The Down Range Forum
Flying Dragon Productions ( Michael Bane ) => The Best Defense on My Outdoor TV => Topic started by: Rob Pincus on May 09, 2011, 05:46:21 PM
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Saying “Goodbye and Good Luck!” to The Best Defense
In 2008, when I was asked by Michael Bane to join him as a co-host of the best television show ever created to deal with personal defense issues, I was floored. As he explained it on the phone that day, it would be a chance to control the firearms training segments and be involved with a great team to develop scenarios that would teach the most important lessons we thought people needed.
Michael thought that based on what he knew about my approach to training, my experience with TV and video and the feedback he had received from viewers after my guest appearances on Shooting Gallery, I would be a great fit. The icing on the cake? I’d be working with Mike Janich, whom I had great respect for as a trainer and considered a friend in the industry. This was going to be great!
And it was great. For 3 years, we’ve been putting together scenarios, discussing solutions to common problems and working as a team to put our individual opinions, concepts and techniques together into an educational and (hopefully) entertaining show. All the while, with Michael Bane leading the way, handling the big-boy issues like advertisers and production logistics and interactions with the network. Mostly, Janich and I got to show up at the locations and work with our Director, Tim Cremin, and our Director of Photography, Brandon Green, to simply do what we do all the time: Teach, Demonstrate and Explain. Through 3 seasons of The Best Defense and 3 seasons of the spin-off “Best Defense: Survival” we were able to cover everything from close quarters firearms skills to scavenger for supplies in the aftermath the downfall of civilization. In the firearms segments alone, I got to go from the basic fundamentals of defensive shooting (Extend-Touch-Press) through contact shooting, headshots with .22s and, in the upcoming season of Survival, even got to spend some time explaining which guns I would choose for an extended worst case scenario situation and discuss how to best use them. From staged fights in my favorite local bar in Virginia Beach to breaking in Bane’s front door, we’ve had a great time making great TV, but there is easily one highlight I need to mention above all others:
Viewer Feedback has been AMAZING. I cannot begin to recount the number of emails, Facebook comments and personal statements of support and appreciation I have gotten about the work that we have done on The Best Defense. It has always been great to hear that people appreciate any of the work, whether it is an article, a book a DVD or a course, but The Best Defense has garnered more universal support that any other project that I have worked on recently... and that is something that I am very proud of.
Of course, after three years and a total of 73 Episodes, it is time for me to say “Goodbye and Good Luck” to The Best Defense. With about 50 I.C.E. Training Company courses on the schedule this year, the growth of Personal Defense Network, my obligations as Digital Media Editor at S.W.A.T. Magazine, other television projects and, of course, The Personal Firearms Defense DVD Series, there wasn’t room for everything. I am usually not good at saying “no” to an opportunity, certainly not one as cool at The Best Defense, but I have been able to say “That was Great, now on to something else!” when it was time… and for this project, that will be later this year, when the last show of the new Survival season airs. I have already spoken to my successor as “TBD Gun Guy” about the future of the show and I think it is in great hands. Of course, I’ll continue to consult and watch with great interest to see where a new perspective and new voice takes the project!
As for me, I’m looking forward to putting some of the creative energy that went into making TBD “The Best” into some other projects, including a lot more Internet Video! The ability to create content and get it immediately out to the world is a huge advantage in today’s fast paced world and I’ll definitely be sharing thoughts, techniques and tips on a screen near you for a long time, whether it is on a website, on DVD or via other television projects.
Thank you to Michael Bane for the offer, for putting it all together and for fulfilling his promise to let the training dictate the content. Thanks to Mike Janich for his brilliant ideas about the shows format and the information that he shared. Thanks to Tim, Brandon and everyone else behind the scenes at WinnerComm for the production, our advertisers and the venues we’ve taped at for the support and to Outdoor Channel for putting it all in front of the world. Biggest thanks have to go to the viewers for the constant flow of feedback, support, appreciation and motivation to make The Best Defense the best show ever created to deal with personal defense issues.
-Rob Pincus
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Sorry I want be seeing you on TBD. I'll just have to make due with seeing you in the BOX.
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Well, you've got until the end of the year to see me on reruns and the new season of TBD:S... but you are stuck with me at the Gym for much longer!
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Hate to hear you are leaving the show, RP, your commentary will be missed, but anyone with common sense will understand (and be glad) that it is a good thing for your plate to be full enough for you to have so many choice selections to choose from.
Thanks for all the effort that you put into TBD....... and good luck with your future projects.
Peg
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I am am truly proud of the body of work that Rob, Michael, and I created in The Best Defense and The Best Defense: Survival seasons 1-3. I will definitely miss working with Rob, but I understand and respect his decision and know that it will lead to other best-in-class projects for him and even greater levels of success in his teaching and training.
Brother, I wish you all the best. It's been an honor to work with you and it continues to be an honor to have you as a friend and colleague.
Stay safe,
Mike
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Thanks Brother.... It Was AWESOME working with the whole team.... Looking forward to our future opportunities to work together as well.
Rob
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All good things must......come and go.
