View Full Version : Why are the fan "transmissions" always so weird?
benking
05-26-2009, 09:56 AM
Since the switch to fans sending in videos to inform the hosts of their mission in the show intro, it's been a really awkward and uncomfortable watch.
The whole "mother's day email" one a few episodes ago was just disturbing... I felt really uneasy watching it. Then on today's episode it's some guy on a guitar singing the "mission", trying to reach really high notes but not quite managing it.
Oh, and there was also one episode with a guy who dressed up as a spy and got shot with a toy gun. What is this? Do these people think they're 12 years old?
I've been a fan for a looong time, I love the show apart from this. These new intros have been my only complaint... it's really dragging down the professionalism of the show. It just seems to me like the only fans TRS has are the Comic-Con kind, who are socially awkward basement-dwellers and don't understand how to conduct oneself among human beings.
It'd be cool to find out if anyone else prefers the movie parody intros, or if I'm alone in thinking this.
They see me trollin'
They hatin'
Since the switch to fans sending in videos to inform the hosts of their mission in the show intro, it's been a really awkward and uncomfortable watch.
The whole "mother's day email" one a few episodes ago was just disturbing... I felt really uneasy watching it. Then on today's episode it's some guy on a guitar singing the "mission", trying to reach really high notes but not quite managing it.
Oh, and there was also one episode with a guy who dressed up as a spy and got shot with a toy gun. What is this? Do these people think they're 12 years old?
I've been a fan for a looong time, I love the show apart from this. These new intros have been my only complaint... it's really dragging down the professionalism of the show. It just seems to me like the only fans TRS has are the Comic-Con kind, who are socially awkward basement-dwellers and don't understand how to conduct oneself among human beings.
It'd be cool to find out if anyone else prefers the movie parody intros, or if I'm alone in thinking this.
I don't mind it soo much now, I like that the fans are creative enough not just to say there name and read of a statement that said I think when it's done badly it can look really bad, I LOVED the spy one though,
And you do know you just insulted most of the TRS fans, including me. TRS is a geek show. It is aimed at geeks so those are the sort of people who will send in the videos.
I admit I'm a geek and am working on a REALY weird video.
klitzy
05-26-2009, 11:14 AM
It just seems to me like the only fans TRS has are the Comic-Con kind, who are socially awkward basement-dwellers and don't understand how to conduct oneself among human beings.
And proud.
They see me trollin'
They hatin'
Can I retweet this?
And proud.
Can I retweet this?
Agreed, can anyone really hate on a show because geeks watch it, even if we did all live in our mothers basements and had bad social skills (which most geeks don't) that doesn't mean you should insult them.
Although I must agree I'm don't like the new intros and I think most people don't that said, it's not our show we can't force them to spend all there time on the old style intros and I would rather this than nothing.
There where so many good intro shown at the end of the latest episode.
If you want a boring old fan intro of just someone talking into a camera you make it yourself and see if it gets picked.
poltah
05-26-2009, 11:45 AM
Don't see the problem. If you don't like the fan videos, skip them.
cybersuchus
05-26-2009, 12:22 PM
It'd be cool to find out if anyone else prefers the movie parody intros, or if I'm alone in thinking this.
That seems like an awfully strange thing to say. One doesn't have to look far (I'd bet the next page of posts has one), to see threads devoted to how people feel about the new intros. To date everyone liked the old intros, while very few like the new intros. Personally I think that despite the honourable intentions of the new intro idea (more fan involvement), the execution has been less than satisfactory. Enough so that I wish the guys would go back to the drawing board on this one.
Having said that, the missions have been getting better. The mother's day card one was a nice fit for the show as both the guys and the viewer, were on the same page.
Finally, because someone is bound to say it, if you don't like how the intro missions are done, then please submit one yourself. Actions speak louder than words.
Finally, because someone is bound to say it, if you don't like how the intro missions are done, then please submit one yourself. Actions speak louder than words.
Exactly and as much as I don't like the new intros as much as the old ones, from what I can tell the old ones took a long time for the guys to make and if they don't have time to do that anymore then I'd rather the fans did it than nothing.
dooftastic
05-26-2009, 02:54 PM
I hate them so I skip them. I find them obnoxious and a downgrade from the great movie ref intros of old.
And the first poster wasn't hating on the show as a whole. He just likes the old intros more. Don't crucify him.
And the first poster wasn't hating on the show as a whole. He just likes the old intros more. Don't crucify him.
He was hating on the fans, that's just low.
Do these people think they're 12 years old?
It just seems to me like the only fans TRS has are the Comic-Con kind, who are socially awkward basement-dwellers and don't understand how to conduct oneself among human beings.If that's not evidence to crucify someone what is?
Loads of people don't like the new intro, including me that's no reason to call the people who take the time to make them "socially awkward basement-dwellers"
dudinatrix
05-26-2009, 04:46 PM
I'm going to have to agree. The fan intros are a huge step backwards in my opinion. "Uncomfortable" is a good description. I really hope they change it eventually. It's nice and all that fans can contribute more, but there have got to be better ways than that. It's just more evident because it went from AWESOME high quality intros to just pure awkwardness.
dolson
05-26-2009, 05:56 PM
Since the switch to fans sending in videos to inform the hosts of their mission in the show intro, it's been a really awkward and uncomfortable watch.
The whole "mother's day email" one a few episodes ago was just disturbing... I felt really uneasy watching it. Then on today's episode it's some guy on a guitar singing the "mission", trying to reach really high notes but not quite managing it.
Oh, and there was also one episode with a guy who dressed up as a spy and got shot with a toy gun. What is this? Do these people think they're 12 years old?
