Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

Hello all,

I'm Libby. I used to be crazy active on CD, but as I got to college and all that fun stuff, I've tapered my activity on this site. I still read it fairly often, but I've been pretty quiet on posting (Sorry!). So hello, to those that don't know me. :)

I'm an intern at FIRST this summer, and one of my projects that will be ongoing even after I leave this office is creating programs that bridge the gap between FIRST and the FIRST Community.

The first program we're considering is a web-based show spotlighting the FIRST community. Off-seasons, special projects... you name it, we'll show it off! This would also include recaps of regionals, and some behind-the-scenes looks at events.

Obviously, I could not include all of this in the pilot episode, so what it ended up being was a show about the IRI, since I was there, and I had my flip camera. I edited it together rather quickly, so obviously this is NOT hollywood quality. Just an idea for format and how the show will cover events.

What we want to eventually expand it to is community-driven content. That means, send us what you want to show off, and we'll put it in the spotlight! Request videos on subjects! Go crazy! We want this to be a FIRST show for and by the FIRST community.

If you wouldn't mind either going to the FIRST Official FB page and commenting/liking/giving constructive feedback there : http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-...84063051616518

Or, if you would rather not facebook: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmGmZEBrYL0

Your feedback would be MUCH appreciated.

A few disclaimers:
-Yes, I KNOW I DON'T HAVE A MICROPHONE. I understand that. It's been mentioned, and if you guys like the show's idea, then we will buy one and make the sound quality better. I wasn't going to spend hundreds of dollars on one episode. I think that's probably reasonable, eh?
-This was filmed on a flip cam, without any sort of stabilization. Again, I'm not making too much of a personal investment until I know this product is something the FIRST community wants.
-Ditto on the edits. We wanted to get this up as quickly as we could after IRI, because there's another event we might be filming soon if we get good reviews. If you guys all love this idea, production time will be a little longer but a great deal better.

Thank you so much!
Happy viewing,
LK

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

Very cool stuff. I definitely think you should stick with it.
Good Luck!
-Duke

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

If you need any help let us know. Through EWCP I have come across some tools to let us do live multipoint videocasts.

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

I think it's a great idea. It's interesting with all the over saturation of almost everything on the internet, there isn't more easily available FIRST related content.

C.D. seems like the best/only place to go to get FIRST related information/updates.

But, I'm "old school"....since I am not on Facebook or Twitter...or whatever else is out there, so maybe I just don't know where to look.

Very cool!

- Adam

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

I've thought it was an issue for a long time that FIRST didn't really have a public voice, and didn't really talk to/about teams much. Bill's blog was a step in the right direction, and this seems like it is as well.

It'd be cool to see monthly or weekly videos a few minutes long highlight teams, their activities, events, possibly even great robots/specific matches that happened (during the competition season).

There has to be several hours plus of media coverage per hour of professional sports played, and FIRST is at maybe several hours of coverage for every SEASON played, so this would certainly be a nice change.

-Adam

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

Libby, I'll echo what Andrew said. I know we spoke briefly about this before, but if you need any help, just let me know.

Also, I'm rather unhappy with my employer at the moment since both youtube and Facebook are blocked.

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

The kind of recaps Adam talks about are the kind of thing I've wanted to do with the EWCP for awhile, there's just a shortage of good video this year.

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

There's been a shortage of good video for a while. 2008 was the last year that had what I would consider "sufficient video coverage". Since 2009 it's been getting worse.

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

Thanks for all the great responses!

Exactly! The idea is that we'll have FIRST content easily available, in an interactive sort of way- FIRST community says what they want, FIRST, and specifically Let's Talk FIRST!, will be able to show that off.

Adam, that's the idea. A public voice that's the bridge between FIRST and the FIRST Community. I'm honored that I was chosen as the host. I'm happy to help provide this to the FIRST Community.

The plan is that during the competition season we'll have weekly shows highlighting the events of the week, as submitted/requested by the FIRST community - and during the off-season it will scale back to however much content is asked for or provided. Got a cool off-season project? Send it my way! We'd love some off-season content.

I think it'll be great. What we're hoping to do is combine community-provided submissions with FIRST field reporters at events.

I really appreciate your responses and feedback. Feel free to send me a PM or an email (email address in my CD sig) with anything you can think of!

LK

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

It would be a good idea to pack as much information as possible into these. A sad majority of teams haven't really reached reliable competence, so it may be a good idea to show off things like 1114's Kitbot on steroids, the FRCdesigns site, and possibly even a "how to effectively use AndyMark products" lesson. Anything that might help some of these teams out.

Unsure if this is the appropriate vessel for such lessons, but many teams truly need them.

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

Sounds great! now will this be a separate website, or something added on to the FIRST website? Plus, since it's communication between FIRST and the people, I think there should be a suggestions box on the site so people can say what would be useful for the site (eg. chat on the webcasts so we don't have to watch IRI without chat ever again.)

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

Definitely agreed, Adam. A friend of mine mentioned that this show could also be good to show teams that barely ever leave their home regional what other parts of the FIRST community can be like.

To be honest, those details have not been fleshed out yet. I'm thinking it will be separate from the FIRST website - while it is FIRST endorsed and a FIRST official program, it will probably be a whole lot easier to run from my side if it's not part of the hopelessly confusing (I know my bosses are reading this, so sorry, but it's true) FIRST site.

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

I'd like to add:

-How to scout (perhaps introduce Cheesyscout by 254 to teams?)
-How to make a pick list
-How to use a WOT table (aka: Why mecanum wheels don't automatically make you AWEsome!;) )
-How to present to a potential sponsor

I really like the idea. Keep it up! Bryan

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

Aren't these things better for FIRSTBase?

Re: Let's Talk FIRST! Pilot
 

Humm, Maybe? I've never heard of it so I wouldn't know. I do know, however, that there are many teams which could do to learn how to properly scout and make a pick list among other things. If teams don't know about FIRSTbase then it is definatly not the place to be teaching. Alternatively, if teams know about and watch Libby's show about FIRST then it is a good canidate for also teaching them how to become more successful in the program we all know and love.

Edit: I seriously can't find FIRSTbase. It's not even in the USFIRST search engine. I'm assuming that it is a program/website to get teams started in the right direction, guide them through problems, and show them good practices-- but I really can't find it. Going to keep looking.
Edit: I found an Audodesk FIRSTbase, is this it?