Briefing 101: The Art of Briefing Contestants
By
Jon Cudo, Editor Gameops.com
In any game presentation there are things you control, and things you don't. The unexpected can pleasantly surprise you and create that water cooler moment in the game or it can bite you. The goal is to control as much as you can and allow the unforgettable moments happen, but happen within your plans not at the expense of them.
Picking contestants and briefing them should be in the column of things you control, yet even the best laid plans can get messy when contestants go from their back stage briefing to participating in front of your packed house.
When working with contestants I have a straight-forward Three Part Plan for Success that you can use with any contest. Backstage walk through the contest and their role with them carefully and follow these three steps. The first two you probably already do (at least one of them, I hope). The third is the key to limiting something going wrong because they don't know what's expected of them.
Part 1: Explain the contest.
Part 2: Explain the contest again.
Part 3: Have the contestant explain it all back to you.
It's that simple.
The best way to know if someone really gets something is to have them teach it back to you. This plan lets you tell them what they need to know. It then allows you to go over it again, including any of the important details. Then you turn the classroom jujitsu on the student, and let the student become the teacher.
If they can explain it to you, where they go, when they start, what they do and how it ends it's a pretty good bet they can do it. Most contests include opportunities for you or your staff to assist contestants during the time out, but you will start the time out with participants who know the basics inside and out..
That's it. Three parts and you are off to the races (so to speak).
More helpful hints (the Ups)
- Look It Up
If you are using props, let the contestants see them. If they are racing around "a giant soda can", if you are standing next to the can, they aren't left wondering what it looks like or how big it is.
- Feel It Up
If they are shooting or throwing something, let them handle it. Some indemnified contests do not allow you to let the contestants practice, but if that's not the case there is no reason not to let them get comfortable with the tools and toys.
- Talk It Up
Talk to them or have a staffer engage with them. Again, some people are not often in front of thousands of people as the center of attention. Nerves are often the case of contestants getting confused or not performing well. Having someone to talk to as they wait can help. They know they have someone in their corner and they can ask additional questions. Don't lose sight of the fact that going on the court may be ordinary for you, it's likely extraordinary for them.
Draw It Up
Showing exactly on your court where people will enter, where they will stand, where props might be and where they will exit when it's all over can only help their understanding. As noted in a previous spotlight, Gameops.com offers dry erase white boards with permanent sporting fields imprinted on them. These are a great way to show layouts of props and they allow you to wipe your directions off and let the contestant explain it back to you (complete with them redrawing the prop placement).- Dress It Up
Make sure your contestant is dressed for success. Are they wearing shoes that are suitable for the activity. Do you need to hold their jacket or purse while they are taking part? Allowing them to practice can also help sort this out.
- Sign Them Up
Sign the waiver. Make it clear and easy to read. No fan should be on your field without signing it. Be sure a lawyer reviews your template.
Do you have a helpful hint to add that has made your contests better? You can share that with us with the form below. We will credit you and your team for your insight...send your mailing address too and if we use your submission we'll send you a dry erase board for your sport.
At the Greenville Drive, the Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, in Greenville, SC, we have had more than our fair share of contestant blunders during in-game contests. As instructed in “Briefing 101: The Art of Briefing Contestants,” I, as the on-field emcee, began to have contestants explain the competitions back to me before we went onto the field. This simple task eliminated quite a few of problems. One problem included a woman biting the dust during the “Flipper Race” and then peeing her pants near homeplate…
The suggestion I would like to make would be for the in-game crew to attempt to play the game, or do the contest ahead of time. Several times throughout our 2007 baseball season, I realized that some of the on-field games were too long, complicated, or near impossible. So, late in the season, our fan team started to play the games, guess the answers, or attempt the contests to see what might need to be changed before the fans tried it.
Jeremiah Dew
Producer, Game Entertainment
Greenville Drive, Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
The Wild do a couple of things to possible enhance the contestants experience. What they do for zamboni riders and contestants for period intermissions, is when the contestants fill out the waivers, show them another form which is a photo request form where pretty much, if they provide an email address, they will be sent photos of them either on the zamboni, or participating in their respective contest. Also, they show the contestant an additional "video request form that is optional. So, if the contestants would like a DVD copy of the contest, they can fill out a form. The Wild charge $25 per video copy, with proceeds going to the Wild charitable foundation. I understand certain teams may not have this luxury, but it's a nice thing to give the fans this opportunity to show family or friends their experience on the field/ice.
Greg Wilfahrt
Minnesota Wild "Polaris Crew" member
Jon Cudo began his career in sports entertainment with the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA). The Minnesota native performed as the Wolves mascot Crunch for the first seven years of the franchise. During that time Jon performed in over 35 states, in seven countries, for over eight million fans. During his travels he realized that great ideas in game entertainment happen at all levels of sports and many work in different sports, which was the impetus for Gameops.com years later.
Cudo functions as the webmaster and editor for Gameops.com, remains an active mascot and performer, produces several events each year, and consults with teams on game entertainment and mascot programs.
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