I've been a fan for a looong time, I love the show apart from this. These new intros have been my only complaint... it's really dragging down the professionalism of the show. It just seems to me like the only fans TRS has are the Comic-Con kind, who are socially awkward basement-dwellers and don't understand how to conduct oneself among human beings.
It'd be cool to find out if anyone else prefers the movie parody intros, or if I'm alone in thinking this.
If they suck so much, maybe you should record one and submit it? Then we can get some variety.
I know I wouldn't mind seeing some emo kid doing an intro from time to time.
owlboy
05-26-2009, 06:19 PM
I've been a fan for a looong time, I love the show apart from this. These new intros have been my only complaint... it's really dragging down the professionalism of the show. It just seems to me like the only fans TRS has are the Comic-Con kind, who are socially awkward basement-dwellers and don't understand how to conduct oneself among human beings.
I just wanted to point this out because this was funny to me.
As to why they're bad? Its because they're being done by unprofessionals in their spare time trying to get them out in under a week. Its not at all likely that they'd be of any sort of professional quality just be happy that they're doing their best to have fun with it. If not, skip over them.
gillsterhill
05-26-2009, 06:21 PM
I skip the intros as well now, I really enjoyed the movie intros and I these intros are just a huge let down to me.
xfuuey
05-26-2009, 06:41 PM
I skip the intros as well now, I really enjoyed the movie intros and I these intros are just a huge let down to me.
Yeah...same. I know there's nothing that can really be done about it. So I've just learned to deal with it by skipping them.
lavahot
05-26-2009, 06:57 PM
Here's mine from this week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07l5o4iMC7E
See you next week.
darknessgp
05-26-2009, 07:31 PM
He was hating on the fans, that's just low.
If that's not evidence to crucify someone what is?
Loads of people don't like the new intro, including me that's no reason to call the people who take the time to make them "socially awkward basement-dwellers"
It should be stated that the "mission videos" overall have not been the same high quality content that user's have provided, i.e. backgrounds. I agree, hating on the fans is just low... however, that doesn't change the fact that the fan made videos IMO stand out like a sore thumb. Either TRS needs to pick better videos or if that quality is the only provided, cut them all together.
As for the actual intros, I like the idea of them hanging out and talking (actually feels a lot like co-op to me), however the topic being discussed most of the time is what kills it for me. I just don't find them interesting.
benking
05-26-2009, 07:33 PM
TRS is a geek show. It is aimed at geeks so those are the sort of people who will send in the videos.
I wouldn't say TRS is aimed at geeks. While there is undeniably geekiness present (Jeff and the Lego), it appeals to a broad, mainstream audience. The only "geeky" section I think they have is Comic Books. Movies, TV and Video Games are mainstream and their reviews are as entertaining to me as, say, IGN's.
Even if TRS does have legions of aforementioned geek fans, with the old intros, at least they were kept hidden away. But with the new intros, the beginning of every episode has somebody doing some really bad acting, pretending like they're spies. It's like cosplayers at a comic book convention, just as equally embarrassing.
I'm not completely talking about myself, I can just skip past the intros without hassle, I'm talking about the effect it has on TRS's image. If TRS throws these geeky fans in viewers' faces for much longer, it's going to alienate all the non-geeks watching, like me. After a while the target demographic will change and TRS will have far, far less viewers. And then probably get cancelled. But that's a worse-case scenario.
Bottom line, the hosts of the show are geeks, but their reviews are professional and all-encompassing. They dial it down. With the new intros, the whole geek thing is exploding and restricting the show's appeal.
az0madman
05-26-2009, 07:46 PM
That's a strange impression to get from it. I'm still not a fan of the new intros, but I don't see them as a way for us geeks to come out and play. I see it as a way to get involved with the show more so than sending in backgrounds. Is it really that different than someone making a short film and putting it on the internet?
TRS might appeal to the mainstream audience but I definitely think that it's made for geeks. How can it not be, especially when, as you said, the TRS hosts are geeks as well? If you want mainstream reviews, stick to the New York Times.
bjkrautk
05-26-2009, 08:04 PM
I don't think it's necessary to call out the geekdom of the users who have done just what the hosts have asked for, but at the same time, I'm not a big fan of the intros.
Just to give this a consistent frame, here's what I wrote after the first user intro:
Right now, I can virtually guaranty we'll see several of the following ideas for the new opens:
- LBP level
- WoW / video game machinema
- Cartoon w/ synched voiceover
- Mission Impossible theme over instructions
- guy camping out in line for midnight movie / video game release / convention
- cosplay
- fake news program
- "subliminal" suggestion that the TRS crew talk about something else (e.g. "Chuck" on NBC) while giving the standard briefing
I don't consider any of those ideas as particularly 'creative.' That doesn't mean that they couldn't be good, or otherwise praiseworthy for technical merit, just that they're very much what I would expect to see based on the pitch. (And when I say technical merit, understand that I couldn't synch up voice with the video for Cobra Commander.)
True creativity would come from getting outside of that mission assignment mad lib. Sticking with my Cobra Commander example, cutting the mission voiceover as CC hijacking the TV signal ("Citizensss of TRSsss...") = creative.
I think the new show intro concept is only going to take off with people when we start seeing more of the latter and less of the former. I really don't think it's going to hit any sort of a stride until someone finds a way to transcend the 'discussion - cut-in video - opening theme' pattern.
At this point, the opens really haven't moved past cosplay....which makes my list appear a bit optimistic. I don't really want to turn the mirror back on the people submitting these videos ("Hi, my forum name is 'bjkrautk,' and I'm a Level 80 Holy Pally..."), but I have never connected with the content of the user submitted intros the way that I did during the first TRS ("Throw me the Idol, I'll throw you the Whip."), the last TRS with the old opens (HBO), or any of the shared experiences inbetween (Cosby comes to mind immediately).
p2a1x7
05-26-2009, 08:58 PM
The parady intros were better. It was one thing to look forward to no matter what Movies/Games/TV Shows/Comics were being talked about. I had my brother watch a show or two and it was his favorite part.
