View Full Version : NAB streamer misses opportunity at the JVC booth


Duncan Craig
April 25th, 2017, 04:20 AM
Note from Admin: Thread title changed to more accurately reflect what actually happened... read through the rest of this discussion for more details.

So sad to see this...

Stronz was streaming to about 200 viewers live from NAB. He wanted to know more about the LS300 upgrade, walks up to the JVC rep who helpfully announces that he doesn't want to be filmed! https://youtu.be/2cQinaC8SIM?t=1h16m23s

FFS.

His generally positive reviews of the camera have had 16k views and he sounded like he wanted to revisit the camera since this update. So it's a shame his questions went unanswered. Granted he's not a huge player, but this encounter will be on YouTube forever.

John Vincent
April 25th, 2017, 06:46 AM
Huh. Well, I guess you can take that two ways - one, there will be upgrades but he can't let it out of the bag, or....

JVC's done with the upgrades and doesn't want anyone to know it.

Smart money's on the later sadly enough. The camera's now 2 plus year's old, and with Panny bringing out some sort of show stopper in June, JVC's probably throwing in the towel on this model.

Of course, they did just announce that sweet 4:2:2 upgrade, which isn't even available yet, so maybe JVC doesn't want to let air out of their bag. The new firmware upgrade turned out to be one of the more exciting bits of news during the NAB cycle of events, so no reason to undercut it with yet more news.

All that said, it wasn't the best way to handle that from the rep - it's not like people won't be on the floor asking questions....

Duncan Craig
April 25th, 2017, 06:55 AM
If you wind the video back two minutes or so he is looking closely at the LS300 with the new Ninja Inferno attached. And a lit sign showing all the upcoming v4 upgrades - not exactly a secret.

In my opinion the guy took one look at the Stronz with his iPhone, casual clothes and long hair and decide to ignore him.

Nick Haman
April 25th, 2017, 07:18 AM
Huh. Well, I guess you can take that two ways - one, there will be upgrades but he can't let it out of the bag, or....

JVC's done with the upgrades and doesn't want anyone to know it..

I think that's quite a jump. They've had 2 upgrades this year alone and we're only in April. I think he just didn't want to be broadcast live, for fear of accidentally giving wrong information or something. Sure he could have handled the whole thing better, but the poor guy was put on the spot a little bit.

Duncan Craig
April 25th, 2017, 07:22 AM
He's on the JVC stand at NAB.

If he didn't want to talk about the gear he should find someone who is and then f off home.

pff

Nick Haman
April 25th, 2017, 07:28 AM
He's happy to talk about the gear, but just not while being recorded. He literally says 'yes you can, but you can't record me'. I get that.

Like I said, he could have handled it better, or, like you say, they should get someone else to be on the stand. Either way though, what has happened doesn't point to any suggestions of the camera being discontinued/replaced/renewed or anything else. I just didn't want your thread to turn into some wild speculation chain.

William Hohauser
April 25th, 2017, 11:05 AM
1) This JVC rep may not be authorized to present on-camera promotion to the press.

2) Did Stronz have official NAB press credentials visible? Or any credentials?

3) Did Stronz properly ask for an interview, explaining who he is and his web presence before turning on his phone?

I have filmed at a number of trade shows over the years and the producers I worked with have always asked first before the camera gets turned on. We either got to do the interview or we were asked to interview a specific rep. I can't remember ever getting turned down. Generally if the company is doing a staged open demo that is considered fair game for filming without asking for permission. If the demo is in an enclosed area not visible to the rest of the floor then you have to get permission. The fact that Stronz is willing to post the rep turning away makes me question Stronz's professional ethics. It's more like an entitled child not respecting the personal space of other people. I have met this rep over the years and he's a nice person and he politely turned Stronz away.

Duncan Craig
April 25th, 2017, 11:20 AM
He was live streaming all day while walking round the entire site.
I for one found it very informative as I'll never be able to visit NAB (or Vegas).

People were coming up to him all day and engaging in some interesting conversations, and the staff in their booths all seemed to be very responsive.

The JVC booth was the very last thing he visited.

