Just a few items worthy of quick comments.
The new PSP website. The old site wasn't flashy or exciting but it worked fine and was simple to navigate. The new one is a mess. It looks like a bad high school media class project. Seriously.
The Chicago layout that first appeared on Pro Paintball and over on PBN in the PSP forum (from the Canes forum) is now up at PSP Events. I was hoping it was a fake (because I didn't get my copy Wednesday) and because it's frankly just plain poor. Obviously we'll play it like everyone else if it comes to that but it's a mediocre design that looks mostly like they were trying too hard to be different. I'll break it down next week.
As brilliant as the webcast has been, and it has, I'm wondering when we're going to get to see more of the D-side action. Pat? Matty? Anybody? (I've heard the concern is the angle changes on the D-side will be confusing compared to the snake side but I'm not getting it.)
The Dynabrats (at least Alex and Johnny) have channeled Shepard Fairey and come up with a scheme to sell Red stickers to finance Red's plane fare to Chicago. (Was I the only one surprised when Red didn't appear at MAO after the PSP used him in their promo?) I think it's only fair the kids work the street art angle made ubiquitous by Fairey seeing as he jacked most of his images and ideas from uncredited sources. (Okay, that last bit wasn't very paintball but here at VFTD I take seriously my obligation to expose you lazy slackers to a little culture once in a while. And in Fairey's case it's damn little. *bada bing*)
UPDATE: Added the links I forgot to include last night.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
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23 comments:
I really agree about the need for a D-side camera. Many times, Matty would start shouting excitedly about some great move up the doritos, but it might as well have been on radio because I could not see what was happening. Probably, there just isn't enough $$$ for all the cameras they want.
As a viewer, I want to see as many angles as possible from behind the players so I can see what the hell they are shooting at. Those zoom-in shots that just show a player crouched behind a bunker drumming on the trigger does not tell me very much about what is going on in the game.
I still think breakout cams, above the deadboxes would be most beneficial. A dorito cam would be as well. I'm sure funds is the issue, otherwise they would have implemented this.
I agree. The new PSP site sucks.
Agreed on the new site. But it's gotta hurt the people involved to hear it. Ouch! But I imagine like Rome wasn't built in a day they'll easily be able to fix it up over time.
The webcast is good. But still relies on a little too much overhead shots. Maybe its because the closeup footage Pat is getting from his camera men sucks. Or maybe its just Pat's preference. But it's like I'm watching a soccer game. With a bunch of little guys on the screen because the cameras have to be so zoomed out. And at least with soccer you can see them doing something. With paintball you just see some guys sitting there moving their upper body.
Close-ups, behind the player shots 80% of the time with 20% of the camera time being overview shots where you can see the whole field. Right now it is exactly the opposite, which leaves out a lot of the intensity.
I agree, there have been 3 webcasts now, which must mean it's time for all the 'experts' to get involved and start making lame-ass suggestions based on their own 'experience' 'shooting' their little brother's first 3 man rec-game.
I mean Pat and Matty are great, and Pat has proved himself time and time again, but what I really want to hear is what a couple of punks think could be improved, given limitless resources....
Maybe some of us aren't so lame punks.. as I've said elsewhere it was great. 90% in my book, that's an A. For you euros that's a "1". But it still could be better. Maybe you need to turn off your negativity radar and go back to running your failed business. Oops!
Here you go Paul Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdyyuqmCW14
Well said MIssy
-patrick
I don't have a business, failed or otherwise, and never actually have. Nor am I a 'euro', but I'm sure the guy you thought I was would be cut deeply by your scathing (and definitely not lame)comment.
hey i've got an idea. lets get what we have perfect what we have before we move onto more advanced things. Last event there was some problems with getting people connected, the sever bombed out a few times -- this problem could potentially require a ton of time and resources that dont allow the cast to "expand" for next event. baby steps.
personally, id love to see a dolly shot that is lined up with the teams so they can run out with a player breaking to corner, and a skycam would be really nice because it would offer an awesome shot if a player was running up field, but that's just not realistic right now. and imo D side cameras are not needed, they offer no cross field shots and would have to be put a good bit back to be able to cover a decent bit of field (i think). An option might be having a "roaming camera" that can go all over the field, but every time you went to it you would have to announce it so people dont get incredibly confused.
I'm not some little punk, thank you very much. And I'm a fan of MWAG, having watched Heroes from a Day like a gazillion times.
In heroes for a day, a lot of the shots are from behind the players, so the viewer can see what a given player is shooting at. H4AD is packed full of great shots from this angle, such as the 2005 PSP LA where Carl M. runs out to that dorito and immediate starts snap shooting against his mirror. Of Cuba battling down the snake in the 2005 HB final. etc. etc. etc.
As a viewer I want to know what's going on in the game and see the action on the field. I can't see either from a close up side-view of a guy rolling his gun behind a bunker. I do recall from the web cast that there were a lot of great shots down the snake, I just saying that I want more of that. I donated, if that counts for anything.
