Are Festool Classes Recorded?

[upscale]

I'm sure I asked this question in the past, but I don't remember what answer I got.

Are Festool classes recorded? Since as yet, none of the Festool classes have made their way up to Canada, I for one would be prepared to pay for some of videos of the extended Festool classes.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that would pay the necessary bucks for these videos? What's the problem guys (Festool Management?)???

As one of the thousands, maybe millions of woodworkers that spend our money on your tools, wouldn't you to like to get your mitts on more of it?

Really now! I'm prepared to open my wallet and pony up. What's the difficulty?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

As of now... no, none have been made available via video or webcasting.

The problem? Well, our trainers stay pretty busy as is.

The plan... We've been talking about it for a while to get some content available online, either live or recorded. It's in the works but I don't have an ETA. I've exchanged emails and talked about such plans as recently as this week.

Maybe I need to set up an anonymous Paypal account and bootleg some video of a couple of classes. [big grin]

Shane

 

[upscale]

As of now... no, none have been made available via video or webcasting.
The problem? Well, our trainers stay pretty busy as is.

The Festool powers that be have to be impressed with the fact that there's money to be made. Now if *you* let them know that there's a demand for this, maybe you can negotiate a share of the proceeds.
[cool]

 

[ccarrolladams]

Are Festool classes recorded?

Participants in Festool End User classes are allowed to take still photos, but not to make videos or record sound. This is to protect the privacy of the other participants.

 

[upscale]

Participants in Festool End User classes are allowed to take still photos, but not to make videos or record sound. This is to protect the privacy of the other participants.

Sure, I understand that. Ideally, I'm looking for, no hoping for a professionally produced product. That means a professional videographer who would clean and produce a decent movie and if necessary, graying out some of the participants. To me anyway, it's a cash making opportunity that is screaming for Festool to take advantage of it. A win for them and a win for people like me.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Currently there are thousands of woodworking videos available, some for free, some for sale.

Festool worldwide has other trainers besides of trusted Steve Bace and Brian "The Sedge" Sedgeley. Quite a few of these Festool Trainers appear in videos, many professionally produced.

Perhaps the compromise would be to use the Festool Training Centers between actual classes to produce videos. In this way participants can be recruited who are willing to appear on video. They will know up-front what to expect. Production could take as long as necessary without any fear that delays would prevent completion of a given class.

Why would there be any advantage to see a video of a random few participants during an actual class? What is it that people expect in an instructional video? Do you really want to see improv based upon a question from a participant? Or, would it make more sense to watch a really talented trainer go through all the steps needed to use a tool or build something?

During actual Festool classes the participants have taken valuable time away from their lives and spent their money on travel, lodging, meals and tuition. Many do not want the intrusion of outsiders using cameras and sound booms intrusively, as is necessary to make "professional quality" videos. In class trainees can move around a demonstration to see from the angle each considers ideal. Trainers and participants may express themselves as they see fit, without worry their remarks will turn up on-line.

While my personal contempt for several DIY "experts" on TV is well known within the Festool community, I believe strongly that all of the genuine Festool Trainers have the combination of personality, teaching skills and actual woodworking experience to become ideal video stars. At the same time I also do not think it the best idea for Festool or any tool manufacturer to get into the business of selling or giving away their own instructional videos.

First of all, for most tasks there are several ways to perform that function. Selection is based upon circumstances, including the body type of the woodworker. In a Festool class the coaching is specific to each trainee. How do you, in a video, explain many ways of doing a given task?

Also, as experienced is gained, opinions about preferred methods changes. I attended the first End user Class held in Henderson when the new training center opened in 2010. Since then I have attended many other classes. I notice that in just these few months earlier methods have been up-dated. So, when something is recorded on video, it will be there for a long time. Suppose after a bunch of videos are distributed it is found there needs to be a refinement of a particular method? How can all those videos be recalled?

 

[upscale]

Perhaps the compromise would be to use the Festool Training Centers between actual classes to produce videos. In this way participants can be recruited who are willing to appear on video.

Why would "volunteer" participants be needed at all. I'm talking about a Festool professional hired to produce a video. While I have practised with my Domino to the extent that I could figure out most general uses, there's plenty of tips and tricks that most anybody could benefit from. And so, it could be with many of Festool's products.

Do you really want to see improv based upon a question from a participant? Or, would it make more sense to watch a really talented trainer go through all the steps needed to use a tool or build something?

No, I DO NOT want to see an improv. I want to see the talented trainer, building something practical, not just going through the routine of how it works. That kind of information is easily available.

At the same time I also do not think it the best idea for Festool or any tool manufacturer to get into the business of selling or giving away their own instructional videos.

