If you are small and wish to take on the big, the first step you need to plan before you wage your challenge is your path of escape. Chin-Ning Chu
Interesting quote which leads to this article; first and foremost, I love this game, as it allows me to bring out my inner competitor that over time has been suppressed. Life has a funny way of rearranging your priorities. I have reached a point at which things are getting into order. I have a wonderful wife, 3 great children, an interesting job, etc, etc.
Things like this have allowed me the time to go back and explore what I am really missing; the thrill of competition on the highest level.
I started back into magic by putting myself in place that was comfortable – talking to people about the game and their desire for it. Joining the Manascrewed podcast (thanks to Tangent), gave me a forum in which I was allowed to speak openly about something that inspires me.
Most of you know that I have branched off from Manascrewed into The Men of Magic podcast. The Men of Magic has opened up opportunities for me in the wider world of MTG:
• I was on coverage team at GP Denver on GGSLive.
• I did two rounds of live coverage at SCGOpen in Madison, WI.
• Thanks to Channel Fireball I have been able to do interviews at locations that for financial reasons I couldn’t afford to do completely on my own.
In that time, I have gotten to know a lot of the pros on the tour. When I show up at an event they know who I am and what I bring for the magic scene as a whole. There are countless stories that I have been able to be a part of due to this. I am thankful to those people that allowed me to enjoy this so much.
There is no denying that I have goals in MTG. We all want to win a GP and make the pro tour. Be called the next great one in magic; there is that and then there is reality.
If you’re a competitive person, that stays with you. You don’t stop. You always look over your shoulder. Magic Johnson
There is a goal for what I want to do:
Coverage – I have made this point to the masses on twitter and those who I have talked to. The understanding of how to present interaction with a tactician of the game is skill that unique to the market. This is something I have worked on throughout my podcasting and radio days. There are currently only two places at which this skill can be used: StarCityGames and Wizards of the Coast.
I have had a taste of both and believe me when I say that I want more. I can see myself filling a slot for SCG that isn’t filled at the moment: Lead commentator that can interview and provide smooth the transition from play to between rounds commentary for co-hosts. Not everyone can be Rich Hagon or BDM. Chemistry is something that is developed over time as you get to know the people you work with. JVL is one of the best, especially when questioned about deck choices and match results. That round I worked with him, there wasn’t an awkward moment. It was two people giving more insight into the game. Working Joey Pasco was great. He’s the next big thing in magic broadcasting. I can see him in 10 years being like BDM in the booth for WoTC. SCG is very fortunate to have a talent like him on the roster and it shows. He at every major SCG Invitational and gets to work with best SCG has to offer.
Clearly this is a position that I would have no hesitation in accepting.
WoTC Coverage has added a second booth for interviews and game recaps; this seems like a natural fit for me. Interviewing the pros is something I have a lot of previous experience doing, and being able to review a match or have special guests come in to talk is a strength of mine.
If you don’t make the right steps to open up doors that potentially lead to those opportunities, then you are either foolish or unmotivated.
Research your idea. See if there’s a demand. A lot of people have great ideas, but they don’t know if there’s a need for it. You also have to research your competition. Magic Johnson
This quote to be tied to a couple of people in magic: Mike Flores, who has been able to spend some time working with The Men of Magic to assist in what is needed to make it better. At GPMIN Adam Styborski spoke to me for about an hour on what I wanted out magic and how I can improve to provide even more for you.
There are countless others that have assisted my goals: TSG, Evan Erwin, Trick Jarrett, Rich Hagon, BDM, various fellow podcasters; the list goes on and on.
Magic has given so much to me over the years. This is my way to giving back. The Men of Magic is something I cherish, because nobody else has done anything like it for this long before. Like Manascrewed and Monday Night Magic, The Men of Magic is a stepping stone to what I want out of this game we love: the ability to present to you as an enjoyable and educational experience that makes the viewer want more of it.
Robert Martin