Be safe and may things go well for you. I am looking forward to the new work you will be bringing forward.
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Rob
best of luck with your new adventures, and no doubt with what you have put in to TBD ( and from what I have seen PDN and how I.C.E has expended over the last few years ) I wish you all the best with it all
I would like to thank you for the advice you have given us all here, as well I am sure it has all been appreciated. I know I have personally over here, and have been able to take what I can use over here.
also if you ever Make it to Australia ( especially Adelaide ;) ) I am looking fwd to being able to catch up and buy you that coopers I owe you ;)
I hope you stay on the forum's here as well giving your advice, and now you won't have to have your Professional face on you can join in on all the fun ;)
Stay safe and have a good one Mate ;D
PS keep on showing off with all the cars you get to "Test Drive" about the place on FB hehe ;)
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Thanks Guys... Yes, I'll still be around ... and maybe I will even "let my hair down".... BUT, don't act like I can't have fun when I'm working. Seriously, watch the first 10 seconds of the teaser video from last week's TBD Re-run:
http://www.downrange.tv/blog/best-defense-limited-mobility/8269/comment-page-1/#comment-11689 (http://www.downrange.tv/blog/best-defense-limited-mobility/8269/comment-page-1/#comment-11689)
THAT is Fun!
(Janich, whatever else I end up doing... I'm flying you in if I ever need a perfectly good crutch kicked out from under me!)
;D ;D
-Rob
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Good luck, Rob, and thanks for your work on TBD.
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great work, good luck to all. ;)
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We will miss you. Good job and good luck.
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Rob, thanks for being part of the show, you did have an ( out side the box, kind of view ) which was really good. Sorry to see you go, although I will keep with you on FB, good luck in the future, and I think it is a class act to say goodbye here. Still looking forward to the SWAT shows to come.
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Hate to see you leave TBD but I understand about moving forward and having a full plate. You and MJ made a great team (you got to shoot him and he got to stab you... you got to kick around the elevator and he got to cry to the store owner that you had a gun) I'm glad now the I kept all that on my DVR. I wish you good luck on all your future projects and look forward to them.
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Sorry to be song in checking in here; been traveling all day.
THANK YOU Rob for all that you brought to TBD. It is appreciated, and I speak for all the staff of TBD when I say we wish you the very best on your many MANY future endeavors. I think all of us working together have created an outstanding -- and groundbreaking -- body of work. And as the firearms trainer for a maor metropolitan police department told me at SHOT, I believe that our work has truly saved lives, whihc is a gift beyond all others.
Again, thank you. Keep in mind that you'll be seeing Ron throughout the year in TBS/Survival!
TBD is ultimately a work-in-process...tomorrow on the podcast and the MB Blog we'll be announcing changes in the format and welcoming new personnel for TBD Season 4 in 2012!
Michael B
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Thanks, Michael... As I said, it was an honor to be asked and a lot of fun. I am very proud of the work and look forward to whatever project we might work on together next.
-Rob
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Thanks
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Thanks for all you have added to DRTV, both the shows and the FORUM.
Was always awed and impressed when you guys would weigh in on a question here. Was very good to have you here amongst us.
Made me feel I was hobnobbing with very First Class Experts.
Will miss you.
Take care and I have no doubt you will do well at what every you attempt.
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Rob,
I have never met you. However, the things that you have taught me on this show, and others, have been integrated into my training sessions. Your instruction has been valuable and you have my greatest thanks.
Best wishes,
Rob
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I 'll hate to see you go as a regular. Maybe you can be talked into some "special guest segments". Here's hoping.
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Fallen behind on the forum and just saw this. Bummer that you are leaving the show.
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I don't post much here, mostly "lurk" but the news of you leaving BD makes me want to write. My first self defense training experience came from one of your videos offered through the NRA. I have thoroughly enjoyed the BD series and I will miss seeing you every Wednesday (actually, Thursday through Tuesday as I catch up on what the DVR recorded :)). Hopefully, I can catch you on SWAT or other shows. The BD series has been great for both my wife and I. The show actually helped me convince her to start learning to shoot - now she has her CHL. I spend a good bit of my time giving engineering training courses. You are excellent in front of the camera and you all do an excellent job concisely communicating your message with great examples.
Maybe someday if you make it to the Fort Worth area to give a class I'll just have to convince the wife we need to join in!
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Aggh...I have been ill and away...now I get back to blogging and now this. Thank you for all of your insight, training, and expertise. Will follow you around wherever you go. Learned a lot from The Best Defense. I do hope it continues on. Very good common sense views and learning. I have taken what I have learned and passed it on to family and friends. Thanks to all of you on the show. My biggest kudos to you. Stay safe, stay in the spotlight of self defense.
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As a fellow trainer, I am sorry to see you leave this format but excited with the possibilities that await you. I know eventually we will benefit from whatever you do because that is what excellent Trainers do, they share. The old addage of 'those who can't teach' is a bunch of crap... we do it right and better then the rest and make sure others learn how to do it right.
Take care and may God richly Bless you. Joe marsh, Coolidge AZ.