fingers for a cheapish video camera in the KOP for this very purpose. It seems reasonable to me.

With 973 switching to two robots, higher quality supplies and the cost of a 2nd control system, we are likely to be strapped for funds.

[Beth Sweet]

All in all, I think it's a challenge any reasonable contender for the Chairman's Award shouldn't have much trouble with.



I respectfully disagree. There are a lot of teams with limited money who are doing some great things. Especially the innercity teams, the ones who are not getting STEM as much in school and really need FIRST, those teams are being put at a major disadvantage.

Madison, thank you for that interpretation, it makes a lot more sense than anything I was thinking...

[GaryVoshol]

Hey, didn't Google or someone donate a camera in the KoP a few years back? Maybe ... ;)

[N7UJJ]

Of note: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Chairman%20Award%20Criteria.pdf


All in all, I think it's a challenge any reasonable contender for the Chairman's Award shouldn't have much trouble with.


Actually, this can be quite an opportunity.

If nothing else, put photos in a slide show and do a music/voice over. No video camera required. The video can't be over 3 minutes. A one minute video would qualify, wouldn't it? Here are some examples we made for our underwater competition. Note: no video camera was used:

NURC mission 2008 (http://video.yahoo.com/watch/2925874/8375368)
NURC mission 2009 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlLfR28N51A)

or think big...
Contact a local TV station or cameraman or producer or an ad agency or someone in the movie industry... That would be super cool and it would certainly be an example of how a Chairman's team is involving the community!

There are tons of parents who video their kids. They may not want to "lend" the camera out, but they may be willing to "help" produce and mentor you.

How about an animated video?

Maybe piecing together some public domain videos or footage from past games?

Hmm, can we use material from FIRST promos? Since it is copyrighted by FIRST, I would think it would be OK to use their footage to make a video for their use. (I'm not a lawyer so my opinion doesn't mean much)

The best part is that the Chairman's video sub team has a real job to do NOW and can be finished before Christmas!

Since the DVD has to be submitted (but not judged?) have fun and be creative. Maybe we can post our videos on Youtube and we can have an unofficial FIRST Oscar award?

[Billfred]

I respectfully disagree. There are a lot of teams with limited money who are doing some great things. Especially the innercity teams, the ones who are not getting STEM as much in school and really need FIRST, those teams are being put at a major disadvantage.The aforementioned Flip camera costs less than two Victors last year; you might even fare better if you're willing to wake up at dark:30 on Black Friday. Editing and burning software is nearly ubiquitous--if the school doesn't have it, I'm willing to bet that teams are no more than two degrees (friend of a friend) removed from it. If that doesn't work, get to Googling or calling down the yellow pages to see if there's a local production outfit that would help in your efforts to create a three-minute video. If that doesn't work, I've got a MacBook with iMovie '08 and iDVD. Let's go.

Hey, didn't Google or someone donate a camera in the KoP a few years back? Maybe ... ;)Google did indeed donate a still camera in 2006. I don't think video cameras (particularly ones capable of DVD-grade output) are down enough in cost to get donated, but the way that prices are plummeting makes me think we'll see it before a water game.

[ebarker]

Actually, this can be quite an opportunity.

This is a GREAT opportunity and as Allan said, you do not need a video camera.

Ken Burns produced 11 hours of a show called "The Civil War". Back then there were no video or motion film cameras. Most of the show is static pictures brought to life. Slow zooms, pans, scrolls.

Well timed presentations, thoughtful and voiced V.O.s (voice overs). He has since produced a lot of other series using similiar techniques.

We recently produced a 30 second PSA that has at its root a single picture. (no narration) here for inquiring minds (http://www.kellrobotics.org/video/Marine%20Pollution%20(NTSC).wmv)

Our next video will be a short, running about 4 or 5 minutes, but composed of about 30 pictures, and a moderated VO script. No video.

I've become a fan of this technique because it forces students to really think about what they want to say and how they want to say it.

If you watch professional news videographers, where ever possible they work to shoot short thoughtful shots. a few seconds here, a few seconds there. 99% of the time on a tripod.

So don't worry if you don't have a video camera. A group of good photos, and something like moviemaker which is on most pc's will get the job done.

