Team 1448 Bohemian Rhaposdy and The Experience of a Life-Time

[Bwalker]

As Team 1448's Driver and a senior on the team, having the chance to perform our FRC Parody Rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" during the finals matches at the World Championships was an awe-inspiring moment. We started making the music video as a small side project as we were finishing up our build season. We wanted a way to involve a lot of our school's STEM programs (especially our audio-video engineering program) while sharing the true meaning of FIRST in a way that all members of FRC, Mentor to Newbie, could appreciate. But we never could've imagined just how well received it would be, and how many people would end up seeing it.

The experience of having gotten to meet Woodie Flowers, and to have teams from all over the world congratulate us on our video, and how they loved that it got shown at their local regional was just an amazing example of what FIRST is about. People all over the world, sharing ideas, and a passion and channeling that towards a goal. We'd like to thank the entire FIRST Community for that opportunity.

We had a BLAST at Championships and got some live footage of our performance to make a live music video of our Parody, but it would be extremely helpful to have some more footage from different angles in the arena. Team 1448 would like to graciously request that anybody that has video recordings of our performance possibly post it to YouTube(allowing us creative license and usage rights), or PM me for a different method of file transfer.

As a senior FIRST has given me many things. Industry internships, college acceptance letters, and scholarships; but more importantly it's given me experiences that have shaped me as a student, and a future adult. I can't begin to establish my appreciation for FRC (only my anticipation of a water-game surpasses that) but I can definitely tell you which sport my children will play in high-school! Thanks again everyone!

[GreyingJay]

I got chills when I looked around the stadium and saw how many flashlights were turned on during your song!

The only way it could have been better is if you had somehow been able to do a live performance, but I know that is a logistical nightmare in itself and far different from how you probably recorded it, with the ability to do retakes in the studio.

Still, great job! Your video, and Team 4001's earwormy "It's All About the Totes" were both great examples of how a team can put something fun together to get their name out and contribute to the FIRST community.

[BBray_T1296]

I was speaking to my friend immediately following your performance. I said something along the lines of "They just made some silly video for fun, I bet they never dreamed they'd be singing it live in front of 18,000 people!"

It really was great. Thanks for putting it together. It was cool meeting you guys at Oklahoma.

[asid61]

That was way cooler than seeing some celebrities. When your students came on the stage it was out of left field!

[GeeTwo]

I knew a bit in advance that they'd be playing FRC Rhapsody, as my daughter was in the mascot dance. We did not know that you would be there live. That definitely put it on the short list of (non-competition) season highlights.

[Gregor]

To be totally honest I was getting a little sick of listening to this (and All About Them Totes, and the Scholarship Video... and everything else they play at every event) after 5 events, so when I heard the opening chords at the Championship I thought "ugh not this again," but man was I wrong.

Your performance was absolutely incredible, and was the only part of Einstein I payed attention to other than the first .3 seconds of every match. Kudos to you for getting everyone out of their seat!

[Vale]

I remember when you made the original post on Chief Delphi about the song.

I never thought in my wildest dreams that this would happen the way it did. I'm really happy that they let you guys on the stage to do that. It was a great moment, and quite unexpected from my eyes. Please continue with this. The team has definitely developed the community that is FIRST.

Job well done, and thanks for sharing it with us all.

[RoboDawg]

I want you to know that this was my favorite moment at the championship. Thanks! I hear it even now! " Is this the real life, is this just fantasy...."

[Bwalker]

We really appreciate just how well you all have received our video and performance. Just know that Team 1448 has even BIGGER plans for next year.

[Bob Steele]

Keep up the great work.... I still think it was the coolest thing I had ever seen posted. So well done and I am glad you had a chance to "perform" it at CMP!!!

[northstardon]

Originally Posted by Bwalker

We really appreciate just how well you all have received our video and performance. Just know that Team 1448 has even BIGGER plans for next year.

Looking forward to what you come up with. I suspect that there will be more than a few teams following suit next year, given the proof provided that this kind of high-quality video parody can not only be produced by an FRC team, but actually completed during the build season! We've already got an award for best animated safety video each year...maybe this will grow into something comparable?

And while I loved the touch of self-deprecating humor, I have to ask; given the near-rock star status that you guys attained with this video, was prom really unlikely?