Trying to get into play-by-play...

[Peanut]

Our former babysitter did the SAIT broadcast journalism program and loved it. https://www.sait.ca/programs-and-cou...broadcast-news

She got hired right away and is working her way up. Started in radio and is doing TV now. Seems like a solid place to start.

[troutman]

Volunteer for audio training, and see if there is any interest in CJSW covering varsity sports in the future.

Mango should have some advice for you too (along with Jiri).

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I believe Leah Hextall had this cheatsheet of little hockey-specific phrases to alternate between, like "fires it in, blasts it in, hammers it through" etc for point shots, so that she doesn't sound like a broken record after 1 period.

I wonder how long Doc Emerick’s cheatsheet is. I actually find it distracting to listen to him these days as I’m trying to catch him use the same verb twice, and also LOL at some of the verbs he comes up with. He is incredible.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I did some games for the Cougars and Royals back when I was in broadcasting and still do the Roughnecks. Also did the Dawgs back in the day and a little bit of basketball (which I found to be toughest). Baseball is totally different because of the pace, it's more of an ongoing conversation you are having with the audience, with moments of excitement.
Hockey is hard because of the pace of play.
Calling off your TV is a great way to start. Record yourself so it seems real. If you don't record you'll be tempted to stop and correct yourself.
That being said, once life is normal look for opportunities to call from a game in the booth. The perspective is different and calling off your TV will be easier in some ways.
Practice, practice, practice. It's a muscle that you have to build.
Would be happy to give anything a listen.

Jim? Is that you?

[Torture]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

God those hockey cards, I almost forgot all about them with everything that's gone on with COVID et al. They'll be done at some point but after getting a job and doing the podcast and now with another opportunity (to be announced this week!) it's been tough to have time for that sort of intensive design work.

Re: practice, I agree with what's been said, but also, while I don't have experience calling games for people, I've been practicing calling games since I was eight years old and going to the Dome and annoying the hell out of people in my section by trying to emulate Loubardias in the stands. I frequently practice in front of my TV when I'm watching at home... now I want to try it out for people, if that makes sense?

And yeah re: calling stuff off a monitor, that'll certainly be a challenge for even the pros, let alone me. But I want to give it a shot.

Thanks for all the kind words also!

Loubardias is SOME KIND of play by play voice to emulate.


I'll see myself out. ....DOINK!

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Just wondering, is this something journalism school might help for? Do they have sports journalism programs? I wonder if you might have more success with going that route first? I'd imagine getting hired would require some sort of education?

As someone who's been through half of Carleton's journalism program, I'll say that it varies between different ones. That one didn't help at all. Very theoretical and basic.

I'm going to SAIT for either RTBN, new media, or journalism next year... hopefully it's a lot more hands-on.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

As someone who's been through half of Carleton's journalism program, I'll say that it varies between different ones. That one didn't help at all. Very theoretical and basic.

I'm going to SAIT for either RTBN, new media, or journalism next year... hopefully it's a lot more hands-on.

Here's the thing. Almost every program in university is structured that way. The first couple semesters are designed to give you some theory, see if you can apply this logic, and provide you the basis for the rest of the degree. It will weed out the people who can't commit to a four year degree, the ones who want to do another field of study, students who don't have the grades to go on, and the ones who just drop out. When I started my accounting program the first course were about who to ensure your balance sheet balances and what T accounts are. Each course and semester got progressively more difficult. They didn't start us off with advanced financial accounting that deals with consolidations. And after graduation the firm didn't make me a partner on my first day. I started as a junior and worked my way through the ranks. Each step was required in order to understand why we were doing the next step.

I'm not sure eight months of courses is enough to evaluate a four year degree program. Based on all the ongoing things in your life, you may want to prioritize them, and realize you don't have time or energy for all of them. I don't take every client and I don't do every sporting activity I want to, because I have to make choices.

[Buff]

I think you have the mettle for the job. I mean you came to CP and put up with all the criticism and improved your posting style. You can definitely do the same in pbp.

[genetic_phreek]

If Drew Remenda and John Garrett could do play by play.......

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

Here's the thing. Almost every program in university is structured that way. The first couple semesters are designed to give you some theory, see if you can apply this logic, and provide you the basis for the rest of the degree. It will weed out the people who can't commit to a four year degree, the ones who want to do another field of study, students who don't have the grades to go on, and the ones who just drop out. When I started my accounting program the first course were about who to ensure your balance sheet balances and what T accounts are. Each course and semester got progressively more difficult. They didn't start us off with advanced financial accounting that deals with consolidations. And after graduation the firm didn't make me a partner on my first day. I started as a junior and worked my way through the ranks. Each step was required in order to understand why we were doing the next step.

I'm not sure eight months of courses is enough to evaluate a four year degree program. Based on all the ongoing things in your life, you may want to prioritize them, and realize you don't have time or energy for all of them. I don't take every client and I don't do every sporting activity I want to, because I have to make choices.

This is all true, but I'm also trying to say that the focus of the program I was in was almost entirely on print and online-based written journalism, and by the time that I departed the program (for health reasons) we were already into that sect of the program in great depth.

But Carleton's sports journalism and broadcast journalism courses are firmly ancillary and are looking to be on the outs, potentially as quickly as when I would be arriving in the years where I would be eligible to take them. If memory serves, they were available in the form of single half-credit courses and I am choosing to instead go to SAIT because I know the emphasis on the technical aspects of journalism and broadcasting is far more apparent.

When I said Carleton's program was theoretical and basic, I was referring to the broadcasting and software-based aspects of the program. The actual reporting and newswriting aspects of the program were far away from theoretical and basic, but I was looking for a bit of a different brand of training.

My decision to transfer wasn't at all based on impatience or inability to commit to a four-year program. For one, I got incredibly sick and I wanted to come closer to home. Two, I was dissatisfied with the relatively narrow scope of an otherwise very good program.

I'm certainly not expecting to be able to "be a partner on the first day"... I know I'm a novice and I fully understand that I have a lot to learn. The reason I started this thread was to learn. I hope you understand!

Edit: love the new signature, btw!

[DeluxeMoustache]

A shortcut exercise. Best for screening out people like me

What about if you record yourself yelling the standard
“He shoots... he scores!”

Then a player name
“David Jones!”

Listen back. How does it sound?
Sounding excited and having it sound like something people want to hear is something that is not available to everyone.

Think of the broadcasters you have heard. Guys like Peter Maher, Bob Cole... man, they could add some sizzle and step up the call for the big moments.

Both guys were really great at capturing the energy of the game with the PBP, and if you have good play by play, a strong goal call can put things over the top

Again, at the HHOF exhibit, I followed a pretty bumbling play description with an abomination of a goal call. Glad they don’t have videos of fails they put out!

[timbit]

Scorp, with your lack of experience in PBP, you need to get an opportunity to call some games. Secondly, you need a mentor. Otherwise , you’re going to make more startup mistakes than are needed to grow. Solid mentors/ coaches reduce training periods substantially.

I may be able to help you with the latter as I am friends with one of the best.