Video during Chairman's Interview

[FRC1710]

We are preparing for our interview portion of the Chairman's Award. We are trying to decide whether we should use video/ technology aspects to our 5 minutes.

[Nuttyman54]

I don't think any one way is better, but there are things to keep in mind if you decide to use any sort of video presentation.

-ALWAYS have a backup plan. Things go wrong, and you don't want to be wasting your 5 minutes trying to fix it.

-Assume the interview room has no accommodations, and bring your own

-Make sure whatever technology you're using (laptop, stand-alone projector, etc) has been tested with the video first to ensure compatibility. Having admin access on any computers being used is also a good idea.

-Keep it under the time limit to make sure you have time to set up

-rehearse it so that you minimize the amount of setup time

[Anfony]

To think about it, it would be better if it was an interactive video, because they mentors/judges you are presenting to, want something to grab there attention. You dont want to play a 5 minute movie of the X ammount of people presenting readding off a script while video clips and pictures go buy. In my own opinion it would be best to present the award live to the judges. BUT, if you want to utilize a video, makesure you have all the right things that nutty stated before.

[Joe Matt]

Place your attention entirely on my voice and try to ignore the others. It's important to focus your attention on one source of information while blocking all the other things that are competing for your attention.

Place your attention all the different voices simultaneously, in the past only listening to one voice might have been sufficient, but today you must focus your attention on all the different voices.

Place your attention on one of the other voices duing this section. Stop listening to my voice now and move on before it's too late. If you are still listening to my voice now that means you have poor control over your attention.

I've been a strong advocate of not using video/photo slide shows/technology in the Chairmans interview. The judges are there to not see a video or such, they are there to interact and discuss with the students. Plopping a lappy infront of them with a running video along with the students talking and providing important and individual contact with the judges is a poor decision. Who do you pay attention to more during a powerpoint with tons of animations and video? There's a reason why when a movie theater needs to get your attention (like giving money to a cause) they turn OFF the projector.

They have read what you have done. They want the human interaction. Do teams do it? Yes. I don't.

NOW, what I have used were giant physical slides to show the judges and point out things. I think the analogue component along with a compelling script/outline will beat a video any day.

All flash and no substance is bad, so is flash and substance.

[DCA Fan]

I typically recommend against it. Most of the time, the more low tech a presentation is, the less likely you are to have technical difficulties. Also, the judges want to hear from you, the presenters, not something on a computer screen.

[zim2411]

I agree with Joe Matt.

It's a little awkward to walk into the room, have a friendly greeting and then plop a laptop and make them watch for five minutes while you stare at their reactions.

Not to mention, if you DO have a technical failure, you won't look very professional in there. Keep it simple, keep it concise, and hit all the points you need to hit.