06-26-2022, 04:31 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-28-2022, 06:03 PM by dude_man. Edited 2 times in total.)
Me: Hey guys and gals and everything in between WildfireMicro here with the first edition in ISFL of what I call Blazing! Basically this will be an interview series of various users in this league to learn about where they come from and how they came into the league and thier history with it.
Our first guest will be @Alikh! How are you buddy?
Alikh: Hey! Doing great here. Didn't realize I'd be guest number one. Big job to help kick off the series! Thanks for having me.
Me: You are very welcome, I just started this series today and you are literally the first one to contact me about it. I hope the day has been treating you well
Alikh: So far, so good. Just getting stuff ready for the coming week in the ISFL actually. Working on some video media and tweets.
Me: Oh tell me more about how you do the video media
Alikh: I use a program called DaVinci Resolve. Its free, and something I came across a few years ago on a project unrelated to the league. I have zero skills in GFX making, so I used DaVinci to pull together the great graphics others have made, clips of player's renders, royalty free music, etc, and put it all together into something fun!
Me: That sounds extremely interesting! Has that been fun for you?
Alikh: Its a lot of fun! Takes probably around an hour and a half for a one min vid. But that could be because I spend way too much time trying to get all the subtle transitions and music layering right. The time flies by though, I dont find it to be a chore at all.
Me: I'm so glad that video's can now get individually graded instead or probably being just lumped in with GFX grading. Makes things a lot more organized
Alikh: It's great! The first vid I ever made I did as part of a locker room bet with the Royals. I didn't even know I could get paid for it- all the GFX I'd seen were images. Someone let me know I could submit it for pay, and well, I've made some good money since then.
Me: Indeed! If I understand it right, you are a new user?
Alikh: Thats correct! I created my first (and current) player during the last few weeks of season 34. Got picked up off waivers, then got to experience the DSFL Draft, and a season later the ISFL draft. A whole lot of firsts in the last few months!
Me: Drafts are usually pretty fun! Did you enjoy them?
Alikh: Both were great! Really enjoyed the scouting process for both leagues... getting to know the teams, feel them out a little bit, get an idea of what types of positions or roles a lot of teams had a need (or no need) for. Definitely helped put into perspective a lot of how the ISFL works. And then hearing your name called on draft day, well that is awesome of course.
Me: Yeah I love Drafts! They are the most exciting part of the offseason. Now, why did you choose the position of your player that you did?
Alikh: Safety is my all time favorite position in football. I'm a fan of defense over offense, and on the D side of the ball I think Safety is a really unique and interesting position. In real life it requires a lot of football IQ along with the athleticism all positions require. My love of Safety was probably also helped along by the fact that when I got into the NFL it was during the peak Ed Reed years, and I'm a Baltimore fan.
Me: I see! You were in a great time to be a Baltimore fan, have you ever heard the story of how the Colts left?
Alikh: Unfortunately, yes, haha. That was before my time, but I've inherited the Raven's disdain for Indianapolis since then. Move's happen- it sucks, but its a reality of all sports. But the Colts move really stands out as how shady it all was, and that the records were stolen, like Johnny Unitas. But it is what it is, and starting with a completely fresh record book with the Ravens was kind of cool in its own way.
Me: Yeah at least the Browns kept thier name and history if nothing else. I am a fan of the Ohio team further down south though
Alikh: Bengals? I can handle that. As much fun as it would be to have to competition in the division sometimes to pave the way to the playoffs, cough Patriots cough I do really like how competitive our division is most years. Always a loaded team or two, but then at least one other that keeps you guessing.
Me: Indeed. Gonna be a QB bloodbath pretty soon. Burrow, Jackson, Pickett and Watson. Still need to see Pickett play though
Alikh: And the jurys still out on when(if?) Watson plays. Depending on what happens there, could be a good year for our two defenses against Pittsburg and Cleveland.
Me: I'm very excited to see Burrow with a competent offensive line
Alikh: Objectively, I am too. As a Baltimore fan? I kinda like a weak line protecting him, haha.
Me: We will take care of Haden Hurst
Alikh: Oh yeah, hes great. Would have been nice to be able to keep him, but even the Ravens can only have so many Tight Ends.
Me: Ok what has been your favorite part of the ISFL so far?
Alikh: It's been the locker rooms, I'd have to say. Not just is this my first time in the ISFL, its my first sim league too. So I had no idea what to expect really. How lively the teams discords are, and how everyone seems to know everyone else has been great. Definitely makes you want to stay involved.
Me: Yeah most people in the league are great honestly, I'm glad you enjoy the locker rooms
Alikh: Met a ton of cool people, both on my teams and not. Been a lot of fun
Me: You ever want to get a league job or anything?
Alikh: Sure! I've poked around looking at a few. Actually just picked up some work running a team's twitter just a few days ago, so that'll be fun to run with this season. Down the road, who knows? I definitely want to stay involved.
Me: Do you have any aspirations of being a GM?
Alikh: Hmm....maybe? Its something I could maybe see doing down the road with the right team/right group of former GMs to help me along the way, haha.
Me: I see! Well that's all I wanted to ask, so I'll end this now and say it's been a pleasure talking to you!
Alikh: Thanks! Appreciate taking the time to sit down with me today, its been fun!