Best Regards

[rogerlsmith]

Here again I don't think video quality is as important as quality of the content. If you must have video, you could get this web cam (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9105489&type=product&id=1218023854420) for $29. I doubt that there is any team that couldn't come up with that...

[BornaE]

"Although it is a requirement of submission, it is not a requirement for the judging process for 2009."

What does that mean? It is part of the section but makes no sense.
I think that the winners video will be shown during the awards ceremony. Also FIRST is asking all the teams to submit a picture of their robots in TIMS as well, probabbly for the awards ceremony.

[JYang]

"Although it is a requirement of submission, it is not a requirement for the judging process for 2009."

What does that mean? It is part of the section but makes no sense.

From my interpretion of the section, the video will be turned into judges at the competition (sort of like the extra documentation turned in except this is required). However, the video will have no impact in the selection process at the regional and championship level.

GL to all teams!

[artdutra04]

This is a positive addition to the Chairman's Award criteria, as it really helps reinforce the ideas behind the Chairman's Award essay with concrete video proof. Any journalism major can tell you that by picking and choosing from among a select few [normally synonym] words, you can completely alter the reader's perceptions of the content, for better or for worse. (Read an article on Fox News (or Drudge Report) then MSNBC (or Huffington Post) about the same news event and you can see this in full swing).

I also like the widescreen requirement, as the trend of the last few years has been for all video to move towards the widescreen format.

...Although it would have been a lot more helpful to teams if they announced this new criteria immediately after the Championships last year. It could have helped the "year-round" teams who could have had the advance notice to film their summer activities.

Just remember, each robotics team does not have to own a video camera to shoot video widescreen video. Chances are that at least one parent of a student on every team owns a video camera capable of shooting video in widescreen, and it's not hard to borrow them for events.

[Rosiebotboss]

...Although it would have been a lot more helpful to teams if they announced this new criteria immediately after the Championships last year. It could have helped the "year-round" teams who could have had the advance notice to film their summer activities.



Rememeber, if you have still pictures of your summer camp, robot demo, trade show booth, etc... you can always edit them into a video format.

[Alivia]

Video required for Chairman's?!?!
I'm totally psyched!
Videos are kinda my thing.
(Sorry. Film crew geek right here. haha)

As far as teams without a video camera, please do not worry!
Like others have stated, a picture slideshow with voice overs is just as effective (if not more so) than actual video.
While I was on my high school team, most of the work I completed was done through this method.
My final year I made a slideshow that recognized our mentors for being the heroes that they are. It was still shots with voice overs from students on the team.
I made most of my mentors cry, proving that stills are just as effective.


Also, another little sidenote. Many digital cameras these days come with the ability to shoot video. While it may not be the highest quality, it could help a team that wishes to shoot video but lacks the funds for a new video camera.

[Rich Kressly]

Alright, I've been reading and rereading this for a few days now and ...

...color me totally stupid on this one. I think corresponding video is a GREAT idea for any team that has this inclination and/or has the time and resources to provide such a product, but making this a requirement is totally nonsense IMHO. Unless I'm reading this wrong, and I totally hope and pray I am, this will ultimately decrease the number of judged/completed CA entries submitted from FRC teams. If I'm not reading this wrong, my team will not be eligible to win a Chairman's Award unless we submit a video in wide screen format on DVD, correct?

Please, please, please tell me I'm wrong. If I'm not I'd REALLY like an opportunity to talk to the folks who wrote this particular rule. This will only serve the purpose of having more teams say, "Well forget it, too much to bother with so we won't do it." Which in turn leads to fewer teams writing the actual submission, which in turn leads to fewer teams that take the time to focus on the overall program and it's community impact, which in turn leads to more "robot-centric" teams that build a machine to win on the field and maybe they do the bigger-picture stuff and maybe they don't.

GAH ... I like seeing video stories on a big screen too, but this is NOT the way to go about getting them. Please, please, please tell me I'm reading this wrong.

And don't think for a minute this is about "me and my team." 1712 will put a video together because we were already working on one and we're planning on having copies with us at the regional anyway.

...but silly me, I thought this was about changing as much of the culture as possible - not to ensure wide screen multimedia at events or elsewhere. In a year where everyone's lives are already upside down with new control systems and the fact that we're apparently only getting one of them - ever, I'm not too keen on adding to teams' plates - not even a little.

