NOTE: Any feedback about my appearance, attire, sexuality, etc. is not welcome and will not be acknowledged.
I have decided to try my hand at learning to cast, better my speaking and public presentation skills, and score myself a potential job within the eSports and gaming industry, all while improving my league ranking in StarCraft II and attempting to learn high-end gameplay strategy analysis skills! (Biggest run-on sentence, ever!)
Join me in my journey, let me know how you think I did, but remember, this is my VERY first cast attempt--ever! Be gentle! I kinda also poured my heart out in the intro part and then scrutinized my own cast in the end. Hopefully it's interesting and not too painful to watch!
This replay is from Dreamhack Summer 2012 and features Stephano (Z) vs. Keen (T)!
I can relate to the whole brain to mouth diarrhea thing, but I think getting a job where I am now, where I have to talk a lot to strangers is making it easier for me to channel my thoughts into speech. So I think keep at it. Even if it's for purely self improvement reasons that's reason enough. You don't need others approval.
Onto the casting.
I think the most important thing in casting, more so then diction, expression, tempo or vocabulary is storytelling. Maybe not in the traditional sense of creating characters and composing a plot, but just in showing the way a game is progressing. Who's ahead, what's coming next, why is he doing this, why aren't they doing that. Is Player X aggressive, is player B defensive. I think being able to tell the story of the game keeps it interesting even if the game isn't super exciting.
I guess part and parcel to that is being able to eliminate any sort of tunnel vision. If you're spectating a game you don't have to be solely focused on one spot or one aspect of the game. As the observer you have the freedom to see everything on the map and use that information to predict where the action is going to happen, and what sort of action that is. Legend may not be a caster but he is probably the best out there at telling a story and following the ebb and flow of a game, even often before the action begins.
So keep focusing on the stuff you've already highlighted, but make sure that you keep these things in mind going forward. You're a storyteller and director. Guide the viewers and let the game tell it's story.
Random player, pixel enthusiast, crappy illustrator.
TaraBabcock United States. August 09 2012 14:37. Posts 363
On August 09 2012 14:29 fire_brand wrote: I can relate to the whole brain to mouth diarrhea thing, but I think getting a job where I am now, where I have to talk a lot to strangers is making it easier for me to channel my thoughts into speech. So I think keep at it. Even if it's for purely self improvement reasons that's reason enough. You don't need others approval.
Onto the casting.
I think the most important thing in casting, more so then diction, expression, tempo or vocabulary is storytelling. Maybe not in the traditional sense of creating characters and composing a plot, but just in showing the way a game is progressing. Who's ahead, what's coming next, why is he doing this, why aren't they doing that. Is Player X aggressive, is player B defensive. I think being able to tell the story of the game keeps it interesting even if the game isn't super exciting.
I guess part and parcel to that is being able to eliminate any sort of tunnel vision. If you're spectating a game you don't have to be solely focused on one spot or one aspect of the game. As the observer you have the freedom to see everything on the map and use that information to predict where the action is going to happen, and what sort of action that is. Legend may not be a caster but he is probably the best out there at telling a story and following the ebb and flow of a game, even often before the action begins.
So keep focusing on the stuff you've already highlighted, but make sure that you keep these things in mind going forward. You're a storyteller and director. Guide the viewers and let the game tell it's story.
Thank you so much! That definitely helps! I agree, I really do need to explain to viewers what is going on and why more. I lack confidence in my analysis ATM, so it's hard for me to commit to telling everyone why a player is doing this and that, either because I'm not sure, can't think quickly enough about it, or I don't want to be totally off base.
It's going to be a TON of work, but I think I can definitely improve enough to cast SOMETHING someday!
Supermodel Nerd Stream! twitch.tv/tarababcock
lokiM United States. August 09 2012 15:00. Posts 3364
As a gamer who is a girl, I find this absolutely repugnant and offensive. I will not go easy on you, because you exemplify everything that makes guys roll their eyes at the phrase "girl gamer". First, you don't play StarCraft, which I consider a pretty important prerequisite for casting. Second, you look like a freaking Barbie doll. Too much lipstick, bleached hair, and your cleavage-showing makes me face-palm.
