Feedback for 'The FragPad'

[boldfire]

Based on a discussion with a couple of forum members here I have started work on a new gaming podcast.

I didn't want it to be a review show, or anything like what is out there already but instead a kinda meta-show where we take the best of the big players such as 1up and Gamespot's reviews and try to take away any potential bias by providing an overal Frag-Score (much like MetaCritic, but in video).

We'll also be doing the weeks sales charts, reviews, trailers that catch our eye for being awesome and a user-submitted segment which will be made clearer soon.

I have just finished editing a relatively okay (I hope) test for the news segment but I'd really appreciate the Rev3 community's feedback on it.

Known problems in this episode:
1) I need to breathe before speaking
2) The greenscreen's lighting needs improving
3) The audio isn't all that great.

I'm quite new to this (hosting, filming and editing) but please don't hold back on your criticism and feedback (I'm a big boy :cool: I can take it :P).

Please take 2 minutes (literally, teeeeny weeeny episode) to check what I've done so far :) It'd be much appreciated.

http://www.viddler.com/explore/thefragpad/videos/4

[esophagus]

Your Viddler page is set to private, so I can't watch it, but I'm stoked to see it!

[boldfire]

My appologise, I posted the wrong video. The proper link is at: http://www.viddler.com/explore/thefragpad/videos/4

[rabidbadger]

I like the look, and despite the breathing and talking fast, you seem comfortable in front of the camera. Other minor thing is maybe move one more step toward the middle of the screen? Almost seems like you don't wanna be there, and will improve the rule of thirds (http://www.photo96.com/blog/?p=371) for the overall composition. While still giving you space for whatever will be on the greenscreen in future episodes.

[boldfire]

Good tip, thanks! I'll be sure to implement that for the next episode :)

Thanks for giving it a chance :cool:

[rabidbadger]

looking forward to the first full show.

[boldfire]

Ah thanks, it's really fun getting to grips with all of this stuff from being basically a video n00bie a few weeks ago.

I'm going to do a couple more of these little tester episodes before I start producing multi-segment ep's but I hope to have the first full-length episode in early-mid Feb :)

Thanks again for all your feedback, if anybody has any more please say :)

[rabidbadger]

Ah thanks, it's really fun getting to grips with all of this stuff from being basically a video n00bie a few weeks ago.

I'm going to do a couple more of these little tester episodes before I start producing multi-segment ep's ...

Good Idea. Have you thought of co-host or guests?

[boldfire]

The greenscreen area I have put together is actually in a corner of my room, so there's no space for another host physically next to me. But the cool thing about this format I've come up with is that as the website behind it grows people will be submitting their video comments about news items, their own personal reviews and stuff which we'll play.

But I'd love to have a proper co-host down the line, would be much easier to present if I could bounce of someone (conversation wise :P).

[comhcinc]

it looks like you have it down pretty good. i am willing to offer only one thing and that is about content:

stay away from the sale charts. i (and i sure most people in your audience) don't make and sell video games. it shouldn't matter what is the best selling game and as a reviewer it isn't your job. you job is to tell people what the best game is. to me when you start worrying about sales you get in to a conflict of interest, plus it really is boring.

anyway it looks good and i think you did a very good job. keep it up.

[rabidbadger]

I think a very short charts thing would be ok. Not into video games, but when I was more into music, I liked to see if my fave bands were getting the recognition they deserved. Here's a fun compromise... Run top ten chart during the end credits?

[boldfire]

That sir is a wonderful idea! I really like that and will at very least try it. But I do see your point comhcinc about how it may not interest a large amount of people, what do you think about rabidbadger's idea of having them run during the credits?

[comhcinc]

that is a good idea. i still think it sends the wrong message but hey i know i am nearly alone on that so i won't make a big deal of it.

i do think you have a good idea and a great on camera presences.

keep it up man.

[boldfire]

Ah thanks alot! :) Your feedback does have merit, and if the chart thing doesn't work well it won't be sticking around just for the hell of it. There's also a number of international and legal factors to consider.

I haven't looked too much into this, but I don't want to do a UK chart, or a US chart only. I want it international, and if there is a weekly international sales chart, are we allowed to use it? Or do we need to license it.

So I'll get back to everyone with updates with that in the near future.

[boldfire]

Ok, a quick development. As you know The FragPad is going to really focus on the community's submittions for storys. So we have a couple of ways we can see what you want to talk about now, and I've listed them below.

Twitter.com
Add #TFP anywhere in your tweet or preceed your tweet with @thefragpad with a story or subject you want us to cover.