And there we differ.

How do you, in a video, explain many ways of doing a given task?

??? You go through the various steps and show demonstrations of those steps. That kind of information is exactly the type of detail I for one would like to see. The many different methods to accomplish the same task is invaluable.

Suppose after a bunch of videos are distributed it is found there needs to be a refinement of a particular method? How can all those videos be recalled?

That is something that can and does happen with EVERY product. A recall is usually only necessary with a safety issue. All other instances can be handled by a released up date.

You don't approve of my request for training videos, fine that's your opinion. I beg to differ and that's MY opinion.

 

[upscale]

Perhaps the compromise would be to use the Festool Training Centers between actual classes to produce videos. In this way participants can be recruited who are willing to appear on video. They will know up-front what to expect. Production could take as long as necessary without any fear that delays would prevent completion of a given class.

One other thing. I've never once said that I want to see participants using Festool products. Since these extended classes aren't available outside the US, I've never been able to attend such an extended class. I surmise that a professional shows how to use something and the participant then practises the same technique. The professional part of the demonstration is what I'm looking for.

Have you ever watched any of the Kreg videos? What is shown there is the same type of use I'm looking for from Festools. No volunteer participants. Just one expert going through the process of building something practical. Some examples below.

http://www.amazon.com/Kreg-V07-DVD-Pocket-Solution-Carpentry/dp/B000BKBYX6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340560941&sr=8-1&keywords=kreg+video

http://www.amazon.com/Kreg-V03-DVD-Pocket-Joinery-Cabinet/dp/B0007VYL3E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1340560941&sr=8-3&keywords=kreg+video

http://www.amazon.com/Kreg-V05-DVD-Pocket-Joinery-Building/dp/B0007VYL3O/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1340560941&sr=8-15&keywords=kreg+video

 

[vwdave]

I would love to see videos too. I've never been able to sneak away from work long enough to go out to Festool training. I have seen Steve and Brian at jlc and picked up quite a few tricks.  I would love if the offered a week long class and it would cover much more, flying out for just 2 days kills the week.

Maybe Festool would give me the opportunity to come out there with my producer and film myself working with the trainers [poke].

Dave

 

[ccarrolladams]

How marvelous that people want to tell Festool how to market their products.

Look, if anyone is so hot and bothered about Festool End User classed not being recorded for sale on DVD, how about contacting Shane Holland?

Personally I find it fascinating that a person wants the classes recorded. Then when I mention a need for volunteers as the trainees, the same poster thinks all that is needed is a video of a demonstration.

Swell, record the demo. Or, record a trainer lecturing while demonstrating. That is not how End User classes function. In these classes, the day starts with a safety discussion and setting the goals. Then in the workshop trainees are coached as they set up various Festools. There will be questions, and the answers to those questions can alter the course of the next hour. Without seeing and hearing trainees, nobody is seeing a class.

If what you want to see is a demonstration of the tools or building something, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of such videos available.

What the heck, any FOG member who is an established producer of instructional video material might want to discuss proposals with Shane.

 

[upscale]

Personally I find it fascinating that a person wants the classes recorded. Then when I mention a need for volunteers as the trainees, the same poster thinks all that is needed is a video of a demonstration.

Appreciate your opinion. Goodbye  [censored]

 

[fritter63]

Shane, count me in line with "Upscale". I too would pay for the videos to learn some more tricks.

However, it's possible that Festool is just missing out on a great selling tool, especially when you consider the main line sales pitch of "better in system". When you are trying to sell a system, it can only benefit the producer to make sure that as many potential users are educated to the point that they get excited about it.

I don't understand why privacy issues would be a concern if somebody attends a class. Not filming in str1p clubs I can understand, but I don't think we have a problem with closet woodworkers.....

Unless you get a lot of DeWalt employees at the classes?  [cool]

 

[RC]

I do second Upscale & Fritters in that Festool should make a lot more videos especially on how the different parts of the system interoperate together to make more than 1+1=2.

Sure Paul-Marcel, Peter & Dave, et. al. do a great job at introducing us to the different tools and hats off for that! [thumbs up]

Unfortunately their hard work doesn't cover how the different Festools could be used together in real life tasks like building cabinets, stairs, flooring, tables, chairs, decks, etc. that would require a more significant investment both in time and materials to demonstrate on video than is reasonable to expect from our fellow hobbyists, much less the working professionals in the crowd who's living is dependent on how many hours they can work at a paying client.

We have been seeing a minute trickle of basic "how to use a Festool router" type Festool half to one day trainings lately here in Finland, but what I have understood about the US classes that they go a lot more in depth than than ours and I can tell that flying out to Vegas for a course is very much cost prohibitive for someone living in Europe.