You can't really knock on what is being submitted because they don't have equipment on par with what the guys have, but I have to agree the setup for the view clips are weak. Like this week it seemed like they were going to put it in the manual, but then all of a sudden you see a finger point at the picture frame and Alex does a half assed "turn" to view it.
darthender
05-26-2009, 10:33 PM
I wanted to give it some time before I formed my opinion, but I thinks it's alright at this point if I come out and say the spy openings completely blow compared to the movie parody openings.
I know they said they were running out of movies to do, but honestly, I wouldn't care if they did multiple scenes from the same movie, if it got us back the parodies.
You can't really knock on what is being submitted because they don't have equipment on par with what the guys have, but I have to agree the setup for the view clips are weak. Like this week it seemed like they were going to put it in the manual, but then all of a sudden you see a finger point at the picture frame and Alex does a half assed "turn" to view it.
I'm trying to figure out if that was planned or not, if it wasn't planned they could have cut it out I like that it was bit of a twist and we thought they were going to put it one place and it ended up the other.
dudinatrix
05-26-2009, 10:46 PM
Running out of movies sounds like a bad excuse, even if they were trying to just stick to totally rad classics. I'd rather them re-enact crappy movies just to see how they do it than have the new intros. Oh well, at least it only affects a minute of the otherwise still excellent show!
Honestly though, I wonder what the guys think of it. Second thoughts? Regrets? Or maybe they're loving it? I'm sure its easier for them, but I wonder if its meeting their expectations. To me it sounds like something that worked better on paper.
It'd be cool to find out if anyone else prefers the movie parody intros, or if I'm alone in thinking this.
THERE IS A THREAD A WEEK ON THIS. SEARCH, DAMMIT.
scoobydiesel
05-27-2009, 12:00 AM
More then once a week MK.
I really want to make an intro but just have not had that right list yet to build around. unless i do my intro then just add the list in later....if that makes sense.
summx
05-27-2009, 12:06 AM
Couldn't agree more with the op, i've been watching since the beginning and this along with a few other things have really turned me off from the show. I don't blame the trs fanbase for the ridiculousness of these transmissions. It takes a very specific person to take the effort to create these transmissions and put them out there and they are not representative of all trs fans.
Lose the transmission, keep the small talk intro but just have it end and cut to the intro. At least this way it is similar to coop/1up show
vegan
05-27-2009, 01:18 AM
The new intros are indeed awkward and uncomfortable, and put me in the wrong mood at the beginning of each episode. That's a bad thing. I should start every episode psyched, but I'm already brought down.
It's the same reason I don't spend a lot of time on Youtube. Everyone with a webcam or Flip Camera thinks they're funny or clever, but the song you wrote about brussel sprouts or the "hilarious" retro game review you filmed is really just embarrassing.
cybersuchus
05-27-2009, 02:18 AM
It's the same reason I don't spend a lot of time on Youtube. Everyone with a webcam or Flip Camera thinks they're funny or clever, but the song you wrote about brussel sprouts or the "hilarious" retro game review you filmed is really just embarrassing.
The worst is when you find a video of something really cool, or nostalgic, only to find it ruined by the guy who uploaded it and thought he could do a better editing job.
That same feeling goes for about 95% of all fan made music videos too.
hcolyn
05-27-2009, 08:35 AM
Even if TRS does have legions of aforementioned geek fans, with the old intros, at least they were kept hidden away.
Are only the cool kids allowed outside? One day I will find the basement key.
They dial it down. With the new intros, the whole geek thing is exploding and restricting the show's appeal.
And I shall be here waiting for said geekplosion. It's gonna be awesome. Perhaps your kind won't even make it!
dh_jin
05-27-2009, 10:16 AM
man wth, i think the video submissions are awesome, i do miss the old ones liked the video production behind 'em.
pruben
05-27-2009, 11:51 AM
Not everyone likes the new intros, including me. The old ones were better. But it is necessary with fan-submissions as well. The fans gets more connected to the show, and who doesn't want to be a part of a show they like/love? TRS is a geek show, but made for everyone. Maybe the fans can made an intro based on a movie, or all those other good ideas Bjkrautk mentioned. I hope TRS returns to the movie openings, but the new intros are okay and they can continue for some more months and prove what they are good for.
Running out of movies sounds like a bad excuse, even if they were trying to just stick to totally rad classics. I'd rather them re-enact crappy movies just to see how they do it than have the new intros. Oh well, at least it only affects a minute of the otherwise still excellent show!
Honestly though, I wonder what the guys think of it. Second thoughts? Regrets? Or maybe they're loving it? I'm sure its easier for them, but I wonder if its meeting their expectations. To me it sounds like something that worked better on paper.
I think the point is they didn't have the time to plan and make the intros anymore, but I could be wrong.
The worst is when you find a video of something really cool, or nostalgic, only to find it ruined by the guy who uploaded it and thought he could do a better editing job.
That same feeling goes for about 95% of all fan made music videos too.
I agree, that's why I don't go on youtube (I lit the Diggreal pick out the videos I should be watching) that said I do make my own youtube videos and do loads of fan music videos, I find most of what other fans do just to be random clips put to songs they like I try to actually get the beat to match the cuts and hte lyrics to match the clips.
That said I do edit for money as well.
confussled
05-27-2009, 01:00 PM
I have to agree ever since the change I've skipped the intro's because a lot of them are very cringe inducing.
