Tuff Truck 2009 PA/Commentry. Your feedback?

[... rick]

All constructive feedback welcome here guys.

Thanks.

[LIF71T]

More interviews with the drivers would be good as well as some info about the the cars whats been done to them etc.
Some info on incidents on the courses as they happen would be good too

[MjWatt]

I thought u guys did a good job... Only bad feed back from me was that there was no commentary early on the mud on the sat night... maybe you could tell some bad jokes whilst the cars are getting recovered or interview the some random drivers whlst the car is being recovered -- jsut to keep it from being quiet over the PA and it might keep the crowd from being bored?

but over all good job guys.... My appologies for my interview after we were on the travel ramp... I was kinda lost and my brain was in no mans land after fix'n twons thing all day saturday

[Gonzo]

Having music going in between commentary was good, until it started skipping and getting all distorted.

For next year, maybe be a bit more on the ball with announcing when a truck is getting ready to start a stage. That way spectators would have a chance to get a vantage point.

[LIF71T]

Error realised. Post changed

[Micka]

The sound at the mud run was pretty poor but the commentary was fine when it could be heard.

The driving stages during the day was a lot better for spectators in regards to the commentary.

My only real complaint was not being allowed up the scissor lift with Damo and the three promo girls...at least I would have gotten somewhere with them

Never seen - and not heard - Damo so lost and lost for words.

[turbo gu]

i think it works better with more people doing it. With all six tracks running its hard for 2 people to cover that much ground. 4 people would be ideal with 1 in the tower and 3 walking round.



And wake up the person who did the prerecorded ads who shall remain unnamed otherwise people will think he has no personality It sounded like he had being listening to a whole lot of talk back to get some ideas

[Jcas24]

i thought it was quiet good. Good to hear the story behind Bailey even though I had read it on here, my wife got a bit emo. Its always good to hear stories behind the scenes as ppl can get more involved supporting teams better and also respecting them and the work that goes into the sport.

Yeah and previously mentioned about interviews and music to keep the crowd entertained when recovering.

Maybe whilst previous team is recovered next team could do a 'parade lap' whilst pa crew can run though vehicle specs/stories.

Or firework display when there is a long delay (could get costly lol)

Or cheerleaders like at sport events, although they would probably just have beer bottles thrown at them.

Just thinking out loud.

[Jcas24]

yeah the pre recored voice over for the ads was so flat and uninteresting at times. no offence if it was someone on here. Need to be more animated.

Also I think it was damo who broke up the potential fight between security and drunk streaker on the mud run. I thought he was coming to ref the fight, i wanted to see the clown get dropped, but fortunately for him he wasn't stupid enough to throw the first punch.

[80lsy gq]

hardly even heard you guys this year which to me makes it good commentary as it doesnt stand out and annoy people.just enough without being overboard.i think the amount you were doin during the day tracks was excellent but i agree you were found wanting at the mud run..especially Damo ..it is the one place where the crowd needs to remain entertained..even more so than the day courses as everybody is condensed into the one area of the venue..

otherwise good job and having Bailey out with you while his dad was running was really good to see

and agree re the pre read ads...maybe some electro shock would liven it up a bit for next year

dave

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

i thought you went alright rick. good job all around.

good background info on the "boy from lemo"

probably an extra guy up the top of the hill might be a helper for you guys... get tapz back down here (did i say that?)

as i know when my junk was busted at the top of heart break ridge and it took an eternity to recover the crowd would have appreciated knowing it so they could move along i think.

[simonsurf]

Agree with most comments in here.

Eliot Goblet does the ads does he?? Just joking mate

Recovery entertainment at the mud would be good. The drags have a burnout pad for when there's a big oil down - not saying there should be someone cutting circles, but there should be something happening to keep the crowd busy. Maybe then we won't have idiots like 'bin boy' and the nudie runners to deal with.

It would also be good to keep us informed about what's happening when all the competitors get called away for 25 minutes in the middle of the day. People get pretty restless when they are bored and that's when most of the trouble happens.

Overall the commentary was good but there were too many quiet periods. Especially when the music shat itself.

[Dozoor]

Thought it was great rick.

[Mowie]

Firstly I'd like to say well done, your efforts do make a big difference rather than having no information at all over PA.

