This next episode is a heavy one
..and in trying to get it all organized an idea came to me.
We've had a bit of a catch 22 here at C&Rsenal: struggle to find a gun and shoot it. Episode released, 3 offers to loan what we no longer need.
Also the longer we spend in WWI, the harder the pieces become to borrow and shoot.
My solution for both? What if, when we have the opportunities, we do partial episodes of Primer? All the research, references, images, context, animation, etc... but no shooting segment or Maeversation at the end? Instead we leave placeholder segments explaining the issue.
We could call these episodes "Squib" and keep the same number from the primer series. If we ever get to shoot the gun, we go back, edit the shooting segment and Maeversation back in by pulling the placeholders, and re-upload the show. Now it will be titled Primer but keep its same space in the lineup.
So, THEORETICAL example: We go to Springfield and film handling the Fiat Revelli but cannot fire it. We do all the research, animate, etc, but no shooting or Maeversation. We call this "Squib 090: Italian Fiat Revelli"
Then, 2 months later we have just finished "Primer 094: Serbian Mauser 1880" and someone calls up that we can borrow their Fiat Revelli to shoot. We do so, then edit the old episode to contain the shooting footage, and get Mae's opinion.
Then we upload "Primer 090: Italian Fiat Revelli" and hide "Squib 090" as unlisted. The episodes still stack correctly and we're more flexible. Plus they advertise that we need the piece.
Comments (134)
I wholly agree with above points. The shooting segments are the less interesting most of the time to most of your core supporters. There has only been a few instances where the shooting highlighted a little understood truth about a given firearm. Yes I like to see Mae out there handling the arms, but the history and context you provide is the core of what interests me (yes I do understand that all of the research isn't just you). I also assume that this path would facilitate a more orderly progression of episodes, since you wouldn't have to start and stop based on the physical availability of a given hard to find firearm.
Oh yeah, the diminishing WWI list is a huge challenge
Sounds like a very workable plan given that some WWI pieces are pretty unobtanium for one reason or another.
Sounds like a great plan! The incredible depth of research is what hooked me on C&Rsenal.
I think that's an entirely acceptable workaround and personally the shooting parts are the less interesting part of the show. Don't get me wrong, I love them as well, but the historical information and the explanation of the mechanics of the guns, is what I'm here for. :)
Go for it.
Sounds like the best way to do it.
I like the idea for the history alone, and if it works to bait collectors for some pieces this would be magnificent.
I can't think of a better way to address this problem. As others have said, the breakdown of the gun, the developmental history, and the service use are as much of a reason to watch and support the show as watching the guns go "bang". Watching the guns go "bang", and hearing Mae's assessment of the ergo's recoil, handling, etc ARE really cool though :)
This sounds like a sensible, reasonable, and practical solution to the problem of finding unobtainium gats. If you're going to do place holder segments, can I request they have a slight comedy twist to them? Mae with an inflatable/cardboard Gat, some amusing sci-fi prop, or best of all.... Crozier with a little model gat. Go one, let Crozier have some more time in the lime light :)
I think its a great idea! I enjoy the shooting segments and the Maeversation, they really add to the experience, but I really love the detailed histories you guys include with the guns. And of course anything to help you guys keep the show going is a positive in my book.
.... and I'll just like the hell out of all the comments to the affirmative. Done.
I try to like them all as I read them. I can't always reply but it helps me make sure I've seen every one.
Sounds like a plan, please continue!
Frankly I can't imagine any direction you take your efforts would be objectionable in the least. Lead on oh bearded one and we will follow.
I think it's a good idea.
A very reasonable idea. Also I for one will be excited to start seeing some neutral guns of the era that didn't make it into the war.
I would rather get the history and such without the shooting than nothing at all. I understand that there are rifles that you will probably never get to shoot, but leaving them out just because you can't shoot them would be tripple plus ungood.
good idea
Good idea. If you have the research you can't waste it. In all honesty the history and mechanics are what I'm here for. The best is the enemy of the good and all that.
An elegant solution to a very difficult problem!
Go for it. I watch for the historical research - I'd hate to see all of that held up because the shooting segments are giving you trouble.
That sounds like a great idea. Go for it.
go for it
Brilliant solution! Please go ahead with this...
I like your plan. I came fairly recently to your site; and it would have been helpful to have an overall look at your plan - sort of like an index in a book to see what is where and see your plan. Just a thought. It might take more than one session. I hope your book will be forthcoming as well; I'm looking forward to it. This work of yours has led me to another look at history of WWi, and WWII. Having a book on the small arms of each would be very helpful. Maybe even a history of small arms (knives to machine guns) in all wars in which America was involved, from pre revolutionary war to today woven into the history of the actions.
