FIRST TV Special!

[Raven_Writer]

Originally posted by Veselin Kolev
It would be interesting...
I'm all for it. I'm pretty sure that the representatives of FIRST would not let FOX make fun of us. But on the issue of which teams would be used, the Springfield team would be made up, but they would have to fight other teams. I forgot where the Simpsons was taped, but it would be teams from that area. And to make it fair, all real teams would be eliminated, leaving Springfield and Shelbyvill. Or something like that. Overall, I think it will happen, but not soon.

I think it'll be a spoof of FIRST, and not actual FIRST....that way they won't have to pay for advertisment. But they'll still get the point acrossed w/ FIRST...they always find a way.

[Melissa Nute]

I would like to see this actually happen...

But then again ...its only a rumor...

[Kyle Fenton]

I think that someone is pulling your leg.

(Maybe FOX is considering, maybe it is not)

But there have been many failed attempts at porting FIRST into a movie or TV style format. Yes there have been several documentaries on FIRST, but really no solid appearance to the masses.

Remember that Disney show they said ABC was doing last year?

Well it didn't happen

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/18/te...daf3&ei=5 070

First also hopes to keep expanding, with a goal of eventually reaching every high school in the nation. The plan involves a simpler kit that would enable first-year teams to build a competitive robot in less time, and a made-for-TV movie about the program that would be broadcast on ABC's "Wonderful World of Disney." The movie will star Noah Wylie of "E.R." as a teacher who supervises a First team at an inner-city school in California.

A movie or primetime TV show really makes someone aware.

For example, I am sure nobody knew what the K-19 was before Harrison Ford released a movie about it. Point is, that Dean Kamen should try to hire someone to do a good movie about it.

However, this is not a perfect world. Even though movies get millions, only few make profits now a days. This might be hard to fathom, but movies after all expenses are making surprisingly little profit.
Piracy from P2P doesn't help either.
Right now you see less and less movies, than you did when we had a boom market in late 90's. Producers usually review a potential idea with great scrutiny, before putting any money on it.

If a director gave an idea to a producer about a kid in FIRST, they would probably reject it, because the masses would probably don't want to see it.

Maybe an independent film can be made about FIRST? Who knows, "My Big Fat Greek Weeding" was a no name film at first, but did better than most feature films.

I really do hope that this happens, it would really help people understand who we are, and how important FIRST is. Plus I think it would help teams to possibly get more money, because it would enable a normal guy to a least get a feeling of what FIRST is.

[Madison]

Originally posted by Kyle Fenton
Even though movies get millions, only few make profits now a days. This might be hard to fathom, but movies after all expenses are making surprisingly little profit.

Can you show me numbers?

I think you're wrong. While every movie doesn't make a profit, nevermind an enormous profit, most movies do manage to scrape by. To suggest otherwise is kinda ludicrous. Are they making everyone wealthy? Probably not so much.

Even if domestic box office grosses don't appear to be profitable, most movies go on to do six times that amount in worldwide ticket sales. Video releases, reissues, and other nifty marketing tricks (like Director's Cut DVDs) ensure that movies make money.

The movies are, after all, an industry. Even if one doesn't make money, it gets maid on the coattails of other box office successes. That said, though, you've got to have more movies that float than sink if anyone expects to make money.

A movie about FIRST, in any case, would probably be the most boring thing ever put to film. Television, movies, radio, or any other major media exposure is a bad thing for FIRST, across the board. What FIRST needs, and what we're doing a poor job with, is a real grassroots movement that reaches out to individuals and ropes them in. We need to be a presence in every city, if only for one weekend a year, so that people are exposed to what we do in the flesh.

We do not need a stylized presentation that glosses over the dramatic reality that we experience as participants of FIRST. When we get the word out on our own and when people are aware that FIRST participants surround them, then we can start exposing them to more stories of FIRST. Until then, keep the television and things out of it -- particularly those, as they represent interests that are not our own.

In any case, I'm interested in learning more about the majority of movies that don't seem to turn a profit.

[Gope]

Originally posted by J Flex 188
i think speed holes have become an integral part of every teams strategy = )..

If you remember speed holes were also apart of Homer's strategy, in an episode where he becomes involved with the mafia they shoot holes into a car he is about to buy and the dealer says they are speed holes, later in the episode he is seen making speed holes in the hood of his car with some sort of tool, i think maybe the claw and of a hammer or a pick.

[Kyle Fenton]

Originally posted by M. Krass
Can you show me numbers?

I think you're wrong. While every movie doesn't make a profit, nevermind an enormous profit, most movies do manage to scrape by. To suggest otherwise is kinda ludicrous. Are they making everyone wealthy? Probably not so much.

Even if domestic box office grosses don't appear to be profitable, most movies go on to do six times that amount in worldwide ticket sales. Video releases, reissues, and other nifty marketing tricks (like Director's Cut DVDs) ensure that movies make money.

The movies are, after all, an industry. Even if one doesn't make money, it gets maid on the coattails of other box office successes. That said, though, you've got to have more movies that float than sink if anyone expects to make money.

