Bills Blog 10-25

[Alex Cormier]

http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/2011...ff-update.html

All I can say is

Booo.

That's a big disappointment. I was hoping one day to make it out there for a live broadcast.

[thefro526]

Wow, I wonder what the reason is for this.

This would happen the year that I finally decide to go up there. :/

[Chris is me]

Dear FIRST Teams,

We made an impulse decision to take away something a lot of people liked. We won't give you a reason.

Sincerely, FIRST HQ.

Are we actually supposed to be okay with that?

[XaulZan11]

As someone who would likely never attend the live kick-off, I'm in favor of this decision. If I'm just going to watch it on a screen some where, I'd prefer a more polished production. I'm sure it saves a significant amount of stress and pressure associated with putting together a live show. I think these two things are worth the lack of watching the show live, in-person for the 1% of FIRSTers.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by XaulZan11

As someone who would likely never attend the live kick-off, I'm in favor of this decision. If I'm just going to watch it on a screen some where, I'd prefer a more polished production. I'm sure it saves a significant amount of stress and pressure associated with putting together a live show. I think these two things are worth the lack of watching the show live, in-person for the 1% of FIRSTers.

A more polished production? I don't remember ever having any issues with the live kickoff's quality.

Overall, pretty lame of FIRST. Might make for a better demo of the game. Was hoping to get up to Manchester some year though.

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

A more polished production? I don't remember ever having any issues with the live kickoff's quality.

Overall, pretty lame of FIRST. Might make for a better demo of the game. Was hoping to get up to Manchester some year though.

There was never a time I thought the kickoff was unpolished or needed better production, but if they now have a couple weeks to perfect and edit the show, it has to be better, right?

While it would be nice to know all the reasons for the decision, the Will.i.am concert has taught me to keep an open mind in these issues and not jump to conclusions.

[EricH]

XaulZan, you may have just hit on something with the reference to the concert.

Remember what the concert became? A TV special. I wonder if, by pre-recording the Kickoff, they are really looking into preparing for another one. But, c'mon, FIRST! If that's the reason, just tell us if you can! Otherwise, we'll think it's just another of those late-night, caffeine-fueled decisions that teams so commonly make that may or may not work.

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by EricH

XaulZan, you may have just hit on something with the reference to the concert.

Remember what the concert became? A TV special. I wonder if, by pre-recording the Kickoff, they are really looking into preparing for another one. But, c'mon, FIRST! If that's the reason, just tell us if you can! Otherwise, we'll think it's just another of those late-night, caffeine-fueled decisions that teams so commonly make that may or may not work.

If I have to watch a commercial during kick-off because it's on TV, I will more than likely put a hole in that TV and then cry in a corner.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by thefro526

If I have to watch a commercial during kick-off because it's on TV, I will more than likely put a hole in that TV and then cry in a corner.

I'm not thinking of having the Kickoff be the special. But why not put the Kickoff in a special covering the entire season? It may just work really well to have access to the prerecordings.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Ian Curtis

NH is covered in politicians!

This may be the answer -- the NH primary date hasn't been announced but expected to be Jan 10th. It may take some pressure off trying to get hotel rooms. Or traffic. Or something.

But is the new game field going to be "live"?

[MechEng83]

Could it be because they don't think the game is as 'dope' this year, and want to avoid any live celebrity reactions indicating so?

[JohnBoucher]

Originally Posted by Roger

This may be the answer -- the NH primary date hasn't been announced but expected to be Jan 10th. It may take some pressure off trying to get hotel rooms. Or traffic. Or something.

But is the new game field going to be "live"?

I booked a room yesterday at the Holiday Inn next to the Airport Diner. Rooms are always tight when it's a primary year. You just have to deal with it.

Not happy with this decision.

Are they dumping the workshops also?

[dag0620]

I was quite upset.

I was planning on attending this year, however now.... I don't think so.

Same thing as said before, I could understand, but tell me why!

Will HQ ever learn....

[Colin P]

They don't want to accidentally drop one of the cameras into the water and ruin the live feed. It's obvious.

[IndySam]

I'm really not going to miss the "live" part of the broadcast, I understand how the teams close by would be very disappointed but the vast majority of team members will never be able to attend. Perhaps it can be a better overall show.

I agree that I would like to learn more about why but perhaps they just wanted to get this news out quickly so teams could plan accordingly and the why will come later in a more polished way.