NPPL on ESPN

[Chicago]

Originally posted by Zebra3
I have just spoken to the guys from Pure Promotions and they say that ESPN are really blown away with the footage that they got and very excited about the whole project, a lot of the editing was done on site in a fully rigged outside broadcast trailer so they did most of the editing live so they already have a very good idea of how the action will look and they have all the footage that they need to make the programs, what he did say really blew them away was the sound, they had players refs and bunkers all rigged with microphones as well as mini cameras and they said it was amazing footage. Let’s just wait and see what the footage actually turns out like before we pass judgment.

I have trouble imagining any set of circumstances where Pure Promotions would have told you anything but what they told you. If the footage is excellent, that's what they'd tell you. If the footage is horirble, that's what they'll tell you.

Anyone know if they had an announcer doing announcing somewhere where the audience couldn't hear them? Because there's no chance without during-game commentary, and it's not going to be as good if done after the fact.

 

[Missy Q]

Personally I am also concerned. ESPN DID get very excited about the footage they have, and the live camera feed I watched was quality, but the games themselves were highly boring in my opinion. I agree with Ledz to a large degree. It just wasn't as exciting as when teams are playing for every point, and therefore I am also worried that they will not look as good as if the format had not been adjusted. That said, the format adjustment was what ESPN wanted, so the problem wasn't really avoidable.

We all know what kind of paintball is exciting to watch, and frankly there were not enough of those games. I didn't see all that many matches, but many of the ones I did see were stalemated.

However, the camera-feed I saw was showing a kind of footage that we have not yet seen. It could be that this is what they were looking for, but I can't help thinking that the whole thing would be more exciting if the games had been more explosive.

Chicago, afraid you are wrong about the announcing and commentary. Its easier and sounds far better if done after the fact.

 

[Steve Hancock]

Hmmm. Obviously i want ESPN to like the footage, but what if they like it so much they insist on sticking to the format that gave us such boring games? Could TV success make paintball boring? I doubt it, I hope they'll listen to the NPPL and PB dvd types that they are liasing with, why else would they have them in the first place.

 

[Gyroscope]

Maybe ESPN has found a way to make a guy standing in his bunker laying on the trigger look cool. If that is the case, we win anyway. Then again, maybe we actually have a higher standard for what kind of paintball is exciting than a new viewer, which would also be cool.

I suppose that if you let TV folks have the control they want, they are bound to make mistakes. If you try to dictate how it should be to them, then they will be turned off and not want to even bother. I'd rather see them make the mistakes as long as they grasp what those errors were.

 

[Chicago]

That goes both ways - what if the TV folks make the mistakes,and determine tha tthe problem is paintball, and not that they've screwed up?

I was very disappointed this weekend, but I wasn't aware of the hidden on-field cameras. Maybe something interesting wil come out of that - and someone will figure out how to apply that to a format where, oh, people actually move.

 

[Buns of steel]

Seen the Future

I was very fortunate to be allowed into the ESPN editing truck and saw a few games as they happened. They had a live feed which they mixed as a live show, the editor calling the cameras and his assistants letting him know any possible "points of action"
and another guy was checking with the on-field video guys if they had the "hits" on camera to edit in later. With the "Ref-Cam", "Player-cam" and "Bunker-Cam" they will have a lot of footage per game, although even without this the live feed looked great.
The NPPL need to look at some point format that encourages wins and penalises draws, maybe 5 points for win, 2 for draw( or win by head count) best of 5, 1 win and teams must go for it. Just quick idea, I'm sure somebody will point out the flaws but it's a start.

 

[Nick Brockdorff]

I think you are being overly pessimistic Chicago.

If there were 14 cameras onfield - as reported - that amounts to 98 minutes of footage for every full 7 minute game.

If they shot for instance 100 games (which I think is a low estimate) - that's over 163 hours of footage... add to that the interviews and pregame stuff they have shot, and I think they can easily make eight 1 hour programmes that will be interesting

Remember - 1 hour is including numerous commercial breaks, "back to the studio" type cuts for explanations and game theory and footage from outside games (vendors, interviews, etc.).

I would venture the guess that something good CAN be made of that - especially with the alternative types of cameras used ("on player" and "on bunker").

Many perceive me as being "anti NPPL" - which I have actually never been.... I more of an "anti everyone I think screw up" kinda guy.... and in this instance, I think the NPPL has done good - except for letting themselves get talked into the last minute format change.... but still - with the amount of footage, I think it will be ok.

Now, it's all down to how well the thing is produced... but apparently they have allied themselves with experienced video/DVD people from within paintball - so my hopes are high.

Nick

 

[Takedown]

Originally posted by Chicago

Anyone know if they had an announcer doing announcing somewhere where the audience couldn't hear them? Because there's no chance without during-game commentary, and it's not going to be as good if done after the fact.

I know that Matt Marshall as well as a few other paintball personalities will be involved in both the post production editing and commentary. I have a good feeling this is going to turn out great for paintball.

 

[duffistuta]

Originally posted by Nick Brockdorff
. I more of an "anti everyone I think screws up" kinda guy....

Ah, self-loathing - the 21st Century's favourite malaise.

 

[Robbo]

Paintball's chances of being an attrcative proposition on the TV screeen live or die on the editing room floor.
It can be further killed or enlivened by the commentory, they have signed up Matty, which in my opinion is a good move as he has both prescence and experience, he at least knows what he's talking about.

Sophisticated and enligthened editing is where it's at and the Dick Clark production has already proved this.
And also people who see it as an opportunity to promote their own companies should keep well away from any production or editing meetings and the show should be centred on being presented as a paintball spectacle and not a promo vehicle for any corporation.

If we stick to these mandates, it will increase our chances of success.