A movie about FIRST, in any case, would probably be the most boring thing ever put to film. Television, movies, radio, or any other major media exposure is a bad thing for FIRST, across the board. What FIRST needs, and what we're doing a poor job with, is a real grassroots movement that reaches out to individuals and ropes them in. We need to be a presence in every city, if only for one weekend a year, so that people are exposed to what we do in the flesh.

We do not need a stylized presentation that glosses over the dramatic reality that we experience as participants of FIRST. When we get the word out on our own and when people are aware that FIRST participants surround them, then we can start exposing them to more stories of FIRST. Until then, keep the television and things out of it -- particularly those, as they represent interests that are not our own.

In any case, I'm interested in learning more about the majority of movies that don't seem to turn a profit.

I really don't want to get into numbers, nor do I really care. Without getting too off-topic here, a majority of movies do all right, but some accumulate a loss. The big blockbusters like T3, Finding Nemo, Matrix, etc. usually has a high profit margin that the producers usually use that profit to cover the debt from other non-successful movies.

I disagree with you however on that a movie/tv/other media is bad for FIRST. I believe it is good for FIRST, and if it was watched by a good majority of people, it would expose them to what FIRST is. You have to remember that the average guy doesn't know much outside of what he sees on TV.
Everytime I do a demonstration of FIRST with my team, I always get some reference to Battlebots by a person who wants to know more information about it. Even when I try to explain it to a couple of strangers briefly, they still think it is some kind of Battlebots. Know why, because that is what they see on TV.

FIRST has the disadvantage of other sports in the fact is that the average person, that is not in FIRST, doesn't know what the heck FIRST is. I mean you can talk about it until you are blue in the face, and people would still wouldn't know what the heck you are talking about.

I also disagree with you that a feature film movie on FIRST would be boring. There have been many movies about sports/clubs in a one person narrative that have been successful. I am sure you can recall a few. Most directors usually know how to make even the most dry subject, worth while for people to see. And since we all experienced that FIRST is very exciting for us personally, it would probably wouldn't be that hard for a director to produce a decent movie.

[Raven_Writer]

Originally posted by Kyle Fenton
...I disagree with you however on that a movie/tv/other media is bad for FIRST. I believe it is good for FIRST, and if it was watched by a good majority of people, it would expose them to what FIRST is. You have to remember that the average guy doesn't know much outside of what he sees on TV.
Everytime I do a demonstration of FIRST with my team, I always get some reference to Battlebots by a person who wants to know more information about it. Even when I try to explain it to a couple of strangers briefly, they still think it is some kind of Battlebots. Know why, because that is what they see on TV....I also disagree with you that a feature film movie on FIRST would be boring. There have been many movies about sports/clubs in a one person narrative that have been successful. I am sure you can recall a few. Most directors usually know how to make even the most dry subject, worth while for people to see. And since we all experienced that FIRST is very exciting for us personally, it would probably wouldn't be that hard for a director to produce a decent movie.

It's not really bad...but do a documentary kinda thing. I remember when I was our Houston hotel, I turned on some local channel or some sort, and watched an hour of 1999's Disney's Nats of FIRST (this was during the team party thing...I didn't go). Like I said before, Simpsons would just do a spoof of FIRST, and not really FIRST.

Having a movie on FIRST would be great...especially when a FIRST team is at a LEGO League comp. and that could inspire the kids to become more involved. If they did something on a movie-sort...do a clip-show (which isn't a "movie", but it's worth-while).

[Katie Reynolds]

Originally posted by Jeff Waegelin
I think it would be interesting. If done right, it could be very good publicity for FIRST. Of course, John could just be leading us on...

Jeff!! How could you even suggest such a thing?? John would *never* lead us on about anything! Especially something as important as this!!

Andy Baker turned Simpsons character? Now that would be cool!!

- Katie

[Raven_Writer]

Originally posted by Katie Reynolds
Jeff!! How could you even suggest such a thing?? John would *never* lead us on about anything! Especially something as important as this!!

Andy Baker turned Simpsons character? Now that would be cool!!

- Katie

If Andy Baker was turned into a Simpsons, I think they'll kinda make him out to be like Greg (creator of Simpsons) when they drew him a couple of times (just my opinion).

[Cory]

To go a bit off topic here, throughout the season, team 254 was being followed by a camera crew that was making a documentary about them(or FIRST, I dont know). I heard somewhere that it was going to air on the discovery channel. Something like that, in my opinion, would be far better for FIRST, and the people viewing it. If FIRST is on the Simpsons, its going to be butchered. Sure, the name will get out to millions of people, but at what cost?

Cory

[Joe Matt]

Originally posted by D.J. Fluck
Thats true, he doesnt want to meet me. He ran from me like a scared child when he saw me in Houston

Last time I remembered, it was a girl from my team who came up to you while I was talking to some Grundy people.

[EddieMcD]

Originally posted by Andy Grady
Hahaha...I can see the Fox Specials now...

"When Big Jimmy the Wedgebot Attacks!"

Oh man...the possibilities are endless!!!

Am I the only one that gets this?

Originally posted by Raven_Writer
That show is stupid, yes.