Works for me. I know how hard you work on the shooting segments, but those aren't why I watch/listen to episodes multiple times. The research and backstory are.
Briliant idea.
Sounds very reasonable, with no complaints from me! Do what you need to do to keep the content coming!
Sounds like a reasonable way to handle it.
good idea!
I like that idea
No argument here.
sounds like a solid plan
I love the idea. To be honest, those parts that would be the entirety of the “squib” episode are why I turn into for C&R.
Another vote in favor!
Sounds like a great idea. The history of the design, use in the field, and the impact on any future designs is just as exciting and interesting to me.
I think that is a great idea!
Makes sense!
Yes!
Sounds good, can't hurt to do it at this point in the game.
I like that idea!
Sounds like a great idea.
I think that sounds like a good idea. I agree with Brian above me
As much as I like seeing Mae shoot and give her opinions on the guns, for me the real interest is the history and mechanics of the guns and cartridges. So your plan forward sounds like a winner.
This sounds great, and I love the name!
Sounds like a plan .
Works for me!
Great idea! I agree with the guy above that including Mae would be good, keep the team together. Also from post 1923 stuff, we're there for you and the info you provide, the music or video clips are secondary (I would imagine all the stills of soldiers with equipment etc would easily fit under fair use).
Better than no videos at all! In case you already have access to the gun, why don't you let Mae do some of the demo sitting next to you, like ergonomics, sight picture etc would keep all those Mae fans happy? ;-)
Seems like a sound plan.
Sure. Great idea. No need to hover around the stuff - showing marginal guns - while we are all kept in suspense waiting for hm.. other stuff. Still, be sure to find the usual slot for Mae. I would like to hear her expectations, later to hear her view. Anyway, I've seen the episodes more than once. As for post 1923, i.e. WWII. Don't invent problems that aren't really there. It may be that you appriciate a certain approach, but what if the net value for you and the viewers could be found using other, less demanding means? What if we could actually live fine without copyrighted music and footage - as long as we had the real gun, the real research, the real real you and Mae? What could simplify all the copyright issues? The decorations are not the core of the show; so ease the workload and do what no one does better. Like that with the animations, right?
It's actually a bit trickier still than that. I don't care for jump cuts like most of YouTube so I have to script in visuals to give myself breathing and refresher spaces. I don't memorize every episode. Without historical photos I'll have to create some other asset, contextually appropriate, to give that interruption. Again, it creates a sort of difficulty vs throwing in an already available photo.
Instead of Maevision you could have a cartoon Mae going Pew pew pew
This work fine for me; Maeversation on the "bang process" is a unique e very useful, if the squib elp in finding weapon ok. Keep the great job O&crew.
Anything that takes the strain off the logistical nightmare you deal with is totally fine with me Othais.
Yes. Just yes.
Seems reasonable to me. Go ahead.
well I guess that's a pretty good plan behind you all the way.
Do so. To see it shooting is only 5% of the pie.
I think its a brilliant idea! You guys put so much passion and effort into each effort into each episode, anything that can make things easier for the whole team will only help to improve the channel over the long run. Plus, it would help to spread the word that you you need a specific firearm. It would dramatically increase visiblity.
This totally works.
This is a good idea
Sounds like a plan!
I vote in favor of this, enthusiastically.
Often times, I listen to most of the episode and only watch the mechanically interesting parts - so cutting the gun out of the history section would not in the least affect me. Also, if I get to listen to smart people talk about rare guns, then I can deal with not having the visuals until you can find them later on.
Go for it!
Sounds like a very practical solution to an increasingly difficult problem. I have really enjoyed all your efforts thus far, keep up the great work!
Great Idea!
In my best Patrick Stewart voice "Make it so"
Sounds like a good idea.
Excellent idea!!! Whatever allows you to produce more content easier, without sacrificing the quality that C&renal is know for is a winning solution!!! Keep up the great work - you guys rock!!!
Sounds like a great idea
Excellent Idea. As others have said, the shooting and disassembly are MAYBE 1/10 or so of the episode and the "Maeversation" at the end is maybe another 1/10. There's little reason to not do 80% of the work and save yourself the headache of finding the guns.
I think this a great idea, I watch mostly for the in depth discussion and historical background though I enjoy Mae shooting and her take as well.
Works for me too.
works for me
This seems a sensible and realistic approach to take. While the shooting segements are always entertaining, it's the background and historical relevance of each weapon that intrigues me, not whether or not Mae thinks it's muzzle heavy or has issues with loading it.
I like this idea. It would allow you to complete ww1. I assume that you will be taking photos when possible. I do like the idea of seeing all the firearms and hearing the history behind it. I can wait for the shooting bit personally.
