Star Fox Blog-Cast

[Andrew_McCloud]

Hey everyone. Some of you may know me, some of you may not, but recently myself and a few other people have been working on a new Blog-Cast to present SF fandom news, creations, heresay, and a few extra features.

If you haven't seen it, here is the first official episode- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-zExMkbf1c

You'll notice we featured SoL as a large portion of the video. We're proud to announce that our Blog-Cast will be a forerunner for news and special input for SoL and the crew that's bringing it to all of you. Our next episode will feature an exclusive designed specially for the newest trailer, SoL: ICE. Stay tuned to my channel and we'll have the new episode up in less than a week. (Also, we update weekly)

Thanks for all the support, and special thanks goes out to the DevTeam and Admins. ^.^

[Star Yoshi]

Not a bad job guys. Might I suggest a touch longer one next time tho? While it was interesting to hear this all, it seemed to end a touch quickly (perhaps that was just me).

I'd love to see something along these lines again in two weeks, just possibly with more coverage on fan projects (anything involving SF) and possibly just doing some independent searching for people who've shown a good aptitude for bringing StarFox alive.

[Andrew_McCloud]

I appreciate the feedback. I have several old legends in my bag of SF fandom-goers so that shouldn't be too much of a problem :P (Jason Wolfman is a good friend of mine, as well as many other famous authors and RPers)

The reason it was short is because of Youtube's 10 min. video limit. Chelsea Bozieavich, however, is working on this and believes we may have a new website that allows us to store larger video files, more on that in the coming weeks.

Also, we are under construction of a website as well, so be on the lookout ^.^

[Fox's_Feather]

Saw the first one and it was really not bad, even cool to have a podcast for SF. Gives a feeling that the fandom is still alive after so many years without anything from Nintendo.
Just, if it's only for StarFox, I don't know why you put something about Metroid.
However, good job guys.

[Dilrd]

I'd like to give it a few episodes to see what this is really going to be like because from what I saw it was really kind of dry but that is mostly due to the whole part about this being the first "real" episode and therefore it's real pupose is to set up the base for the rest of it.
Good luck on your later casts.

[Star Yoshi]

Perhaps it'd be a cool idea to get some people who are actually working on these projects to be guests on the Blog-cast.

i.e. A member of the SoL Team to explain the workings of the game as it gets closer to release, or just guests that you guys think would be fun to just sit and talk about things with.

[Andrew_McCloud]

Great input guys, I can always use some good ideas. Dilrd has it right, this is merely the beginning. I wanted to make sure to get that first ep. out a soon as possible to keep everyone intrigued- the future has much to build upon.

As for one of the SoL guys talking with us, I'd welcome the opportunity ^.^ We'll see what we can do ;)

As for the Metroid, every episode we'll have a "Spotlight of the Week" which could be fanbased or not. Most often it will be fanfiction in the SF universe (because fiction can take quite a while to talk about) but we'll mix it up occasionally with anything that could be of interest.

Keep the comments coming, I'm all ears :P

[Dilrd]

Perhaps it'd be a cool idea to get some people who are actually working on these projects to be guests on the Blog-cast.

Listen to that! That is probably one of the best suggestions you'll get.

Keep the comments coming, I'm all ears :P

Now you can't say you didn't ask for it.
OK now the screen shots lasted too long and tended to separate us from the people who where talking. To overcome this what you really need to do is set up more of a couch critics type setting where the audience themselves can actually catch sight of the people talking. Trust me, just the movement of people breathing will add more liveliness to the cast, and since it seems from the basic format of the show, there will be a heavy focus on the SF related images. a good way to cut to these would be to have some sort of monitor in the background the shows these images and when you cut to them you could have the camera zoom in on screen before cutting into a full focused screen shot of the image. be sure to take breaks in between discussing the image so it doesn't stay on screen too long.

Liven up your voices a bit. Through a few jokes around be comfortable with your show. this first one was made a bit bland by the tone of your voice. you don't have to be super extra happy but sound just a bit more excited about what you're talking about.

