Elephant TV

One question that I would be interested in reading folks comments about is "Why are television companies so reluctant to dedicate 5-6 hours to enable a Highland Games Heavy Event to be broadcast live?"

Edited by greynolds177 - 10/13/14 at 4:21am

Decent Ramblings C.Smith.

I agree with the don't contest every event suggestion.

As for the crowd not staying interested, that is a flaw in organization. At the NHHG we have 5 events for the pros on Saturday, and for the sake of the athletes we do 3 events in the morning to keep them warmed up, then after a break have them do caber and wob back to back. 

So WOB/Caber is one event?  What would the 5 events be, the light or heavy events?

brandell wrote: So WOB/Caber is one event?

Reread what he wrote...and the numbers. 

brandell wrote: What would the 5 events be, the light or heavy events?

Depends on the game.  Some vary them year to year (light one year, heavy the next), others stay the same every year. 

Sean wrote: The only thing I'd add too for ADs is keep a handle on your warmup time, especially for the pros. Left to their own, a lot of guys will warm up for 30 freakin minutes for each event.

I don't know who you're competing with...but it certainly isn't me, lol.  A couple throws should be plenty for anyone.   

Sean wrote: If you're moving from heavy to light (or light to heavy) on the weights or hammers, they don't need long warmups, no matter how much they whine.

There is no warmup time needed in those instances at all.  Many games realize this and go right into the next event.  I see the lack of prepped score sheets or the time spent scoring the event as more of a factor, when the athletes are ready to go. 

Sean wrote: Having other classes fill the space isn't a bad idea as long as you give them their due as well.

^^ this. 

No long breaks in the action is an very important one, always having something to draw the crowd in and keep them there is key (this includes having a good announcer that lets the crowd follow the competition).  In Victoria the Amateurs/Masters throw in the mornings and then the Pro's in the afternoons.  It is amazing how fast the throwers can make it through all the events if properly motivated/organized.  In the years we have been running the Amateurs/Masters in the morning more often then not all groups have finished all 8 events in the four hours or so allotted. 

Having a beer tent along side the throwing area is huge as well, last year we doubled our capacity of the beer tent here due to long lineups the year before and it was still packed.  Victoria has two beer tents, one down in the main games area and one at the Heavy Events field and so far the Heavy's beer garden has been bigger and outsold the main one each year. 

So "The Caber".... our joint # 1 crowd pleaser.

big MAC wrote: Few things I enjoy less than starting a show at 9am and finishing at 6:30pm

C. Smith is right on the mark, 5 events. A good announcer is essential. A beer tent close by also helps. I can tell you from experience, it is hard to keep the crowd engage with back to back light and heavy hammers, especially if the handle breaks and there is a long delay.

If the sheaf is contested, the Chicago rules for sheaf toss helps too, three misses total and you're out. With that rule you should be able to go in and take passes.

Just my opinion,

Satch

BTW! Stone Mountain will have perfect weather this weekend, a little windy on Sunday.

I can tell you from experience, it is hard to keep the crowd engage with back to back light and heavy hammers, especially if the handle breaks and there is a long delay.

Man, I have felt like a voice in the wilderness voicing this opinion for a long time.

greynolds177 wrote: I would rather have just 5 events on 1 day; or split the usual 8 events into 2 half day sessions of 4.  A 9-10 hour marathon is such a pain.  I like the more relaxed 2 day Highland Games.

+1 for 5 events in 1 day.

Two-day games could be okay: MWC 2014 is the first multi-day games I have done and I was already in for a longer stay anyway. But most 7-9 eventers I've done have early starts or are too far away to drive there the day of the event (or both). These ones have been 2-overnighters (in a hotel). A multi-day format would stretch that to 3 overnights and possibly another day absent from work.

This is all hypothetical anyways:  Less events maybe the way to go when running one premier flight (pros) and a supporting flight.  Not sure if it matters that much for TV as the event would probably be edited down.  If so, then why not run the Heavy and Light events ... Broadcast one, which ever was most competitive,  and give results for another.   More material to choose from in order to make a better show?  

Opening heights wob and sheep toss at some of the masters ( MWC ) games is a joke and contributes to senseless delays. Just a shot at the 10 footers !

Just to b clear NHHG/ Loon is about location location location and the generosity of Ray and Cinda. There's no grand design, managements logistics involved there Mr Smith. You should make the trip. Loon has been attracting 10's of thousands for decades it's all about the view.... close to peak, mountains and rivers. Best of all is the after party. Beer tent location, determined by Sam Adams is key. Lots of fans with a 3 beer Boston Buzz does help. Sat's it rocks Sundays are a big drop off. So thank mother nature and the original organizers of the games. There's an old ESPN episode that's pretty cool. You'll seeeeee the hook. I know guys who get a shot 1-2 times always miss coming back. So have Ams Good Masters Bad Masters Good Pros Bad Pros call it a Webo worlds or the NewEngland Championships the masses will b there.