Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Audition to Be a Pokémon Event Commentator!

SD PokeMom

SD PokeMom

Mod Supervisor
Staff member
Now accepting commentary auditions for upcoming Pokémon Championship Events!

We’re looking for bright and talented Pokémon fans to provide live commentary at the 2014 Pokémon US National Championships and Pokémon World Championships! If you have the Pokémon knowledge, eloquence, and composure to be an on-screen commentator at these events, we want to see it! This is your exciting chance to broadcast live and via live stream to thousands of Pokémon fans around the world!

Auditions are open to US residents who are at least 18 years old. Also, you must be able to attend both the US National Championships, July 4–6 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the World Championships, August 15–17 in Washington, DC. If you are selected, The Pokémon Company International will cover your travel and hotel costs.

To submit an audition, create a video that shows you providing gameplay commentary for a Pokémon X or Pokémon Y video game match or a Pokémon TCG match. You may commentate solo or with a partner. Post the video to YouTube with the title “Play! Pokémon Commentary Audition: [YOUR NAME]”. Be sure to make your video public so we can watch it! READ MORE...
 
Two words: Kyle Sucevich. If you want an audition tape watch his Youtube content from the last 2 years.
 
Kyle Sucevich would be great for this. Sometimes it seems like TPCi is not in touch with their player base. I like how they want to give others the chance to do this but at such a high level tournament, they would be better giving it to someone who has hours of experience in front of a camera and has solid knowledge of the meta as well as knowledge of most of the card pool. Everyone should just email them thetopcuts youtube channel.

At any rate, I would like to do this but I won't be able to make it there. I would need a ride...
 
Isn't that what they essentially did last year? Hand pick certain people to do it? (Crimz, J-Wittz, etc)

This year they are opening up the process so most anyone can apply. What you are asking they do can still happen, if Kyle submits an application.

There seems to be many more people extremely happy in auditioning for this, compared to the number of people who are saying "you should just give it to Pooka". This way TPCi can achieve both if they want, and furthermore, they probably need to select more than one commentator...thus, the process would be needed regardless. I mean, I wouldn't have even said anything had you not said "TPCi is not in touch with their player base." That's just yet another unfair criticism, IMO.
 
I see Vaporeon's point- I agree on a good level of seeing it on the point of as to how I see it: TCPI could look into it's community first for recruiting and offering for such a thing. People in the community that have been offering/volunteering/doing it because/what-not-- it would be nice to look inside what you have with in is all.

On the point of "open to all to apply"- well, can Kyle be at three locations at the same time on the same weekend?

I leave my comment as it is, for anyone to take it however- just my thoughts is all--
 
vaporeon said:
At any rate, I would like to do this but I won't be able to make it there. I would need a ride...
Click to expand...

"If you are selected, The Pokémon Company International will cover your travel and hotel costs."



losjackal said:
I mean, I wouldn't have even said anything had you not said "TPCi is not in touch with their player base." That's just yet another unfair criticism, IMO.
Click to expand...

but he said:
vaporeon said:
Sometimes it seems like TPCi is not in touch with their player base.
Click to expand...
 
One more person on the Pooka hype train...seriously a previous National Champion is the best person to commentate on Nationals.
 
tonenkyra said:
but he said:
Click to expand...

Implying this was one of those times! "Sometimes" is just a way of softening it, like saying "I think..." (which I happen to do a lot, because I'm glad to hear other perspectives, knowing I might be wrong, or just mistaken, about a great many things). So in this case, no I'm not letting him have a pass, because I feel strongly that this process is the right way to go for numerous reasons.

They can still "just give it to Pooka", but at least Pooka can apply first and fairly compete with everyone else interested. If a few people come out of the woodwork, that would be superior commentators, don't you think Pooka would be okay with that? The best people were selected this year? I think he's enough of a competitor and generally a fair-minded guy to acknowledge that.

Look, if I had to cast a single vote right now, I'd vote for Pooka for numerous reasons...experience (hundreds of videos), former National champion, well-liked, etc. But I'd also be casting that vote out of ignorance, because I don't know who else is out there who could do a good job too.

Think of it this way: if they "just give it to Pooka" this year, what about next year? I think it would kind of increase the chances he gets replaced...just like the guys that were hand-selected last year. But if Pooka earns it this year, it paves the way for him to be chosen again in subsequent years.
 
You disagree that a persons hard work dedication should not be rewarded?