Missy - hit below the belt at being called a punk. I'm not some internet basher tearing things down for fun. Offering suggestions and criticism that doesn't revolve around "it was great let's high five" is usually appreciated in my book.
Pat, Rules are made to be broken -- if you're pro and can justify it. I think you qualify...
I don't know how confused people will be. Maybe a roaming close-up camera on the dorito tape will solve the issue. But really that's not my beef. I'm ok with the one sided coverage.
A big "issue" that no one ever thinks of is getting people emotionally committed to the games. I'm much more glued to the screen when teams I know the players and history of are playing than when teams I only vaguely know them in passing. So the web cast did a tremendous job in my book. By the end of the event I was in love with Aftermath, even though I've followed them but rarely spoken to the guys except for Hinman. The team "shorts" are -exactly- what this sport needs. Those were very nicely done.
Rather that should say...
Missy - I'm sorry I hit below the belt at being called a punk... changes the meaning a bit!
You guys are WAY too sensitive.
However, I'll apologise.
It's just the way I talk, and I wasn't aiming at anyone in particular. I have just read this sort of feedback before...
anonachris, fact is, you hit someone else below the belt, not me, so your apology is as misplaced as your original comment, and certainly not something I am offended by. I like that fact that the Loco has assembled more intelligent posters here, and will try to amend my own posts accordingly, at least until next time....
Sdawg, I've never seen Heroes from a Day, was that the sequel to Pats original film?
Thanks Patrick
I'll check it out asap
As for the rest of you. Missy can be something of an acquired taste. Not unlike more traditional STDs.
Okay, Patrick, watched it and I understand but while orientation remains an issue I think there are ways around it in a specifically sports setting. The easiest way to explain what I'm thinking would probably be with storyboards. Got some time before Chicago so we'll see.
If you'd be willing to carry on this conversation, Patrick, drop me an email addy and I'll harass you with some ideas.
Every great, new idea comes with a cost attached... a cost that would divert funds away from something else, either in the webcast or elsewhere in the tournament. Here's something to keep in mind: every dynamic camera angle requires cabling, a rental camera and tripod (all of which must be shipped to each event from Cali. Not exactly cheap with baggage fees on airlines these days), and a well-trained person to operate it. That person needs airfare, a place to sleep and food. Even now, we are at capacity on the 2 rental vans the PSP gives us, more crew spills over in to a third. Sounds nickel and dime, but believe me the costs add up. Not to mention a new/additional video switcher might have to be purchased at some point to add in the new angles, and those are not cheap.
And, even if cost were not an issue, there are just some things we are going to have to accept about our sport: we have no central focus. We have a more dynamic and complex sport than all of the other sports, and that means we will miss things, even with 100 cameras on the field. That's why we have Matty who approaches the play-by-play like he was simulcasting on Radio as well. You miss plays while in the stands as well!
The rate of return on adding more becomes exponentially smaller as a result, and we have to wonder how much more coverage we are actually going to get compared to the cost. For example, 2 cameras is double the coverage of 1, but is 4 cameras double the coverage of 2? What about 2 more cameras? Do we increase the coverage another 50%? Or, really maybe it's more like %25. And so on... and we don't pay less for each one we add. And, all the while, we won't ever get 100% coverage, so the decision will have to be made about how much coverage is worth how much cost, and live with it. Fortunately, I am not the one saddled with that decision, nor do I want to be.
I do love the feedback, though, and don't ever want it to stop. You never know when you'll inspire a "House" moment in Patrick and he'll get a brilliant idea that will improve things in a way none of us expected.
Missy Q --- you're kidding right? Anyone who is a fan of tournament paintball, go buy and watch Heroes for a Day right now. H4AD is really a great film, as good as any documentary I've ever seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8YLKw_7rbI
http://www.monkey-with-a-gun.com/monkey_with_a_gun/Heroes_for_a_Day.html
Heroes for a Day I have seen. Heroes From a day is the one I would like more info on.
ps. You guys are taking me far too seriously.
Thanks everyone, really. I think Don hit the nail on the head.
We are committed to making this webcast the best that it can be every time so you can expect more improvements along the way that is for sure. I do believe in this project 110% and I truly believe that it will expose our sport in a very real and honest way, something that I try to do in everyone of my projects. Its what you want it's what we all want. So rest assure that all of us at the PSP will keep moving forward to improve the show.
-patrick
Heroes from a Day is a sequel/tribute that I am filming myself in my backyard. It stars me as the captain of a small but scrappy paintball team that is struggling to climb the ranks of the pro circuit, eventually succeeding against all odds.
I'm still looking for players, so let me know of you are a st8 kilah that can tear up the snake and mow fools.
The NCPA show does a lot of the things you guys are pestering Patrick to do.
We also spend at LEAST double the money to do it.
As Don said, I don't the issue is people don't have ideas on how to make it better. Just short on ideas on how to PAY for making it better. Frankly, I'm absolutely amazed at the product Patrick puts out with the budget he has (nothing) in the time he has to do it (live).
Also worth noting that Patrick puts out two full days of coverage AND pays to stream it live to the internet and we put out 2 hours total if we're lucky.
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