Pro Tour Builder Hub.

Think of Friday as media day. Come early — we want to capture your hero shot while things are calm before Saturday.

What we're looking for

• A serious, professional shot of you as a builder — and an updated video of your robot if it has changed.
• If you have a team jersey, wear it. We want to show off teams and schools in the Pro Tour.
• Come prepared with a pose or a prop — a spare robot, weapons, or anything themed to your bot or team.
• What looks blah: walking toward the camera with your arms crossed.

What we provide on site

• Mirrors, combs, and makeup powder throughout the event
• Questions on what to bring or how to pose? Reach out to Colby or Danielle beforehand.

Hair and makeup is available on site. Strongly recommended before any on-camera activity — 5 minutes, makes a real difference under broadcast lighting.

Before you arrive

• Shower and arrive with clean, combed hair
• Trim or shape your beard before the event
• Moisturize — camera lighting picks up dry skin

What HMU handles

• Evening skin tone for camera and arena lighting
• Controlling shine under broadcast lights
• Hair styling and touch-ups

Allergies, skin conditions, or preferences? Just mention them when you sit down.

Colors that work on camera

Rich jewel tones, bold primaries, and warm neutrals all read well. Anything that stands out against a dark background.

Avoid

• Black — disappears against our backdrops
• Bright white — blows out under broadcast lighting
• Fine stripes or tight patterns — causes shimmer on camera
• Busy all-over prints — distracts from your face on screen
• Very dark navy or charcoal — reads as black on camera

General guidance

• Team jerseys are encouraged if they follow the color rules above
• Wear something clean, unwrinkled, and that fits well
• Bring a backup outfit

The cageside reporter is asking questions to help viewers understand what's happening — not to trip you up. The best interviews are clear, confident, energetic, and authentic. Treat it like a normal conversation.

What viewers want

• To understand what's happening and feel part of it
• To feel your excitement and get excited with you
• To connect with you and your robot

Eye contact with the reporter — always. Not the camera, not the monitors, not the floor. The reporter may move out of frame and the camera will come closer — keep talking to them naturally.

Things to avoid

• Looking around The Bowl (unless genuinely soaking in the moment — that's fine)
• Looking at monitors to see how you look
• Looking down at the floor
• Bouncing between the camera and the reporter

If you don't know what to say — it's okay

Don't say "uhhh, I don't know." Keep it simple and broad:

• "The fight didn't go the way we planned, but we learned a lot, and we'll be ready for the next time we're in the cage."
• "I can't wait to get back up to The Pits to start repairing for the next fight."
• "We lost that one, but we'll be ready and hoping for a rematch in the future."
• "There is nothing like the energy you feel competing in this sport. I love it, and you all should too."

Slow down

• Most people talk too fast because of nerves. Take a breath before answering.
• Short and clear is always better than rushed and over-complicated.
• Most great interview answers are 1–3 sentences. If you feel yourself rambling, finish your main point and stop — the reporter will take it from there.

Start strong

• Avoid starting with "uhhh," "So basically," or "Well I mean…"
• Instead: "Our plan going into that fight was…" / "The big goal for us was…" / "What happened there was…"
• Including the question in your answer helps you stay on track.

Explaining technical stuff

Many viewers will be brand new to robot combat. Answer like you're explaining things to a newcomer.

Energy matters

You don't need to yell or fake excitement. But high energy and positivity help. Smile when it's appropriate, show emotion after a big win or tough loss, celebrate KOs, hype up the crowd, react honestly. People connect with personality.

Common mistakes — avoid these

• Talking for too long — 1–3 sentences, finish your point, stop
• Getting overly technical right away — most viewers won't know what an ESC is
• Looking away or spacing out — eye contact
• One-word answers (unless literally asked for one word)
• Trying to sound perfect — it never comes off that way anyway

Gladiator entrance walkouts

NOW IS YOUR TIME TO SHINE. Don't rush your walkout entrance to The Bowl in Prime Time.

• Walk slow. Take your time. Soak it all in.
• Hype up the crowd.
• Stop in the middle of the entrance before walking toward the cage — show yourself, your team, your bot off.

Be yourself

The viewers want to meet YOU. The audience wants builders, competitors, personalities — not robots reading a script. The best interviews feel like real people reacting in real time. Be real. Be you.