"i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th

[Barry Bonzack]

Originally Posted by Joe G.

Overall, I thought it was very good. A bit much of the concert for my tastes, but then, die-hard FIRSTers aren't exactly the intended audience.

Originally Posted by stundt1

There was way to much music in it.

Originally Posted by XaulZan11

I think the TV special was great for promoting FIRST, Will.i.am and science/technology, but I was a little disappointed with how the show was put together. My biggest complaint is that it was just a bunch of segments and songs for an hour with no real structure or progression.

Originally Posted by Kusha

WAY too much music in it, I wish it was more robotics based than music. But then again, like others said I'm a FIRST junkie, this wasn't intended for me.

Originally Posted by Chris is me

but a friend who I told to watch the program called me after the show. "I really wish they showed us more of the robots. Those looked really cool. I didn't care about all the celebrities and music."

Originally Posted by thefro526

I hope the next time Will.I.Am and FIRST partner it's less about Music and more about Robots.

Originally Posted by EricH

I like how they focused on the message. However: I wasn't a fan of that much music. I have no problem with putting music in; it's a "hook" for the general populace. Just use some slightly shorter songs.

First, let me apologize to all of you for highlighting only this one point in your posts when many of you went on to say many positive things, but I didn't want my reply to be huge.

Yes, there was a lot of music, and that time could have been used instead to talk about other things. How many of us turned off the TV Immediately after the special was over? Realize what came on immediately after, The County Music concert something or another which featured an hour of just music and was advertised by what celebrities were participating in it. If we want to be on primetime, then we have to meet this format to receive views from the general public.

Don't like it? Then lets change the culture.

[Joe G.]

Originally Posted by Barry Bonzack

Don't like it? Then lets change the culture.

"You must spread some reputation around before giving it to Barry Bonzack again"

The special did its job. It got our name out, and generated curiosity. Now, its up to us to change the culture.

[Frenchie461]

This is the big FIRST (yes I had to do that) step to spreading the word of what we do. People know what FIRST is, so the next step is getting them involved, whether that's getting them to watch a FIRST event, support a child/friend/relative in the program, or joining a team outright. This our big chance to spread the word and change the culture, let's not waste it. So in the words of one Leroy Jenkins, "Time's up, let's do this."

[Gir_450]

Originally Posted by Frenchie461

So in the words of one Leroy Jenkins, "Time's up, let's do this."

OMG he just ran in.....SEND BACKUP!

[R.C.]

Does anyone know if there is a place to download or view the show after?

Thanks,

-RC

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by R.C.

Does anyone know if there is a place to download or view the show after?

Thanks,

-RC

Check and see if it's on ABC's website.

[torihoelscher]

I think that this special was very beneficial and even the Jc Penney commercials were amazing at showing FIRST off. I am very impressed on how they put the culture and team's dedication to building robots. A lot of teams have been doing this for a long time and it shows their dedication and I'm glad the special emphasized on how serious building, competing, and sharing our culture is to us. I am very happy with this special. It was awesome!!

[JaneYoung]

Not having attended the Championship event this year, I had no expectations of what the Special would look like or how FIRST would be presented in a brief one-hour window. One of the delightful surprises that ended up being very emotional for me - was the commercials, especially during that first 1/2 hour segment. I was so proud to sit there and watch those commercials and say, "That's a FIRST sponsor! That's another FIRST sponsor! That's a FIRST sponsor!" It's great to see their sponsorship at events - it's a whole nuther level to see those commercials during prime time TV like that. It was made of win.

I loved the team profiles and realizing anew that every team has a story that can capture the imagination, challenge the status quo, and change the culture. It was thrilling to hear students talking about their futures in ways that they would not have thought possible before they joined a team.

It was also very cool to think about the Poofs getting nervous during competition. I've never thought about that.

.. Wonder if Will.i.am knows any country music folks...

Jane

[O'Sancheski]

Thanks will.i.am for producing and endorsing this great feature on FIRST.

[skimoose]

First I have to congratulate Will.I.Am. He definitely lived up to his promise to make FIRST loud. There should be no questioning his commitment to FIRST now. All of the CD speculation after the Superbowl on whether that really was a FIRST logo on his headgear has been answered. Thank you again Will.