1/5 stars.
Holder of Excalibur, savior of Eria.
TaraBabcock United States. August 09 2012 16:05. Posts 363
On August 09 2012 15:35 ninazerg wrote: As a gamer who is a girl, I find this absolutely repugnant and offensive. I will not go easy on you, because you exemplify everything that makes guys roll their eyes at the phrase "girl gamer". First, you don't play StarCraft, which I consider a pretty important prerequisite for casting. Second, you look like a freaking Barbie doll. Too much lipstick, bleached hair, and your cleavage-showing makes me face-palm.
1/5 stars.
I play and watch a ton of StarCraft. I also stream it regularly... what? Ignorance...
Supermodel Nerd Stream! twitch.tv/tarababcock
Slectra United States. August 09 2012 16:17. Posts 40
On August 09 2012 15:35 ninazerg wrote: As a gamer who is a girl, I find this absolutely repugnant and offensive. I will not go easy on you, because you exemplify everything that makes guys roll their eyes at the phrase "girl gamer". First, you don't play StarCraft, which I consider a pretty important prerequisite for casting. Second, you look like a freaking Barbie doll. Too much lipstick, bleached hair, and your cleavage-showing makes me face-palm.
1/5 stars.
She plays StarCraft. She's a gold league Terran and there was simply no need to criticize her looks. That was quite petty to call out in a thread about her casting.
And @ Tara, your casting seemed to be composed mainly of just pointing out what's going on and saying it. Perhaps be familiar with strategies to the point where you can ramble about it easily during the casting instead of just saying obvious fluff.
[6:33:09 PM] TLX: BITCH grandmasters didn't get to where they are by SLACKING OFF AND PLAYING MAPLE
MrBitter United States. August 09 2012 16:18. Posts 2854
On August 09 2012 15:35 ninazerg wrote: As a gamer who is a girl, I find this absolutely repugnant and offensive. I will not go easy on you, because you exemplify everything that makes guys roll their eyes at the phrase "girl gamer". First, you don't play StarCraft, which I consider a pretty important prerequisite for casting. Second, you look like a freaking Barbie doll. Too much lipstick, bleached hair, and your cleavage-showing makes me face-palm.
1/5 stars.
As a gamer who is a dude, I like boobs.
Tara,
Energy is very important to a good cast. You seem to lack it. A lot. Go watch a couple of Husky's casts. Seriously. He's one of the best in the world (maybe the best) at conveying excitement in his broadcasts.
You ranted at the beginning about how much you love this stuff. Let it out in the cast.
There's great weight, and great strength in silence... If used correctly. In your case, it just feels like a lot of down time.
Best way to fix this is to improve on your knowledge of the game, so you've got more to talk about.
This dead space is also a great time to fill with stories you have about interactions with different pros or people in e-sports you might know.
Keep it up.
People like you doing this kind of stuff is a great gateway for people who don't know Starcraft to get involved. I'll check back on practice cast #10 or so to see how far you've come.
Last edit: 2012-08-09 16:19:20
Kyrillion Russian Federation. August 09 2012 16:31. Posts 575
As a gamer who is a girl, I find this absolutely repugnant and offensive. I will not go easy on you, because you exemplify everything that makes guys roll their eyes at the phrase "girl gamer".
I can assure you, I don't roll my eyes when I'm in dismay.
Edit : I'm aware it's a fake, but still it could be more subtly executed
On August 09 2012 15:35 ninazerg wrote: As a gamer who is a girl, I find this absolutely repugnant and offensive. I will not go easy on you, because you exemplify everything that makes guys roll their eyes at the phrase "girl gamer". First, you don't play StarCraft, which I consider a pretty important prerequisite for casting. Second, you look like a freaking Barbie doll. Too much lipstick, bleached hair, and your cleavage-showing makes me face-palm.
1/5 stars.
You're also adding fuel to the flame by discouraging a girl from giving an honest shot at the esports scene. It's hard enough for girls isn't it?