Is the Q&A open for clarification? If it isn't and there's someone here that can explain this to me in a rational way that tells me why we all HAVE to do this as a requirement of submission, I'd appreciate it.

Nowwwwwww...... there is one way I'd see this as a net gain, if the rule had more detail. If the criteria stated that the video had to match, verbatim, the text in the actual submission, with video and/or pictures to go with the words and we all had to post to Youtube ....... THEN I'd do a 180 and become the biggest fan of this rule you would ever see. :)

In fact, teams considering not submitting should consider this less painful approach because the last thing I want to see is fewer submissions. Simple narration over top the visual support works.

Normally not this puzzled or flustered,
-kressly

[rees2001]

I too have read through his and I cannot understand why FIRST is forcing the video issue? It seems as though somebody in FIRST has the idea that video is the way to reaching more people and thus getting more people interested in FIRST.

Look at the President's Circle for the past 2 years. 2007 had less applicants than planned award recipients. This year they had to extend the deadline because of an apparent lack of submissions (5 to date).

Is it us, or is it FIRST that seems to not understand? Is FIRST raising the bar too high in a year they are already making changes? I understand that making a video is a lot of work but, is it really that much work? specially for teams that think they are CA caliber. It does seem as thought they are separating the "haves" and the "have-nots". I too think the DVD format makes it harder on teams that don't have the resources.

I know it seems like I'm all over the place on this video thing. I like the idea but it may require some tweaking.

[JaneYoung]

As one who has worked with a team that purchased a video camera due to persistent nagging, erm, encouragement by a certain blonde mentor *cough* - the camera can break. When purchasing or borrowing a camera, take every precaution not to incur damage. Also, don't assume that everyone knows how to use one - that isn't necessarily the case. A proper storage place, check-in/check-out/keeping the battery charged system - would also help in this area.

[Wayne C.]

if this is a REQUIRED video I guess it fills a need for videos that isn't being filled elsewhere in FIRST....

personal opinion- a team that is a great movie producer isn't necessarily a great FIRST robotics team and if this requirement is being announced this late how does one capture all the good stuff done up until now?

overall the CA is becoming simply another little contest these days- not what it should be. A worthy team's merit should be evident throughout their year without a catchy presentation or video performance.

[Mike Schroeder]

if this is a REQUIRED video I guess it fills a need for videos that isn't being filled elsewhere in FIRST....

personal opinion- a team that is a great movie producer isn't necessarily a great FIRST robotics team and if this requirement is being announced this late how does one capture all the good stuff done up until now?

overall the CA is becoming simply another little contest these days- not what it should be. A worthy team's merit should be evident throughout their year without a catchy presentation or video performance.


These days? I distinctively remember that many years ago you were allowed to submit a video for The CA. Actually I am pretty sure you could have submitted many different submission forms for The CA award even MS PowerPoint presentations

[Beth Sweet]

These days? I distinctively remember that many years ago you were allowed to submit a video for The CA. Actually I am pretty sure you could have submitted many different submission forms for The CA award even MS PowerPoint presentations

Mike, I hate to call you old but this is going to be my 7th year in FIRST, and as long as I've been in FIRST, we've never submitted Chairman's videos...

[Rich Kressly]

These days? I distinctively remember that many years ago you were allowed to submit a video for The CA. Actually I am pretty sure you could have submitted many different submission forms for The CA award even MS PowerPoint presentations

Correct, prior to 2003 you could submit in any format you so pleased provided it was readable/reviewable in a certain amount if time. 2003 it became "four pages hard copy" and remained that way or similar (I think we emailed them for one or two years) until firstawards.org came into being and now we have a character limit.

In 2003 many of us thought CA was headed the multimedia route, after BUZZ 175 did such a great job with its video, but much to many people's surprise it became just four pages. Then, with firstawards.org, all of the formatting and graphic involved with the four pages went away and it became what it is today - a character limit with four pictures.

Presumably this whole evolution has helped take the "glitz" out of the process, and quite frankly save time for teams so they can concentrate on content and substance. Since this new video requirement supposedly isn't part of the judging process in any way the "glitz" is still out of the judging process (well unless you use the video in your actual presentation). However, since this is a requirement to be considered it is something that will take time and resources. That whole disconnect (not judged, but required) is something I really need to see clarification on.

