[FRC Blog] Five for FIRST

[Drivencrazy]

Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe

I agree Ty. Pretty much every promotional video that FIRST has done has the same stuff in it. This was something different.

Medieval theme stuff is definitely only for nerds, because you know, Game of Thrones was only popular in the nerd crowd. Same with the Lord of the Rings movies or the Hobbit movies. Only nerds went to go see those.

I have no problem with the video itself. I'm just saying I don't think it is an effective tool to do what they want to do. I'm sure there is a group of people that will go for this kind of video (I mentioned a board game store earlier) and it may even get some more kids to join FIRST teams which is great. But as a way to get a lot people "outside the tent" genuinely interested in coming back, I think it fails.

I would never show this to a coworker or somebody with the means to sponsor an FRC team. And I sure as hell would never show them this. That's just not what "most" people are into. But I'd definitely show them parts of something like the Roboleague video. It's got everything about FIRST in it. The problem is it's too long.

I mean, look at Battlebots. It used to be a joke, run on Comedy Central. They made it more like SportsCenter and upped the production quality and it was the number one show on Sunday nights for a couple weeks.

And yeah because GoT, LotR and the Hobbit were all snow white and the seven dwarves production quality

[Jessi Kaestle]

Originally Posted by Drivencrazy

I would never show this to a coworker or somebody with the means to sponsor an FRC team. And I sure as hell would never show them this. That's just not what "most" people are into.

I showed both to a coworker who isn't really familiar with the program but is in the STEM field.

For the StrongHold video she felt it was cheesy and childish and said that she would have no interest in looking into what the program was for herself or her children based on the video.

For the What Is FRC video, she was instantly intrigued and commented "Wow, you got Will.i.am" she then made various other comments about how she liked how the opponents were random and varying. Her end assessment was that she was interested in the program for her daughter.

I know some might argue that she was not "outside the tent" but isn't anyone who isn't in FIRST "outside the tent"

[Citrus Dad]

Originally Posted by Drivencrazy

But I'd definitely show them parts of something like the Roboleague video. It's got everything about FIRST in it. The problem is it's too long.

Roboleague is definiitely worth promoting further. If FIRST could cut it down to a typical movie-length trailer then it could be quite powerful.

[Jacob Bendicksen]

Maybe the whole "outside the tent" thing is referring to the tents in the video itself...hmmmmm.

/s

In all seriousness, I don't think this video does quite as good a job as RoboLeague at promoting what's great about FIRST. To me, that's the teamwork, energy, and hard work that everyone puts into it, and this just isn't evident in the Stronghold video.

[TJP123]

Originally Posted by Drivencrazy

And yeah because GoT, LotR and the Hobbit were all snow white and the seven dwarves production quality

Why do I feel so old all of a sudden?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077687/?ref_=nv_sr_4

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe

Medieval theme stuff is definitely only for nerds, because you know, Game of Thrones was only popular in the nerd crowd. Same with the Lord of the Rings movies or the Hobbit movies. Only nerds went to go see those.

I don't think the issue is just that it features a medieval theme, but it looks like it is targeted more towards grade/middle schoolers than high schoolers.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Ty Tremblay

I don't think I could disagree with you more.

There are too many facets to FRC to assume that showing exciting competition video is the only way to get people excited. Frank stated specifically in this blog that the goal of the teaser was to attract "the attention of folks whose ears may not automatically perk up when the phrase ‘robotics competition’ is uttered."

This video is literally not targeted at the people that already enjoy the thrill of competition.

"Mainstream media" is a whole other can of worms...

The problem with this video is I'm pretty sure the general Highschool population will laugh at my students if they share it with them.

[cadandcookies]

While I'll agree that the teaser has some issues with regards to how effective it might be for its stated purpose, I definitely think they're going in the right direction in terms of intent-- bringing in people "outside the tent" is a commendable goal and I hope future attempts will be more effective in that regard.

Personally, I think it's a fun video, and I think that using it to explain a bit of FIRST culture to somebody outside the tent isn't completely ridiculous-- it gives a nice opportunity to explain the context of the video (game hints), which can lead into a discussion about the program. I'm looking at this as a small net positive thing on the part of FIRST-- it may not be exactly what they're going for, but it's definitely a step in the right direction attitude-wise.

[MrBasse]

Originally Posted by cadandcookies

While I'll agree that the teaser has some issues with regards to how effective it might be for its stated purpose, I definitely think they're going in the right direction in terms of intent-- bringing in people "outside the tent" is a commendable goal and I hope future attempts will be more effective in that regard.

I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, everyone I have shown it to hasn't understood what it means. I'm left with blank stares and a lot of people saying they don't get it. Not a single one has asked for more information based on the video. The only questions I've gotten so far have been "How does this relate to robotics?" and "Why is there a robot in the middle ages?"

I have some hopes of what the season may bring, but I have learned to not hold my breath until January. So far this teaser has lived up to being a teaser. What for, nobody seems to know...

[Ty Tremblay]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

The problem with this video is I'm pretty sure the general Highschool population will laugh at my students if they share it with them.

But that's beside the point isn't it? This video is targeted at the ones that will think this is cool, not the ones that will make fun of it.

[MrBasse]

Originally Posted by Ty Tremblay

But that's beside the point isn't it? This video is targeted at the ones that will think this is cool, not the ones that will make fun of it.

If thats the point then the whole "make it loud" idea has been a huge waste of time. We should appeal to the masses, not the secluded groups who already get it. I want to bring some football players and hockey players in again, they make the team more well rounded. I already have a group who gets this kind of thing.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Ty Tremblay

But that's beside the point isn't it? This video is targeted at the ones that will think this is cool, not the ones that will make fun of it.

Then it's targeting too small of an audience.

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Then it's targeting too small of an audience.

I think its difficult when you are trying to make a teaser to get people excited about the upcoming season, but can't really show them anything because the game doesn't get announced for another 3 months.

[Ty Tremblay]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Then it's targeting too small of an audience.

Possibly, but this isn't FRC's sole effort to grow.

[Mike Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Ty Tremblay

But that's beside the point isn't it? This video is targeted at the ones that will think this is cool, not the ones that will make fun of it.

I don't think I'm in the target audience then.

Also since I haven't seen this anywhere else yet. Castles have moats. Water game confirmed.