On what makes a solid surf commentator: Guest commentators, please take note:
“Knowing the responsibilities of your specific position is key. The Play-by-Play (Host-Anchor) guy and the Color (Expert Analyst, ex-Pro Surfer) guy have two completely different jobs. It’s important for one commentator to know when to stop talking and let the other guy do his job. Commentators need to listen closely to one another. Also, the ability to talk to the audience while a Producer and Director may be talking to you in your headphones can be a challenge.”
“Obvious attributes for all commentators include pre-event preparation, solid voice, and a strong delivery with good speaking skills [that’s] easy to listen to. When a commentator can inform, analyze, educate, constructively criticize, and keep the audience interested and entertained, he or she is doing their job.”
On Webcasts vs. Broadcasts: Seeing as most surfers still can’t sort out the differences between epoxy and polyurethane resin or EPS and PU foam, we’re apparently shit for talking TV, too:
“A webcast is specifically for the global Internet audience, which can include users of mobile and tablet devices. A broadcast would be considered for mainstream television audiences. Typically, the webcast view is a solitary viewer, while the television view often includes several individuals.”
On simulcasting webcasts and TV broadcasts: The term ‘webcast’ might be as irrelevant as the ISF in the near future:
“For U.S. television, the broadcast production needs to follow FCC [Federal Communications Commission] rules and regulations. The audio and video quality has a higher standard. The commentators will have additional responsibilities speaking to a more diverse general audience.”
“With the growing television presence, and if all goes well, the term “webcast” may eventually fade out of pro surfing nomenclature. All events will be a “broadcast” and be available live, across many platforms.”
On a good broadcast: More surfers behind the scenes, better broadcasts:
“From the broadcast talent to the delivery of the broadcast feed, it is a tremendous benefit to have people at the controls that understand how to present the sport of surfing. When production crewmembers are surf enthusiasts themselves, it helps from both quality assurance and credibility standpoints. A good production begins with a budget that affords broadcast quality HD equipment, production trucks, audio, and studio-configured cameras with powerful lenses with the professionals that know how to use the equipment.”
“Competent people that are willing to work outdoors in the elements and deal with the pressure of live programming for over eight hours are hard to find. A full day of competition is exhausting for the TV crew—around twelve hours long—from set-up to breakdown.”
“The Producers, Directors, Operators, Engineers and Commentators need to work as a team and deliver all the competitive drama and storylines of the event – live, as it happens. Specifically, aside from the commentators, it is absolutely critical for the Director, the Camera Operators and the EVS Operator to really know the sport.”
On Critics: Don’t like a commentator? Become one and take over the whole show:
“There isn’t a commentator out there that can be all things to all people, especially me. It’s human nature to have negative opinions and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If used smartly, constructive criticism can be valuable; it keeps you grounded.”
“What’s way too easy to overlook is the importance of being willing to be accountable for what you say as a critic. Any opinion—positive or negative, preference or prejudice—should be delivered appropriately if it is to be taken seriously.”
“Well, my first suggestion is to hit the mute button. Next, give the event sponsor a call and tell them who you think would be better suited to commentate their event and why. Since everyone is replaceable in our free market, one could get proactive, become a surf commentator and show everyone how it should be done.”
On Surf Contest Marketing: Show up for the free surfing, stay for the paid advertising:
“Prior to webcasts, the title sponsor was interested in how many people attended the event on-site, at the beach, and how much print media or news coverage the event received.”
“Today, many marketing professionals look at the cost per thousand; how many dollars were spent to reach each 1,000 viewers, on the Web and how many homes were reached in the television broadcast market.”
“As evident by the top surf events, the coverage is improving and attempting to emulate a broadcast television show with Internet viewership, and not as an Internet webcast that perhaps may make television. Even if the numbers don’t show this, webcasts should still be approached as if they were a network TV show [to achieve] a professional look.”
On Bottom Lines and R.O.I.: C.R.E.A.M.:
“Return On Investment [equates to] how many people watched the event. Promoting a surf contest is the business of marketing. Everyone is trying to sell something, be it T-shirts, board shorts, or shoes. The more exciting the event, the better produced and the more viewing platforms will result in more viewers who are potential customers for the sponsors.”
“While broadcast television may have more viewers, the web will have more specialized viewers. In other words, 5 million people watching ABC may only have 250,000 actual surf fans, while 500,000 web viewers may include 400,000 surf fans.”
“If the sponsor is beer, tires or cars, then the TV audience is very important. If the sponsor is a surf wear company, then the Internet audience is a key market. If the title sponsor and supporting sponsors are mixed, then the target isn’t so black and white.”
As for ZoSea and the ASP tying the knot: After eyeing one another longingly and tendering the occasional well-placed grope:
“[I see] exciting times in the future for all interested parties that enjoy competitive surfing. I believe that ZoSea and the ASP will assemble a core team of professionals to promote, execute, and deliver on their initiatives. The sport of surfing, surf brands, and the surf industry will be better off. Fingers crossed.”
Us too, Dave, us too.
