what happened to...

[mattsdragons]

Re: what happened to...

I still think that the classic format could work, but try and get it on tech channels by focusing more on the tech involved and the combat rather than interviews?

Just an idea, but it's different to the old style while still keeping the core elements there?

[psychostorm]

Re: what happened to...

Well you'd want Dave to comission because they are a relation of BBC worldwide (who did merchandise originally & possibly overseas sales). Plus get the house robots no questions asked.

Done a bit of research on the TV show. [*]Producer has his own production company. [*]Mentorn are wholly owned by Llanelli based Tinopolis productions (Itself owned by an English equity group, don't panic!)
Mentorn own the music indefinitely & the logo until renewal in 2017.[*] BBC own the house robots, obviously. [*]We used to own the arena


What always makes me laugh is this cycle:[*]The discussion of Robot Wars on TV comes up [*]I ask would a return to the 2nd wars gladiator format make it more televisable thus bringing about an audience increase in live events. [*]Someone (invariably someone who owns or wants to own a spinner) will say that's wrong, robot wars is about fighting (despite the fact there is still fighting just less of it & that Robot wars went 2 solid years doing exactly this). [*]I leave discussion be as not to start arguing [*]Same said someone will later say we don't need a TV show, robot combat is doing fine without it. Thereby unwittingly supporting my that we don't actually need the classic style combat on the television.

[chrissbb]

Re: what happened to...

interesting. do we want to go on telly again? is robot combat doing ok without it? it is odd that the sport you all do (is it a sport) only came about because of a tv show and i believe without some sort of media coverage it may slowly fade away. how many new bots are being built and fighting ? is it just the same old faces. yes i know i've been off the scene for a while, but to be honest i didnt even know you were out there still fighting and i'm glad you all are. i still think there is an opportunity for some sort of fighting robots on tv but it needs to be different to sell it or they will say been there done that. Chris.

[chrissbb]

Re: what happened to...

ok i'll but my head on the block. i said ages ago about robot wars on water, but knowone was interested. so you know about these rc rock crawlers (got two of em) how about large scale, stick on some weapons,cover the arena in rocks and voila robot wars on rocks. yes yes stop laughing its an idea. something new/different something to sell to the tv companys. Chris. Ps Your turn ?

[mattsdragons]

Re: what happened to...

That sounds amazing, but bloody expensive

[team_orr]

Re: what happened to...

I do like the idea of Robot Wars (or a similar show) being back on TV, its been brought up a few times and as i mentioned before, im all for it. Do i think it will actually happen? No. I said Dave would be your best bet because A: It is in league with the BBC and B: Its small enough to be open to offers/has already aired Robot Wars beforehand. The fact is mainstream TV companies wont touch it because of its affiliation with low ratings (even though that was Channel 5's fault, but thats straying from the point). I still maintain Dave is your best bet, but it would be a hard slog. We can either work to get a new series made, or we could drop the Robot Wars banner completely and make some sort of live event show (Roaming Robots/Robots Live/Robo Challenge etc).

If it does get brought back, the Roboteers need more control.

[chrissbb]

Re: what happened to...

talk about hitting a nail on the head, this is what i mean drop the robot wars name, it did us proud but now history. move on, new name new comp.
there is no point in chatting up dave (the tv company) unless we can agree on somthing you roboteers will build. i got quite a long way with the robot wars on water (small usa documentary film co) but could i get anyone to build some stuff to film? nope. i was ready to do three and i only needed say 10 to make a trailer. so this time if anyone is interested give up your idea and will you build? rc crawler expensive? no , you build cheap for whatever or if we have a new comp. did you see some of the first ever robot wars bots, very simple but that started the snowball rolling. Chris.

[Anttazz]

Re: what happened to...

Surely it would be easier to pitch something to them that utilises the robots that exist and are able and willing to do?

In order to do that though I think the first thing we would need to do is get decent footage of some battles, 99% of the youtube videos are not good enough quality, a TV rep would just bin them immediately. As a graduate of a course that heavily involved filming/editting I know for a fact that students would get involved in doing a lot of this for us in a heartbeat, and with students comes the Uni, and with that comes lots of tasty recording equipment. You can have cameras now that follow the robot (as seen in football, set to follow the ball) and also set up a few cameras high up inside the arena (again, the uni guys can work out the logistics) and edit that together. Would look 100 times better than anything else we have to display our sport to anyone looking in from outside. Would be happy to try to put this point across at a Uni and see if anyone takes the bait if anyone agrees that it could be a way forward.

Thats my opinion anyway

[chrissbb]

Re: what happened to...

now we are talking, good man. see what you can do. i on other hand will get in touch with dave and ask the question, what would you like us to build? now i ask a favor of the administrator of this forum, is it posible to cavvass your members to see if the builders (or budding builders) of the sight are up for a possible challange and their ideas on this. Chris.

[Anttazz]

Re: what happened to...

There are a few things that would stand in the way of my plans though, being in Glasgow the only event that is close enough would be RL Edinburgh, so of course we would need their permission and the attendance of the best bots to give a good show. I assume we would also need the permission of the venue and University. I'm sure there would be H&S stuff need done for mounting RC cameras inside the arena and on the truss too. Between the community we can hopefully iron these issues out though.

I would suggest against having people build bots that may only compete once if your ideas fall on its head though, using the current bots will vastly increase your chances of participation. Afterall, that is why we are all here.

[john_frizell]

Re: what happened to...

is it posible to canvass your members to see if the builders (or budding builders) of the sight are up for a possible challange I am. Find a TV production company that wants to go with robot combat [regardless of what it is called and regardless of the format] and I'll build for it. I suspect there is a fair size pool of builders out there who would say the same. The trick is to find the production company.

[Bodge Job]

Re: what happened to...

I think daves a good idea, and as there already a few arenas, it wouldnt cost as much to start. And i think gladiator style events would be cool, and I think it needs to be kept in a way the current robots could still be used, as it would mean there's a wider range of robots, and if old roboters see the show, they can still compete with there old robot...

[typhoon_driver]

Re: what happened to...

ceri your logic is flawed. Your final point about someone saying it's fine the way it is doesn't support your argument at all. It is merely a statement that the sport doesn't need tv full stop.

To hell with tv. There's a steady stream of roboteers in and out of the sport. Several years on it's still going strong with a number of events through the year.

[Anttazz]

Re: what happened to...

I don't think TV would have a negative impact, even if, like you suggest Gary, it doesn't have a positive one.

If there are people who want to try getting it back on there, then go for it. I can't see it doing anything other than enhancing the development of what we do. If there is a plan put in place that requires my help and that I think will work, I will be more than happy to help out and do my bit in the areas I mentioned earlier, but there needs to be a plan. So, get the discussions going and we'll see what we can come up with. I would suggest that either here or in another thread the discussion should be How would it be done rather than Should it be done just to see what ideas people have and if any of them are achievable.

P.S. Feel like i'm at Uni again talking like this...

[jonny]

Re: what happened to...

Haven't really read this thread just skimmed it

Tv would have a negative impact, loads of people would see it on the tv and think 'that looks a
Laugh I'll do that' then the forum will be inundated with beginners and /stupid questions. They'll even be some people so defficent they'll be strapping magnetrons to rc cars, welding co2 bottles randomly, raiding old x ray machines for parts OR WORSE!