Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

I have no doubt that 2528 will be in the documentary. I think they captured the attention and the hearts of many people at Chesapeake.

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

A third of team 573 was pulled aside on Saturday to do closed door/confession style talks about their experience with FIRST. I'm quite curious to see what was used because I don't know what anybody did except myself. Who knows when this documentary is scheduled to air?

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

The Channel Cats were very pleased and (shocked) to be one of the 4 teams selected for an interview at the Championships. Aside from "Fish-boy" and "unicycle kid", we tend to be very introverted.

We are also very committed to FIRST. We do not have a teacher on our team. Our kids come from 8 different schools, which do not participate in FIRST. As parents and mentors, we had a choice; either wait for the school's permission to become a school club, or go out on our own. As engineers concerned about a future work force, and as parents concerned about future jobs for our children, we felt FIRST too important of an opportunity to wait. So we formed our own 501(c)3 for the sole purpose of supporting FIRST within our county.

We recruit our kids through word-of-mouth, public demos and by moving up students from our Lego Leagues (we should be up to 15 county teams for 2008). Our high school students are not typically "joiners", so our participants generally do not know each other prior to becoming involved on our team. For them, this is the only club or organization in which they participate.

Although I am extremely proud of our team and their dedication, I recognize the veteran teams that have set a very high bar! Without their energy, innovation and continual push to be the best role models the nation has to offer, this documentary wouldn't even be possible!

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

To the best of my knowledge there are two different PBS efforts going on. One is a series of testimonials and stories about the FIRST experience. I am not sure what the end product will be for this. I have heard there will be at least a PBS website and short segments in between TV programs or perhaps they will make a longer TV program.

The other is the documentary following the five teams.

This is what I think is going on with the closed door interviews, but I am not completely sure

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

Actually, there were at least four different documentary projects being filmed at the Championships.

Most already know about the current PBS show being filmed by Story House Productions for PBS. They are the film crews that have been following the five previously-mentioned teams during the build and competition seasons, and were in attendance in Atlanta.

Fleur de Lis Films was also there, filming the final parts of "The Superbowl Of Smarts." This is a documentary film tracking the progress of Team 1868 - Space Cookies, Team 1583 - Rambotics and Team 2024 - Kekoa E Haaheo (Team 116 and NASA funded a big chunk of the production as part of our outreach efforts).

The PBS piece will be shown exclusively on PBS broadcast television, and the "Superbowl Of Smarts" film is targeted at theatrical release, to be shown at independent movie theatres and film festivals. Together they will reach a broader audience than either effort would alone, and help tell the "FIRST story" to a much larger portion of the public.

A third film crew was there to record the vignettes and team anecdotes that have been mentioned. This will be compiled into a "video storybook" of highlights and impact statements about FIRST. For the teams that were tapped to provide on-camera interviews, this is probably the crew you talked to.

The fourth crew was part of a special project that will be discussed later.

Altogether, these teams will be compiling a great set of tools to promote and advance the goals of FIRST. They will help all of us, by providing another view of the answer to the question "so what is FIRST all about, anyway?"

-dave



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Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

Thanks for clearing that up Dave!

it is nice to see so much coverage for FIRST!

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

A trio of students from the University of South Carolina, of which I was a part, also did interviews with several teams along the way. (I distinctly remember 842, 188, 180, 1902, 1398, and 191--there were probably more I'm forgetting.) That was part of a student project, which I hope to get posted for all once it's completed. (It's due in about a week and a half, so you won't wait long.)

My brother was also present on a photojournalism assignment for another (unrelated) project.

FRC teams certainly know how to give folks great material for media!

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

Members of our team were approached by someone from PBS (at least that's who she said she was with) to do a "confession booth" interview. Probably some additional background and exposition for the PBS show. So at least some team anecdotes will be considered for that broadcast, beside the primary focus on the 5 teams.

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

Thank you for clearing that up sir, I can't wait to see it.

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

Hello Everyone,

There is a "teaser" for the 2009 PBS Documentary produced by KETC on FIRST Robotics.

One of the teams is featured on this youtube clip :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcgR2WM6qso

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

Very cool. This is why we keep coming back. :D

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

Hello All,

Does anyone know if there is a link to the PBS Documentary clip showed at FIRST FRC 2009 Kickoff ?

Cheers,
Marcos.

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

Hi Marcos,

I believe that the video is still available from the NASA webcast. They have archived the video and you can download it from: http://robotics.nasa.gov/events/2009_frcwebcasts.php

Note that this is the video for the entire kickoff, so you will need to do some fast forwarding.

Hope this helps!
Jared

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

Man im a whole year late on this lol. wish i knew i would have entered our team:(

Re: Documentary FIRST Robotics 2008
 

They were filming in St Louis last year, perhaps you will be in the show.