Recently, we sat down with SMITE commentator Thom "F." Badinger to talk about his casting career, Hi-Rez's reality show The Caster, and more.

Who or what got you into eSports/casting?

F.: I worked at a LAN center, there was just a bunch of computers and other stuff and we all just played games. This was before eSports, and we hosted a number of different games including Counter Strike, Super Smash Bros, and some relevant players and teams would show up, such as Jason “Mew2King” Zimmerman. After a while there, I took a break and played music, among other things. In 2012, my friends told me to download SMITE, and I liked it. I looked for the streams, and even tried it out myself. From there I started a talk show, which I then turned into more of a community channel. My first real work with Hi-Rez Studios was when Brandon “DMBrandon” Nance put out a Reddit thread that he would commentate with others that were interested. Since I wasn’t terrible, I started working on community tournaments, and the rest is history.

What was your first job in casting? How have you grown since then?

F.: Casting with DMBrandon was just a stream thing. My first real job was casting for Tiermonster tournaments, shoutouts to Drybear. I casted “Code Green”, which was really just for fun. Overall, I just practice more since I started. The only real practice I did before that was over basketball games with my friends. The biggest difference is just the confidence I have in my own ability.

F. on his own show, Dot Takes

What has been your biggest change since joining Hi-Rez?

F.: My biggest change would be the idea of representing a company. I come from a background where “you punch the bully back”. I had to quickly learn to act like I represent Hi-Rez, not just myself.

What would you consider to be the most pressure you’ve been under during your time casting?

F.: There is rarely pressure while I’m casting. It's probably the most weightless time I know. There is so many tasks that come along with the job outside of the game, that during a cast, I feel relaxed. SMITE is a dope game, and I love that I’m able to cast it. For me, the hype is still there, when a great play is made, I still get that same rush of excitement from when I was just starting out.

Before casting a game, what are some of the most important details to look over? What other off-camera work is necessary to create a successful cast?

F.: There is some long-term tasks, like practicing and keeping up with what is happening in the scene. As far as day-to-day, I’ll arrive about an hour and a half before the broadcast. I take the time to look to see if this game means something. If this team wins, is there postseason implications, are any milestones being reached, anything along those lines. You also have to create a storyline and find talking points. That includes looking at stats, past matches, player history, among other things, and often times these responsibilities fall to my chair 2.

For anyone looking to cast at a semi-professional or professional level, what piece of advice would you give to them?

F.: Just do it. Make sure you practice before you put yourself out there. Create and seize your opportunity and then make the most of that opportunity,

Hi-Rez has been running a competition, “The Caster”, which you are the host of. Where did the idea for the show come from?

F.: We started a few years back with a few episodes of “So You Think You Can Cast”, which was a community talent search, which was more for fun. That show had amazing feedback, and our production crew could really flex their muscles with a higher budget and more time. It’s now about connecting with our whole community, as well as showcasing talent in that community.

"The Caster" is Hi-Rez's casting talent search competiton

What has been your favorite part of the show?

F.: My favorite part would be meeting everyone. I wasn’t involved in the selection process, but I have some friends in the contestant pool, including John “RohnJobert” Osment and John “YoungLink” Finch, who actually was one of the few people watching my stream when I first started with SMITE. Everyone on the show has massive dedication to commentary, and that is great to see from everyone on the show.

Some of those contestants have been working on Hi-Rez casts. Is this to continue evaluating skills or is there another motive?

F.: Since each of the episodes is only thirty minutes, there is not a whole lot of time to showcase each contestant. Each of them have unique personalities, and we wanted them to be able to shine in their own rights. We have them working on a number of projects, with YoungLink working on SMITE, RohnJobert doing some desk work, Gabriella "LeTigress" Devia-Allen has been working on Paladins and Hand of the Gods, and Paul "Rabies" Santoro has also been working with the Paladins team. We really made friends with these people, and we wanted them to show their skills.

If given the opportunity to hire a new SMITE caster, what characteristics would you look for?.

F.: While I’m not in charge of that, as that is Graham “Hinduman” Hadfield’s job, I would be looking for someone that has passion, not only for the game, but for the craft of casting. They have to be a commentator first, SMITE fan second. They also cannot take themselves too seriously, but need to recognize when to act professional. That is similar to all Hi-Rez employees, and you just have to get along with the squad.

Should the community be looking for more projects like “The Caster” in the future? Possibly a season two?

F.: While I’d love to say yes, my job is to yell at video games. The possibility of more content like “The Caster” really depends on community feedback. So far, the feedback has been great, and I think the next season or show could be even better, as some mistakes have been made and could be learned from. I love “The Caster”, and could definitely see a season two, but that is not under my control.

If you couldn’t be a SMITE caster, what would your ideal job be?

F.: Basketball caster, I would still be commentating sports or eSports, this is my ideal gig.

What has been your favorite cast?

F.: A lot come to mind. I like casting with specific people. My favorite games are games where conversation easily flows. Krett and I had one of my favorite sets. I also loved casting with DMBrandon and Hinduman, as again, the conversation flows easily. As far as my favorite SMITE set, the summer finals match between Team Dignitas and Rival. I don’t think I was that good, but it was some of the best SMITE we have ever seen.

Hinduman (left) and DMBrandon (right) at the EU SMITE Regional

What has been your favorite event hosted by Hi-Rez?

F.: All of the Hi-Rez Expos are so much fun. The last one I was sick, so that sucked. But all HRX events and the Launch Tournament have been amazing, Hi-Rez really knows how to throw a party.

F. (Middle) with Nate "Ataraxia" Mark (Left) and Craig "iRaffer" Rathbone (Right) at HRX 2017

If you could cast with anyone, who would you choose and why?

F.: As far as SMITE goes, I would do a trio with myself, as the play by play announcer, along with someone like DMBrandon, an analytical genius with great game knowledge, and then an ex-player, another color commentator with great game knowledge who can bring more of the in-game experience to the cast. I love the trio of Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mark Jackson, and would love to fit somewhere in there as well.

Thom "F." Badinger can be found on Twitter and Twitch

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