Although I miss the movie intros, I'd take anything else apart from the current intro. Change it please!
dooftastic
05-27-2009, 03:45 PM
I would like it much more if each clip was a fan introducing his or herself, saying what their name on the boards is. Then maybe showing something that makes them a unique geek. Like showing their movie memorabilia collection or something like that. Something humanizing. Like show and tell. It wouldn't have to be geeky, just something cool that people would find interesting. That's what TRS is about.
dolson
05-27-2009, 04:11 PM
Well, my wife had some harsh words to say about the latest intro... So I guess that settles it. lol
I don't care much, myself. It was rare that I ever picked up on what movie the guys were reenacting... I mostly watch for the video game segments, and the chemistry between the guys for the laughs. And sometimes for the newer movies that I'm interested in.
All the intros seem the same, and that's by design. It's not like there's much freedom when you need to rattle off a list of three to five things. This is purely for the fans, and for that, I respect the TRS guys' decision to allow it. But I could also live without it; just a casual. candid discussion on something to start the show would suffice for me, in the absense of a planned skit.
That said, I did like the intro where someone got shot.
yea, no offense to my TRS buddies here, but i'm not a fan of the fan transmissions either. i skip them as well, sorry!
vegan
05-27-2009, 05:06 PM
I think the point is they didn't have the time to plan and make the intros anymore, but I could be wrong.
See, I understand this completely, but no intros would be better than the "season 2" intros. They harm the show's image. If I was watching TRS for the first time and got one of these intros first-thing, I would be hesitant to continue. Maybe it's because I still find a lot of geek/fan culture to be embarrassing (like my friends who show up at the beach with Slave Leia cardboard cutouts. Wtf?) and I'm not completely down that rabbit hole, but I'm clearly not alone there.
dooftastic
05-27-2009, 05:09 PM
Prolonged exposure to these new intros will make your genitals fall off.
I would like it much more if each clip was a fan introducing his or herself, saying what their name on the boards is. Then maybe showing something that makes them a unique geek. Like showing their movie memorabilia collection or something like that. Something humanizing. Like show and tell. It wouldn't have to be geeky, just something cool that people would find interesting. That's what TRS is about.
I think the story videos are good when they are done right like the spy one with the guy getting shot, but when they are done badly they are really bad.
I think they should make the transmission more standard so it's the same week to week that way fans can have longer to work on them.
They should also get other web starts to do them as themselves, Lala from Tikibar TV, Zadi from Epic Fu, the characters from the guild.
Those could be put in when there fan transmissions are just too bad.
darknessgp
05-27-2009, 08:02 PM
I think the story videos are good when they are done right like the spy one with the guy getting shot, but when they are done badly they are really bad.
I think they should make the transmission more standard so it's the same week to week that way fans can have longer to work on them.
They should also get other web starts to do them as themselves, Lala from Tikibar TV, Zadi from Epic Fu, the characters from the guild.
Those could be put in when there fan transmissions are just too bad.
I agree with this. The 1 week turnaround might be what is making some of the fan made stuff bad quality, not much time to work on it.
I agree with this. The 1 week turnaround might be what is making some of the fan made stuff bad quality, not much time to work on it.
Excatly if they just had it as:
"Hello my name is ... from ... on TRS as always talk about the latest games, movies and other geeky stuff" or something better than that then fans could spend much longer on them and if they got loads of really good ones at onces they could split them up.
dudinatrix
05-27-2009, 09:07 PM
Maybe they shouldn't lock themselves in to the same type of intro every week. It would be fun if it was a little more random. Like throw in a re-enactment once in a while. Toss in a fan made video another week. Just do a random little skit the next week. Heck, even skip intros for slow weeks.
That way fans could have more than one week to contribute something and the guys could take their time and do "good" intros again once in a while. And they could still do the casual conversation intros they're doing now for weeks that they don't have anything planned, just minus the awkward fan transmission part.
jon-f
05-27-2009, 10:42 PM
Maybe they shouldn't lock themselves in to the same type of intro every week. It would be fun if it was a little more random. Like throw in a re-enactment once in a while. Toss in a fan made video another week. Just do a random little skit the next week. Heck, even skip intros for slow weeks.
That way fans could have more than one week to contribute something and the guys could take their time and do "good" intros again once in a while. And they could still do the casual conversation intros they're doing now for weeks that they don't have anything planned, just minus the awkward fan transmission part.
Great idea. This has my vote. Mix it up.
serenity
05-28-2009, 02:40 AM
I wanted to give it some time before I formed my opinion, but I thinks it's alright at this point if I come out and say the spy openings completely blow compared to the movie parody openings.
I know they said they were running out of movies to do, but honestly, I wouldn't care if they did multiple scenes from the same movie, if it got us back the parodies.
Ditto, as much as I like to be a cheerleader - I miss the old intros a *ton*.
Edit to say: Absolutely NO offense meant to all the fan submitted intros thus far! You all have way more balls than I have to put yourself out there like that. I just really loved the old intros, it's not that I hate the new.
johnnysix
05-28-2009, 04:51 AM
I think the sentiments expressed here are really a testament to the abilities of the four guys. Whilst they had the creativity, resources and drive to come up with quality, witty and entertaining intros every week, I think this is a little beyond the capabilities of the community here. Most of us don't have a team to come up with and implement the ideas we have. A lot of us don't have the equipment and some of us straight up don't look good or like being in front of the camera. While there's probably some creative ways to get around some of these things, I think they represent a lot of the reasons a lot of us like the old intros better. I know the old intros were a ton of work and the well was kind of running dry, but I'm not sure I'm convinced the new intros are a long term solution.
Also, I just wanted to make clear that I have a LOT of respect for the people who have made intros so far.
I've been a fan for a looong time, I love the show apart from this. These new intros have been my only complaint... it's really dragging down the professionalism of the show. It just seems to me like the only fans TRS has are the Comic-Con kind, who are socially awkward basement-dwellers and don't understand how to conduct oneself among human beings.
