FIRST on "The Fosters" - Monday Nights on FreeForm 8e/5p Starting Tonight!

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by Ryan Dognaux

It's a similar feeling to watching any show on Freeform, but you nailed it.

https://vimeo.com/179005395 Still laughing at this Boeing mentor jab.

I didn't watch the entire episode (yet - I've got work to get done today), but that clip alone feels disgusting.

The worst part is this "awful mentor" was right. Consistency is key and wasting your time on something too complex and over their ability level will lose teams that consistency. Seems like the show writers (and whoever the 'FIRST advisor' was) took their own bias into the show.

I'm disappointed FIRST used this opportunity to essentially color any newcomers this might bring to the organization, against teams with involved mentors, or even just against teams who have a winning streak. What does that say about our community?

FIRST's own mission statement mentions 'mentor-based programs'. Demonizing mentors, or teams who utilize them to the best of their ability, probably wasn't the way to go here.

Editing to add: I just watched the 'master cut' of all the FRC storyline content. It was a nice cover of FIRST - and it did well, as Ryan mentioned, for showcasing what events look and feel like. I understand where the underdog story works, but I still stand by that demonizing the other team (the 'powerhouse') went a little too far. The use of language/tension/ungracious attitudes seems like a facet of their show, so it felt a little weird to see that with FIRST logos all around. I'm not the biggest fan of the all-girls' motto (b*tches get stuff done), but that's a very separate rant for another time. Ryan's pros-and-cons a few lines up are spot on, in my book! Not much more to add.

[AllenGregoryIV]

the weird coach from the favored team, who is way too invested in a high-school robotics competition

- Maggie Fremont of Vulture

There was so much to dislike about the portrayal of FRC in this show but I think this quote demonstrates the worst of it. If people new to FRC are coming away with the idea that adult mentors shouldn't be passionate about FRC, clearly this has failed to do its job. Passionate mentors are reason the vast majority of teams of survive. We have students stand and clap at every event for the efforts of dedicated mentors and to have them discarded so easily by a TV show that has gotten so much support from HQ is extremely upsetting.

Countless times in this show I was hoping a mentor, key volunteer, or anyone would actually mentor these students and provide for some kind of character growth but you're left just feeling worse at each and every interaction. The people that are supposed to be teaching these students right from wrong are instead cheering profitably from the stands (I'm not above using harsh language but clearly there is a time and place and this isn't it). This show is not the behavior we should be promoting from team members or from our society. I understand it's just a TV show but that doesn't mean we should sacrifice our core values just for the publicity.

If this is the culture change that HQ thinks we need I dont want any part of it. This doesn't represent the FRC I know and love, and I regret promoting the program before watching how they would depict FRC.

[wilsonmw04]

according to this recap: http://www.vulture.com/2016/08/foste...episode-8.html , FRC isn't done with the Fosters just yet. I hope we will see more growth and depth from the characters as time goes by.

On a slightly different note: I don't think the Cobra Kai damaged martial arts in 1984. In fact, the Karate Kid sparked interest the martial arts for a generation. Relax a bit.

They weren't insulting anyone or any team in their dramatized TV portrayal of a FRC event. Gotta read the disclaimers

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons, places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

[bobbysq]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

according to this recap: http://www.vulture.com/2016/08/foste...episode-8.html , FRC isn't done with the Fosters just yet. I hope we will see more growth and depth from the characters as time goes by.

I can't wait for the CMP episode where they discover that basically every semi-decent team there has an engineering mentor, maybe even two.

[wilsonmw04]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

- Maggie Fremont of Vulture

If people new to FRC are coming away with the idea that adult mentors shouldn't be passionate about FRC, clearly this has failed to do its job.

But isn't that what outsiders think about ANYTHING they aren't personally interested and excited about? For example, when I was at GENCON last week, I had my first run in with cosplay. Why would anyone get so passionate about a costume? I don't get it, but I don't have to! It's what they enjoy. So, more power to them.
It's the same with FIRST. There are many rookie parents and students who don't get my passion and interest in robotics. Heck, my principal doesn't even get it. Most of them begin to understand after they attend their first event. You have to admit, from the outside looking in, we are an odd group of people.

[Michael Corsetto]

Originally Posted by Libby K

Seems like the show writers (and whoever the 'FIRST advisor' was) took their own bias into the show.

Not to go all tin-foil-hat on this, but I agree.

Could the show just as easily had your typical "elite team" without demonizing involved mentors? How would the show writers even know about this specific topic of supposed "mentor-built robots"?

This specific aspect of the story line unnecessarily reinforces a viewpoint many members of our own community still hold; specifically that involved mentors do not belong in FRC. From my perspective, whoever the "FIRST advisor" was, that person (or group of peoples) made it a point to inject their viewpoint (which is contrary to FIRST's mission statement) into the show.

Kudos to all the teams and volunteers that made this show a success. It's clear this was a lot of work, and your involvement is something to be proud of!

-Mike

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto

Could the show just as easily had your typical "elite team" without demonizing involved mentors? How would the show writers even know about this specific topic of supposed "mentor-built robots"?

Yes, the show could have used an elite team without an evil mentor, but that would have eroded their story-line about an underdog (i.e. "under-mentored") team overcoming insurmountable odds. Writers sometimes go to extremes in developing characters to emphasize their story. I doubt the intent was to make a statement about the "involved mentor" vs "student operated" team paradigm.