I would like to hear next year an announcement every time a team is starting a stage. Even if this means cutting over 'commentary' of another stage.
It happened sporadically but not consistently.
This empowers the crowd who want to follow particular teams/drivers around the event as the beauty of TTC is the stages are within such close proximity.

Apart from that like I said, well done guys

[Mick.]

I think you guys did a top job this year.

It was clear enough to hear what was being said without being over bearing.

Cheers Mick.

[Nelso]

I'll agree with the others giving you guys a wrap. I think it was much improved and you did a great job. I noticed a lot of the criticisms from last year were corrected and it made the commentary complement the action on the tracks. Well done.

[Heathx4]

Great to hear you take comments from last year on board. Definitely much better. Was really frustrated with the lack of updates though - so and so is lining up on this course. This course is finished for the day. There'll be a delay on this course for this reason. Occasionally this kind of information was forthcoming, and I know it is hard when things don't go to plan, but knowing where you want to be, what you might be missing, or why we're waiting would be wonderful.

Perhaps a few stories could be thrown in too - a reminder of the rules and their ramifications, or a short piece on how a team was born, or what a particular team is experimenting with this year. Get the crowd to care about the competitors a bit perhaps.

[blade 929]

as a commentator try to treat each competitor equally , instead of what was said in the mud stage on saturday night " and here is pete antunac A REAL competitor" i think pete already knows he is good enough with out more wind being blown up his a$$, take the time to know the cars and the drivers so as the teams aren't confused with other teams etc , other wise not to bad .

and get bernie fraser (former head of the reserve bank) the super fella to do the voice over ads actually i think that is who you had

[GRIMACE]

was there commentary???

[... rick]

Thanks for the comments guys, I will give my take on some of your feedback.

LIF71T.
Some info on incidents? I thought we covered heaps of them!!

MjWatt.
Regarding the quiet on saturday night, there were a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, the crowd was already fully pumped. We didnt need to do much, and when the action is as slow as it was, there isnt much to call. We were also under instructions from one of the TT staffers to be real careful not to get the crowd any more pumped than they were. So we kept it to a minimum.

Gonzo.
With the trucks starting the stages, I called as many as I could see mate, sometimes even mentioning the next few in the line in case anyone was following a fave team.

Turbo GU.
As you know Charles, Taps is in NZ at the moment otherwise he would have been in the trenches with us! Next year for sure!!

Jcas24.
With regard to the parade lap idea. I love it! But, as long as there are tools out there who are likely to launch glass bottles and the like, it will never happen. Be great if it could though, I think it would be good for the crowd, the drivers and their respective sponsers!

Simonsurf.
Too many quiet periods? Maybe. But after copping a shallacking last year for too much talk...Im sure you can see where we are coming from. I will work harder to strike the right balance. Thanks for your comments.

Dozoor.
Thanks Larry, and it was nice to get a few seconds for a quick chat on Saturday morning too.

Heathx4.
Mate, we gave out the info as quickly as we received it. This is something we would love to have better access too, but having spent more time behind the scenes this year, I totally understand why it is very hard for the stage guys to get it too us. We ALL try our very best in this regard, I assure you.

blade 929.
I totally agree, and I can only speak for myself here when I say that I know I do my best to treat everyone fairly. It can be tough when you have personal freindships with some of the competitors (eg. Wayno from MADfab is one of my closest mates) and it can also be difficult when you have no previous repore with a particular competitor (or know very little about them). But I try my best to make sure everyone gets the same treatment. And i will also call a spade a spade, Pete is bloody talented! But if what you have quoted was said, then that is not on, it is degrading every other competitor in the field. I will address it for sure!


Ok, thanks to all for taking the time to let us know what you thought, keep em coming! I also hope that my responses all come across in the right light, because I really do take these comments on board and appreciate the feedback.

Rick.[/u]

[ljxtreem]

Hey Rick, great being in the middle with ya

I thought the commentary was great, less gaps and commentary later in the night may have kept the crowed a bit more civil.
The commentary you did was great.