William Hohauser
April 25th, 2017, 12:21 PM
It would be nice to get an interview with JVC. They are pushing small pro production cameras for events and live streaming heavily these days, interesting but not my field at the moment. Unless they are gearing for a surprise announcement (are they scheduled for any talks?), I think we know the "big" news already which is 4K 4:2:2.

Duncan Craig
April 25th, 2017, 12:26 PM
Craig Yanagi from JVC was just interview live on https://beterrific.com

Nick Haman
April 25th, 2017, 01:50 PM
I'd love to see that but I can only find the interview they did with him last year. I guess since it was a live stream, it's not yet available for streaming later. If you find a link could you post it here? If I find it I'll do the same.

William Hohauser
April 25th, 2017, 02:09 PM
The BeTerrific host needs to cut down on the Red Bull. The JVC interview seems to have disappeared into their stream which can only be rewound about 30 minutes.

Courtney Baynes
April 26th, 2017, 09:05 AM
Here's the video with the JVC interview. It's toward the ending of the live feed. I'll try to chop it up for an efficient view. https://www.facebook.com/FunsizedAllysonBerger/posts/1277145079058986

Duncan Craig
April 26th, 2017, 11:19 AM
JVC starts at 2h 12m 30s and it's about 18 minutes long

William Hohauser
April 26th, 2017, 09:12 PM
For those who don't want to deal with watching the feed:

- JVC is promoting their IP and wireless multi-camera systems heavily. Very, very interesting for multi-cam shoots and live streaming. The webcast didn't show specifics but it seems to be a full mobile system with cameras, CCUs, teleprompters, switcher and internet broadcasting gear all integrated. Not relevant for LS300 owners but it's interesting to me.

- no new cinema camera this year. Something in development, no specifics.

- for the LS300, they are touting the firmware upgrade and Atmos special offer

- regarding 10bit in the LS300, Craig Yanagi said that he was doubtful that the internal components could provide 10bit but he was surprised that 30p 4:2:2 recorded internally and 4K 60p externally happened. He praised the JVC engineers.

They may have touched on other topics but it was hard to follow at times. The interviewer isn't very knowledgeable (someone give her hand microphone training please) and Craig's delivery was laid back. Still I'm glad I watched this, thanks for the link and the time cue

Craig Yanagi
April 28th, 2017, 06:45 PM
Nick and William's observations are correct. There are only a select few that are authorized to be recorded on behalf of JVC. This is common practice for most manufacturers. It was the same when I worked for Sony as well.

Hope this clarifies the situation and removes any negative perception towards the salesperson who followed company protocol.

Steve Rosen
April 28th, 2017, 07:41 PM
Craig : Given the often disrespectful comments that are prevalent now in these forums I think it's a good policy... Somehow company representatives have become synonymous with evasive politicians...

Craig Yanagi
April 29th, 2017, 09:29 AM
I see you've noticed that, too, Steve. The dialogue was more cerebral and civilized in the past. Maybe we can bring the platform back to its roots. We would all benefit. Cordially,

William Hohauser
April 29th, 2017, 03:29 PM
Craig, is there a place where a client and I can get an in-depth demonstration of the new wireless systems in the New York City area?

Craig Yanagi
April 29th, 2017, 07:54 PM
The ProHD Bridge currently is a direct customer product and is in limited availability. However, we have made the high gain adapter WB-MAP100 available to dealers as it can be used with an existing IP infrastructure. If you have a specific project in consideration please send me an email and we'll work on how best to provide you and your client information on the ProHD Bridge.

Thanks very much for your interest.

Sincerely,
- Craig

Courtney Baynes
May 2nd, 2017, 08:41 AM
Here's the edited interview.

https://youtu.be/-4xtVRgi8Ng

Chris Hurd
May 4th, 2017, 08:44 AM
...the JVC rep who helpfully announces that he doesn't want to be filmed!

JVC's done with the upgrades and doesn't want anyone to know it... JVC's probably throwing in the towel on this model.

If he didn't want to talk about the gear he should find someone who is and then f off home.

Gentlemen, seriously: what the hell? Are you purposefully trolling the forum?

