
Re: Dennis M.: Viewer Games & Questions 8/2012 [97:48]
Hi Everybody,
Thanks for all the nice comments and feedback. I'll try to reply to everyone! First, though, I'd like to try the PPV credits system as well. It may be that the vast majority of viewers will be so used to seeing me for free that they'll be unwilling to chip in a little bit to keep things going. We'll see. But it's worth a try. What I'd like to do is to have (generally) shorter, more frequent videos. Unlike Greg ("curtains"), I won't show my live blitz games.
It's not that they're so bad; in fact, while my ratings are generally a little lower than his, they're sometimes higher - though if I tried chatting while playing that probably wouldn't be the case! The main reason is that it's kind of hit or miss, and I'd rather show something I'm sure will be useful or beautiful. So when I win (or even lose) a nice game, I might show it afterwards, but such videos will generally be the exception.
Instead, I'm inclined to have videos looking at recent games and game fragments, or interesting opening ideas I've come across, or answering interesting questions from you. It will be more like a video blog. For instance, there are several interesting games I'd like to show from the ongoing London Grand Prix, and then there's a fascinating and amusing tale to tell about a line of the Anti-Moscow Gambit having to do with Lars Schandorff's latest 1.d4 repertoire with the Queen's Gambit.
On now to replies.
To everyone: thank you!
@ George Hollands: I don't think I'll be back at playchess. I was there for 5-6 years, and they switched from having my shows air for "free" to a credits approach, and the audience wasn't so happy about that. As for ICC, that would be amusing - I was one of the first guys doing videos there!
@ kamus: They were paying, but decided to stop. I was happy with the old arrangement.
@ Chris Falter: You might be right. The one thing I can say on my behalf is that I consistently put a lot of work into my videos, and hopefully that will make the difference for an audience.
@ BlueSun: Don't worry - I don't intend on running any "Quick [Insert gigantic opening here]" series any time soon.

@ sfarmer29: Thanks for the remarks. Incidentally, I've never before received a threat involving llamas. Depending on which grass they eat, though, they might be welcome.

@ katar: My thoughts about Curtains are similar to yours: they're entertaining, but their value (when it's blitz games) is hit-or-miss. As you say, we each have our own niche in the CV.tv universe. As for a "Quick Colle", there's something to be said for having occasional videos or even an occasional series on what we might call "safe club openings". The "Quick London", though, hmm. I used to think that was possible, but having seen Eric Prie's endless fascination with the London System on ChessPublishing.com, I have my doubts!
@ guy: If/when I get back to playing in tournaments again regularly, that would surely be part of what I'd cover.
@ FlintEastwood: Thanks for your loyal viewership. Hopefully you don't feel like you're speaking to an empty chair here.

@ Wolfgang: Thank you for the especially gracious comments, and rest assured that I will strive to maintain and improve my diction!
@ partee: I can't deny that I've felt the anguish that Curtains freely expresses in his videos, but I agree with you that all things being equal, videos are better without that.
@ sfarmer29, part 2: Thank you for the ad! Of course, it just so happens that I did and do have a donate button on my blog (
http://www.thechessmind.net/). I think, though, that it's probably better to try credits - at least for now.
And that's it! I'll ask Josh and "admin" what I need to do to get things set up, and will try to start posting this upcoming week.