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When you're starting out in commentary, it's a lot to figure out all at once. How do I find places to commentate? What game(s) should I do? How much do I need to know to get on the mic? How knowledgeable am I supposed to be?

No one starts out perfect, and it's a long journey of improving a wide set of skills step by step, block by block. Here's how I'd break down the first year or two of commentary for someone looking to seriously pursue it:

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(banner art: Hyde @tabakko)

BEGINNER TIPS:

  1. Choose 1 or 2 games you really want to focus on for commentary. You CAN do more if you'd like and you have a passion for them -- but especially when you're first starting out, it helps to avoid spreading yourself too thin!
  2. Get experience at your locals / smaller netplay brackets. Maybe it's a couple times a month, maybe it's 1-2 times a week. The best way to learn is to start!
  3. Be polite & proactive: reach out to TO's/Production for commentary opportunities. Avoid coming off entitled or demanding, and message them to say you'd love to commentate their bracket sometime if an opening ever comes up!
  4. Download the best VODs from your locals / online brackets, and build a commentary reel & commentary resume.
    1. COMMENTARY REEL: 2m-2m30s of your best Commentary clips, showing your skills in hype, analysis, play-by-play, and your personality. START WITH A SELF-INTRO THAT HAS YOUR NAME, VOICE, & FACE!
    2. COMMENTARY RESUME: Doesn't have to be an office resume -- just a Google / Notion Doc that shows the games you commentate and the events you've worked! ex. my Commentary Resume
  5. Start submitting commentary applications for Regionals. When you're first starting out, you might get a good amount of rejections (or no responses at all) -- but that's inevitable when there's a limited amount of commentary slots! Pushing through the rejections is part of the job, but get into the habit of applying early.
  6. While you're building up your name & experience, consider traveling to Regionals outside of your immediate area!
    1. Everyone's financial situation looks different & you should definitely not put yourself into debt just to travel to events -- but the more events you can save money/PTO to visit, the quicker you can build up your experience, skills, & resume!
  7. Be a part of the scene & play the game often. Might seem like obvious advice, but it really can't be overstated. There's only so much you can learn from Dustloop & YouTube videos, and you can't substitute knowledge & notes for KNOWING what a situation feels like from the player POV. Being active in your scene both helps your Commentary knowledge AND your credibility as a community member.
  8. Perform, review, train, repeat. There's a LOT of skills that come together on Commentary: game knowledge, player knowledge, hosting, hype, analysis, articulation, and more! You won't be perfect when you start, and it'll take time to build up each individual skill.
    1. After every block, review how it went and choose ONE (1) thing you want to improve on for the next one. Train it while you're off the mic (i.e. studying a character you don't know, drill your self-introduction, practice your articulation with speaking drills, etc.), and focus on it for the next block! Then repeat.
    2. Reach out for feedback/reviews too! Sometimes your Co-Commentator or Streamer can have great insights on your strengths & weaknesses. Thank them sincerely for working with you // having you on, and mention that you'd love any critiques in case there's anything they noticed from your block together!