[waialua359]

Although the concept is great and our team actually produces a video every year, i think this should have been decided from the ending of last season.
the whole format issue will create more logistical problems for teams that are year round, such as ours.
It would have been nice to know a lot more in advance, that's all.:D
It is indeed confusing a bit on what is required, but not required.:rolleyes:

[Libby K]

Mike, I hate to call you old but this is going to be my 7th year in FIRST, and as long as I've been in FIRST, we've never submitted Chairman's videos...

Videos were a long while back. Before the teams were re-numbered.

I know this because at FIRST Place this summer, I was working as a camp counselor, and took on a separate project of my own- since I was living in NH for a month without knowing too many people in the area, I had free time.

That project was looking through all the old Chairman's videos that were stored at FIRST Place and numbering them to the correct teams so that FIRST can make copies, contact the teams, and see if they wanted them back for their own team history. Unfortunately, a great number of them were damaged from flooding a few years back, and a lot of great FIRST history was destroyed, but there are still a few '03 totes full to the brim with Chairman's Award videos.

[OZ_341]

I agree with many of the concerns addressed here. But also have an additional concern.

I would like to know what is the very specific purpose of the video. If it is not for the purpose of judging, then please let us know what it is being used for. This was not detailed for the teams.
How will this mandatory video be used (or not used) is very important. Are we going to make a video that will not be judged or viewed? Will it just go into storage somewhere? Will they display all of the Chairman's videos?

We are a team that is strong on video, but it boils down to resources and where they should be placed.

We were just getting ready to make a major update of our "Team in a Box" DVD. An update that will take months and the better portion of our media team, if we do it with care. Should we scale down a project that will help other teams and redirect resources to the Chairman's Video? We would have to do this to qualify.

Which ever way we decide to go, our kids are going to put their hearts into it. I guess I have a hard time directing kids to put their hearts into a project that may not have a defined purpose other than to guarantee entry into a contest. More than anything else, the student that make this video wants someone to watch and enjoy their work. (plain and simple)

So I would love to see some clarity on the purpose of the video. This clarity will help us to direct the energy of our most valuable resource, our students.

[rogerlsmith]

About a year or so ago, after we launched FIRST Objective, I made a suggestion to our community that teams make videos out of their Chairman's Award presentations. FIRST Objective is heavily based on videos, and our intention is to use these videos to show the world what FIRST is all about. I figured that if teams made videos that showcased everything they did throughout the year, it would be a great way to get schools to start new teams.

After suggesting teams make videos from CA presentations, I didn't get a lot of great feedback from our little community. I still feel that this is a great opportunity for teams to tell everyone what they do and why. With a video, you're not only telling the judges, you could be potentially telling the world.

With that said, I don't think it is unreasonable for FIRST to require teams to submit a video. Come on, it doesn't take a lot of $$ to put together some sort of video, and it would be great for more people to see what we do.

As an engineer, I've had to work in situations where I had to produce something without all the necessary tools. That's just life... deal with it.

[Chris Fultz]

Mike, I hate to call you old but this is going to be my 7th year in FIRST, and as long as I've been in FIRST, we've never submitted Chairman's videos...

In 2001 and 2002 you could still present in a video format, and it may have been a requirement. you also submitted by mail ;)

As more teams began submitting, the format became a standard 4 text pages to make it easier on the judges to read, easier to submit on line, and made the content more important than the presentation format. Too many submissions could not be opened and read by the judges.

I think 2004 was the last time you could submit a "non-texted" paper.

[Andrew Schreiber]

I respectfully disagree. There are a lot of teams with limited money who are doing some great things. Especially the innercity teams, the ones who are not getting STEM as much in school and really need FIRST, those teams are being put at a major disadvantage.


As a mentor on one of those inner city teams, I can second this notion. This year alone we, as a team,will be running Michigan's only Vex tournament, had 100% of our team working at the rookie regional, ended up being short mentor wise because we all worked Kettering Kickoff, and we also had 75% of our team and all but 2 mentor (who were unavailable) show up to help at the FLL tournament. But for all that work we don't own a video camera as a team. One of my fellow college students has brought in her personal camera to use. So, to say that just because a team is struggling and doesn't have the resources as some of the "higher caliber" and therefore shouldn't be considered for CA is outright wrong.

