As previously mentioned in this thread, John Schmidt gave a showing of the video at
Colleary’s Bistro,
2143 N. Tustin Street, Suite A6 Orange, CA
Sun, March 8th 4:00 – 8:00pm
I flew down around noon and showed up a hour or so early. Jerry and Jan McWorter were helping get the room set up. Colleary's is an up-scale Italian restaurant. I went and got a snack and coffee and came back about 3:30 when people were starting to filter in.
The main dining area was set up with seats mostly facing a large-screen TV. While people were arriving, the TV was showing part of Crane's 150 against Balsis and Pete Smith's film short of Willie Mosconi's life including the five-rail kick shot to beat Andrew Ponzi in the one hole.
The presentation ended up with about 50 in the audience at $50 each. We were lightly encouraged to buy food and drink from the restaurant but it was not required. I skipped the appetizers and went straight to the spaghetti and meat balls.
ink::thumbup2: I'd like to thank the members here who help with expenses.
After a brief introduction we began watching John's 626 from the first shot. Every shot was shown clear through to the miss (a tricky combination with five balls remaining on the table) for shot 627.
There were basically three modes of playback. Some of it was with voice-over that had been added about a month after the run. The voices included John, Jerry, Doug Desmond (who provided major logistical support and racking during the attempts) and I think Lou Sardo.
During other portions the voice-over was turned off and Jerry and John discussed John's playing history, problems in the section of the run we were watching, and other pool-related stuff.
In the third mode the live narration continued but the video was played at 2X speed to save some time. This was roughly from ball 300 to ball 480. It was returned to normal speed before John passed his previous high run of 490 (on a break shot), the even 500, and numbers 526 and 527. We continued to the end at normal speed.
Around 580 was the only shot I would call a little questionable for a normal match shot. It was right after a break and the cue ball was close to the foot rail and near the left foot pocket. There was no obvious direct shot. A three-ball combo to the side was nearly straight but the balls were all spread out. John played a carom off a ball at about the bottom of the rack to hit a ball near the foot rail and about 10 inches from the pocket. As far as a legitimate match shot, I'd say it was 50-50. There may have been a safe with a little dink to freeze the cue ball to the back of a ball, but in that situation, you are not favored to get the first opening.
The shot for 627 (with five balls left on the table) was an off-angle combo near the right side of the rack in a cluster of three balls. Other shots he could have taken were his break ball on the left side of the rack or a ball on the head string near the right rail. (Directions as viewed from the head of the table, which is where the camera was.) It was really a two-ball combo and John said the third ball probably kept him from cutting the first ball enough to make the shot.
There was no mention of an NDA.
Every shot was shown.
I saw no touch fouls and I was looking for them.
Whoever wants to see the run for themselves should follow
http://www.hihatentertainment.com/tickets or maybe call the number listed there to find out about future events. That's Jerry and Jan McWorter who are arranging the presentations.
oh I saw it mine friend, but I think many others did not. I almost didn’t click it. I have a serious aversion to clicking links for some reason. Not security risk type aversion either just something. 