I definitely preferred the old intros. I like the idea of trying to foster a sense of community between the fans and the hosts, but so far I don't look forward to the new intros like I did the old ones.
Also, it seems odd to use the 'basement dweller' stereotype as a negative when talking about a show where the hosts have dressed up in homemade Star Wars costumes and one of the more memorable quotes from the show is "Geek is the new cool." I mean I get your point and to a degree agree with it, but it comes off as condescending (and more than a little ironic given that condescending mockery isn't really the way to conduct oneself among human beings.)
forbizzle
05-28-2009, 05:38 AM
If they don't have the time and resources to do the Movie intros anymore, that's fine. It's not something we can demand.
I for one like the new conversational (if staged) openings that lead up to the fan videos, but can't stand the fan vids themselves.
It's just a barrier that may prevent new viewers from getting into the show. It's akward, kinda lame, and just doesn't represent the quality of the rest of the show. Even when they're at their best, they're embarrassingly bad.
If you want to involve the fans, maybe don't have them act. Take submitted videos of people giving you feedback that you tag together for the credit reel or something. Tekzilla doesn't have this problem, because their submitted videos are people being natural not failing at creative writing and acting.
johnnysix
05-28-2009, 06:38 AM
Hmmm... I've been thinking about making an intro and that led me on to this idea; has anyone ever considered that perhaps the proccess would work better if the guys provided the context for the intro first?
For example, I was thinking that a great intro would be a "Star Wars" style hologram. However it would look totally janky unless I could make it semi-transparent over the existing environment.
I remember that Colbert had a "greenscreen challange" thing where he challanged his viewers to make something using existing footage. I would think that some cool stuff could be done this way. There's still the question of how many people have the resources etc.
lavahot
05-28-2009, 06:55 AM
Prolonged exposure to these new intros will make your genitals fall off.
Thanks, really. I mean, the HOURS upon HOURS it took to put that intro together I guess were really poorly spent. I mean seriously, what was I thinking? How could I possibly think that spending an hour screenwriting, wrangling friends together for two hours of filming, then spending six hours editing could possibly be worth while? Maybe I should just go rape somebody or drive off a cliff with a groundhog in my lap; surely that will be a better application of my time and effort.
BTW: I REAAAAALY hope I get to see you at comic-con this year, or maybe some dark alley somewhere. Or behind you.
dooftastic
05-28-2009, 07:06 AM
BTW: I REAAAAALY hope I get to see you at comic-con this year, or maybe some dark alley somewhere. Or behind you.
So you can look at my ass?
lavahot
05-28-2009, 08:28 AM
So you can look at my ass?
Trust me, when I'm done no one will want to.
If they don't have the time and resources to do the Movie intros anymore, that's fine. It's not something we can demand.
I for one like the new conversational (if staged) openings that lead up to the fan videos, but can't stand the fan vids themselves.
It's just a barrier that may prevent new viewers from getting into the show. It's akward, kinda lame, and just doesn't represent the quality of the rest of the show. Even when they're at their best, they're embarrassingly bad.
If you want to involve the fans, maybe don't have them act. Take submitted videos of people giving you feedback that you tag together for the credit reel or something. Tekzilla doesn't have this problem, because their submitted videos are people being natural not failing at creative writing and acting.
Yea, that was a point I made that if people can't act it's better when they just leave a boring plane message that said, if everyone did that we wouldn't get the good ones like the spy themed one with the guy getting shot.
Maybe they shouldn't lock themselves in to the same type of intro every week. It would be fun if it was a little more random. Like throw in a re-enactment once in a while. Toss in a fan made video another week. Just do a random little skit the next week. Heck, even skip intros for slow weeks.
That way fans could have more than one week to contribute something and the guys could take their time and do "good" intros again once in a while. And they could still do the casual conversation intros they're doing now for weeks that they don't have anything planned, just minus the awkward fan transmission part.
Agreed
Trust me, when I'm done no one will want to.
I hope you run into him to, heck I'll even provide the body bag ;)
Oh and you did STEAL MY IDEA, which made me a little sad but your video was one of the good ones, if the focus wasn't switching all the time (I assume that was your camera in the dark) it could have gone at the start of the show.
Although my idea had a cut to black at the end, then a scream, then a blood splatter on the camera, just to make it more scary.
I haven't made it yet cos I don't have time, I'll see if I can get a submission in today.
lavahot
05-28-2009, 09:16 AM
I hope you run into him to, heck I'll even provide the body bag ;)
Oh and you did STEAL MY IDEA, which made me a little sad but your video was one of the good ones, if the focus wasn't switching all the time (I assume that was your camera in the dark) it could have gone at the start of the show.
Although my idea had a cut to black at the end, then a scream, then a blood splatter on the camera, just to make it more scary.
I haven't made it yet cos I don't have time, I'll see if I can get a submission in today.
I believe I posted part of this idea before, but in a different context. It might have been the opening one if it wasn't posted Saturday night. The focus on my camera is borked. I want to get a new camera, but the only one I can find with 3CCD and in HD is $1500. So I'm taking suggestions on that front. :( Yeah, blood would be cool, but time travel is moar awesomer.
I believe I posted part of this idea before, but in a different context. It might have been the opening one if it wasn't posted Saturday night. The focus on my camera is borked. I want to get a new camera, but the only one I can find with 3CCD and in HD is $1500. So I'm taking suggestions on that front. :( Yeah, blood would be cool, but time travel is moar awesomer.
I'm looking for a new (another) camera to though my price range be a bit lower, DVD burner camcorders didn't really take off, so you can get some DVD/HHD combo camcorders quite cheap, I'm looking at something like that and just ignoring the DVD burner (if that is posible).
