Let's not stop with CBS

[RoboticsPhyre]

Originally Posted by aallen88

I know this is a kind of random and out there thing, but I'll be attending University of Hartford next fall and am planning on being a part of their television program that broadcasts weekly on ESPN 2. Does anyone know any teams in the Hartford, CT area?

I know that the Students @ Hartford in CETA mentor a team, I'm not sure which one though. I'll find out soon though. I can't wait to go up to Hartford as well. Biomed/Mech Engineering. I definately will be working with FIRST much after i grad from HS and College.

[aallen88]

Originally Posted by RoboticsPhyre

I know that the Students @ Hartford in CETA mentor a team, I'm not sure which one though. I'll find out soon though. I can't wait to go up to Hartford as well. Biomed/Mech Engineering. I definately will be working with FIRST much after i grad from HS and College.

Hey let me know about the team when you find out! Helping out a nearby team would be greeeeatttt. I may not be going into engineering, but I definitely won't be able to get through a whole year without robotics.

I thought it would be cool to try and do a story on a local robotics team on ESPN 2 instead of just local sports teams for next year.

[DeAnnaC]

Looks like the Discovery channel is looking for new program ideas - that may be more like the group of a target audience for FIRST anyway.

Could someone who is into writing put something together and post out here:
http://community.discovery.com/group...m/f/5241934628

Have an awesome day.

DeAnna

[David Brinza]

How about this format for televising the Einstein matches (FIRST Final Four)?

Prior to the start of the semifinals, some FIRST background material (including Dave Lavery's game animation) would be shown to set the context. Highlights of finals matches for each of the divisions would be shown to familiarize the viewers with the game and show how the Einstein alliances made it to the "Final Four".

The Einstein matches themselves would be shown live, with multiple cameras covering the field. A few of the robots could be equipped with wireless 'bot-cams as well. Coverage of the match might use split-screen, a close-up "picture-in-picture" window and an accurate current score banner across the top. Live coverage is tricky, since action is generally spread across the field. The "play-by-play" announcer needs to be very familiar with the game strategies, robot capabilities, etc. to guide the viewers through the critical action. Immediately after the match, instant replays and recorded 'bot-cam clips could be shown, with a live shot of the drive teams' reaction to the posting of the official score. The SF 1-1, SF 2-1 matches are played back-to-back, with just replays and team introductions between the matches. Then there's time for commercial breaks and "condensed" award presentations. After the break, SF 1-2 and SF 2-2 are played, followed by another break for awards and commericials. If necessary, third matches for the semifinals would be played. There's time available before and between each of the finals matches for more FIRST awards presentations. After the champion is determined, maybe some field-level interviews with drive teams, the trophy presentations and wrap-up with the Chairman's Award.

All of this could be packaged in a 60-minute to 90-minute slot. FIRST officials would have to take it's cues from a director on the field and the teams be ready to go on cue. A challenge would be to build in some "wiggle room" for third matches, ties, timeouts, etc.

It might be interesting to see if this year's championship footage (if it's still available) could be neatly edited to make a "demo tape" for potential broadcast networks (ESPN, Discovery, MTV, TNT - whoever). Even if the networks pass on this, having a well-produced, one-hour FIRST championship video would be very popular among the teams and could even be periodically re-broadcast on NASA TV's "Education File". I know I'd like to have this in my DVD library!

[themagic8ball]

I like the ideas expressed in the previous post. It would be a good way to have a 2-hour timeslot and get FIRST out there without taking up two whole days of broadcast. And if a 2 hour timeslot works the first year a company may consider going farther in depth.

As for discovery channel, if someone is writing in to them, don't send it yet, we should get as many electronic signatures on it as posible to show our support for it.

[Robyn Needel]

Originally Posted by DeAnnaC

Looks like the Discovery channel is looking for new program ideas - that may be more like the group of a target audience for FIRST anyway.

Could someone who is into writing put something together and post out here:
http://community.discovery.com/group...m/f/5241934628

Have an awesome day.

DeAnna

Discovery Inc. is located in Silver Spring, Maryland - not far away from all of teh Baltimore/Washington area teams. Why don't we get in touch with the president of the company, invite him to a couple of the upcoming events where the robots will be in attendance (the Six Flags physics day on the 12th and the air show at Andrews the weekend of the 19th)...then try and get him to sit down with us and develop a program? BTW, all these folks are youngish and seem to have open minds, from what I can read about them.

One Discovery Place
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 240-662-2000

John Hendricks, Founder and Chairman
Judith McHale, President and CEO
Donald A. Baer, Senior executive VP, Strategy and Development
William M. Campbell III, President Discovery Networks, US
Dawn L. McCall, President Discovery Networks International

[Pat Chen]

[quote=Robyn Needel]Discovery Inc. is located in Silver Spring, Maryland - not far away from all of teh Baltimore/Washington area teams. Why don't we get in touch with the president of the company, invite him to a couple of the upcoming events where the robots will be in attendance (the Six Flags physics day on the 12th and the air show at Andrews the weekend of the 19th)...then try and get him to sit down with us and develop a program? BTW, all these folks are youngish and seem to have open minds, from what I can read about them.....

Terrific idea.....Dean and the local area teams should extend them an invitation......followup with an invitation to next year's regional or IRI.....and people who have posted about NASA Web TV is right....not everyone has access to that station....

Pat Chen