FriendFeed.com
http://friendfeed.com/rooms/thefragpad - post your items there :)

Forums
We have a forum over at thefragpad.com which has a dedicated submittion area

Email
fans@thefragpad.com

If anybody has another site or service they think would rock for what we're doing let me know. The more options people have the better :)

[dj-silent]

Good graphics lower 3rds and all that so far. Try to get rid of that shadowing (4 point lighting is your friend). How are you getting your material to read? Practice talking infront of the camera all you can and slow it down you know what you want to say we just need to be able to hear and understand it(especially those of us who are not used to hearing the kings english). What app did you use to make your bumpers and intro?

Keep up the good work!

-DJ Silent

Edit: Also just a quick personal note try to abstain from the voices they are a little too hammy for my tastes and might be for others.

[boldfire]

Taken on board, thanks! Lighting is 100% the priority area for improvement appearance wise it's too dark and the shadows are cast. I'm working on a solution but it may be a couple of episodes until it can be implemented :)

Regarding the graphics, everything was done in Sony Vegas.

Thanks for watching!

[boldfire]

As I said previously we aren't on this week, and that's because we're working on some cool ideas and finishing touches.

The first that has been completed is the new virtual set, from other places we've had feedback that the video wall led to blocking the view. It was always a temporary solution but we decided to replace it for pilot episode 2.

We're not sure how it'll go down really, and we can always change it if people don't like it.. but here it is so far.

[boldfire]

Ok, second episode released. This week everything seemed to go wrong, we lost the footage of the ending. ARRRGH!

Anyway, improved on lighting but still have some shadow by my arms, this will be fixed for next time by adding a backlight :)

If you have 2 minutes free please check it out and give me pointers, I tried to implement your ideas from last week (and even poked fun at my fast-speaking ;))

http://www.viddler.com/explore/thefragpad/videos/6/

Look forward to hearing from you all. Oh, and watch out for the special appearance from Zack Luye from Bottles, Blends and Brews.

[rabidbadger]

Oh, and watch out for the special appearance from Zack Luye from Bottles, Blends and Brews.

Cool. Zack is going across the pond?

[boldfire]

Nope ;) But watch the episode - he's in this weeks :)

[rabidbadger]

Yep, despite the snags, definitely better. Still talking a BIT too fast for american ears, but an improvement. I like the visuals/sounds between segments. Coming along nicely.

I wonder if you would seem more comfortable on a chair, or at a table, counter? Or maybe be closer to the camera for less of a full body thing. On such a small screen it's hard to see your face, and you seem not to know what to do with your hands sometimes. Not complaining, just throwing out ideas.

[boldfire]

All good ideas! I tend to speak with my hands a LOT, last week I kept them in my pockets to conquer the urge :P

I don't really want a desk (too formal?) but I am liking the idea of a stool I could sit on and be less figity!

I'll play about with the shot for next week. I agree it's not quite right. Although, it's probably best you didn't see my face :cool:

Regarding the speed of my speaking, how far is it off? Is any part of this episode 'right', if so point it out and I'll speak at that speed in future :)

Thanks mate, great feedback!

[alaskalonewolf]

*clapping ...I think you're awesome.

[boldfire]

Ah thanks bud. I'm going to be re-recording what we lost tomorrow and then we'll be releasing short news updates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until we're ready to produce the big weekly show!

I'm pretty much settled on a set design (see below, sorry for keep changing it. I want to get it right now instead of changing when we're rolling out proper episodes :)) and getting slightly more comfortable hosting now, but bear with me a little longer on that front :P

http://i41.tinypic.com/dviz3k.jpg

[ArmpitOfDeath]

Regarding the graphics, everything was done in Sony Vegas.

I suspected so... It's what I use to commit my musings to posterity (& DVDs).

You've taken care of the nasal problem but it is, as others have said, still mumbled and too speedy at times. Until you find your announcer rhythm I'd suggest practice-recording as much as possible.

I'd keep the standing to be honest, and only change to stool, etc if you're really not comfortable with it. You don't have to stand there like a tree, a bit of movement is OK and I think it's a matter of figuring out if you're truly comfortable in front of the camera or not.

BTW I liked Prostreet :p

[boldfire]

Still mumbled and too speedy at times.
Still working on this - let me know how I go.

I'd keep the standing to be honest, and only change to stool, etc if you're really not comfortable with it.
Standing will be kept for a while, I have no spare cash to buy a stool right now (student). If after some time it doesn't "feel right" standing then I'll look into it but right now, standing is staying :cool:

BTW I liked Prostreet :p
:eek: Blasphemy! For me, the series went down hill after Hot Pursuit.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll keep at it :)

[boldfire]

Re-recording of lost footage is now up at... http://www.viddler.com/explore/thefragpad/videos/7/

Is my speech better paced now?

[rabidbadger]

I really like the professional way you are going about this. Trial and error, beta testing with bunch of fans. Not putting it out til you have something good. And on a budget of zero.