Stilll thinking of an idea for a TRS video this afternoon, got nothing at the moment.
dooftastic
05-28-2009, 04:06 PM
Trust me, when I'm done no one will want to.
I wouldn't want to see a rape victim either.
tsmith15
05-28-2009, 05:55 PM
I like the little thing the guys do at the start where they just talk about something for 1-2 minutes and see no need for the mission to be tacked on after that :P
heyseuss
05-28-2009, 06:36 PM
Ditto, as much as I like to be a cheerleader
So ironic, I like it when you are a cheerleader too.
dolson
05-28-2009, 07:19 PM
Alright... When the normally-civil discussions on this forum devolve into death/rape threats, I think someone should probably step in and stop it.
Or provide a live feed, so we can all watch. Either way.
Alright... When the normally-civil discussions on this forum devolve into death/rape threats, I think someone should probably step in and stop it.
Or provide a live feed, so we can all watch. Either way.
I would've locked this thread and the gazillion other "waaaaaaah new intros waaaaaaah" threads if it were up to me, simply because the conversation started on the edge of this type of thing and now finds itself knee-deep in it.
Alright... When the normally-civil discussions on this forum devolve into death/rape threats, I think someone should probably step in and stop it.
We were joking and as you can tell he got the joke, ;) Very funny, I like dark gallows humor.
"What is the difference between a pile of dead babies and a sports car?
I don't have a sports car in my garage"
I would've locked this thread and the gazillion other "waaaaaaah new intros waaaaaaah" threads if it were up to me, simply because the conversation started on the edge of this type of thing and now finds itself knee-deep in it.
True, but you can't lock a thread because you THINK it might end up bad, that gives you an excuse to do what you like and say "well it could have possible got violent".
dolson
05-28-2009, 08:16 PM
We were joking and as you can tell he got the joke, ;) Very funny, I like dark gallows humor.
"What is the difference between a pile of dead babies and a sports car?
I don't have a sports car in my garage"
Why did you cut off the joke part of my comment?
serenity
05-28-2009, 11:23 PM
So ironic, I like it when you are a cheerleader too.
Lol. :P
I can't imagine what I would look like in one of those outfits! I never was one for school activities.
True, but you can't lock a thread because you THINK it might end up bad, that gives you an excuse to do what you like and say "well it could have possible got violent".
The "violence" isn't the issue, really. The truth is that the threads about the intros are beyond stale at this point, and quickly turn to rubbish. They're a waste of space. At the least, we need to sticky a damn "Complain about the new intros here" thread instead of letting all the kids around here create their own personal grip-fests.
Or they could just lock them all, which gets my vote.
heyseuss
05-29-2009, 01:53 AM
Lol. :P
I can't imagine what I would look like in one of those outfits!
Let's both close our eyes and try, really, really hard, to imagine it.
I never was one for school activities.
The activity I was thinking of, wasn't a traditional school activity.
lavahot
05-29-2009, 02:28 AM
We were joking and as you can tell he got the joke, ;) Very funny, I like dark gallows humor.
"What is the difference between a pile of dead babies and a sports car?
I don't have a sports car in my garage"
Yeah, I'll clearly never get the opportunity to pummel that guy, which was all that I was implying. I'm WAAAAAAY straight, thank you very much.
siraim
05-29-2009, 03:00 AM
Lol. :P
I can't imagine what I would look like in one of those outfits! I never was one for school activities.
hrmm.. you phrased that particularly.. and I'm curious about the clause "..for school activities."
heyseuss
05-29-2009, 03:31 AM
hrmm.. you phrased that particularly.. and I'm curious about the clause "..for school activities."
BWWAHAAHAHA. I like that, a word joke and a doin' it joke.
hank41
05-29-2009, 03:59 AM
i definitely don't enjoy the fan intros as much as the parodies, but fan interaction is very important
cybersuchus
05-29-2009, 04:11 AM
The "violence" isn't the issue, really. The truth is that the threads about the intros are beyond stale at this point, and quickly turn to rubbish. They're a waste of space. At the least, we need to sticky a damn "Complain about the new intros here" thread instead of letting all the kids around here create their own personal grip-fests.
Or they could just lock them all, which gets my vote.
Locking these threads does nothing to help anyone. People have a right to complain about a show that prides itself on viewer feedback. Especially one that airs on a network that insists on viewer interaction. Just because this is a "dead horse" doesn't mean it shouldn't still be beaten. By silencing criticism, we remove the ability for the guys to know when they've diverged from their fans, and we also invite bad production choices into the shows that we love.
Further, and to paraphrase what poltah wrote on the first page of this thread, if you don't feel like dealing with yet another "intros suck" thread, then don't read it.
Now, as for making a sticky about this very subject so fans do have a place to vent, I'm all for that. It frees up space on the main page for other topics, without having to silence the continued criticisms.
mrpopular
05-29-2009, 02:01 PM
All this complaining could probably be put to better use..
I personally would think it would be really f'n great if we tried setting up an ongoing storyline. If we knew ahead of time how/what to do for the segment it would just be adding the movies in real quick.
A few episodes ago (111) they had the one where the briefcase was stolen.
-it be great if the next transmission was someone in the car watching for the briefcase
-Then next Transmission someone has the case he tells them the weekly mission while opening the case. to reveal a floppy disk.. says "we'll send this to our data experts"
-Next Transmission We have recovered the files, it seems you need to watch --misson-- we are sending in another spy to recieve more information.
That was just off the top of my head, as a Rad team i think we could make something cool working to figure out making the best of the transmissions
johnnysix
05-29-2009, 02:03 PM
All this complaining could probably be put to better use..
I personally would think it would be really f'n great if we tried setting up an ongoing storyline. If we knew ahead of time how/what to do for the segment it would just be adding the movies in real quick.
