The casters were amazing, djWHEAT and D'apollo worked extremely well together - as did DOA and CatsPajamas. HD and PainUser already know each other very well and can always be counted on for an entertaining cast.
I greatly enjoyed all the casters and I think they all brought excitement to the game. I think some, perhaps all, of these casting duos would benefit greatly from a dedicated observer. In some of the games the casters simply could not keep up with the action while trying to talk. At other times, I think the casting could have been improved if the casters could simply sit back and talk while another worked the camera. I like the GSL setup of two casters and one observer. One caster's screen is on the observers view and the other is setup to let the casters freely look around. The only negative with the GSL setup is the observer doesn't appear to speak the same language as the casters.
I second that, having a dedicated observer is really the only thing that kept me from fully enjoying the IPL3. It was a very fun event, but i just kept watching the mini-map during every single match because the caster always missed important stuff. GSL setup is fine but the observer is not as good as the BW observers. I don't really know what is required to find good observers but I'd really like you to try to find a way to make this happen.
I'd like to have my head not hurt after two hours watching a mini-map on 480p because my Internet connections sucks
The only other negative thing was the finals time, living in France I was able to watch almost the whole tournament except the second semis and the finals, mostly because I was working on Monday but it's very frustrating for me . From what I've heard the viewers count decreased because most of europeans stopped watching too.
Great event, idk much about producing stuff, nice to be able to read about this part of the show as well.
One thing you really lacked though was a celebration at then end. The winner hops out of his booth and onto the stage, and there's nothing there for him to do but grin at the audience. You seriously need an OSL kind of setup: Coaches/team mates rushing the stage, champagne, people tossing the new champion in the air (and catching him after), the anouncer booming in a deep dark voice something like "ALL HAIL THE IPL SEASON 3 CHAMPION, MA - JAE - YOON NAMIDA!!!" all the while an epic tune is playing, confetti, stargirls, pyro stuff, the lot. For example:
Yes, cut to the players after "oh shit" moments but make sure it's done right. Don't miss crucual action in the game (maybe do a WWE style splitscreen instant replay thing where you show the player on one part of the screen but keep the game up in a pip).
On October 12 2011 05:32 alphaQ wrote: I loved this event, the production value definitely took a big step forward from our current standard of sc2 live events (i.e MLG). I loved all the filler content you had available on the regular + prime streams, had me entertained all weekend!
Going on to the critique, I think these 2 things are probably the most easily fixed, and would provide big improvements to the presentation of the main streams.
The pre-game handshakes were a nice idea but sometimes felt a little awkward with the rush up on stage, quick handshake, and being back off instantly before the host had really got a chance to say anything. A little more controlled and I think it would be great =)
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I'm not sure how much it comes under your purview since this seems mostly to be about general event production, but some of the graphic elements of the IPL overlays bothered me a bit when compared to the awesome quality of almost everything else. Mostly the scoreboard overlay which felt a little out of place when compared to everything else on display.
For the handshake, maybe have the host bring each player out with an introductory title, like "The Kratos Protoss" for MC.
The handshakes were definitely a little awkward most of the time.
I think it would be less awkward if they said something to each other when they shake hands, like "I will 2:0 you" or "My lings will eat the ankles of your stalkers" or something like that, just to get more emotion into the handshake and make it less of a mechanical act. Of course there should be a microphone so everyone can hear it (and in case of the koreans, the casters should be notified of the translation so they can mention it).
On October 12 2011 18:47 nepeta wrote: Great event, idk much about producing stuff, nice to be able to read about this part of the show as well.
One thing you really lacked though was a celebration at then end. The winner hops out of his booth and onto the stage, and there's nothing there for him to do but grin at the audience. You seriously need an OSL kind of setup: Coaches/team mates rushing the stage, champagne, people tossing the new champion in the air (and catching him after), the anouncer booming in a deep dark voice something like "ALL HAIL THE IPL SEASON 3 CHAMPION, MA - JAE - YOON NAMIDA!!!" all the while an epic tune is playing, confetti, stargirls, pyro stuff, the lot. For example:
I agree with this. The celebration lacked a lot, there was nothing that really made it special and it went a little awkward at the end.