I know the writers were at the Los Angeles regional observing teams in the pits, watching matches and talking with volunteers, students, mentors, etc. I'm sure they were looking for the context of the event (it is, after all, a VERY unique environment). I'm sure they (like any uninformed observer) saw the disparity among the teams. The "haves and have nots" aspect of FRC does not go unnoticed by team members and spectators. We'd like to think ALL elite teams assist teams with less resources, unfortunately that doesn't always happen at competitions.

I wouldn't put too much on the FIRST advisor about the story-line and script. The producers, director and writers really are responsible for their product, which they craft for their viewership. I'm sure the FIRST advisor did not advocate the "b*itches get things done" line, but there it was! I'm sure the FIRST advisor was trying hard just to avoid gross degradation of the program.

BTW, the director didn't get why the FIRST members in the stands would not "boo" loudly when the pinning occurred without the referees making the call. (In spite of the FIRST advisor saying spectators just don't behave like that in FRC). Maybe the culture of FIRST was a bit too foreign for the director??

[jvriezen]

Just watched the story arc on Vimeo. A couple of observations:

Nice that they had a female ref, although she was criticized (indirectly, since she was the only ref highlighted) for missing the call.

I noticed that Blair does not get credit on IMDB for his speaking part, which was much more than the ref or inspector.

While the mentor was a fair ways 'over the top' it was good that they didn't dwell on the team 'hating' on him, after their mentor told them to forget about him. In the real world we sometimes encounter such people and often that is the right response-- so that aspect was done well.

How many FRC'ers (especially students) will reach out to the Foster's fan discussion boards to inform and help those who had their FIRST exposure to FRC better understand the program and the fact that they can get involved-- with links to 'real' FIRST Stronghold matches !

[pwnageNick]

Was looking around to find some online forums or something about the show to see what people were saying. This is what I found on this forum, located here.

"I did not really care about the whole robotics thing. I hope the mention of another competition means the show's not dropping Mariana taking Jesus' pills."

"I wasn't into it either, have no idea how true to life it was. I did like Mariana's strategy paying off, but it felt a little tropey with the insufferable teacher from Palomar."

"I don't love the robotics thing either, but I do like that they gave this storyline to Mariana (and Jesus, I guess!)."

"I don't get how it was okay for the teacher at the other school to be basically doing the work and standing behind the line during the competition. I can buy that the school has a lot of extra "coaches" that help build the robot, but why was he more involved during the competition itself? And why couldn't the Anchor Beach coach not complain about it?"

" I hope I never see another robot competition on this show or anywhere else!"

"I also was bored with the Robotics competition. I think the problem was I had no idea what was going on. They should have made it clear either this episode or over the course of the time they were working on it, exactly what the robot was meant to do. I had no investment because I couldn't tell if they were winning or losing at any given moment. Mariana rocked it with her quick thinking, but I still don't understand how the robot was pinned for longer than 5 seconds yet the referee just ignored it?"

This is every quote I could find that had the robotics competition mentioned. Interesting to see some of the feedback from people not already aware of FRC or FIRST.

[tjf]

Originally Posted by pwnageNick

I still don't understand how the robot was pinned for longer than 5 seconds yet the referee just ignored it?"

Honestly, that speaks volumes about the competition regardless of whether you watch it actively. That line alone could have been straight off of a CD thread.

It was a bit disheartening though that so many people dislike it... I mean, I can understand it, but part of it was the "teen drama", part of it was "ugh, robots". It was an interesting matchup to begin with between Freeform and FIRST.

[ahartnet]

Originally Posted by tjf

Honestly, that speaks volumes about the competition regardless of whether you watch it actively. That line alone could have been straight off of a CD thread.

It was a bit disheartening though that so many people dislike it... I mean, I can understand it, but part of it was the "teen drama", part of it was "ugh, robots". It was an interesting matchup to begin with between Freeform and FIRST.

For a different thread talking about the episode, reddit has a subreddit for the fosters. Looks like there are some FIRSTers 'spreading the good word' to people with open ears: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheFosters/...c/slug/d6j7opo

[Sperkowsky]

Originally Posted by ahartnet

For a different thread talking about the episode, reddit has a subreddit for the fosters. Looks like there are some FIRSTers 'spreading the good word' to people with open ears: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheFosters/...c/slug/d6j7opo

Id hardly call this quote good "You see in the show how there were teams who won a bunch of years and had a team of engineers with them. Unfortunately that's true. The highschools they go to are the ones with super high test scores and a good handful of cash to spare. And usually those kids parents have like Harvard engineering degrees and they mainly build the robots for the kids."

If anything it makes the whole thing worse.

[ahartnet]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

Id hardly call this quote good "You see in the show how there were teams who won a bunch of years and had a team of engineers with them. Unfortunately that's true. The highschools they go to are the ones with super high test scores and a good handful of cash to spare. And usually those kids parents have like Harvard engineering degrees and they mainly build the robots for the kids."

If anything it makes the whole thing worse.

I'll agree that that's not the *best* light, but since the following response is:

Wow, the event sounds like a ton of fun, and the whole process as well.

- I'll put it in the positive bucket.

[itsjustjon]

Now, everyone, say it with me: "It's just a TV show and FRC is just a robotics program. My life is a lot bigger than both of those things."

Once you say this, I swear most of the arguments here would fade into oblivion.

[Knufire]

Originally Posted by itsjustjon

Once you say this, I swear most of the arguments here on CD would fade into oblivion.

FTFY