Just watched your link. SOOOOOOOOO much better with the speaking. Don't go so far as to lose the enthusiasm, but much better. I think you are almost ready.

Few things. Get a better mic or compress the audio better. The white flash transitions were a little glaring. Play with more subtle ones, (though hopefully as you get more experienced you will be able to do it in one take and not need them.)

Like: The background. Way cool. Interesting and nicely designed without being distracting. I am glad you put the "window" back in. Will give you lots of fun options to show "what's outside" as you make more episodes. Also like the left panel. Maybe move the new logo up, and use that instead of a lower third? It would be nice to see a show that doesn't have a lower third, but a Lefter Third instead. Everyone does a lower third. Getting boring.

Like: nice quick music-y intro. Saves bandwidth and doesn't waste the time of the viewer who wants to get to the meat of the show. Most intro's on podcasts are way too long and unessesary. Maybe play with that a bit, and come up with something really quick and cool that will be part of your branding. Kinda like the Intel inside is everywhere, and everyone knows what it means.


Idea: If it's JUST you doing the whole show begining to end, drop the "we" "we will be doing..." "we have fixed..."

I think an audience will be much more impressed to see this all done by one guy on a budget of nothing. I know I am already! Some may disagree, but I also think honesty is the best, and really cool, policy at this early stage. Also, end credits saying only "everything by me" would be pretty funny. :)

[boldfire]

Few things. Get a better mic or compress the audio better.
Yep, this episode I neglected to sort the clip-on-mic so had to resort to the camera mic. My bad on this one, but I'd love to get a proper mic down the line.

The white flash transitions were a little glaring
To be honest, I'm glad it wasn't just me being too critical about this. But it really annoyed me as well, the problem this time is that in the past I've encoded all the clips seperately then did the transitions, but this time I did it all in one and put the flash on the individual elements (as in myself and the background independatly) and it looked a right mess! I'll play with some stuff this evening :)

Maybe move the new logo up, and use that instead of a lower third? It would be nice to see a show that doesn't have a lower third, but a Lefter Third instead. Everyone does a lower third. Getting boring.
I love this idea! I'm deffinately going to try this out for Monday! Thanks.

Idea: If it's JUST you doing the whole show begining to end, drop the "we" "we will be doing..." "we have fixed..."
Will do :P It's the royal we ;)

Also, end credits saying only "everything by me" would be pretty funny. :)
Done!

I REALLY appreciate your feedback on this Rabid, I'll be sure to give you a shoutout! It's good to know that ill Andie = slow speaking :D I'll use this as my benchmark speech wise from here on in!

[rabidbadger]

on second thought, the "everything by me" might sound a little arrogant. Just use I instead of we, royal or serf version, and folks will still be impressed.

Actually, I did always different wise-ass credits on my ol' podcast. Folks who watched for them enjoyed them.

[boldfire]

What I want to do as a "couch gag" is a different thing hidden in the window each episode, even for a split second. Say a girrafe going past or something completely effing random, something people tune in to see "what will it be this week?". A bit like TRS intros. My brother ONLY watches the TRS intro and then goes off ;)

[rabidbadger]

Love it!

[j_mcdougald]

Looks great boldfire. I'd also suggest getting closer with the camera, maybe from mid-chest up. I wouldn't worry about keeping your hands in your pockets though, if they wanna move hell with it, let 'em move. Nothing wrong with being a little animated. As for the transitions I think something subtle like just you cross fading would be fine.

Above all relax man, you're doing great!

[boldfire]

http://www.viddler.com/explore/thefragpad/videos/8/

:) Thoughts?

[rabidbadger]

Hmm. Weird greyed out vid of you. Looks like you haven't been completely beamed up yet.

[boldfire]

Yeh I noticed that as well, I'm 90% sure it's my fault fiddling with things. I'll get it fixed for Wednesday :)

[boldfire]

Question for peeps: would you prefer a few 2minute episodes a week, or a 6-10 minute episode once a week recapping the whole weeks news?

Either I can do, but what would you prefer?

[rabidbadger]

longer versions weekly. I personally don't watch short vids on a regular basis. Ie, tekzilla daily tips.

[danhauk]

Agreed about the longer episodes. Sometimes I don't check daily shows for days at a time, then I have to catch up.

Great job though. It's definitely coming along nicely.

[boldfire]

Hey guys, I have an unforseen amount of work right now, I'll start back up as soon as I can without affecting my professional work.

[rabidbadger]

cool, priorities, Young man.

[xxparker]

Can't wait to see the show.

[boldfire]

Hey, glad to hear. But it looks like it might be a long while until I can dedicate time to it again, from when I came up with the idea a lot has happened in my personal and professional life but it's still something I want to do - it's just finding the time to do it.