Need Your Help (Free Live Streaming)

JoeyA

JoeyA

Efren's Mini-Tourn BACKER
Silver Member
Just in case I ever do another commentating job, I would appreciate your suggestions on how to improve my commentating skills. I do not have the time or resources to justify to attend a school unless it is an online course which is free or almost free. :)

I know that in spite of the very kind and generous comments that you all have made, you saw how green I was and while criticism is sometimes a bit hard to swallow, I would like to hear from all of you as to how I could improve, should the opportunity every come my way again.

What would you like to see or hear from a pool commentator when you are watching a pool match, being live-streamed or even when you are watching a DVD of a pool match?

Please keep in mind that sponsors are the ones who make these things happen so please don't suggest that we cut back on mentioning their company names and their products and services. It will be the back bone of live-streaming pool in years to come IMO. Conversely, I would like for you to suggest how I can persuade the online listeners to actually purchase or visit the websites of the sponsors and to let them know when you purchase something from them that it is because they support Free Live-Streaming.

I would like to see suggestions made that would increase viewership as well as improve my communication skills. Also, please keep in mind, at the moment, most pool commentators are not professionally trained in communication but that doesn't mean we can't learn from you. I'm appealing to you guys and girls out there for feedback to determine what you think is needed to increase viewership and as well as the skills of the pool commentator.

I have received a few private comments about some characteristics that I exhibited from time to time and one of them is stuttering. While I don't have a stuttering problem as such, I did stutter from time to time but I think it was because there is so much going on and in my efforts to cover everything as best as I could, I would from time to time start a sentence only to be stopped in my tracks as I witnessed the shooter's darting eyese looking at something else or moving in a different direction than what I orginally perceived. Regardless, I am looking to improve anything and everything if given the chance to do it again. I want to make viewing Free Live Streaming FUN for the viewers and productive for the sponsors.

Your suggestions could also help other commentators with their job and help to make pool more popular than ever.


Thanks,
JoeyA
 
stories and anacdotes

JoeyA said:
Just in case I ever do another commentating job, I would appreciate your suggestions on how to improve my commentating skills. I do not have the time or resources to justify to attend a school unless it is an online course which is free or almost free. :)

I know that in spite of the very kind and generous comments that you all have made, you saw how green I was and while criticism is sometimes a bit hard to swallow, I would like to hear from all of you as to how I could improve, should the opportunity every come my way again.

What would you like to see or hear from a pool commentator when you are watching a pool match, being live-streamed or even when you are watching a DVD of a pool match?

Please keep in mind that sponsors are the ones who make these things happen so please don't suggest that we cut back on mentioning their company names and their products and services. It will be the back bone of live-streaming pool in years to come IMO. Conversely, I would like for you to suggest how I can persuade the online listeners to actually purchase or visit the websites of the sponsors and to let them know when you purchase something from them that it is because they support Free Live-Streaming.

I would like to see suggestions made that would increase viewership as well as improve my communication skills. Also, please keep in mind, at the moment, most pool commentators are not professionally trained in communication but that doesn't mean we can't learn from you. I'm appealing to you guys and girls out there for feedback to determine what you think is needed to increase viewership and as well as the skills of the pool commentator.

I have received a few private comments about some characteristics that I exhibited from time to time and one of them is stuttering. While I don't have a stuttering problem as such, I did stutter from time to time but I think it was because there is so much going on and in my efforts to cover everything as best as I could, I would from time to time start a sentence only to be stopped in my tracks as I witnessed the shooter's darting eyese looking at something else or moving in a different direction than what I orginally perceived. Regardless, I am looking to improve anything and everything if given the chance to do it again. I want to make viewing Free Live Streaming FUN for the viewers and productive for the sponsors.

Your suggestions could also help other commentators with their job and help to make pool more popular than ever.


Thanks,
JoeyA
Click to expand...
One thing I really like from Danny D, Grady and Incardona is that when play is a little slow, they always have great stories to tell that are usually related to what's going on on the table at the moment.
 