Mock

[xy_ute]

we had a great weekend, however the bloke that was clearly learning how to drive the scissor lift in the process of putting up bbm signs at mudrats on fri night frustrated the hell out of me... im not sure wether it was a last minute thought, but to me it seemed that the stage could not get underway because he spent 45 minutes trying to figure out how to make it raise and lower!! (couldnt this have been done during the day so come 7 30 the stage can begin) mind you we were all sitting there waiting since 430 and were anticipating the start.


AND

Mudrats sat night...

THE SECURITY GUARD THAT TOOK THE GLOW STICK BALL AND BROKE IT ON PURPOSE THEN GAVE THE CROWD THE FINGER!!! WTF !!!

That was just stupid, how can someone as moronic as this be part of the security team?? that ball was keeping the crowd amused between the lengthy recoverys.. who ever he was in my opinion and many others is lucky to have run away and hidden like a girl after he did that, that was one very angry crowd..

other than that awsome job by the event coordinators and top driving and entertainment from the competitors!

[Nelso]

Overall the commentary was good but there were too many quiet periods. Especially when the music shat itself.

I thought the quiet periods were good. It meant the comments that were made were meaningful and informative and it gave you a chance to chat or relax for a second.

The amount of talk this year was perfect in my opinion and I found myself wanting to hear what was said rather than wishing they would give it a rest like last year. The fact that I didn't hear one person complain about the commentary at the event this year is an indication that you got the balance pretty right. You will never please all the people all the time but the general consensus was that you guys did a good job.

[Dover]

Being the first time at Tuff Trucks I thought you guys did a great job. Maybe a fact sheet and backgrounds on the Trucks/Drivers and Navi would help the crowd click with the Competitors. Loose the Noisey generator at the bottom of the scissor lift you don't relize how noisey it is until it turns off. Possibly spotters on the tracks to notify comentators of when the trucks are coming and what is exactly happening at each track. As for Saturday night the crowd was pumped and when th gaps came around in the comp they started entertaining themselves(until security wrecked it by taking there glow stick ball off them) maybe just a beach ball to hit around thrown into the crowd it's as easy as that. Maybe a Miss Tuff Trucks Comp it would be a good idea.

[WRXZook]

I was only there during the day on Saturday. I thought the commentary was a big improvement on last year in terms of being less intrusive. There was enough information to have a reasonable idea what was happening and I was still able to "tune out" and concentrate where I was, when there was something happening. Good balance in my view. Well done.

[mike]

I thought the commentary was excellent... when it was there.
My thoughts.

1) If there's gonna be a "quiet period" tell people- just dissapearing gave the impression that either nothing is happening or that the PA is breakin- neither a good look.
2) As a first timer I would've appreciated some idea of the running sheet - A radio call from a stage manager as each competitor lined up would've solved this.
3) Tell people what's goin on the crowd were worked up on Sat night because things looked "not right" and no one informed the crowd what was happening. It must be rembered that these people are paying customers and have a right to a value for money entertainment experience (because that is what it as sold as). If the crowd is gettin ugly then steps must be taken: Ban grog, or increase security. Same was true for the drivers photo. Stop the competition for a pic in the middle of things leavin some drivers on course out- What the???
4) Not related to commentary but some buggy demo runs or quad bikes runnin amuk near (but not on courses) for the quiet time would have been good.

Overall grreat job on commentary guys, organisers just need to be aware professional prices bring the responsibility to provide a polished performance.

[turbo gu]

Hey Rick.

I didn't mean just bring back Tapper. Sometimes i think we all have heard enough of him Just joking tap tap
If you could find 2 good other guys it makes it easy for you guys to cover all the action. And saves to trying to run up those hills

[MrsForby]

Mucho improvement this year Uncle Rick!

Surely there's some kids who want to learn what goes on behind the scenes who can act as runners, to help get you guys the info you need??

Other than that, who do I need to call and play Devo's Whip it over and over to?

[Mid73]

Good job the only thing i have is i didn't no that hb ridge was running untill later in the day on saturday.

If you could find 2 good other guys it makes it easy for you guys to cover all the action. And saves to trying to run up those hills

you butting your hand up Chuck

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

I thought the commentary was excellent... when it was there.
My thoughts.
Same was true for the drivers photo. Stop the competition for a pic in the middle of things leavin some drivers on course out- What the???
.

that was a drivers meeting/briefing. not a photo champ.
the drivers and organisers didnt want to be there either but it had to be done.