The above being said, I like this idea. I hope it will allow us to get some new kids out of interest in making videos.

[waialua359]

I agree with many of the concerns addressed here. But also have an additional concern.

I would like to know what is the very specific purpose of the video. If it is not for the purpose of judging, then please let us know what it is being used for. This was not detailed for the teams.
How will this mandatory video be used (or not used) is very important. Are we going to make a video that will not be judged or viewed? Will it just go into storage somewhere? Will they display all of the Chairman's videos?

We are a team that is strong on video, but it boils down to resources and where they should be placed.

We were just getting ready to make a major update of our "Team in a Box" DVD. An update that will take months and the better portion of our media team, if we do it with care. Should we scale down a project that will help other teams and redirect resources to the Chairman's Video? We would have to do this to qualify.

Which ever way we decide to go, our kids are going to put their hearts into it. I guess I have a hard time directing kids to put their hearts into a project that may not have a defined purpose other than to guarantee entry into a contest. More than anything else, the student that make this video wants someone to watch and enjoy their work. (plain and simple)

So I would love to see some clarity on the purpose of the video. This clarity will help us to direct the energy of our most valuable resource, our students.
This is a great point. At this point, I hope the clarification comes soon as build season will take up the majority of a team's time. I am sure team's will be able to adjust to whatever the refined objectives are, but still, with more time to plan and prepare, the videos can only be better.
On an additional note, I am sure it will have a great impact on your program directives, which was evident as we stood side by side in the pits at CMP '08. :)

[ebarker]

My 2 cents on why the video....

Generally speaking, engineer types are very poor communicators. If you can't communicate, you can't make the business case for you project, you can't get funding, you can't sell the product, etc.

The inability to communicate effectively is but one of the reasons techie types have an 'image' problem, which not coincidentially FIRST is trying to solve.

The inability to communicate impacts team recruitment, team growth, and team sustainability. It impacts team funding, and slows our task of cultural and education change.

Applying for the awards, like the Chairman's, Woodie Flowers, and others, and the NASA grants, are exercises in communications.

Every year Dave will remark about how people cannot communicate and can't read the instructions for the NASA grants. Consequently they lose a bunch of money.

Teams potentially miss growth and sustainability opportunities because they cannot communicate the excitement, the importance, and the opportunities that participation in FIRST brings.

As I stated before, you don't need a video camera. It has been suggested by pros that beginning filmmakers start by using a pc and a series of static photos and voice over work to do their pieces. There is a lot of thought an creativity that can go into that.

I think the target audience should be primarly non-FIRST'ers. It is the type of thing you might show as a PSA, or during a presentation to a community group. Anyone that might be involved in starting or sustaining a team. The goal certainly should not be teams simply communicating to each other because that is of very limited value, relative to showing it to an outside audience.

Very simply, I think FIRST is nudging folks toward learning how to communicate, because when a team learns how to do that, a whole world of possibilities opens its doors.

lights, camera, <clap>, action

[Taylor]

I believe there will be a camera in the KOP this year. I've seen it on 1714's betatest bot. ;)

Seriously, I do think they will include a DVD-capable video camera in the KOP. One of the requirements of the NASA grant is for each team to have a CA submission; I would think a rookie team has enough to do without going shopping for a video camera.

[JaneYoung]

Many times over the years, I have noticed teams working very hard at fundraisers, demos, and outreach events with very few people thinking to bring a camera. The work is being done but it is not being documented. When teams develop their list of important roles on the team, historian should be on this list as well as team photographer.

It is true that this is an added aspect that will have to be given thought, time, and resources - but it can be looked at as an opportunity to learn to document the team/activities on film.

[rees2001]

Many times over the years, I have noticed teams working very hard at fundraisers, demos, and outreach events with very few people thinking to bring a camera. The work is being done but it is not being documented. When teams develop their list of important roles on the team, historian should be on this list as well as team photographer.

It is true that this is an added aspect that will have to be given thought, time, and resources - but it can be looked at as an opportunity to learn to document the team/activities on film.

This is the exact reason they should have hinted to teams that this may be coming a long time ago. (At Championship) Not all teams think to document & shouldn't be graded on something they didn't know they were going to be tested on. I know FIRST has indicated that it is a requirement but not being assessed. But that doesn't mean that the judges will see it that way.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Many times over the years, I have noticed teams working very hard at fundraisers, demos, and outreach events with very few people thinking to bring a camera. The work is being done but it is not being documented. When teams develop their list of important roles on the team, historian should be on this list as well as team photographer.