It really does sound like you're giving more weight into looks, something we should be distancing ourselves away from. I don't see anything wrong with trying and differentiating yourself from others, especially as saturated as it is (it's almost necessary to bring something new to the table). As long as the information is right and the mentality is open for improvement, then that's fine with me. I don't care much about if the passion or intentions are insincere as long as it doesn't do any harm, as those trying to fake passion and enthusiasm often disappear eventually.
As for the video, the casting of course could use some work which just gets better with practice. I would probably suggest to stick to a more play-by-play casting role and eventually dual cast with an analytical caster. It would be a natural fit as you seem to have a higher capacity for enthusiasm, and usually the better analytical casters are really good at the game.
Keep practicing though, especially with the camera movements and try to always be talking in solo casts (though remember correct information always outweighs amount of information).
Good luck
snexwang Australia. August 09 2012 17:44. Posts 188
This might come as a bit of a surprise to you, but your breasts are not a part of your face (weird, right?). They do not need to be in the shot when you are speaking to the camera.
TheKefka Croatia. August 09 2012 18:00. Posts 8111
I mean,you are just pointing out stuff,which in itself is not too bad to do as the game is going on but if you are just moving around and pointing out stuff it get's dull. I can tell you that for me it's quite irritating when I hear someone like totalbiscuit cast alone(which essentially never happens anymore I know) because he needs someone like apollo to pick up the strategy talk and to be able to do educated guesses on what is about to happen. Also filling downtimes when there is nothing happening is quite important as well.Some do it with jokes,which sometimes makes me want to kill myself because of how bad they are.The best way to go about it is throw in some stats and facts I think,for instance if stephano is playing on daybreak point out his win rate on that map,what is his usual go to strategy for this map,why he chooses it,etc.This doesn't require a lot of strategic knowledge it just requires you to watch a lot of games of the players you cast. I would be lying if I said you are decent right now and I guess you know that yourself but if you want to get better at casting just watch a bunch of games and try to cast as much as you can,check out liquipedia for stats(BUT NOT DURING THE CAST,know it prior to the actual cast). Oh and one more thing,don't flash your tits like that.The gaming community is very sexist and immature as a whole and no one is going to take you seriously no matter how good you get. Personally I like fake tits and have nothing against them but the center of your cast should be your cast and not the tits.
Cackle™
I wasbanned fromthis August 09 2012 18:21. Posts 7
On August 09 2012 15:35 ninazerg wrote: As a gamer who is a girl, I find this absolutely repugnant and offensive. I will not go easy on you, because you exemplify everything that makes guys roll their eyes at the phrase "girl gamer". First, you don't play StarCraft, which I consider a pretty important prerequisite for casting. Second, you look like a freaking Barbie doll. Too much lipstick, bleached hair, and your cleavage-showing makes me face-palm.
1/5 stars.
No offense, but I think its repugnant to judge someone almost entirely based on their looks. Maybe you should just respect her sense of style or just leave her alone if you have nothing nice to say. Also you should probably learn more about whether she plays starcraft before making claims that she doesn't. That would seem like an important prerequisite.
Last edit: 2012-08-09 18:56:35
Aelonius Netherlands. August 09 2012 19:18. Posts 423
On August 09 2012 15:35 ninazerg wrote: As a gamer who is a girl, I find this absolutely repugnant and offensive. I will not go easy on you, because you exemplify everything that makes guys roll their eyes at the phrase "girl gamer". First, you don't play StarCraft, which I consider a pretty important prerequisite for casting. Second, you look like a freaking Barbie doll. Too much lipstick, bleached hair, and your cleavage-showing makes me face-palm.
1/5 stars.
I kind of agree. In the past few months we've had a cry from the community for more "serious" female engagement in gaming, and then people dress up like Tara. Now she may be a nice person but the appearance and obvious cry for attention from the majorly male demographic is just repulsive. It's basicly the Duckface of Starcraft.
Sorry, this is just really not going to help you Tara. If you want to reach something, drop the barbie attitude, drop the attention-seeking mindset.
''The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.''—Ronald Reagan
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TheKefka Croatia. August 09 2012 18:00. Posts 8111