A few episodes ago (111) they had the one where the briefcase was stolen.
-it be great if the next transmission was someone in the car watching for the briefcase
-Then next Transmission someone has the case he tells them the weekly mission while opening the case. to reveal a floppy disk.. says "we'll send this to our data experts"
-Next Transmission We have recovered the files, it seems you need to watch --misson-- we are sending in another spy to recieve more information.
That was just off the top of my head, as a Rad team i think we could make something cool working to figure out making the best of the transmissions
This!
A few episodes ago (111) they had the one where the briefcase was stolen.
-it be great if the next transmission was someone in the car watching for the briefcase
-Then next Transmission someone has the case he tells them the weekly mission while opening the case. to reveal a floppy disk.. says "we'll send this to our data experts"
-Next Transmission We have recovered the files, it seems you need to watch --misson-- we are sending in another spy to recieve more information.
That would be very difficult to do and I think some people would be annoyed that all the videos where of a different quality.
Anyway the reason I think that briefcase one was so good is because I think they started it before they knew what the films and games where as it was obvious that was dumbed in later.
sugarsickness
05-29-2009, 04:04 PM
Sometimes before even the reviews actually start I am not pleased for maybe 30 WHOLE seconds
I WILL NEVER WATCH TRS AGAIN
Sometimes before even the reviews actually start I am not pleased for maybe 30 WHOLE seconds
I WILL NEVER WATCH TRS AGAIN
"Whoa sarcasm, that's original!"
Good point (assuming you are being sarcastic) the intros are only 30 seconds and while the old ones were the cherry on the cake, I'm more than happy to eat the cake cherry-less.
sugarsickness
05-29-2009, 07:57 PM
Yeah, I don't really have a strong opinion either way of them but they are short and since the intro plays right after them (Which is of a higher quality as far as production values, etc) so, really, the argument that they might give a false impression of the quality of the rest of the show is a real flimsy one. Were the old intros "better"? Sure, but if sitting through these short clips is SUCH A HASSLE then, really, maybe there is some larger thing at work here. Before you know it they'll have moved on to a new idea for the intros and then people can complain about how the first set are still "better" or maybe someone will complain that the fan transmissions were "better" than the next type of intro.
cucumberboy
05-29-2009, 11:33 PM
All this complaining could probably be put to better use..
I personally would think it would be really f'n great if we tried setting up an ongoing storyline. If we knew ahead of time how/what to do for the segment it would just be adding the movies in real quick.
A few episodes ago (111) they had the one where the briefcase was stolen.
-it be great if the next transmission was someone in the car watching for the briefcase
-Then next Transmission someone has the case he tells them the weekly mission while opening the case. to reveal a floppy disk.. says "we'll send this to our data experts"
-Next Transmission We have recovered the files, it seems you need to watch --misson-- we are sending in another spy to recieve more information.
That was just off the top of my head, as a Rad team i think we could make something cool working to figure out making the best of the transmissions
This... is a great idea.
johnnysix
05-29-2009, 11:44 PM
The ongoing storyline idea is cool. Especially if the suitcase contained the end of year top 5 lists and it was delivered to the guys at the end of the year.
blacksymbiote
05-30-2009, 01:52 AM
The ongoing storyline idea is cool. Especially if the suitcase contained the end of year top 5 lists and it was delivered to the guys at the end of the year.
Wow. This is an awesome idea. Love the idea of an ongoing storyline! Every week the guys would get several entries which would all be a slightly different take on what happens next. Then they'd get to pick what happens next. Reminds me of those "Choose your own Adventure" books. Cool!
owlboy
05-30-2009, 01:52 AM
Everyone! Do That!
vegan
05-30-2009, 05:15 AM
I have to admit, that would be a big step in the right direction.
Don't see the problem. If you don't like the fan videos, skip them.
exactly. i mean they are like 15 seconds long for christ sake.
Wow. This is an awesome idea. Love the idea of an ongoing storyline! Every week the guys would get several entries which would all be a slightly different take on what happens next. Then they'd get to pick what happens next. Reminds me of those "Choose your own Adventure" books. Cool!
I do have to say that it won't make the videos ANY BETTER QUALITY.
I thought everyone was sad that the videos were badly done not that they had no story line.
Just because one of the good videos happened to have a briefcase in doesn't mean if you follow on from that it will be good. It will be just as bad if that person did a video without the briefcase (or the follow on story line).
Am I the only one who sees this?
If would also make it much more hassle to organize.
It seem superstitious that if it follows on you think it will be as good, you are still going to get people sitting in front of the camera acting the as they would without the storyline (as in: just as badly).
The ongoing storyline idea is cool. Especially if the suitcase contained the end of year top 5 lists and it was delivered to the guys at the end of the year.
Again cool idea, but how would it make the videos any better quality???
cucumberboy
05-30-2009, 11:43 AM
Again cool idea, but how would it make the videos any better quality???
Because it provides a lot of inspiration. It's pretty simple, really.
Because it provides a lot of inspiration. It's pretty simple, really.
I don't think inspiration is what is lacking here, I thought it was technical skill, the ideas for the videos are all really good (to me anyway) it's just the execution.
Everyone being locked into one idea won't make them any better at making videos. It may give people who didn't have any idea something to make a video of but you could do that by starting a forum were people with the ideas could give the people with technical skill their ideas.
blacksymbiote
05-30-2009, 05:26 PM
I should point out that although I certainly thought the movie adaptations from previous seasons were better than the fan transmissions, I don't actually have a problem with them being in the show.
