With the loss of much of the traditional paintball media and the tendency of the remaining bastions to be either regionally oriented (some might even say regionally biased) or out of touch with the latest word in competitive paintball it occurred to me there are a lot of holes in what the media covers and what it doesn't. Mostly--it often seems--it's just an outlet for the latest industry press releases. While VFTD tries to do a little bit of some of everything this isn't a traditional or non-traditional media outlet, nor do I have any pretensions of being a journalist, a media personality or anything other than a guy who gets bored easily and happens to like talking about competitive paintball.
Even so, there are perhaps a few things VFTD can do to fill in a gap or two. In the past one of the things the magazines did was help make the pro players accessible and elevate some of the pros to star status--within the confines of the paintball community anyway. Not only doesn't that happen today but the majority of competitive players probably don't even know who most of the top players are anymore. And in an era where teams as brands and players as personalities matters maybe more than ever before VFTD is interested in doing pro player profiles as a regular feature. Once a week or twice a month maybe. As a reader if you'd like to see the profiles say so. If you currently are or recently have been on a pro roster and are willing to participate drop me a line at Baca's email. (Link at the top of the sidebar.) My idea is to include a picture, a bio brief and a short list of questions to be answered. It's not huge, it's not complicated and it's not comprehensive. I won't be doing life stories but it will be a start. If there's enough interest I have a few other ideas for ways to expand on the theme. Player (& team) participation is essential. I can't make you do it so it's in your hands.
Monday, January 18, 2010
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17 comments:
Sounds like a cool idea to me!
I agree. Two years ago I could have rattled off 20 top players. These days I'm not sure who is even fielding a team for the coming season. We need recognizable faces coming out from behind the goggles.
I'm looking forward to the series.
I've heard good things about this Oliver Lang kid...
I don't think Oluverboy knows Bacca even exists. I'm sure Bacca's given up on dreams of the two of them actually meeting and gasp even conversing.
I would rather see a "where are they now?" section, where we get to see yesterdays pro's, couch-surfing or living in their parents basement, with old faceful pictures of themselves on the walls and a couple of old trophies on the shelf. They could relive some of their favorite moves or something. Think of it as a kind of charity....
I think Missy Q is on to something.
the original Idea is not bad either, there is a giant poster in my proshop from empire with 5 pro players on it. I can name one (rusty glaze) the other four I have no idea who they are.
on a differant but somewhat related note, I thought psp was doing stats last year...were is that info?!?!
Agreed Missy, where's the exclusive interviews with Dan Bonebrake, Todd Adamson, Bald Monkey Ceranski, and Marty Bush? Not to mention those crazy british guys that have disappeared from the scene after completely ruling the tournament and gun making world a few years ago!
Anonachris
I don't care what you say I'll never give up.
Missy
Thought of that too but was looking at it in a slightly more positive light--although I don't doubt there's more than a few that fit your image as well. But, tracking them down would probably involve work--so, Magic 8 Ball says "try again later."
David
They were--at least for the pro teams. Saavedra's probably got them hidden behind that loose floorboard in teh guest bedroom closet. Didn't think I knew about that, did you, Don?
where's the fun in a 'positive light'? I want to see the ones that got the booth-girl pregnant in '97. She's now 250lb's, has a moustache, but he has to stay with her because he can't afford the child support...
He's put on 50lbs himself, and had to cut his hair and shave his goatee because the postal service told him to...
Or you could do the guy that owned a top Pro team back in the day, opened a Pball company, bought some intellectual property, claimed it was his own, held the industry to ransom, made a ton of cash, overborrowed in the boom, went out of business in the recession (owing millions) but still sent out a mail saying 'back in 2 months'...
Know anyone like that?
Missy
That does ring a bell and I'm sure it will come to me eventually.
I heard a story about a guy like that who was said to have found his own Angelo Gordon and is currently awaiting word from the banks holding the assets and debt if there is a deal to be made.
I also heard that JT had found the key to their future. Or was that KEE?
You're better at this than I am...
*zing*
do it
Yes, basking in the failures of once famous idols is humorous, but it makes people hesitant on achieving what they had.
Arn't we trying elevate the game?
Player profiles will make the pro division touchable, which in turn will make people strive for what they're doing. Do it.
I'm with you, Rob.
Tell the players--bunch of lazy slackers. ;-)
Facefull has been doing this for years though. It's not like the pro-teams are suddenly going to become any more 'touchable' than they are now, in fact I would argue that the Pro's are extremely touchable - The only people that enjoy an autograph signing more than the fans are the players, right?
That is true...
What did you think of the Birth of the Storm Videos?? or are we not allowed to talk about that????
if so then... ooops
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