It is true that this is an added aspect that will have to be given thought, time, and resources - but it can be looked at as an opportunity to learn to document the team/activities on film.

Sometimes the man power isnt there, I know at Kettering Kickoff this year we had to recruit a student from the university just so we had someone to take pictures. The upside to this, we gained a new college student out of the deal.

[Alivia]

When teams develop their list of important roles on the team, historian should be on this list as well as team photographer.

I couldn't agree with you more on that one.
I've never been much of an engineer or science person...I don't program or drive robots.
But I am absolutely infatuated with the FIRST program.
How is that possible? I came from a team that had an outstanding foundation of mentors working on film crew and documentation. I found my niche taking pictures and videos, making slideshows and other videos for the team throughout my tenure.
Now, I'm at Ball State University majoring in photojournalism. I would NEVER have even thought of this major if it weren't for Team Hammond having a film crew. I also brought my skills to Team 1720 (my current team), who didn't have a film crew, getting more students interested as they learn exactly what documentation of a team entails.
Perhaps this is FIRST's attempt to bring even more people into the program who might not have been interested before.
Having a film crew is extraordinarily important. You not only get to see how your team has grown over the years, but you also get to preserve memories that will last a lifetime.

[Madison]

Alright, I've been reading and rereading this for a few days now and ...

...color me totally stupid on this one. I think corresponding video is a GREAT idea for any team that has this inclination and/or has the time and resources to provide such a product, but making this a requirement is totally nonsense IMHO. Unless I'm reading this wrong, and I totally hope and pray I am, this will ultimately decrease the number of judged/completed CA entries submitted from FRC teams. If I'm not reading this wrong, my team will not be eligible to win a Chairman's Award unless we submit a video in wide screen format on DVD, correct?

I'm interested in seeing how this plays out, if the rule remains unchanged.

We are fortunate to have been awarded a RCA last season. The students that were involved in making that happen spent far too much time and energy doing so -- and so did I -- and adding to that workload will put them over the edge. Some of those students have come to the mentors on our team and told us that they're completed disinterested in participating in the RCA process again. They'd rather just build a good robot and have fun on the field. I'm inclined to agree with them.

[waialua359]

Putting in an effort to compete for a CA does indeed take time. More like a committee of students, teachers and mentors that focus on documenting all phases of a team. But like you said, at some point, it takes away from the focus on construction and engineering learning experiences, especially if a team is small.
I think the effort is worth it though, especially if a group of judges recognize you for your efforts with the RCA.

[RIT_FIRST_LH]

I would say it was a little wrong of FIRST to wait until now to announce this new addition to such a major award, because teams could have documented a lot more of what they did.

However that is the short term, In the long term it will be a great way for FIRST to expand it's reach into getting a more diverse group of students to get involved with the program.

Movements like this drives both right brain and left brain people to work side by side a lot closer resulting in a much better end product.

[Renee Becker-Blau]

To some extent the video could make documenting the team's history a lot easier. For new members they could watch the video and get a feel of what their team is all about, for old members you can easily remember each year's achievements. Sense the video is required but not used in the judging process for chairmans, is FIRST using this to see how it's teams are running and how to help them or just for documentation purposes?

-On a side note, YAY for all the crazy media people!

[Rich Kressly]

Videos were a long while back. Before the teams were re-numbered.

I know this because at FIRST Place this summer, I was working as a camp counselor, and took on a separate project of my own- since I was living in NH for a month without knowing too many people in the area, I had free time.

That project was looking through all the old Chairman's videos that were stored at FIRST Place and numbering them to the correct teams so that FIRST can make copies, contact the teams, and see if they wanted them back for their own team history. Unfortunately, a great number of them were damaged from flooding a few years back, and a lot of great FIRST history was destroyed, but there are still a few '03 totes full to the brim with Chairman's Award videos.

03? Really? That was the first year that the submission was four pages and nothing else. I was with 103 that year and was fortunate enough to be with the winning team. We produced no (chairman's) video that year. Maybe they were from teams that did the video as an "extra" and left it with judges?

