1114 and 2056 Release Videos?

[mman1506]

https://vimeo.com/3277978

[Ginger Power]

I won't speak for 1114 and 2056, but if I were in their position, I wouldn't want to give away any competitive advantage I may have by coming into an event as an unknown commodity. With that said, seeing incredibly well produced videos by these amazing teams would be awesome.

[Hallry]

"The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” ― Steven Furtick

I personally feel that it's poor to judge a team by their release video - any robot could look great in a well-edited video (granted, this is 1114 and 2056 we are talking about in this instance, which would be amazing anyway). If you really want to get a good feel for their past robots, look at some of their old match footage on The Blue Alliance. That'll also show how their robots and drive teams evolve as the season progresses.

But, that being said, I am always in love with 118's reveal videos.

[EricH]

There's a reason that some of the top teams in FRC don't do release videos until after the season.

As noted, it gives everybody else a chance to try to figure out how to beat them starting from the date/time of the release video, rather than when they open the bag at their first event. While you're trying to figure out what they're doing and how to beat them, they're iterating onto the robot what they've learned from previous events (if any) and other release videos and their own practice.

But there's also another reason. Making a video takes time and people away from some things that they are going to be very busy doing. Like driver practice (under game-like conditions, at any rate). Like iterating the robot's subsystems to be even better. Like watching everybody else's release videos. Like fundraising (if necessary). Like finishing the CAD (which as I recall 1114 does release on occasion). Like schoolwork. Like sleep.

For 1114, there's a third reason... but just referencing it brings up bad memories.

What I might suggest instead of a release video would be a series of "Tour" videos, discussing the robot at each stage of development and providing an up-close view. Of course, these videos would probably be released no earlier than AFTER the first event...and probably much later, like after Champs.

[MaGiC_PiKaChU]

Originally Posted by EricH

Like schoolwork. Like sleep.

Schoolwork? Sleep? Never heard of that

[Ichlieberoboter]

Originally Posted by EricH

For 1114, there's a third reason... but just referencing it brings up bad memories.

I'm guessing I shouldn't ask?

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by EricH

For 1114, there's a third reason... but just referencing it brings up bad memories.

Originally Posted by Ichlieberoboter

I'm guessing I shouldn't ask?

Originally Posted by Chris is me

(By the way, I have no idea what this "third reason" is; 1114 only made a video in 2009, and I don't remember anything super out of the ordinary about how they were treated that year. Nobody copied them or whatever...)

Don't worry Chris, I honestly have zero idea of what he's talking about as well.

Aaron covered all the relevant points above. Sure we would love to have an awesome reveal video like 118, 148, 254, or 610, but it's just not up our alley. Maybe it would have been possible back in 2012 when we had the group of students who made our Chairman's video, but even with that type of talent it still comes down to resource allocation. So maybe one day if we end up with the right group of students and mentors who are passionate about this sort of thing it'll come together, but until that point there sadly won't be any release videos from us.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Karthik

Don't worry Chris, I honestly have zero idea of what he's talking about as well.

I was referring to the chance of catching audio of one or more 1114 members singing. I may have to see if I can find a working link to that IRI Talent Show act from some years back... but from what I can remember I'll leave my speakers off.

[swwrobotics]

Originally Posted by EricH

What I might suggest instead of a release video would be a series of "Tour" videos, discussing the robot at each stage of development and providing an up-close view. Of course, these videos would probably be released no earlier than AFTER the first event...and probably much later, like after Champs.

Yeah, or even that would be pretty cool...