Well ghat was certainly a fun interview and I hope to do more! If you want to be interviewed DM me on Discord. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you all on the field!
Our first guest will be @Alikh! How are you buddy?
Alikh: Hey! Doing great here. Didn't realize I'd be guest number one. Big job to help kick off the series! Thanks for having me.
Me: You are very welcome, I just started this series today and you are literally the first one to contact me about it. I hope the day has been treating you well
Alikh: So far, so good. Just getting stuff ready for the coming week in the ISFL actually. Working on some video media and tweets.
Me: Oh tell me more about how you do the video media
Alikh: I use a program called DaVinci Resolve. Its free, and something I came across a few years ago on a project unrelated to the league. I have zero skills in GFX making, so I used DaVinci to pull together the great graphics others have made, clips of player's renders, royalty free music, etc, and put it all together into something fun!
Me: That sounds extremely interesting! Has that been fun for you?
Alikh: Its a lot of fun! Takes probably around an hour and a half for a one min vid. But that could be because I spend way too much time trying to get all the subtle transitions and music layering right. The time flies by though, I dont find it to be a chore at all.
Me: I'm so glad that video's can now get individually graded instead or probably being just lumped in with GFX grading. Makes things a lot more organized
Alikh: It's great! The first vid I ever made I did as part of a locker room bet with the Royals. I didn't even know I could get paid for it- all the GFX I'd seen were images. Someone let me know I could submit it for pay, and well, I've made some good money since then.
Me: Indeed! If I understand it right, you are a new user?
Alikh: Thats correct! I created my first (and current) player during the last few weeks of season 34. Got picked up off waivers, then got to experience the DSFL Draft, and a season later the ISFL draft. A whole lot of firsts in the last few months!
Me: Drafts are usually pretty fun! Did you enjoy them?
Alikh: Both were great! Really enjoyed the scouting process for both leagues... getting to know the teams, feel them out a little bit, get an idea of what types of positions or roles a lot of teams had a need (or no need) for. Definitely helped put into perspective a lot of how the ISFL works. And then hearing your name called on draft day, well that is awesome of course.
Me: Yeah I love Drafts! They are the most exciting part of the offseason. Now, why did you choose the position of your player that you did?
Alikh: Safety is my all time favorite position in football. I'm a fan of defense over offense, and on the D side of the ball I think Safety is a really unique and interesting position. In real life it requires a lot of football IQ along with the athleticism all positions require. My love of Safety was probably also helped along by the fact that when I got into the NFL it was during the peak Ed Reed years, and I'm a Baltimore fan.
Me: I see! You were in a great time to be a Baltimore fan, have you ever heard the story of how the Colts left?
Alikh: Unfortunately, yes, haha. That was before my time, but I've inherited the Raven's disdain for Indianapolis since then. Move's happen- it sucks, but its a reality of all sports. But the Colts move really stands out as how shady it all was, and that the records were stolen, like Johnny Unitas. But it is what it is, and starting with a completely fresh record book with the Ravens was kind of cool in its own way.
Me: Yeah at least the Browns kept thier name and history if nothing else. I am a fan of the Ohio team further down south though
Alikh: Bengals? I can handle that. As much fun as it would be to have to competition in the division sometimes to pave the way to the playoffs, cough Patriots cough I do really like how competitive our division is most years. Always a loaded team or two, but then at least one other that keeps you guessing.
Me: Indeed. Gonna be a QB bloodbath pretty soon. Burrow, Jackson, Pickett and Watson. Still need to see Pickett play though
Alikh: And the jurys still out on when(if?) Watson plays. Depending on what happens there, could be a good year for our two defenses against Pittsburg and Cleveland.
Me: I'm very excited to see Burrow with a competent offensive line
Alikh: Objectively, I am too. As a Baltimore fan? I kinda like a weak line protecting him, haha.
Me: We will take care of Haden Hurst
Alikh: Oh yeah, hes great. Would have been nice to be able to keep him, but even the Ravens can only have so many Tight Ends.
Me: Ok what has been your favorite part of the ISFL so far?
Alikh: It's been the locker rooms, I'd have to say. Not just is this my first time in the ISFL, its my first sim league too. So I had no idea what to expect really. How lively the teams discords are, and how everyone seems to know everyone else has been great. Definitely makes you want to stay involved.
Me: Yeah most people in the league are great honestly, I'm glad you enjoy the locker rooms
Alikh: Met a ton of cool people, both on my teams and not. Been a lot of fun
Me: You ever want to get a league job or anything?
Alikh: Sure! I've poked around looking at a few. Actually just picked up some work running a team's twitter just a few days ago, so that'll be fun to run with this season. Down the road, who knows? I definitely want to stay involved.
Me: Do you have any aspirations of being a GM?
Alikh: Hmm....maybe? Its something I could maybe see doing down the road with the right team/right group of former GMs to help me along the way, haha.
Me: I see! Well that's all I wanted to ask, so I'll end this now and say it's been a pleasure talking to you!
Alikh: Thanks! Appreciate taking the time to sit down with me today, its been fun!
Well ghat was certainly a fun interview and I hope to do more! If you want to be interviewed DM me on Discord. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you all on the field!
Code:
Please split the money between us ok