How to Emcee at competitions

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

Here's a similar thread about announcing, which turned into a success story. You might recognize the person who asked how to become an announcer. http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=28424.

The following is FIRST's description of the emcee position: http://www.usfirst.org/community/vol...es-%28emcee%29

I see Joel was in the thread. I miss him. That guy had a great voice.
I remember going to Montreal this year and Karthik and Blair were up there training a brand new MC and announcer. The MC was complaining about how his throat was hurting after one day and they gave him tips on how to take care of himself. Two days of "talking loud" can take quite a toll.

[George A.]

Thanks to Joe for reminding me of that thread, I completely forgot about it.

The one good thing to take away from that thread, as well as all the information that everyone else provided are these things.

1) Start off small and work your way up (have to crawl before you can walk)
2) Connections, connections, connections. The more people you know and impress, the more people you have pulling for you to come work their events.
3) Never give up. Even if it takes you years to work events with any regularity, keep with it.

Katie Stevens is a fantastic example. She was an avid FIRSTer when she was in school, and now she is an avid volunteer. She worked every MAR District, along with NYC and Bostons regionals! She is a terrific up and comer and one that I look forward to working with in the MAR system for a long long time to come.

If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to message or email me.

Thanks everyone for the assistance! Having MC'd 2 FLL events already, and hoping to continue in the future, I'm hoping to be able to approach some contacts (Note to self: Get contacts) about emceeing in some offseason FRC comps. Who knows? Maybe Cal Games, or depending on where I go to college, the Fall Classic.

For everything, especially emceeing, Karthik from 1114 is an inspiration to me. His intros are historic, his enthusiasm achieves the perfect match quality, and his kicks are just plain awesome, though I doubt I'll be kicking near FLL teams anytime soon. I've been studying him, and the great emcees of lore, trying to see what makes them the best.

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice!

[Andy Grady]

If you are looking to be an emcee or an announcer at a regional some day, the best advice I can give to you is the following...

1. Start off small and learn the trade. FLL, FTC, and VEX events are the best way to get your feet wet for the job...especially considering that they all utilize one person in a dual role. Many times you can find out which one you like to do better just by working an FLL event.

2. Talk to people about getting spot gigs at offseason events. An offseason is the best way to get your name out there a little bit and understand how the process works on an FRC field. Even though it may look easy, being an emcee or announcer can be a challenging task for various reasons. It is best to run into all the problems when the stakes are a little bit lower rather than on a regional stage.

3. Learn lessons from other emcees or announcers, but don't become other emcees or announcers. What makes you love a particular emcee? Is it the way that person has a great sense of humor? Is it how that person engages a crowd? Is it the particular style that emcee has? If you look at the best emcees and announcers, you find that each one has a relatively unique style. They have embraced who they are and found a way to make that come out in front of a crowd. Remember...we already have a Blair, Dave, Mark, Karthik and Chiniqua...just be you, and you will probably be ok!

4. Teach yourself that FIRST is about the kids, not about you. This is a HUGE golden rule. If you make the show too much about you, we lose the meaning of all that so many people have worked hard to build. A good emcee or announcer enhances an event, not overshadows it. Embrace this rule, and you will learn quickly what YOU are as an emcee or announcer.

5. Watch and listen to yourself on video. Here is a great question to ask yourself...if you were in the crowd watching yourself, would you think you are good or relatively annoying? If you watch/listen to yourself on a video and really take a constructive approach to things, you can improve yourself more and more with each passing event. Take it from me, I have been announcing/emceeing for 14 years...I still find tons of things that make me cringe about my execution and style! This way, if you look at your faults, you can correct them and become more appealing to others.

6. Learn how to clearly and concisely read off of a script. One of the things that you don't always get from working offseason competitions is the ability to read scripts. Reading an awards script properly is extremely important to the event, the people who write the script, and the people who will win the award that you are reading. It is important that each word you say is conveyed with care, so get as much practice doing it as you can.

7. Get to know the teams! This is what I consider the most important element of the job. Emceeing is about way more than going out on the field, saying a number, and pointing. You need to learn stories, stats, and connect with the people you will be looking at through the glass or talking about over the microphone. The best part about this is that you build relationships with some of the best people you will ever know. Emceeing or announcing is an honor and an opportunity...make the most of it.

Hopefully some of you can find this advise useful. Wanting to be an emcee or announcer is great...FIRST events are always looking for someone with the talent to be able to work the mic and the crowd. Remember, though, emceeing or announcing isn't for everyone. It takes a certain amount of talent, hard work, and vocal ability to be able to handle the work load. Don't jump into the fire right away...try it, if you like it and have some talent, who knows where it can take you!

-Andy

[Billfred]

I've only really emceed one event, that being SCRIW last year. The biggest thing I learned from doing it?

Get in shape. I'm not exactly all that fit, and I went all day as emcee and game announcer (in addition to my other duties with the event). The next day, I barely moved because I was so sore. If SCRIW were a two-day event, I wouldn't have made it.

Now granted, I was doing my fair share of running (with a side order of woefully-inadequate-compared-to-Karthik jumps towards the wall to slow down on the other side). It's possible to dial it back and still be effective. Know your abilities, know your limits, and know how long you have to last.

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by Andy Grady

4. Teach yourself that FIRST is about the kids, not about you. This is a HUGE golden rule. If you make the show too much about you, we lose the meaning of all that so many people have worked hard to build. A good emcee or announcer enhances an event, not overshadows it. Embrace this rule, and you will learn quickly what YOU are as an emcee or announcer.

This is the most important piece of advice for up and coming MCs. The easiest way to be regarded as a bad MC is to play the "Hey everyone, look at me!" game. Just like no one watches Monday Night Football to hear from Jon Gruden and no one watches American Idol to hear from Ryan Seacrest, no one goes to a FIRST event just to see the MC. It's all about adding to the event, not becoming the event.