Keep being yourself

Joey,
While no one is perfect, each great commentator has his own unique style that sets him apart from others of equal talent. Once you get to the level that you showed last week, being totally at ease and poised (at least outwardly), then as far as I'm concerned, you (or any other person in that same situation) has come close to their peak because they're being totally natural.

Grady is an example of someone who is almost universally loved because of his massive knowledge and off the wall humor, i.e., "he's checking the multi colored spheres longer than it too me to select my second wife."

Billy is always mentioned when it comes time to name the best 1 or 2 commentators in the world. He has all the knowledge in the world on matching up and he knows the games inside and out. Billy may be the smartest player ever and he's naturally witty, with a very easy to listen to voice and style of delivery. Put all this together and you have a fanastic talent in the booth. He's also very, very respectful.

You come off to me as being from the Bill "Weenie-Beanie" Staton school of commentator. You both talk very clear, have a deep appreciation for the nuances and subtleties of the game, have an easy going manner in the booth but are both really battle hardened. Soft talkers but aggressive thinkers.

Personally, how you sounded was totally you. Knowing you as I do, you've always tried to do everything to the best of your abilities, and you've become a very self-confident man. That carries over to make you a confident speaker who naturally has good diction, you never try to monopolize any conversation or dominate in the booth and you know your stuff. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Just keep being who you are. You've already put in the work to get where you are and to be who you are already. Plus, you know the game and the players styles and personalities. Stories are always great to hear on the players.

As in anything, the more often you do something, the more familiar you become with it. I can't imagine the pressure you guys have to feel in the booth! Naturally, since everybody wants to sound like they know what they're doing, everybody wants to do a good job. And some of that is because we worry what our peers will think of the job we've done. But as you've read on AZB, you've been very well received and gotten heaps of praise for a jov very well done.

Little tweeks here and there will only be like polishing a statue.
 
Terry said it all for me too Joey. One thing I've noticed, what little time I've had behind the mike, is the personality of your co-host. I personally cannot stand Dan Deirdoff (sp) and will turn the sound off when he does NFL "color"
You and JR, and Grady worked great together and rarely if ever interupted one another.
I think thats key to a good presentation.
Sometimes two completely different personalities will click together, Like Al Michaels (calm) John Madden (excitable) or Cossell (a--hole)and Gifford. (Mr. nice guy)
The main reason you were so appreciated is you kept us informed and up to date. So many live feeds try to banter with the "chat stream" and I for one think its a better product when you don't have that distraction.
90 percent of the chat is guy's woofing at each other anyway, or asking a question you just answered if they had been paying attention.
Storytelling is always great, but few of us have that gift. Maybe jotting down a few notes could prepare you for a slow time to inject them.
Good Luck, its obvious you enjoy it and I'm sure you'll be asked back a lot.

Dick

PS> Great comparison Terry... JoeyA and Beenie, very similar delivery.
 
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Great comments from all of the above....

and all the words show who these posters really are, the same way your commentating shows you. IMO the key is to not have to "work" the mike and to be who and what you are.....the 'fakers' fall quickly by the wayside.

As to the sponsors.....clickable links need to be in the chat on a regular basis....depending on the sponsors....a small prize (like a tip install for a cue maker, or a scuffer from a distributor) for intermittent chatters, but only if they have their identifiable names or nicknames, awarded to a previously id'd time or whatever. That would help to drive viewership and track audiences, etc. Also a brief "special" from the sponsor(s) to any viewers at that time......for that dead spot in time referred to above when Supergreen suggested some stories (although I LOVE the stories).....IMO this time NEEDS to promote the sponsor(s) big time. You've got to DRIVE watchers...w/o them the sponsors have no incentive...and w/o sponsors there goes the live stream.

All you streamers out there feel free to run with any ot this. Hope it helps.

td
 
Lagniappe

grindz said:
and all the words show who these posters really are, the same way your commentating shows you. IMO the key is to not have to "work" the mike and to be who and what you are.....the 'fakers' fall quickly by the wayside.