Whoever that live streamer is -- he certainly is not a member here -- he has *no idea* how to properly approach a booth at NAB and ask for an on-camera interview. That's the only "problem" that I can see.

The JVC salesman caught on camera clearly is not media-authorized and knows it. He correctly follows company protocol by politely declining to speak on camera.

I've only done 21 of these annual NAB trade shows, but I'm willing to bet that I can impart some useful advice to our hapless streamer:

1. Get yourself badged in as accredited press with proper credentials.
2. Find out in advance who the correct people are to talk to on-camera.
3. Set up an appointment for a media interview in the booth with those people.

The only crime committed by this JVC salesperson is that he was luckless enough to be close by when the live streamer hit the booth. He wasn't the correct person to talk on camera about the LS300... company policy prohibits him from doing so. He's not allowed to talk to media. He's there in the booth at NAB to do the main thing that NAB is traditionally known for: business. The NAB trade show happens primarily for business purposes... media coverage is only a small part of it.

Surprisingly, the live streamer just gives up and walks away. If he really cared about the questions he was trying to ask, then he would have stepped over to the reception counter and requested to speak to someone on-camera about the LS300. They would have had to slip him in between previously scheduled appointments, but they would have done their best to accommodate him. He might have gotten Craig for that matter. Or, assuming it wasn't close of show at 2pm Thursday, they would have set a time for him to come back.

But no, he didn't even try. I tell you what: I don't know that guy, but I could give him some tips about covering NAB.

Now let me see if I can understand the thought patterns going on at the beginning of this discussion:

1. Live streamer stumbles into booth at NAB looking for on-camera interview without an appointment.
2. Salesman not authorized for media says he's not authorized for media ("you can't record me").
3. Forum members assume salesman is just the worst person in the world and should go home.
4. From this we conclude that the LS300 is completely dead in the water and about to be discontinued.

Honestly the whole thing reminds me why I started this forum in the first place... which was to *get away* from the above all-too-common mindset, not provide a home for it.

Many thanks to William Hohauser, Craig Yanagi and others for providing a dose of reality and perspective into an otherwise bizarre set of assumptions. (Craig -- it was great to see you at NAB! William -- I'm in New York on Monday the 15th and would like to meet you if practical).

Thread title changed from "The problem with JVC..." to "NAB streamer misses opportunity at the JVC booth" as that is a much more accurate description of what's happening here.

W. Bill Magac
May 4th, 2017, 10:11 AM
When I'm shooting at the New York International Auto Show on press/media days and we want to do an interview about a particular car, we always ask first if there is someone available who can do an on camera interview. We present our press/media credentials and explain the purpose of the interview. If no one is available at the time, we shoot some b-roll and ask if we can come back later. Usually we are told to come back at specific time and someone will be available for an on camera interview. This happened a couple of years ago and we were able to interview the chief designer for the new Mustang.

Chris Hurd
May 4th, 2017, 11:08 AM
Bill, you've just described the exact method that I've used at NAB and other trade shows for the past 15 years or so. Roughly half of the booth interviews that DVi shoots at NAB are appointments scheduled in advance. The rest of them are walk-ups, but good heavens, never with the camera actually rolling on approach. With a walk-up sometimes we can get it right there after a short wait, but usually we'll find out when is a good time and come back then, which can be 30 minutes later or the following day or whatever.

For a bigger company like JVC, I would never *not* schedule a media interview in advance.

Anybody with an attendee badge at NAB can visit any booth at any time and get their questions answered (from the live stream: "Can I talk to you about this camera? "Yes you can!"). That was never the issue here. The issue here is that it's being recorded ("...but you can't record me"). If there's a camera rolling, especially if it's live streamed, then it needs to be not just any salesperson but a media-authorized marketing rep whose job it is to talk on camera. You get that person by asking at the reception counter. It's not that hard. And this guy just gives up and walks away.

Noa Put
May 4th, 2017, 11:15 AM
I think the JVC rep could have said why he was not allowed to give an interview on camera and what Stronz should do to get his questions answered if his intention was to live stream it. Stronz also posted a NAB recap video later where he did mention this "incident" by saying "we didn't even talk to the jvc reps because they where kind of..they didn't want to be on the live stream, I get it, but they are not getting the word out."