Heck even producing a basic series on 'How to check for alignment and how to re-align if out of whack' videos would be a great start from Festools part since just about every Festools is somehow fine tunable and seriously speaking not very well documented in the 'manual'...

I for one just last night fine tuned my grandad's old Stanley 4C smoothing plane (concave sole flattened, blade flattened, sharpened, frog honed, etc.) and I can guarantee that I could not have done it in a night from start to finish without the great videos at WoodTreks.  [big grin]

 

[RONWEN]

How marvelous that people want to tell Festool how to market their products.

Look, if anyone is so hot and bothered about Festool End User classed not being recorded for sale on DVD, how about contacting Shane Holland?

Personally I find it fascinating that a person wants the classes recorded. Then when I mention a need for volunteers as the trainees, the same poster thinks all that is needed is a video of a demonstration.

Swell, record the demo. Or, record a trainer lecturing while demonstrating. That is not how End User classes function. In these classes, the day starts with a safety discussion and setting the goals. Then in the workshop trainees are coached as they set up various Festools. There will be questions, and the answers to those questions can alter the course of the next hour. Without seeing and hearing trainees, nobody is seeing a class.

If what you want to see is a demonstration of the tools or building something, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of such videos available.

What the heck, any FOG member who is an established producer of instructional video material might want to discuss proposals with Shane.

FestoolUSA could "raise the (training) bar" by contracting established video producer Paul Marcel, providing him with the expected training syllabus and then making those very high quality sessions available as they see fit, probably not DVD but rather online which can be edited as required.

 

[sancho57]

Why waste your time with a video or DVD?

The festool reps I know, will come to you shop and demo tools and give advice on how to do what you want.

They also have demo days at the various brick and mortar where you could stop by and get all the info you want in person.

I ran into my festool rep at my supplier, he told me about a demo day at another woodworking store. I stopped by and spent a couple of hours with him one on one he answered all my questions demonstrated everything I needed to know and offered to come to my shop for a visit.

Plus the end user instructors when available are a phone call away or a email away.

Festool support will help you through your issue on the phone too.

So why is a DVD necessary?

There are DVDs available with specific operations such as Gary Katzs door hanging video and from what I understand his wainscotting dvd , the work is done using festoons.

I just ordered that so Ill be able to give yas some educated info when it arrives.

My local supplier is festool trained and has 2 festool experts also.

They work at the supplier but also have their own woodworking/cabinet businesses so are very familiar with the use of the tools in actual day to day operations.

But then maybe Im lucky with so many resources close at hand.

I dont know if that the norm or not.

 

[Steve R]

Yea... their not recorded [wink]. Rumor has it that Class attendees Names and pictures put on the "Most Wanted Customers List" and circulated to Festool Dealers....  [thumbs up] [poke] 

Cheers,
Steve

 

[sancho57]

Steve,

They dont need to be put on list. If theyre is anything like the classes Ive been to, folks leave the class and beat down the doors of their local dealer or burn up the internet ordering

 

[Steve R]

Steve,

They dont need to be put on list. If theyre is anything like the classes Ive been to, folks leave the class and beat down the doors of their local dealer or burn up the internet ordering

Yup.... just like a heroin addict two days late for their fix... [scared]

 

[RONWEN]

Why waste your time with a video or DVD?

The festool reps I know, will come to you shop and demo tools and give advice on how to do what you want.

They also have demo days at the various brick and mortar where you could stop by and get all the info you want in person.

I ran into my festool rep at my supplier, he told me about a demo day at another woodworking store. I stopped by and spent a couple of hours with him one on one he answered all my questions demonstrated everything I needed to know and offered to come to my shop for a visit.

Plus the end user instructors when available are a phone call away or a email away.

Festool support will help you through your issue on the phone too.

So why is a DVD necessary?

There are DVDs available with specific operations such as Gary Katzs door hanging video and from what I understand his wainscotting dvd , the work is done using festoons.

I just ordered that so Ill be able to give yas some educated info when it arrives.

My local supplier is festool trained and has 2 festool experts also.

They work at the supplier but also have their own woodworking/cabinet businesses so are very familiar with the use of the tools in actual day to day operations.

But then maybe Im lucky with so many resources close at hand.

I dont know if that the norm or not.

I have no idea if I am "the norm" or not but I am 2+ hours (one direction) from a Festool dealer.  I could watch a one (1) hour video and still be 3+ hours ahead.  That assumes the dealer can accommodate my time schedule, otherwise more time involved.
That would be the reason for videos.

 

[sancho57]

Like I said, Maybe Im lucky with so many resources close at hand.