The special may not have appealed to some hardcore FIRSTers, but that wasn't the target audience. I think the program portrayed FIRST in a great light for those who know nothing about us. Having attended Championships and the concert, I was amazed by how much I missed seeing it live. It was great to be able to relive the whole experience. While you may feel that the special showed too much of the concert, that will bring in more students, mentors, educators, and more sponsors, and that music was what made this television event possible.

My only down side was that an hour just wasn't enough to cover everything. There was very little coverage of JFLL and FLL. I know these programs are robust and well established, but an interest story on at least the Champion's Award team would have been great. That's what I felt was missed most: Recognition for the Champion's Award (FLL), Inspire Award (FTC Hall of Fame), Chairman's Award (FRC Hall of Fame) teams, and at least some mention of the Dean's List Winners group. I think that would have helped complete the picture of what FIRST is all about. Those teams and students that "get" FIRST. Everyone loves the winners, but Dean has always said its not about the robot, so show what FIRST is about.

I also wish ABC/Disney had more belief in the project. They had a splash page on the ABC website, but I only saw three commercials promoting the special. Two on CNN the night before, and one on ABC Sunday morning of the show. So, I too would like to see the ratings for the show, I hope the numbers will encourage ABC or other networks to believe in FIRST and not just allow the program as a Will.I.Am personal project.

Our team watched the special as a group after our awards ceremony. Was the program successful? Emphatically YES! We all left just as inspired as we would be leaving the Kickoff Presentation each year. I could hear students talking about upcoming projects and other robot related things that they thought would be great to do. I heard parents, mentors, and alumni talking about the upcoming year and what's inspired them to volunteer and stay volunteered in FIRST.

Inspired... Yup, that's what the show was all about.

[CallieJ]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

It was also very cool to think about the Poofs getting nervous during competition. I've never thought about that.


Jane

I think that's part of what's great about FIRST. You see these people who are so put together, so professional, that sometimes it's hard to remember that they're 18 year old boys, much like any others. But you get Nick, Sides, Wiggles, Erik, whomever off that field, and they still get stressed and pull all-nighters and go to dances and eat junk food.

In the end, they inspire me, and I hope other members of my team, by being just like the rest of us.

(For those of you unfamiliar with the NASA house team structure, we share the same lab, the same machines, the same tables and occasionally the same food. I am very proud to call the people I mentioned above friends)

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by CallieJ

In the end, they inspire me, and I hope other members of my team, by being just like the rest of us.

Exactly.

Sometimes, we (falsely) think that teams and mentors who are our FRC rock stars - no longer deal with the every day emotions and wear and tear of build and competition. It's true that many of these teams have worked hard to establish a consistency in performance and a standard of excellence that the team strives for each season but - it's also nice to know that, in some ways, like being excited and nervous - they are just like the rest of us. Very inspiring.

The Space Cookies are setting a bar for many of us to reach up to, too. Very cool.

Jane

[rsisk]

OK, here is a direct report from the field.

We were presenting to the Riverside Rotary club today with two robots present. A lady walks in, her first question: "Are those FIRST robots?"

Then she continues that she had seen the special on TV Sunday and was hooked. She contacted the principal at her son's middle school and her son's scoutmaster and told them what she had seen and wanted their help to get involved.

Well, today she met us, and now we will be working with the school and the scout team to start a couple FLL teams.

Directly as a result of the special on Sunday and being prepared to bring someone new into the FIRST family.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by rsisk

OK, here is a direct report from the field.

We were presenting to the Riverside Rotary club today with two robots present. A lady walks in, her first question: "Are those FIRST robots?"

Then she continues that she had seen the special on TV Sunday and was hooked. She contacted the principal at her son's middle school and her son's scoutmaster and told them what she had seen and wanted their help to get involved.

Well, today she met us, and now we will be working with the school and the scout team to start a couple FLL teams.

Directly as a result of the special on Sunday and being prepared to bring someone new into the FIRST family.

mission accomplished.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by rsisk

...
Well, today she met us, and now we will be working with the school and the scout team to start a couple FLL teams.
...

Sound great except that I would recommend starting VRC or FTC teams for those ages.