Kyle

Is a former National Champion
Commentated numerous tournaments for free
Was the first "pokemon commentator"
Started The Top Cut (I won't even begin to say what this has done for the game)

Why should somebody be able to just quickly dub there voice on a game and get this without putting in the hard work and dedication Kyle has?
 
You asked me why should someone who hasn't worked as hard as Kyle get this? It's because no one can match Kyle's experience as far as I know, yet they need to select more than just one person. So how is that not an answer? Let's say they need 4 commentators. They may likely select Kyle, yet they need 3 other people too. One of those people may have quickly dubbed their voice on a game, to prove the "eloquence, composure, brand knowledge, and play knowledge" that the audition calls for. If it is purely a voiceover maybe it won't be adequate to judge "appearance", so maybe the judges seek to find a picture of the individual or the audition has a little more.

If that's not the answer you're looking for, please rephrase your question.
 
Jaeger said:
Why should somebody be able to just quickly dub there voice on a game and get this without putting in the hard work and dedication Kyle has?
Click to expand...
That seems to indicate that this will involve names being picked out of a hat. Kyle cannot do the commentary for every match by himself. That's exhausting work. You'd need to be incredibly naive to believe that TPCi hasn't seen Kyle's work before. I think he's pretty much a shoe-in for this year (especially with the help of Crimz who can probably help him out with some of the things he might have been coached on for TPCi's wider audience last year). However, this allows them to check out who else is out there who might be useful to them and interested.

That said, I put my full support behind Pooka for a spot on that team. Not only does he deserve it for what he's put into the growth of the game, his knowledge and commentary experience is up there with the best.
evil psyduck said:
I can see this turning into nothing buy a popularity contest.
Click to expand...
lol what does this even mean? It's not even a contest (read the news item, they can choose nobody) let alone a popularity contest considering they just pick someone if they like them rather than leaving it up to a public vote.
 
One thing you'll notice with live sports commentary on TV is that they virtually always work in pairs-it tends to be less interesting with only a single voice, and it's good to have multiple perspectives.

I could probably do a good job with a little practice, but to be honest my interests are more along the lines of interviewing players to get "into their heads" and explain what's happening there. Also, there's a tendency for me to focus more on the community and the social/creative aspects of the game. I might still apply for this, but either way if the people selected want some free advice on doing post-game interviews I'll be happy to help.
 
It’s been exciting for players and fans to see live commentary and streamed matches make their way to the National and World Championships.

One area of commentating that could use improvement is the noticeable lack of format knowledge previous commentators had. At the previous two World Championships, commentators would sometimes lose track of game state, say the wrong names of attacks and cards, and also become confused on live stream regarding rules. All of these things made games more difficult to follow, both for the competitive players and casual fans.

One person has not just years of experience commentating, but also expertise and knowledge from years of competitive play. With an unrivaled passion for the game, there is no doubt in my mind that Kyle Sucevich would make a great commentator, and that competitive players and casual Pokémon fans alike would enjoy what he has to offer.

It’s only appropriate to recognize that without Kyle Sucevich, streaming may have taken years longer to officially arrive at premier events. I give my strongest recommendation for Kyle Sucevich, and I hope TPCi recognizes all he has to offer, and hires him for this role.
 
Last edited:
Ness said:
It’s been exciting for players and fans to see live commentary and streamed matches make their way to the National and World Championships.

One area of commentating that could use improvement is the noticeable lack of format knowledge previous commentators had. At the previous two World Championships, commentators would sometimes lose track of game state, say the wrong names of attacks and cards, and also become confused on live stream regarding rules. All of these things made games more difficult to follow, both for the competitive players and casual fans.

One person has not just years of experience commentating, but also expertise and knowledge from years of competitive play. With an unrivaled passion for the game, there is no doubt in my mind that Kyle Sucevich would make a great commentator, and that competitive players and casual Pokémon fans alike would enjoy what he has to offer.

It’s only appropriate to recognize that without Kyle Sucevich, streaming may have taken years longer to officially arrive at premier events. I give my strongest recommendation for Kyle Sucevich, and I hope TPCi recognizes all he has to offer, and hires him for this role.
Click to expand...

I was watching some of the commentating done by Gamespot and my God it was bad. Saying incorrect attack/card names and like you said, losing tract of game state or just staying too focused on one thing for too long. The commentators were lifeless. If a HTL hit the table, they would say something like "that Pokemon is poisoned and will take damage". I would say "Oh, he flipped head on that laser. Thats huge because now he can't retreat to the bench now" Something more lively is better and builds for more tension.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top