I feel that if they want to get it acrossed, do a LEGO League on PBS (Detroit Only Station), or an actual educational station that everyone gets (it's possible)....maybe even *gasp* NICK */gasp*

I wouldn't trust Nick to do a special on FIRST either. They did have Robot Wars for a few months, and this is only compounded by Sam from Rocket Power building his own puck-launching battlebot... I've been angry at Viacom ever since.

[Madison]

Originally posted by Kyle Fenton
I really don't want to get into numbers, nor do I really care. Without getting too off-topic here, a majority of movies do all right, but some accumulate a loss. The big blockbusters like T3, Finding Nemo, Matrix, etc. usually has a high profit margin that the producers usually use that profit to cover the debt from other non-successful movies.

I'm sure that if you showed some numbers, you'd see that you're wrong. Domestic annual box office grosses have increased over $6B since 1982. When adjusted for inflation, newer movies aren't making more than older movies, so that simply means more people are going to the movies. If more people are going, and the annual grosses are up $6B, it's pretty safe draw a conclusion that suggests most movies make money. But, whatever.

I disagree with you however on that a movie/tv/other media is bad for FIRST. I believe it is good for FIRST, and if it was watched by a good majority of people, it would expose them to what FIRST is.

It would expose them to some media mogul's idea of what FIRST is, or what Colgate thinks FIRST is, or any other of the myriad advertisers who keep television free.

So, then, what do you do? You can make a documentary for HBO or something that significantly less people will see, but it can keep true to FIRST's mission.

There's a sacrifice that needs to be made for FIRST to achieve massive media coverage. It's a choice between staying true to our roots and ourselves, or listening to the input and demands of the people who're forking over their money to get us coverage. Surely, you've seen how the producers of other 'reality TV' shows manipulate the footage to create the most mouth-watering, interesting hour of television that they possibly can. Well, what makes you think that FIRST is immune? In the world of television and movies, nobody is immune to creative editing. Nobody.

So, then, that leads us down another path, doesn't it? If FIRST gets a special, or movie, or even a series, and if FIRST is willing to relinquish the control it has over its image to spread itself around the masses, are those people really seeing the same FIRST that we know? I'd argue that they're not. The changes that would take place in order to make a presentation about what we're doing interesting and palatable to the masses that we're pandering to would mean, in essence, that we're falsely advertising our product.

Then, don't you risk attracting people to the program who have no idea what it really is? I'm not sure that extra exposure would end up being a positive thing at all.

You have to remember that the average guy doesn't know much outside of what he sees on TV.

I think you're selling the average guy a little bit short.

Everytime I do a demonstration of FIRST with my team, I always get some reference to Battlebots by a person who wants to know more information about it. Even when I try to explain it to a couple of strangers briefly, they still think it is some kind of Battlebots. Know why, because that is what they see on TV.

Well, that's not at all because of television or Battlebots or anything like that. It's because you're talking to them. You may be demonstrating your robot, even, but it's entirely out of context. You're not showing these people what FIRST is, you're lecturing them about it.

That's precisely why I believe that the best, most reliable method of getting people interested in this program is by showing it to them at its glory. It means making our event in Atlanta something far more engaging and interesting and welcoming than just another large convention.

Do you think it's unusual for huge groups of people to hold events in the Georgia World Congress Center or the GeorgiaDome? Do you think the people of metro-Atlanta are completely desensitized to throngs of tourists and convention-goers wandering about their city? They're not going to show interest based solely on our presence. We need to welcome them and bring them into the folds of the FIRST experience by showing them, in person, what it is.

Maybe I'm weird about this, but I've never, ever, in my life, wandered into some convention that I wasn't supposed to be attending. Have you?

FIRST has a long, long way to go in making these events welcoming and interesting to the uninterested, uninitiated masses. Once they've accomplished roping in those folks who're *right there* they should focus on getting the attention of those people who're even more distant to the competition.

FIRST has the disadvantage of other sports in the fact is that the average person, that is not in FIRST, doesn't know what the heck FIRST is.

I also disagree with you that a feature film movie on FIRST would be boring. There have been many movies about sports/clubs in a one person narrative that have been successful[/b]

Movies about what, exactly? Football? Baseball? Hockey?

I can't recall a successful movie about the trials and tribulations of curling or pole-climbing, but my sports movie trivia is probably a bit lacking.

It seems that, given your first statement above, you'd agree that FIRST has more in common with curling than it does hockey, right? FIRST isn't as ubiquitous and well known as hockey, for certain, and a new game each year sure does make picking up on the rules a bit harder. Curling, on the other hand, has an awareness, but most people just don't know what it is. They don't know how it's played, how it's scored, what skill is required to be successful, or anything like that. Do you think a movie about curling could be successful at the box office?

I don't.

[JVN]

Originally posted by Katie Reynolds
Jeff!! How could you even suggest such a thing?? John would *never* lead us on about anything! Especially something as important as this!!

Andy Baker turned Simpsons character? Now that would be cool!!

- Katie

Now, I know it is shocking to many of you... but yes... this is a hoax. There has been no FOX-FIRST partnership, and there probably never will be.

I just thought it would be interesting to see if everyone else would believe it or not.

[Cory]

Good one John, ya really had us going there.