Think I accidentally deleted this while editing it; Look, do something whether this or something else or a combination of the two; I for one am perfectly fine (and may even be happier) with you not limiting yourself so severely to WW1 as examples get scarcer and scarcer. If you continue to insist on doing one period until the end every time it will continually get harder and harder towards the end of any one time period or focus, rather than fading into one as you fade out of another; it's unnecessary and clearly causes issues. You don't even need to do say ww2 or a gun that would get covered in a different war focus, but can just insert one-off episodes with a different sort of thumbnail if you want. Tbh I have a feeling that this is something that you'll need to do sooner or later. Perhaps also at the beginning/ end of new episodes you could put a labelled picture of the guns you're really looking for to shoot at the moment, which wouldn't distract or give away too much but possibly help a bit? I think that was basically all I said the first time
Sounds like a good plan to me.
Genius.
I like the research and history perhaps more than the actual shooting. Do it.
Great idea!
Do whatever works best man! We're here to support you through the end!
Do it. Honestly it makes sense as its kinda how you would do a restoration of a vehicle or airplane. Your in a way doing a restoration of these firearms.
If your asking for opinions I like the idea I wouldn't mind missing the shooting section of an episode especially if it lightened your work load and help keep the show on track for me I love the history and story of the guns what you don't get from any other channel
Certainly a reasonable approach. As we come to the end of the centennial of WW1, is it possible for you to branch out and touch on other eras, while still doing WW1 guns as they become fully available? That would seem to cut some of the week-to-week pressure, without abandoning the original project or creating future additional editing work.
We will likely start to roll in neutrals as we run out of material. Do not forget, adding any other era means abandoning an archive made of hundreds, if not thousands of hours of work this far and starting over on a new reference archive + fearing copyright.
Go for it
I'm all for this plan
The history is the more interesting part of the show anyway so Im ok with this
Sounds good to me.
I like it. I would miss Mae’s shooting and input, but it’s a good solution to the problem. Make it so :)
I’m for it
Dude, don't kill yourself. It's your show. Do what is best. I'm behind you whatever you want to do. This sounds like a great idea. And if you need to sneak into WW2 every once in a while, I don't see that as a problem either.
*Palpatine "Dewit" intensifies*
Sounds like a plan. It does raise the question. Why would any one want to shoot a Fiat Revelli?
No matter how good or terrible, I do.
sounds like a best compromise, given the rarity of some weapons.
That sounds like the perfect solution. Besides, the majority of the content really is the research and historical content. Not to say I don't like Mae. 😀
I would rather have the show without shooting than no episodes. The history is he more interesting part to me, the rest is the gravy on top. Very, very tasty gravy but not the meat of it.
I think it's a great idea, actually.
Why Not?
It's good with me. Go for it.
Great solution. The backround content is just as, if not more so, interesting than the shooting segments.
I think it would be better not to release an episode until it is complete - but I will support your decision either way
I would prefer this. But sadly there are guns we are no closer to firing that have some truly interesting history behind them. I sincerely hope discussing them will lure them out for firing as well.
Sounds like a great idea! Good thinking!
Sounds like an outstanding plan!
This is a good idea. I understand that it isn't perfect because there is information gained in firing a weapon. However, this is a far site better than going out of logical order, or just not getting an episode because of availability for shooting. The context and history alone are worth making an episode about. Everything else you guys do is just awesome gravy on top.
I love this idea.
I think that's a perfectly reasonable solution to your problem, but maybe you can find another role for Mae in those episodes. Maybe she can introduce the episode, which can then be edited out in the final version?
I think we'll give her the updates and let her do the temporary explanations bits
Do eeet.
I can get behind this idea.
You should do that immediately. Another good idea would be to talk to other gun channels that have those guns to either use their footage and opinions on the gun or even loan the guns. Anyway, I’m down for that idea.
Well Mr. Psychic you'll love the Kropatschek episode
I wouldn't have an issue with it. Good knows I jump past the last section as it is. One thing that I would say is make sure you have snap caps or brass or something (venue permitting) for shooting mechanics reference.
Actually, we have a new partner there... more on the next episode.
Do it now. Thanks for all you put into this work. Great solution.
Sounds good. It must be incredibly frustrating to get offers after the fact.
Every. Time.
Whatever makes it easiest for you. Don’t worry about us, we will stick around.
Works for me still get really good info on obviously hard to find guns.
If you are still handling the guns can you have Mae make “pew-pew” noises while holding them be the filler?
Actually... not a horrible idea for the placeholder
Brilliant! make it happen!
That makes sense. Please do it for your sake and the show's.
Sounds great to me!
I like it. I will watch “Squib” episodes if that’s what you post. We all love Mae, but the history is part of why we watch and support.
It makes complete sense We support you not matter what.
If it means othais can sleep occasionally... sure.
I can go along with this idea 100%.
