This is our first Signals from the Frontline video cast, let us know what you think. In this episode we discuss Wargamescon, Forgeworld, Skitarii, and the ITC. This is our first shot at this, and so it’s a bit rough. The resolution is ultra low, we’re working on why that is and will fix it. But, let us know what you think! Any ideas for ways to improve will be appreciated.
This is Win! good job fellas!
Thanks, Cuz!
It look unpolished and like you just posted a video of making the podcast.
you should ditch the laptops, and get papers of the notes. Do it against a blank wall or war game posters.
then also look at the camera, you didn’t do it a lot.
It is unpolished, and yeah, we did exactly that: filmed ourselves recording the cast =)
But, thanks for the honest feedback, you are right, we do need to look at the cameras, more. We should get a tele-prompter type deal so we can read the notes while looking at the camera, I think that would look better.
Who needs a teleprompter! Do like Van WIlder and hire a stripper to hold up the next topic 😀
I enjoyed it and I can forgive the lack of polish/professionalism since its the first episode. I do have to echo Hotsauceman on several points though.
1. Ditch the laptops. It’s very distracting since you guys keep looking at something we can’t see. There’s this impression of “wonder what porn site they’re browsing” or “I bet they’re playing Galaga!” Paper notes or tablets would be better and make it easier for you to focus on the camera.
2. Look at the camera more, especially when your comments are directed at the audience. Sorry Reece but Frankie actually did much better with this as he mostly looked at the camera while talking. You tended to look everywhere but the camera when talking and both of you just stared at your laptop (do Apple laptops actually count as laptops or just giant calculators? :P) when you weren’t taking. Good rule of thumb, look at who you’re addressing and if you’re not talking look at your notes, and whoever is talking.
3. Neutral back drop. Even if you just hang a plain white sheet behind you it would help bring the focus on you. I kept looking out the windows trying to see San Diego, or maybe a hot UCSD babe 😛
4. Show pictures full screen. It was really hard to see any of the pictures you guys showed because of how small they were. We get to see your faces for almost 40 minutes, we can suffer through a few seconds of not seeing you 😀 so make those pictures full screen when you throw them up.
5. Mic. This isn’t a major issue, but if you get a table Mic it would look more professional than the “help desk girl” boom mics you’re using. But it’s more of a polish thing than an actual critique.
6. Post a secondary audio only stream. An audio only version posted the same time you post the video would be awesome for listening to on the phone as YouTube is an insane data hog.
All in all I liked it a lot and I love that you’re increasing the content you put out. There’s a reason Frontline Gaming is where I turn to make long boring days bearable!
Thank you very much for the pointed critiques, that is very helpful. And, I tend to agree with all of your points.
We endeavor to help you get through your day!
I liked it. Always wondered what you did when you were recording these podcasts. 🙂
Since you have the video option available, would it be possible to include a “newsfeed”
type scroll bar along the bottom? You could put your website address there, email address for
orders and phone number. You could also have the current discount offer on there, upcoming
dates and places for ITC events, upcoming video battle report streams on Twitch TV, your Twitter and Youtube addresses, etc. Since we are watching you and listening, it would allow the viewer to get even more information during these casts.
Keep up the great work.
WOAH no mention of me at wargames con??? WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO EARN THE RESPECT? 😉 Just kidding, cya fucks there. Ya’ll going down.
Loved the show as always. The content you guys produce is always wonderful. With that said some constructive criticism.
1) mic’s: Frankie keep your mic farther from your mouth like Reese did that will eliminate the feedback and breathing I hear I the first parts of the video
2) parroting what others have said, the images were pretty much useless. Make them full screen and overlay your image, it’s not necessary all the time.
3) this may be the most important take a page out of the streamer handbook. You should use a combination of screens and images to produce this show. You should do what incontrol does when streaming and have one immage of you guys talking but then shift yourselves to the corner of the picture while bringing the relevant immage front and center. I think this uses the program OBS but I don’t know much more (ask Geoff I am positive he knows what I amtalking about). Every stream I watch has the functionality to have a camera on the streamer and add to that the game being played. Most use an overlay to superimpose themselves over the relevant content.
4) final advice get a green screen. It allows for all of my other suggestions and let’s you put yourselves in anything computers generate. With this you can have, with some editing, the full Battle report I love but you can overlay you talking about it while the action happens in the background