Another suggestion that should be thought about last is themes. you can keep your show interesting by using holidays and world events to give a sort of fun loving vibe. Examples would be a jackalantern in Halloween or a turkey on thanksgiving Christmas in March, whatever.

Last, The SF 2 theme-song was OK but the audio is old and low quality... You guys just really need your own new theme-song.

[Andrew_McCloud]

I appreciate the comments, and take them to heart. Unfortunately, a few of them will go unanswered for a while.

The actual visual part would be almost impossible. I have a camera myself, and am fully willing to put my image on the line (as with the introductory video clip) but my other two friends not only live in Maryland and Ohio respectively (myself in Kansas) but neither of them have cameras with the capability to air on the internet. If you have suggestions on how to surpass this, I'm again, all ears. This is a possible thing for the future, but for now, I won't ask them to spend money on brand new cameras. If they get to that point, we'll do it.

As for the liveliness, that's a good tip. I tried to get us laughing about one thing or another a few times, but since this wasn't exactly rehearsed I didn't get many openings. In the future these sessions should take on more life (Chelsea Bozieavich is a -very- lively person and she'll keep Sabata and I on our toes XP)

Now, nothing personal, but I take a little bit of offense to the music critique you made. SF and SF2 music is legendary, and I don't think anything I can come up with will be able to surpass it. It's a very nostalgic themed vibe, and the classic Cornerian, Fortunan, and several other themes are amazing clips. I will feature some fan-made music after I get permission, and if we find a theme we'll use it for intros probably, but there will always be SF music in the videos, it's a part of the Star Fox culture I'm not willing to let die.

In regards to themes, it's an interesting point. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'll brainstorm with my crew and I'm sure we'll be able to come up with some exciting things for the future.

[Dilrd]

Well you can leave this as it is which is suggestions as far as everything I said, in the end it's not up to me so you can do as you wish Just try to do well.

[Andrew_McCloud]

Only my very best. ^.^ I care too much about SF to do any less.

[Asper Sarnoff]

I'll make sure to follow this. A little dry as pointed out earlier, but that's okay since it was the first episode and you were one person short.
Good job and best of luck.

[Andrew_McCloud]

For those thinking we should have our own theme for the cast, I think we've come upon one. We've been talking to a guy from Newgrounds who has done a lot of Video game remixes and his song, SF64 Dirty Remix, is sure to please.

Be on the lookout, our latest episode exclusively featuring SoL's ICE trailer will be on Youtube by midnight CST.

[Andrew_McCloud]

Sorry to keep everyone waiting. Here it is, the second episode of the SF Blog-Cast. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAoaupzwz3w

[Boozel]

your skills have improved, Andrew.

Lol, I enjoyed it - much more interesting than the first, for sure! Looking forward to the third.

[Andrew_McCloud]

Thank you! I really felt that when Chelsea joined us it would pick up a notch. She just had jaw surgery a week ago, but she's been great about working with us to get it done.

[Saisuke]

You guys are doing nice. I think you'd be alright with movie maker, considering it's just a Blog Cast, but instead of just plain (Arial/Verdana or whatever you're using) text, try using a Star Fox font or something, lol. That'd make it interesting. :)

[Andrew_McCloud]

Thanks for the input. I'm not sure how to change the fonts too much because it -is- WMM, but Bozeia is working on getting us some new video editing software, as well as a domain to host these videos on so they can be longer.

[Saisuke]

Actually, all you have to do is make an image with paint or something, and then just import it into WMM. :P

[Andrew_McCloud]

Oh, you're talking about a picture, I thought you were talking about the font XP I understand what you mean, however. My graphic/art expert (Chelsea) is working on an intro actually. All these things will be coming up within the next weeks. Also, we will be creating a more inventive and official name instead of just 'Star Fox Blog-Cast' which will be featured by next week. Stay tuned ^.^

[Andrew_McCloud]

Hey everyone! Been a while, but our 3rd episode featuring TWICE THE LENGTH is now online! Get it here- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQzin0fGYn4

And remember, our exclusive interview with one of the Shadows of Lylat members is airing in just a few days, so keep watching!