On another note, I actually prefer their "chats" that happen before the transmissions to the movie adaptations.
gm_wil
05-30-2009, 05:33 PM
doing a continuing storyline is a great way to start a clusterf--k. It's one of those "looks great on paper" ideas but coordinating them would be a job in itself and once you have a leader, that person is gonna have to manage a bunch of people who think their idea is the best. Why do all that? Why toss gas on an accident?
Why does TRS need an intro? They have their own already. I say cut the fan made ones (the fans could start a TRS FANFLICKS site to put their little movies on or something)
Just start the show with their introduction and get on with content. There's no griping about fan made films and the guys don't have to worry about doing a movie thing every week = everyone wins.
I do really think a first time viewer who tries a TRS episode would see a fan made intro and decide not to watch the rest of the show. That's not good. Yeah, I understand there are a few people that would keep watching, but I'm interested in TRS longevity. I do look forward to the day Alex, Jeff, Dan, and the rookie (shoulder punch) move on to bigger things because it would be selfish of me not to . . . but in the meantime, let's try and keep TRS the best it can be.
Applaud yourselves for trying a fan made intro, thank the people who worked hard to help, and just soldier on.
*drops his penny in the thought jar*
-
forbizzle
05-30-2009, 06:52 PM
I don't mind skipping the videos when they're at the END of the show, but having them right at the start just interrupts the show with awkwardness when it should be building momentum. As guys that review movies every week, I hope they appreciate how it can affect the experience of the show.
I don't care when a fly lands in my bowl after I've eaten my soup.
misterflapjack
05-30-2009, 07:53 PM
I agree with most people here. We prefer the movie parodies over the fan videos. The 'chats' the guys have before the video look and feels better for the show. The moment the fan video shows, TRS loses a feel of professionalism. I think the fan videos should be cut out all together. If you guys aren't going to do that, at least throw in some movie parodies every once in a while as a surprise for the viewer.
p2a1x7
05-30-2009, 07:54 PM
I don't mind skipping the videos when they're at the END of the show, but having them right at the start just interrupts the show with awkwardness when it should be building momentum. As guys that review movies every week, I hope they appreciate how it can affect the experience of the show.
I don't care when a fly lands in my bowl after I've eaten my soup.
Maybe put them at the end for next weeks topics? Will require a bit more planning for the guys, but I'm sure they have a couple of things to talk about set in stone that far ahead (as they usually announce it at the end of the show anyways).
remington
05-31-2009, 04:28 PM
I really miss the movie parodies. I just started getting my wife to watch TRS and when the 'chatting/fan intro' came on she made a face like I was subjecting her to the worse thing ever made by man. She did end up really liking the show by the end but these intros are be turn offs to new fans. Now we just skip right past the intro straight into the show.
loddie
05-31-2009, 05:02 PM
I really miss the movie parodies. I just started getting my wife to watch TRS and when the 'chatting/fan intro' came on she made a face like I was subjecting her to the worse thing ever made by man. She did end up really liking the show by the end but these intros are be turn offs to new fans. Now we just skip right past the intro straight into the show.
Exactly the same here. My girlfriend started watching it with me a few months back (I've watched since the first episode) and we mutually dislike the fan intros enough to skip them. We really enjoyed the movie/tv intros because she wasn't quite the geek that I was growing up and they served as a way for me to introduce a lot of my favorite movies to her.
misterflapjack
06-01-2009, 02:10 AM
Bring the Old Intros back. SIGN THE PETITION HERE! (http://www.petitiononline.com/TRS/petition.html)
I really miss the movie parodies. I just started getting my wife to watch TRS and when the 'chatting/fan intro' came on she made a face like I was subjecting her to the worse thing ever made by man. She did end up really liking the show by the end but these intros are be turn offs to new fans. Now we just skip right past the intro straight into the show.
I skip past them as well.
fath0m
06-01-2009, 03:16 AM
I agree with the OP.
I have always seen TRS as the "new-age" geek show, i.e. the show that talks nerdy but breaks the mold of the basement dweller. I think the 3 hosts of TRS encompass that aspect very well and these new intros DO bring the show down.
scootman
06-01-2009, 06:54 AM
i did a mission video. it was kinda fun to do it and nice to see it at the end of the show but it doesn't look very good. i think some of the problems are most people don't really have a good enough camera with a good video quality and that some are just really awkward and strange
someaudioguy
06-01-2009, 11:25 PM
Well, I gotta throw a vote in favor of the fan intros.
Looking through them, and disregarding the "quality" of some, there really is some creative work being done.
I think my only issue so far is with the execution. I just don't think the TRS crew has found a good system for integrating the fan intros into the look and feel of the show as a whole. Intro to ep114 is a perfect example of how awkward that transition can be.
Mostly it just comes down to show content. I would rather the TRS guys be focusing on giving us top notch show content than planning which movie parody to pull off next. If we have to sacrifice the movie parodies, but we get to send the show to SXSW or E3, or do more "out and about" segments (who doesn't love Dan Becomes a Man), then that's a sarifice I'm happy with.
heyseuss
06-02-2009, 01:43 AM
Mostly it just comes down to show content. I would rather the TRS guys be focusing on giving us top notch show content than planning which movie parody to pull off next.
Because we all know how the show lacked quality content before when they were doing the movie intros. :rolleyes:
If we have to sacrifice the movie parodies, but we get to send the show to SXSW or E3, or do more "out and about" segments (who doesn't love Dan Becomes a Man), then that's a sarifice I'm happy with.
If those two things were related, that'd be great if that's how it was working.
someaudioguy
06-02-2009, 05:58 AM
If those two things were related, that'd be great if that's how it was working.
Are you telling me it's not?
The amount of time spent coming up with a movie parody could be a "lego build", "board game", or we could actually watch more of their reactions to games (like punch out) rather than having to talk about about everything in the studio.
To say it doesn't come down to production and editing time is a ridiculous.