[Wetzel]

Videos were a long while back. Before the teams were re-numbered.

I'm with Bike Mike. 116 submitted a video chairmans award sometime from 2000-2002. I don't have a copy with me anymore though. I do have the snazzy pdf from 2003 with pictures in the text.

Telling us we need a video is one thing, it's another to tell us that we have to turn one in, but it doesn't count. That will just result in a rush job on a low priority, check the box project.

Wetzel

Edit: Rich, I think she meant that they loaded the 2003 totes (as in game pieces) with older videos after flooding.

[Rich Kressly]

Edit: Rich, I think she meant that they loaded the 2003 totes (as in game pieces) with older videos after flooding.

Ohhhhh that makes sense. I really need to look into a dietary supplement to support my limited brain capacity. Getting older... ;)

[JaneYoung]

That will just result in a rush job on a low priority, check the box project.


Learning curve...

[Libby K]

Edit: Rich, I think she meant that they loaded the 2003 totes (as in game pieces) with older videos after flooding.

Exactly what I meant. Sorry for any confusion.

[KelliV]

After reading and re-reading all the given information I have come to a conclusion of my own.

First off, the people who are going to be judging the Chairman’s Award are not professional filmmakers so you don’t need to worry about how it looks, after all the information should speak for itself.

Secondly, videos can only help your team out. They provide a visual description of things your team has done and can only emphasize the caliber of your involvement.

Thirdly, a camera is not as expensive as you think. Multiple retailers vend cameras for under $200.00. BestBuy has cameras listed on its webpage for as little as $100.00, however if I were you I would look towards one of the better cameras for as little as $200.00. Canon, JVC, Panasonic, and Sony all work very well. Also, many of these cameras come with editing software that you can use on your computer.

Lastly, I am a television student, that may not mean much to many people but as a TV student I learned one thing that will stick with me for the rest of my life and I think it is something that should be said here.

In the end it doesn’t matter how good the editing, footage, or actors were. It matters what story you told.

The stories I have heard from many of you during my past 7 years in FIRST have been amazing, they’ve really changed how I have perceive the world. Every team has a story begging to be told, the video is just something that helps convey your message with greater clarity and I applaud FIRST for giving you the opportunity to do that. Names on paper are just letters, but faces on screens are people, and those people make your team unique.

If anyone needs help please don’t hesitate to ask me, I would be more than happy to help you out.

Happy Build,

Kelli

[GaryVoshol]

We're still speculating on the purpose of the video, but based on the assumption that the video will be viewed by the judges, whether or not there is a specific category or criteria for judging the video, I must disagree with much of what Kelli says.

First off, the people who are going to be judging the Chairman’s Award are not professional filmmakers so you don’t need to worry about how it looks, after all the information should speak for itself.
And those judging the submissions are not professional writers. That doesn't mean you don't have to use correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, sentence structure, coherent thoughts, etc.

Secondly, videos can only help your team out. They provide a visual description of things your team has done and can only emphasize the caliber of your involvement.
Not if it is sloppily done. It can detract from your message.

Thirdly, a camera is not as expensive as you think. //snip examples// Also, many of these cameras come with editing software that you can use on your computer.
A very important point.

In the end it doesn’t matter how good the editing, footage, or actors were. It matters what story you told.
Unless the medium gets in the way of the message.

If anyone needs help please don’t hesitate to ask me, I would be more than happy to help you out.
Good for you. Another way for teams to show gracious professionalism and coopertition.

[FRC1710]

Does anyone know if we would be allowed to show a clip of our team singing Zombie Nation or if we have it playing in the background but we are singing it, would that still be copyright? If it is would we still have to get permission to use it?

[PizzmasterP27]

Does anyone know any details about using copyrighted images or if there are any rules preventing us from using them?

[cookiemonster]

We don't send the video anywhere, right? We only present it to the judges at the interview?

[Pjohn1959]

We don't send the video anywhere, right? We only present it to the judges at the interview?

Correct.

Read thru this: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Chairman%20Award%20Criteria.pdf

This explains what you need to follow. The video may be shown during the 5 minute presentation, however that will also reduce the amount of time that you may need to explain your story. So its your choice.

The reason why they are requiring the video is FIRST will no longer provide a camera for the creation of a Chairman's Award video by the CA winning team.