Media at Nationals

[Steve W]

I was doing announcining on Curie field and had some problems with camera people. It got to the point that I told them to stay off of the grey carpet and I just walked in front of them. If they did come on the carpet and I bumped into them that was their problem. I seemed to have more meetings with the FIRST camera men than the outsiders. We also had a camera on a boom over the field that was out of the way but able to get shots. I am not sure what it was for because in was never on the video screen.

I know as an announcer I am suppose to sit at the table but After being prodded to try I walked the sidelines. With all that was happening with field reset, camera people, referees and visitors between the scoring table and the field it was much easier to announce while walking and less people got hit by flying objects hurled from my position. Cameras and media will always take liberties that is how they get such good shots. If they prevent you from doing your job then the issue needs to be addressed.

[BandChick]

On Newton the Tech TV guy came and did a segment, which pushed timing back a little, but he did hype up the crowd. That's the only positive I've seen from all this media spotlighting, other than showing more people what FIRST is about. Yes, it's frustrating to see all these cameras in your face, but just think what FIRST can become with all the national coverage.

FIRST is expanding, and Dean always wanted more people to know about FIRST, that's why most teams do things like community outreach. And this is just community outreach on a larger level. It'll prove to be positive, and you'll get used to it in time.