As to the sponsors.....clickable links need to be in the chat on a regular basis....depending on the sponsors....a small prize (like a tip install for a cue maker, or a scuffer from a distributor) for intermittent chatters, but only if they have their identifiable names or nicknames, awarded to a previously id'd time or whatever. That would help to drive viewership and track audiences, etc. Also a brief "special" from the sponsor(s) to any viewers at that time......for that dead spot in time referred to above when Supergreen suggested some stories (although I LOVE the stories).....IMO this time NEEDS to promote the sponsor(s) big time. You've got to DRIVE watchers...w/o them the sponsors have no incentive...and w/o sponsors there goes the live stream.

All you streamers out there feel free to run with any ot this. Hope it helps.

td
Click to expand...

I've enjoyed all of the responses. I especially like the thought you have put into this TD. I think it would be great if small freebies could be given away while live-streaming. This could increase viewership. At the very least, if it is possible and I'm sure in some fashion it is, the commentators or with the help of the Producer, this could be accomplished whether it be with a link and a first come first serve basis. The viewers could be encouraged to write back in the chat room that they were a winner. That would add a little fun to the chat room and give the viewers something extra to look forward to.

One of the posters mentioned that the interaction of the commentators with the Chat Room was not as important as the commentary on the matches themselves and I agree. The producer handles the amount of interaction at least as far as Spheragon is concerned.

I am going to start another thread about the sponsors for the free live streaming as well as the link where you can go to hear and see some of the GSBT matches this past week.

I would like for any of you of like mind and spirit to contact the sponsors whether you buy something or not. If you like the FREE LIVE-STREAMING, you should spend a few minutes letting EACH of the sponsors know that you appreciate their promotion of the free live-streaming.

Thanks again for all of your insights and whether I ever commentate another minute, the contributions that you have made are sincerely appreciated.

JoeyA
 
I enjoyed everything immensely and so appreciated being able to watch. You did amazingly well seeing as that was your first sustained live mike performance. One thing,it is always recomended to have someone say WOW a lot during the match. With a certainty that keeps the event light.
 
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Joey

Your a natural ......don't think about it , if you think about it thats when
you get boring or something. I am still kicking myself that I did not have
my audio set up right and a cable connection at the One Pocket Shoot Out
in Miss. You,Doc ,Lou, and John Henderson gave some of the best one
pocket commentary I have ever heard .I almost cried when I realized the
weak stream had garbled it .Next time I got it worked out and will back it
up on MP3 so you can listen to it again if ya want. I have done a little
public speaking and I hate it but I do know I do better when I don't think
about what I am going to say that much . Hope to see you again soon
 
JoeyA,

I thought you were just great!, You prommoted and plugged the sponsers just the right amount at the correct times(not when something important in the match was happening), you were interested in the match(that's important to hold listeners), you didnt talk too much(what I do), you were balanced with Melissa, also some dead air is nice too, not to much or little-you did that very good. Additionally you have a good voice too for commentating.

I was suprised to see you in the booth, after 5 minutes I figured you had alot of experience in the booth, when I PMed you and you said you didnt I was very suprised. I have tried 2 times to commentate and just cant, I can sit and talk about other stuff in a informal TAR match, but not ball by ball commentary. I think its a skill you have or dont, you do, i dont.

I wouldnt hesitate to have you commentate on any video, if I was in the production business(I will put in a word with my friends for you ;) that are in the biz-not that you need my help). As for advice I cant give you any except just keep at it you seem to have fell into something good here, also like you said Jay can give good advice as he is good, or ask Billy, Grady etc. See if Pat Flemming will let you co-pilot at the Derby this year on a match, he most likely will and i'm sure after hearing you you might pick up a gig now and then. I would persue this if I had your talent.

best

eric
 
Joey -

You're smooth. Better yet, you're really knowledgeable. The more you "try" the worse off you'll be. Just be yourself - that's what everyone wants to hear :)

Good job-
Dave
 
Matt90 said:
Your a natural ......don't think about it , if you think about it thats when
you get boring or something. I am still kicking myself that I did not have
my audio set up right and a cable connection at the One Pocket Shoot Out
in Miss. You,Doc ,Lou, and John Henderson gave some of the best one
pocket commentary I have ever heard .I almost cried when I realized the
weak stream had garbled it .Next time I got it worked out and will back it
up on MP3 so you can listen to it again if ya want. I have done a little
public speaking and I hate it but I do know I do better when I don't think
about what I am going to say that much . Hope to see you again soon
Click to expand...

