Any tips on becoming a Smash Bros commentator

[zacharyhunter00]

I would like to be a smash bros commentator as a job in the future. Any tips? Thanks!

 

[Raijinken]

Content-wise, be sure to be impartial, both to players and playstyles. Commentators have a huge role in influencing how spectators perceive the game. If you do things like express sincere verbal disappointment that someone is camping or taking the game to time, regardless of your own views on it, it'll draw more than the usual ire of spectators who want nothing but aggression. If you make sidelong statements like "Welp, Smash4" to explain gaps in action, people will take that as an admission that the game has glaring issues. As a representative of the community, regardless of what game you commentate for, hype the game however you can.

Especially if you're a co-commentator with someone else, you may also need to develop a sort of role in your commentary. It's rather noticeable in some streams when one commentator provides the hype and the jokes, while the other provides accurate commentary and game insight. Sometimes you get commentators who can do both, well, and on the fly, but those are rarer.

Also, please, be well-researched about as much as possible. Everyone's human, but you have no idea how painful it is to see veteran commentators learn during a winner's finals that Din's Fire puts you into freefall. Especially as you're starting out, it may help to ask players for knowledge about the oddities of their character (PK Flash, Giant Punch, and Din's Fire causing freefall, any lesser-known properties of custom moves, etc).

Lastly, seek feedback from viewers. Just like using feedback to improve gameplay performance, your commentary can improve a lot if you ask your audience (both on the Boards and your stream viewers) for constructive criticisms.

 

[Bearbuddy4]

First it helps alot to become a mini celebrity, thats a challenge in itself.

Start a great youtube channel, use twitter and facebook to connect to your fans. Don't forget about twitch.

...please don't try to become a commentator, these guys don't make enough money to support themselves , they have side jobs. Hopefully you're like 13 years old and not an adult.

 

[LunarWingCloud]

Bring the hype.

 

[zacharyhunter00]

Thank you so much, do you know of places that I should start? Thanks again!

First it helps alot to become a mini celebrity, thats a challenge in itself.

Start a great youtube channel, use twitter and facebook to connect to your fans. Don't forget about twitch.

...please don't try to become a commentator, these guys don't make enough money to support themselves , they have side jobs. Hopefully you're like 13 years old and not an adult.

Thank you or the information, and yes I'm 14 :-)

 

[Raijinken]

Thank you so much, do you know of places that I should start? Thanks again!

If you have local tournaments you attend (or would like to attend), keep going to those. If they have a stream, or are looking to start a stream, ask whoever's in charge if you can give it a shot some time.

A good way to get some practice would be, if you have any video capture methods, to find existing matches (either your own or other pro games) and basically commentate over them. Find, say, a good Youtube channel with a lot of matches, record yourself commentating on them, and submit those recordings (and related videos) to friends or tourney ops for critique. That way you can get some practice and review without embarrassing yourself on the internet.

Once you're confident in your knowledge and ability, seriously approach a current commentator and ask if they'd allow you to co-commentate some time. Having a sort of portfolio like mentioned above can help prove you've got what it takes (since, quite frankly, a lot of people will judge you by your age and assume you wouldn't know enough to make a good commentator). If it goes over well when you try it out, odds are good you'll be reinvited to commentate for future tournaments.

But as bearbuddy mentioned, it isn't really something you can make a living off of yet. Do it for fun. Who knows, if you build enough of a reputation, it could go into a professional portfolio if you tried to be a sports caster, radio personality, or (if esports get big enough) a full-time Smash commentator.

 

[RespawningJesus]

If you need gameplay footage to practice with, I could always record some. I just got a new capture card, so I need to run it through it's paces.

As for commentary, practice, practice, practice. Know if you are better alone, or with someone else.

 

[CrusherMania1592]

I would suggest that you act like Jim Ross from WWE. That way when someone pulls a ultimate/finisher out of nowhere, it doesn't hurt to scream BAH GAWD, BAH GAWD KING RING THE DAMN BELL!

*Example*


BAH GAWD, BAH GAWD, CAPTAIN FALCON WITH DAT KNEE OF JUSTICE! IT'S OVER IT'S DONE! WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION RING THE DAMN BELL

 

[cardboardowl]

It's not a viable career. You may be able to make some side cash but it is definitly hobby level. There isn't enough stuff going on to make a job of it.

It doesn't mean don't do it, go for it, but don't expect to only do that.

A more viable option would be a caster for league, startcraft, or dota. League is probably your best bet.