Maybe get some girls to lead the winners on stage and off stage at the right time. Stephano looked a little confused(/sad?) when he left the stage as if he didn't know what he was supposed to do now.
I would have to say less player introduction and more of just a hand shake. (for the early rounds) finals should have a pregameinterview. Need more Special FX intros for the players.
I thought IPL 3 was a great production. I really liked the interview with boxer, and the matches were great. Only think I disliked was the time (for me, since I live in europe, I had to stay up to 5:00). That is fine on saterday, but not on sunday since I need to work the day after. Therefore, it would be highly appreciated if the finals could be a little earlier, as MLG does on championship sunday. Ofcourse, the accident with the truck crashing everyones internet is really unfortunate, but I think it's not really a fault of the organisation. Anyway, I'm looking forward to IPL 4
On October 11 2011 10:15 darkrabbi wrote:Something I'd like to get community opinions on is this - after a big epic battle or a player is surprsied by something how would you guys feel about cutting away from gameplay for a 2-3 second full screen camera shot of the player?
Yes! We really do want this. Especially the "doom zooms". Learn from korean Brood War.
The player panels are the best ever. so much fun to hear some of the guys talking like huk/stephano/incontrol/MC they really have such a fun personality. More of those !!!. (hope MLG reads this aswell)
Ron, thanks for all the hard work you put into planning the event. It really paid off. Everyone had an amazing time.
On October 11 2011 10:15 darkrabbi wrote: Something I'd like to get community opinions on is this - after a big epic battle or a player is surprsied by something how would you guys feel about cutting away from gameplay for a 2-3 second full screen camera shot of the player? I think if this is done correctly and not overused it can add a lot to a broadcast.
I think it would be a very good idea to show a larger camera shot of a player's reaction during key game moments. However, there is always the risk that something might be missed during that moment. And even if there wasn't something that gets "missed," it's possible that the spectators might not be well receptive to the camera change because they may feel like they are no longer a part of the game (although GSL has shown it can be done effectively).
A safer method of accomplishing this may be to show two, or even more, camera shots simultaneously. Not in a picture within a picture format, but more along the lines of two pictures side by side. One shot would be of the game, the others of the player that is being focused on. The size of the shots would probably be acceptable to the viewers, and it would not shut them out from the game, making them feel as if they were blind to what was happening in the match.
P.S. - You caught me in your crowd shot picture ^^
However I have a question. [quoteAs far as players hearing the casters - players were required to wear headphones with white noise playing from an ipod shuffle. ][/quote]
What exactly does "white noise" mean? So the players won't hear ingame sounds with the earbuds but the headphones or both?
On October 12 2011 22:14 obsKura wrote: Fantastic write-up, thanks so much for this
However I have a question. [quoteAs far as players hearing the casters - players were required to wear headphones with white noise playing from an ipod shuffle. ]
What exactly does "white noise" mean? So the players won't hear ingame sounds with the earbuds but the headphones or both?[/QUOTE]
exactly, it is used to mask noise since it has a constant density in all frequencies. check wiki or google for it
I wouldn't mind an occasional full screen shot of a player right after something crucial happened. The key here (as with most of these things) is moderation though. To much and it becomes annoying.
Although putting the computer outside the booth might help a bit with the heat problem, my guess would be that the most heat is being generated by the stagelights that are aimed at the booth. These things give of a lot of heat and I saw them standing right next to the booth. If that is indeed the case an AC installed in the booth might work better as putting the computer outside it. Technically it shouldn't be to difficult to have one installed in the booth I think.
I can't believe the panel with Stephano, Select, MC and Incontrol was a coincidence, it just seemed so perfectly set up... :o Especially having Select there, he translated so much for MC which Rachel would have never been able to - without the extra Korean+English person up there (Select) the panel would have been a lot worse and MC would probably have been able to answer only half the questions! So yes, I think these player panels (live on three as well) were a great idea and should be done again at future events, but please make sure always to have someone able to translate audience questions for the koreans, even if their English might be good enough to understand, it's hard to hear the crowd and catch the exact meaning. Also, only do it not pressuring the players into it...some might not be comfortable doing something like that in between matches. It obviously didnt hurt Stephano's performance, but I dont think everyone can handle it that well.
EPT