Hi Matt,
Thanks for the input. The more I read about what others say about my commentary, the more I begin to believe that if given the chance to do it again, I won't change a whole lot. I know I want to be a little smoother with the transitioning from plugging sponsors, announcing the commentary of the match and filling in during some of the lulls. I like having some quiet quality time. It gives the commentator a chance to restructure his/her thoughts but also gives the audience a chance to clear out there thoughts and to relax while watching the match. Too much talk and I think the commentary can possibly start to grate on some people.

If I do it again, I have a couple of minor things that I plan to do in the future to enhance the overall commentary of each match but I will save those nuances for the live streaming.

Fatboy,
Thanks for the kind words and suggestions. You guys ROCK! SmorgassBored is going to kill me when he finds out I sent you REP. :o :D

Thanks,
JoeyA
 
JoeyA said:
One of the posters mentioned that the interaction of the commentators with the Chat Room was not as important as the commentary on the matches themselves and I agree.


JoeyA
Click to expand...



Yes and no, It can be a very useful tool to retain audiences, when there is a break in the match if the guys in the booth then switch over to chat it will hold people there instead of refrigator runs etc.

With proper use of the chat by the guys in the booth during breaks in the match this can be accomplished. What has to happen is when you guys would switch over to chat AND ONLY RESPOND TO RELIVANT COMMENTS ABOUT THE MATCH YOUR COMMENTATING ON, "Hopefully" the people chatting will learn this pattern and ask good solid questions. This would make the breaks fun and interactive, its kinda cool to type something and hear a guy in the booth acknolge me or one of my friends, it makes the audience part of the production-this is a great tool. Now if the booth guys get drug into stupid chat BS then it is worthless-hence my bold letters above-Its up to the booth guys to open chat and only acknolege good solid stuff and credit the chatter by name, the chatters would learn that's what it takes to become involved and we would have better audiences in time.


With this in mind and using the chat in the booth as ONLY a tool to build audineces with give aways or hold audineces by chatting on breaks or BETWEEN matches, chatting becomes part of the whole production nowdays, what really sucked at GSBT(the only thing, overall it was brilliant!!!) was the down time between matches, it would cut to dead air and thats bad unless its short, its fun to hang out and be social between matches when it goes off its a buzz kill-bad plan, i know its alot of work to keep the mic hot for 15 hours, but it is possible to fill in gaps with most people from the rail, TAR does that well, let the talented guys call the match and the no-talent guys like me talk when its not important, Its fun to sit at home and listen to guys you know of but dont know, TAR did that in KS one time it was FUN!!!

All due respect to Pat Flemming but just the days of covering the race is over-Auccustats is awesome for sure and he covered the matches perfectly for years and permantly captured great moments in pool, too bad he missed the 60's, (perhaps Freddy and Artie wouldnt be arguing). But covering the matches like Pat did is very limited nowdays, with the internet it has become interactive, with just a match video its passive. Interactive productions will outshine passive productions in the future. Now if the commentators suck or the match is bad Chat/intractive anything wont help. GREAT POOL first like Pat has awalys made #1 priority then #2 great guys/girls in the booth and lastly but importatn the interactive thing, in the future ALL 3 MUST BE THERE!!.

ok i'm done typing, ask me more if you like, i want to see great things for Accustats, TAR, GSBT, JoeyA, etc in the future and with streaming it will help things alot.

best
eric
 
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