All-Star Feedback On Video At Competions

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Apr 5, 2013
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This is a duplicate post, taken from the 2012-2013 videos section....... it was suggested to start it as it's own thread.... and it was a good suggestion! :)

Just wondering if there is an opportunity to get feedback from everyone on what they desire and value from a video/DVD vendor at Cheer competitions? Due to the high use of handheld cameras.... everyone seems to have an iPad these days.. we have seen DVD sales plummet. Many smaller regional events do not have video or photography vendors anymore. (does that make a difference?) It also seems that many people would rather use their own camera and share their own video online than purchase something professionally recorded, even though in the crowd down in front watching a camera takes away the experience and "feel" of being at a live event. (many people say they walk away feeling that they missed it) What do you think? Add to the mix the fact that many gym owners and coaches prefer that their routines not show up on online until the end of the season.

SEVideo is intensely scrutinizing our business model and direct feedback would be an immense help. With everyone watching their expenditures closely these days, and with competitive cheerleading being an expensive endeavor for parents, we are striving to provide the highest quality product at an affordable price... and still stay in business!

Additionally... In light of the arrest of a registered sex offender at a cheer competition I am sure there will be changes in who is allowed to bring in a camera. NCA is requiring you to purchase and wear an armband..( http://nca.varsity.com/pdfs/classics_media_kit.pdf ) which will help keep undesirables out.

Any help and feedback would be greatly appreciated.
 
I only buy the video at NCA, Majors and Worlds. We attend 7-9 comps a year and even if videos were $20, that would be an additional $140 (and I've never seen them sell for $20). I just paid $90 for NCA. Why pay for 9 copies of the same routine? Also, with my own camera I can focus on my athlete and follow her through the routine.


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I hate recording while cp is competing because I cannot focus on entire routine and see if everything hit or not. Same with taking pictures. And people holding up iPads make me insane; I think there needs to be a small section at comps that herd these people into them and make them all stand together so they do not block the rest of our views. What I do appreciate though about the moms and dads who do this is having the benefit of instant replay. I ususally buy 1 video a season from a comp - and I always wait to do it until after they have performed - so that I can have a professional, unbiased one on DVD to remember each team/season by.
 
One of my pet peeves with DVD's from comps is if you have more than one kid or a kid that cross competes. Rarely do you get both divisions on the same DVD, so you have to buy multiple copies and then fast forward through the 50 other teams to get to your kid.
I think everyone is pretty much going to LiveStreaming, MrVideo just announced after the Worlds drawing that they will be livestreaming all the events they attend (I believe they have the Varsity contract)...most likely killing CheerLive in the process.
 
I responded on the video thread but ditto to what CAPheebersMom said. I have 2 CPs and one cross-competes. No way I am buying 3 different DVDs for each competition. Unfortunately technology will only improve, and make it easier for the amateur to get great video and photos, so the only way I think you can continue to make a profit is to make an agreement with the EP to charge a little more for each athlete registration and include photo and video download access. You can set up your website to include an event passcode and an athlete registration # in order to access the videos/photos. Most of us probably would not even notice an additional $5-10 per competition for each athlete that is built in to the gym fees, and the professional videographer/photographers would have a guaranteed payment for their services.
 
I usually buy 1-2 DVD's per year, however, I just paid $49.xx (includes shipping and taxes) for a DVD at a comp for one day, no awards, 4-6 weeks to receive, ridiculous. We will be well into the new season before the DVD even arrives. I am all for the live streaming option with the ability to download a certain amount of photo's and video's per year. BUT, there was a person out there that was providing this service, quite well I might add, and he was forced out. I hope he has a chance next year.
 
I only buy the video at NCA, Majors and Worlds. We attend 7-9 comps a year and even if videos were $20, that would be an additional $140 (and I've never seen them sell for $20). I just paid $90 for NCA. Why pay for 9 copies of the same routine? Also, with my own camera I can focus on my athlete and follow her through the routine.


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Thanks Dixie... and if I can read more into this I would surmise that you'd prefer to use your own video at smaller competitions. a professional company's service is only desirable to you at major competitions. (?)

As far as price... we have gym packages and team orders that bring the cost down to between $14 and $25 per person/DVD... and I can get into specifics of those more off-thread if you'd like.....
 
I hate recording while cp is competing because I cannot focus on entire routine and see if everything hit or not. Same with taking pictures. And people holding up iPads make me insane; I think there needs to be a small section at comps that herd these people into them and make them all stand together so they do not block the rest of our views. What I do appreciate though about the moms and dads who do this is having the benefit of instant replay. I ususally buy 1 video a season from a comp - and I always wait to do it until after they have performed - so that I can have a professional, unbiased one on DVD to remember each team/season by.

Again... iPad owners take note! :)

I agree, too, that watching a camera instead of my child when she is peforming leaves me feeling empty. One of the first performances I filmed of my daughter when she was 4 y/o she said to me afterwards "daddy... why weren't you clapping?" It's still hits me like a punch in the gut.

Anyway, we have our DVDs for sale "On the spot" which meanrs you can buy it and have it at the event, for "instant" replay.... and we have a video/audio live judges critique service at some competitions so you can watch the routine and hear judges comments as it happens.