Here he again is giving a wrong impression by saying that "they" didn't want to be on the live stream as if all JVC reps refused to talk to him. He also doesn't seem to understand that it is his own unprofessional behavior that is getting the wrong word out.

John Nantz
May 4th, 2017, 03:37 PM
I agree with Duncan Crag (OP), that it is so sad to read about what happened with this, ahem…. “interview” ….(gone bad).

Just stopped by to read all the new developments and I think Chris did a good job in re-naming the thread (I might not have been so kind!) and writing Post #22. I also liked what William Hohauser wrote about how he filmed at trade shows (Post #7). One would assume that NAB would have some strict rules about doing video at their event.

Here JVC spends a lot of time, effort, and money to publicize their products at NAB and then this Rambo guy Stronz for the price of an entry fee comes along and tries to ruin their image with his slipshod “interview.” If NAB has rules or protocol for this kind of activity perhaps JVC should “run it up the flagpole” with NAB management and perhaps get an apology from Stronz or maybe ban the guy from future NAB events.

Hopefully NAB will support JVC somehow and this guy Stronz (and Co.) will get what’s coming to them.

Courtney Baynes’ Post #21 of an interview with Craig Yanagi was good. That is impressive what JVC is doing for live broadcast.

Chris Hurd
May 4th, 2017, 05:25 PM
maybe ban the guy from future NAB events...

Well I wouldn't go *that* far... I just hope he's better prepared next year!

There was a time at NAB when you had to get a camera checked in through the press office if you wanted to take photos or shoot video on the show floor. Smart phones changed all that, and it looks like the proliferation of live streaming is about to change all that again.

Steve Rosen
May 4th, 2017, 07:27 PM
I'll say it again, but in a different way - as a 50 year professional filmmaker I would NEVER take seriously a person who approached me with a "smart" phone... This is NAB! A legitimate approach would have been appreciated, if scheduled in advance, - or refused, then you could claim an issue - but this attitude is just wanabe BS...

Noa Put
May 5th, 2017, 01:53 AM
But would it have made any difference if Stronz had a big camera on his shoulder? A guy with a smarthpone doesn't necessarily have to be a wannabe just because he covers the event with a smarthphone, those guys can have more influence then you ever will with a big camera because they have a following on youtube and mishaps can go viral quickly sending out a wrong message. I would say take anyone seriously with camera, even if it's only a smartphone. Most important is treat everyone equally no matter what camera they are holding, if you are not allowed to speak on behalf of the company, just say so and why and tell them how they can get an interview, that's all. I still feel the sales rep is equally responsible for this to have gotten out of hand.

Jay P. Kaley
May 5th, 2017, 11:44 AM
page turn ...

Jay P. Kaley
May 5th, 2017, 11:46 AM
IMO it's not about smart phone v big camera, it's more professional v amateur. It was about walking up to a booth unannounced rolling video, much less broadcasting hot live video, and expecting a corporation to follow along.

Seems totally reasonable to think you should set something up with JVC about talking to someone live first, but things have changed so much "journalistically" I could also offer that JVC probably should have 'media-ready' people manning a booth at big media events. And even so, arranging something a few minutes ahead of broadcasting live should be a professional norm.

William Hohauser
May 5th, 2017, 01:32 PM
OK, I'm writing a script right now that deals with impetuous smartphone streamers:

"Thank you for you interest in [insert company name here] products. Please talk to our on camera media spokesperson, [insert name here] to learn about our new offerings here at [insert trade show name here]."

additional lines to be added due to situation:

"Our spokesperson is not available right now. Please add your name to the media list and we will text you when ready."

"We have promo videos available at [insert website here] that explain in detail our new offerings."

I grant the above lines to all floor reps to use without credit or renumeration to me as I am a generous fellow.

Now here some lines for more frisky floor reps (these are not recommended):

"Nice to meet you, where are your credentials?"

"Can I film you filming us and post it without your permission just like you are doing with us right now?