[Prototype]

---Critique of Episode 2---
Intro was exceedingly long. Shorten it, and fade it out into conversation, and especially pay attention to that fade. 15 seconds is probably about right. Use the rest for the outro.

A little commentary between the trailers would be nice, maybe some things on what to look fore

i didn't know they were moving away from from all range mode, but I am nitpicking here, seeing it was someone's opinion.

Fade into and out of pictures before and after videos. General fade in and outs may be helpful. Personally, i like to use different fades to indicated some sort of change, in your case, you could use it for either a change in the pictures, or change in discussion.

Don't be afraid to use a blank screen for a little while.

Come to the table with three distinctly planned topics of discussion, in addition to an intro and end. Especially focus on that outro, as it came off as a bit blunt.

Allow some settle time between transitions. A blank screen is ok, for about two seconds, and it additionally removes some of the bluntness.

Many of these are nit-picky, but i believe they will improve the general quality of the blog cast.

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---Critique of Episode 3---
As per the third, my suggestions do not change much, mind, I was not looking to make sure you did not fix anything I suggested for the first. I did notice a better ending though, good job there.

I do like that similar pictures do not have transitions, so I would suggest keeping it that way.

I would critique the artist herself, but I figure that would hardly be appropriate or productive here.

[Andrew_McCloud]

Thanks for the input, Prototype ^.^ I still have lots to learn as far as video editing and whatnot is concerned, but I believe the fades won't be too hard to do now that I'm use to the rest of the format, and I don't have to worry about too much audio editing (do to time restraints). I'd like to hear some feedback from you all in particular to the length of things.

Here's how it breaks down:

1) Screenshots. This includes any 'pictures'. Are they too long, not long enough, etc? And would you rather see more of them or less?

2) Video. This applies to game trailers and whatnot. Do you like seeing these more than screenshots? If so, when does it become repetitive for you?

3) Overall length. In the beginning I didn't want to go over 10 minutes because a) Youtube makes you break up the videos longer than that and b) I didn't know how long people would listen. Did you like the original videos (less than 10 mins) or do you like an actual discussion (20-30 mins). More time means more depth to the discussion, but a longer video. Please let me know your thoughts!

[shadowmatt18]

hey andrew, i saw your blog last night and it was good but it was so so compared to your previous videos. i have a bit of constructive critism if you don't mind hearing:

you guys need more of a plan on the topics you discuss. i felt that it was alittle too random when it came to the conversations almost like it was improv. im not saying you need a script but you guys need an outline of the topics.

i know there is not much to talk about when it comes to the game but you need to be able to talk about star fox than just fan fiction and the looks of planets.

see if you can have right side talk and left side talk on ideas and topics when it comes to the game/s. example: someone likes a topic while another doesn't makes it like a cross talk instead of everyone agreeing to one thing and moving on. this'll make the blog more interesting and longer.

above those issues, i'm loving the blog and i hope to see more in the future. keep up the good work Andrew. :)

[Andrew_McCloud]

Thanks! ^.^

[Prototype]

You basically nailed it on this last one. Good amount of time, lots of content, and the switch between pictures and video kept it from becoming monotonous. Very well done.

As a general suggestion, I'd say always try to keep it under 30 minutes, and I definitely prefer something that goes into a little more depth. As long as the topic is interesting, you can take it all the way into the 30 minutes, but if you do not have the content, do not stretch it just to meet that 20-30 minute mark.

The only nit-pickery I have for the latest episode is that the title still needs a bit of work. Try to fade the audio out.

[Andrew_McCloud]

Of course, and glad you liked my changes ^.^ And yes, have no fear, my artist (Bozeia) is going to help out with a new intro.