Thanks!
 
I hate recording while cp is competing because I cannot focus on entire routine and see if everything hit or not. Same with taking pictures. And people holding up iPads make me insane; I think there needs to be a small section at comps that herd these people into them and make them all stand together so they do not block the rest of our views.
This is one other bonus I didn't mention in the other thread that appeals to me NOT having to video myself. As well as the usual screaming and clapping that I can't take part in.

I can live with small handheld camcorders and phones. I agree, cannot stand the obnoxious iPads and tablets in the front rows!!!
 
One of my pet peeves with DVD's from comps is if you have more than one kid or a kid that cross competes. Rarely do you get both divisions on the same DVD, so you have to buy multiple copies and then fast forward through the 50 other teams to get to your kid.
I think everyone is pretty much going to LiveStreaming, MrVideo just announced after the Worlds drawing that they will be livestreaming all the events they attend (I believe they have the Varsity contract)...most likely killing CheerLive in the process.

Yes, crossovers is an issue that we've tried to address with our gym package, which works well at large events like Cheersport Nationals where the livestreaming is done by Dartfish from our camera feed. We are looking at HD online uploads... I can refer you to a link to see the quality, but have yet to settle on a method. (hopefully getting a feel for what everyone is looking for here...) Options like monthly subscriptions, one time viewing via pay per view, unlimited views, private views for teams members only... a few of the things to consider.

Live streaming is not quite yet at a point where it can be done well from many venues since there needs to be a fast high quality internet connection to provide a good upload, otherwise the video looks terrible.... we've all seen poor quality web streamed video, right? :) Mr. Video is one of several vendors that Varsity uses for their many events and, I think, also utilizies Dartfish. (please correct me if I'm worng.) But... if you can't make it to the event would you rather see it live in poor quality than wait to see it? :)
 
I responded on the video thread but ditto to what CAPheebersMom said. I have 2 CPs and one cross-competes. No way I am buying 3 different DVDs for each competition. Unfortunately technology will only improve, and make it easier for the amateur to get great video and photos, so the only way I think you can continue to make a profit is to make an agreement with the EP to charge a little more for each athlete registration and include photo and video download access. You can set up your website to include an event passcode and an athlete registration # in order to access the videos/photos. Most of us probably would not even notice an additional $5-10 per competition for each athlete that is built in to the gym fees, and the professional videographer/photographers would have a guaranteed payment for their services.

Yes, thank you... but to quote one EP "if we raised our fees even $10 we'd keep the money ourselves!" Now that was said jokingly... I think, but the reatlity is that they are in business to make a profit and we are a vendor.....in business to make a proffit off of thier event. There are a few EPs that see the value in DVDs for all and are doing it. I like your suggestion of an athlete registration passcode... a little more work on our end but a great way to keep out those who don't belong.
 
Thanks Dixie... and if I can read more into this I would surmise that you'd prefer to use your own video at smaller competitions. a professional company's service is only desirable to you at major competitions. (?)

As far as price... we have gym packages and team orders that bring the cost down to between $14 and $25 per person/DVD... and I can get into specifics of those more off-thread if you'd like.....
The only time will buy videos/pictures from a competition is with the team deals. Otherwise the cost of buying a shirt, video, pictures becomes too costly.
 
I usually buy 1-2 DVD's per year, however, I just paid $49.xx (includes shipping and taxes) for a DVD at a comp for one day, no awards, 4-6 weeks to receive, ridiculous. We will be well into the new season before the DVD even arrives. I am all for the live streaming option with the ability to download a certain amount of photo's and video's per year. BUT, there was a person out there that was providing this service, quite well I might add, and he was forced out. I hope he has a chance next year.

Well..., the person you refer to was not a vendor following the guidelines of the EP(s)... and I don't want to go into business ethics here.

But..., $49 and 4 weeks must be for an edited DVD with menu titles and graphics. It takes time to put that together. I agree.. that seems a bit pricey. Our DVDs are priced between $15 and $30, we give discounts to parents with crossovers and multiple kids, and we deliver them on the spot at the event so you can take it home with you that day. (there are events we do custom edits for and it takes at least 4 weeks to put them together, and we always offer the unedited disc "on the spot" to buy and take with you.
 
This is one other bonus I didn't mention in the other thread that appeals to me NOT having to video myself. As well as the usual screaming and clapping that I can't take part in.

I can live with small handheld camcorders and phones. I agree, cannot stand the obnoxious iPads and tablets in the front rows!!!

Yes! :) Screaming and clapping! Must do that! :cheering:
 
One option that I would like to see, is video of all of my gym, rather than a cd of CP's routine and their competition. I also would like the option to buy a viedo after the event. That way I would have more available $$$ (since comp weekends suck the cash right out of me) and (sorry to say this) I can see if my own video came out ;)

side rant...I just quickly read over UCA's new photography rules....I am speechless. Nothing longer than a 70? What? and they are making it one team photographer per team, so that means that we have to choice between photos or videos. That seems like it will protect you, if you decide to continue doing large events, but it does not protect the families who want to take their own shots. (disclaimer, I just bought a 70-300 so I am not happy!) There needs to be a way to protect the families and loyal vendors and not put all of the money in UCA's pocket.
 
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