fireside chat #1

>> 11.20.2009

Several weeks ago, I posted that I’d be producing some film clips called “Fireside Chats”.  Despite my nearly paralyzing self-conciousness about this, here’s the first in the series.  Please, let me know what you think:

posted by Ty Schalter at 12:16 PM
tags: ,

14 comments:

Anonymous,  November 20, 2009 at 3:50 PM  

Nice job, Ty!

For "paralyzing self-consiousness" you looked pretty comfortable to me! Great way to start with the personal story about your son, as well.

I think we (fans) all are what we are because we nurture hope. The next game, next season, the next draft... we keep coming back because we DO hope. Seeing a kid having a great time in a Lions jersey - good symbol of hope right there, that maybe HE'LL get to enjoy what's starting to be (re)built today.

Maybe not just the Lions, but even Detroit and Michigan too.

May want to shut your thermostat off next time you film, started getting some white noise there around minute three. :)

Hyperion Ecta,  November 20, 2009 at 6:36 PM  

Nice job Ty. Like Anonymous said, you seemed pretty comfortable. I check your site every day on my Lions rounds and love the content you put up, keep it up. I'll try to comment more often.

Oh, your chair squeeks quite a lot, that maybe something to address.

Great Job.

A Lion in ViQueen Territory,  November 20, 2009 at 10:13 PM  

Nothing to complain about. Good stuff.

I look forward to hearing more. You have good opinions, share!

aLiVqT

Neil,  November 21, 2009 at 12:08 AM  

Ty, you rule buddy. Keep on keepin' on as the kids say - well, probably not the kids, but I'm sure somebody says it.

Anonymous,  November 21, 2009 at 12:35 AM  

Loved it, please make this a regular item on your blog. As Hyperion Ecta said, your chair squeaking does become distracting, but address that and things will be great.

Great job,

Rath

Ty Schalter,  November 21, 2009 at 11:49 AM  

Anon--

First, thanks! I've always believed that fandom and family go together, and cheering for the Lions with my kids is an awesome experience.

Of course, it'd be more awesome if they won occasionally . . . And, I think you're absolutely right, there. Breaking the streak in Week 3, only to go 0-fer the rest of the way out would be truly cruel. If there's going to be a fire, there has to be sparks.

10-4 on the white noise!

Peace
Ty

Ty Schalter,  November 21, 2009 at 11:52 AM  

Hyperion Ecta-

Thanks for keeping tabs! Yeah, the first thing out of Mrs. Ty's mouth was, "You need a different chair". That'll be fixed for Episode II.

Peace
Ty

Matt,  November 21, 2009 at 6:35 PM  

Cool feature, but who's the homo in the Stafford jersey with the princess sleeves?

;-)

OK, now let's get down to serious critique. First of all, everyone's right about the chair. Second, for me, I don't know if it's my crappy laptop speakers but I had to crank the volume all the way up just to be able to barely hear you. Third, very cool personal story. Fourth, I think you're analysis of the fan base is very accurate. Back in the day (for us), even when the Lions sucked you could at least count on them making games interesting and Barry breaking a couple long ones (or a couple inhuman short ones). The Millen Era, IMO, has the whole fanbase in, as you put it, a "deep-seeded apathy." We just can't be anything but venomously critical until more than 3 or 4 Ws show up on the final stat sheet each year. That being said, apart from my own Lions fandom, I have ACHED for this team to be good because I think it will be HUGE for the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan. People around here desperately WANT to be Lions fans, they just can't be right now or for the last 10 years or so. It's too hard for many people. I, personally, desperately want the Lions to be good, again, not just for my own fandom, but because I want to revel in the glory with others. When that day comes, y'all can call those people "bandwagoners" and brag about how you soldiered on loyally through the Millen Era if you want, but I'll take it with a smile.

Matt,  November 21, 2009 at 6:38 PM  

PS - Good choice on the song.

John from Champaign,  November 22, 2009 at 9:56 PM  

I agree on the song choice - very nice. Sets the mood perfectly for the fireside chat :)

Interesting to hear your take on the different reaction between kids wearing Lions jerseys and adults wearing their Lions gear. I live down in IL and wear my Lions gear out pretty frequently. I'll get a few strange looks from people at times, but it's kind of strange - if someone comments on it, they actually sound sympathetic. I was in Best Buy the other day sporting some Lions gear and a guy came up and said that while he's a Giants fan, he said he actually had a soft spot for the Lions and wishes they could get things turned around and "feels for me". It's almost like people feel sorry for you. I really can't wait for the day I quit hearing those kinds of comments, since that will mean we've gotten back to respectability. But, for now, I just thank them for their "sympathy" and tell them we'll be back. Just give Stafford and this new regime time.

But, on the other hand, I've seen exactly what you're talking about as far as people up in the Detroit/MI area - it's definitely a different attitude. We went up to the home opener vs. the Vikings this year, and we headed out to a Meijer's on Sat morn to get a good deal on some Lions gear, since I obviously don't get many opportunities down here to browse thru Lions shirts, etc. As I'm looking through all the Lions gear for sale, some guy walks by me and says "Lions aren't going to do anything but lose, just like last year" and kept walking. It took me by surprise at first, but after thinking about it, I just realized that a lot of people up there are frustrated and tired of waiting. Like you said, W's are the only thing that's going to win some of these people back

Anyways, just had to share that story since you were kind of talking about the same issue. Keep those fireside chats coming, very cool. Later bro

John

Ty Schalter,  November 22, 2009 at 10:48 PM  

Neil--

Thanks, man! A guy I went to high school with (and who's drummed in my praise band on many occasions) has a tattoo on the INSIDE of his lower lip that reads, when he pulls his lip towards his chin, "Keep On Truckin'". No, I have no explanation.

Peace
Ty

Ty Schalter,  November 22, 2009 at 10:49 PM  

Rath--

Thank you; I will indeed make this a regular bit. I have a few really, really, really ambitious ideas . . . we'll see if I can pull them off.

Peace
Ty

Ty Schalter,  November 22, 2009 at 11:08 PM  

Matt--

Heh, after the game I was coming up with any excuse to show that jersey off!

Chair, yeah. The volume thing I was aware of; the volume on the recording wasn't high (correctable with camera position and voice projection). Whether it comes across as "kind of quiet" or "practically inaudible" seems to vary with each person/PC. Windows Movie Maker lets you set levels, and then there's a clip/track balance slider, too. Unfortunately, maxxing that out towards the "clip" side essentially mutes the music. I'll get it straightened out.

"I have ACHED for this team to be good because I think it will be HUGE for the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan."

EXACTLY. Schwartz is fond of telling this story, where he went to a sports bar to watch a Wings playoff game (Maybe the clincher against Blackhawks? Can't remember). He recounted how he was blown away by the jubilation in the bar--and then someone turned to him and said, "Coach, when the Lions win, it's gonna be better than this." And, according to him, he got chills thinking about it.

I'd like to shake whoever said that's hand, because they were exactly right. When the Lions are in the playoff hunt at the end of the season, it's going to be statewide pandemonium, I just know it.

Peace
Ty

Ty Schalter,  November 22, 2009 at 11:08 PM  

PS--

Thank you, sir!

Peace
Ty

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