EPTI am going to build this up in the first post; and continue to add resources for aspiring shoutcasters/commentators. My first goal is to see if any kind of BBcode on the forum allows me to change the font size.
I was originally going to put this in the general SC2 area, but I realized that it stems much farther than just SC2.
I did do a search and the most recent one was from a couple years ago. Another user did agree with the idea that I had to make a centralized post about shoutcasting, personalities, and things to do to improve ones ability while commentating a game.
Below will be where I will begin adding all the information I can find.
Please please please!
Add your two cents below with links, information that should be added, or other suggestions that you have about this idea. My biggest thing is formatting the post in an attractive manor. I want this to be a great source of information in this blooming sport that keep doubling every year in viewership.
GL HF!
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WELCOME!
This thread will help you learn what it takes to be a shoutcaster/esports commentator, resources for improving yourself, and links to many other popular personalities out in the esports community!
Want to see other pro's in the field? Watch their videos on youtube to get an idea of the level you quickly need to get up to. MLG is also a great place to watch as the watch live games while co-casting with another caster.
- Starcraft
- Mike "Husky" Lamond Youtube
- Sean Plott "Day9" Youtube
- John Bain "TotalBiscuit" Youtube
- DOTA2
- Toby Dawson "TobiWan" (has videos on)---> http://www.youtube.com/joinDOTA
- LoL
- RiotKobe (Only Link Is A Twitter?) Twitter Page
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Practice Practice Practice!
It will take a while to get used to talking to yourself. Whatever game you want to cast, make sure you know the metagame. If you don't, start learning it. The best way to learn everything? Watch live games/replays and cast them! If you know how, record them using a program such as fraps, encode it and upload it to youtube.
In a clan? Start asking to watch their games or for them to post/send their replays your way. If you do upload them, you already have a potential viewer right there because they were in the game you just uploaded!
When you are speaking about what is going on, here are some tips;
- Do your best to not have empty air time. That being said, you also don't want to say "uhhhh" during it or repeat something over and over. Say something interesting, talk about what you suspect might be the outcome, add what you know about the map or players that are currently being viewed. This keeps your viewer interested, especially in the early game when there isn't really all that much going on!
- If you do upload anything to youtube, quality is a huge deal. Nobody enjoys watching replays at 480p; Any of the pro casters above are great choices for quality.
- Diction Diction Diction! So important. If you can't have diction at a fast talking speed, it would be better to talk slower and work your way up to being able to talk quickly.
- A glass of water goes a long way if you can sneak in a quick drink in between sentences. It does wonders at clearing the throat and redampaning it. You'll be surprised how dry your throat gets while you talk for twenty to forty minutes straight.
Professionalism
Now, this is honestly about personal taste. But if you have that far reaching goal of eventually doing this at a bigger tournament, it's better to get it into your practice early. Bad habits die hard. Some of these things may seem like common sense, but they are very, very important to remember even under high loads of stress or exhaustion.
- Swearing!
As an easy example, TV-14 or a PG movie is usually the standard I've seen with events such as IGNProleauge or MLG tournaments. This does not mean, however, to throw them around constantly. You can in your own personal videos, however, though, it may drill that bad habit into your head and stick around later. It's better to get it down sooner rather than later. - Energy/mood!
A big thing about being a caster is that you have constant energy, even if you are tired or even if something just ate your car and you're told "Hey! You're up in five minutes to cast this game!". Suck it up, and get out there, and put on your best "I don't give a F face.". - Insults/Favorites!
You can say them while you cast which player your rooting for, but never make it a focus, and never bash either player. You can say if you think someone just made a bad move, or what you think they should be doing instead of what they currently are, but do it in a unbiased fashion that a commentator should. - Your mouth!
This one is all round rule, but I hear it too often when I watch some casters online. If you're going to cough, sneeze, take a gulp of water, ect, do try to either mute your mic, or do it in a fashion that it doesn't distract too much from the gameplay.
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Replay Websites
UNDER CONSTRUCTION*
[Working the next four hours; Will be back to continue adding. Please post with ideas!]
