Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

I see all of your points, however, I have to admit that I myself am a bit dissapointed as well with FIRST's decision. To some video/graphic guys this is like making the builders use lego pieces or the programmers use something outdated.. Before bashing anyone over their statement please try to step in their shoes and see their perspective..

I also realize that FIRST does not have the time to watch 40 or so 10 minute videos, but just a 2 minute video coupled with 2 pages of word would be feasible. However, I do realize that we'll probably have to accept this modification as 'permanent'

Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

There is a way to embed video into a .doc file. However I don't think FIRST would approve.

Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

You can use video as part of your Chairman's submission.

Every team has an interview, and you can bring in any display materials that you want to the interview session. You just need to have a way to play / display it = FIRST will not supply all of the equipment.

In 2003, Cyber Blue used a short video as part of our interview -
the students ran it as a video clip on a laptop. It worked well.

Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

It makes a lot of sense what FIRST has done. This summer i had to sort old chairmans awards at FIRST Place (it took me a week with three other people helping me) , and the sheer volume of them was amazing. With the amount of teams in FIRST today, it would be unrealistic for each team to send the Chairman's presentations they did in the past. By limiting it to the four pages, it gives the judges the content in a much more concise form.

Another way to view it
 

On the surface, this appears to inhibit the abilities/creativity of those creating the submission and I understand how this may disappoint some people.

However, let's also look at these positives. Submissions are four pages in Word format and consistent across every submission. This will most certainly help put these documents in the hands of judges earlier than ever before. The consistency also allows a judge to be much more efficient (let's remember these are volunteers who have rearranged their lives for the events). This means more available time for the judges to provide the full ten minutes for each interview. It also will get those Chairman's judges out of that "room in the back" and allow them more time than ever before to see the teams in action.

In addition, as others have stated, video can easily be used as part of the presentation. Video production is labor intensive, thus the purposes of creating a team oriented video should also be to inform the community, spread the message of FIRST, solicit for more sponsorship, and highlight team achievements. All of those purposes go directly to what the Chairman's Award is about.

In the end teams with all kinds of budgets and expertise can submit on a level playing field and those who are skillful at video production still have a whole lot of wonderful reasons to go forward and produce a quality product utilizing the skills they have acquired.

Good luck to all CA submitting teams in 2004.

Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

I agree and disagree :P. Winning the chairmans award is a good accomplishment, and it would get you into the nationals, but that doesnt mean obsess over this to the point of not having a good robot. If necessary, put one group on the chairmans award and one on the 'bot. simple solution.
:rolleyes:

Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

there is no rule that one cannot use video in the presentation...we had about a minute video clip that we used in our presentation that (in my opinion: and i was a presenter) was a huge help to us in winning the AZ Regional Chairman's

Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

Although I know I'm a little biased... :)

All the video editing and filming doesn't mean a whole lot if your whole team is illiterate. Maybe this is a good chance for FIRST to help students bone up on their grammar and composition?

Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

At least to me I think they were trying to equalize the field, there's an old saying that says "a picture is worth a thousand words" or something like that, well 1,000 words might fit on the 4 pages you have but it depends on whether or not readability is an issue, I don't think there is anything wrong with a short 1 minute video it is just that not every team can do it so why make it the "main" form of presentation?? it would basically eliminate alot of teams from competing both old teams and new teams. (I am a video guy outside of my team but my team lacks the resources right now to do video so I feel your pain at not being able to submit but also feel the peoples pain who even if it were allowed would not be able to submit.)

Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

If you are so hot on a video use it for your 5 minute presentation to the judges. The rules say you can do anything in the first 5 of the 10 minute interview. That way you can bring in the AV equipment and such and it isn't FIRST's problem.

But I totally agree with FIRST's ruling on the submission to the committee. The winner of the CA should qualify on their merits and not their ability to make a flashy presentation. Heck, it be in favor of leaving out anything but text in the submission but I know that wouldn't happen. Save the creative competition for the Autodesk events.

WC :cool:

Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

FIRST is definately not moving backwards at all, I would think the decision to move to a common submission requirement would make it obvious. With FIRST growing more and more every year, the time that would be spent watching Chairman's Awards videos would grow too. It was probably getting to the point where it was just taking too long... but the 4 paper submission still gives you the opportunity to easily tell everything your team does. That's what Chairmans is all about, helping people... not making flashy videos.

And if the video thing is important, because making cool videos are fun... you can always include live video in your animation. Or make a promo video for your team, or make a video that shows what you guys are doing so far in the build season at your school. Those are just a few ideas... :]

Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

I thank all of those who have participated in the thread however you are still not talking about what my original post was commenting on. My comment was that the submission format should still be allowed to be a video. That has nothing to do with what you did to win the award. It has nothing to do with what a team does off the field or what makes the team unique. All it is is a way of presenting that. I'm not saying that it should be all about "flashy videos" as it has been put. All I'm saying is that teams should not be limited to using just Microsoft Word. Obviously it is too late to change anything for this year's competition however, I was looking for a possible change next year

Re: Why is FIRST moving backward?
 

You could still promote FIRST with your videos at events held at your school. Even though it may not count, it still shows you guys love FIRST :D