bradrick

If you watched the 2005 Quarterfinals broadcast in a movie theater, what did you think about the video production? Did it do the overall productions justice?

Not a lack of class. Just a lack of whoever was directing the camera shots having a clue. No matter what his credentials are, I think DCI really needs to do better... <**>

I kept thinking to myself "Ya know... if they stoked the fire just a little and cleaned up every section by just a little... in the right year this show and corps could have a shot at the title." It was strangely reminiscent of 88 Madison mid-season when they were starting to crank up a just good raw fun, entertaining, exciting corps package that was somehow setting them apart from the rest of the pack. (Probably not this year's title, since the shows that seem to be getting rewarded right now are the ones that have been more strategically designed to stroke the judges' fascination with quasi-winterguard, artsy-movement and swagger instead of marching.) While not perfection (who really is anyway?) I thought the Bluecoats seemed to have a fire about them that few other corps did. (Notice I didn't say "nobody else did", so stand down with the flame throwers B) ) Maybe it makes me an ol' fart, but I could watch the Bluecoats 2005 show over and over and leave with a smile on my face every time. NOTE: I saw them in a movie theater with questionable audio and somewhat blurry video. And of course my visual picture was at the mercy of the camera shots. So, I'll admit it's possible my impression is skewed by these limitations...But I felt a similar vibe when I saw what was surely a dirtier performance a few weeks ago live.

Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't think we got one single camera shot that really showed the effect these double uniforms are said to create. (Rondinaro pointed it out prior to them starting, so I was kinda watching for it.) I wasn't sure if it was because the drill didn't do the concept justice or if the camera work didn't do the creative design justice. But it seemed (IMO) that the potential of the uniform was missed last night in the theater. Now I have a better perspective... (and unfortunately more evidence that the video work ... isn't really working.) :(

I really don't feel we were given much of a chance to fairly evaluate how their visual program really is this year. The camera shots didn't show the entire corps very often. However, I can tell you ALL about the Catholic school girl wandering around while I was hoping to get to see a drum corps show... <**> (When they did manage to pry the camera off the "special soloist", what I did see of the drill looked pretty clean IMO.)

It seemed to me that there was alot less "Yowza Yowza Yowza" coming from the Blue Devils tonight than a few weeks ago. Did they make a change to the narration since the Blue Devils were in Dallas on July 21?

I completely agree. This is exactly why I don't watch DCI on TV each year anymore. I can't believe DCI can't get somebody to direct these things that seems to have even half a clue what the heck DCI is all about. It's not halftime at the Superbowl. And he aint Janet Jackson. There are parts of these shows happening 50-80 yards away from the dance soloist we'd like to see. And I wanna ad: This is a performance made to be seen from a stationary point. The designers All design for a football stadium shapped space. Nobody watches the show from the endzone, so why have a camera shot from there? The young men and women in these corps spend 100s of hours rehearsing a drill to these shows. I'd like to see way more of it than we got tonight . (The coverage of Phantom's show was an injustice. I bet we missed more of their drill than any other corps.)

I've really done no research into what is going on in Drum Corps these days. Haven't paid it much attention since probably 1996. However, after I saw Crown in Dallas and I found myself thinking how much they reminded me of the brass arrangements and the hornline playing technique of the Garfield Cadets (of Bergen County) from the mid or late 80s. Then I come to find out, it's a Michael Klesch arrangement with what looks like at least one former Star of Indiana brass tech (I think Donny VanDoren). Carolina Crown should be very proud of the brass line they have on field...No matter what the scores are.

-The small ensemble at the end of 1988 Phantom Regiment's "Romeo and Juliet" show (right before they pulled out the red capes). Absolutely gorgeous. -"The Captain from Castille" - Madison's opener in 1987. Classic "balls to the wall" drum corps. The opening impact rocked the rickter scale. -"Claire de Lune" - Phantom's ballad from 1994. One of the most beautiful moments all night. -1986 Sky Ryders' closer "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" (the second Wizard of Oz year) the last chord just grew and grew. One of those moments when a hornline just poured its collective guts out - all at once. -Suncoast Sound's closer from 1985 (can't remember the title). The sops just tore it up!

Oh yeah. PR's "Clair de Lune" was (IMO) one of the most beautifully gorgeous moments I've ever experienced as a spectator. Sigh... Is ANYBODY still designing moments into their shows that wash over you like that? Thanks for reminding me of that show...

I agree completely. 1989 was an awesome year for Phantom Regiment. I would vote for 89 if it were on the list. (1987 PR was pretty awesome too. After the 86 season, they came out with a beautiful, aggressive program that seemed to me to deliver everything you might want from PR at the time... as a fan.)

I pretty much only have 5 years to pick from so here goes... - 88 Blue Devils. They were probably a textbook example of how much louder a hornline sounds when they play in tune. - 88 Velvet Knights. Just about blew my face off when they played the victory concert in Cheyenne, Wyoming (hope, I got the city right). - 91 Blue Devils. I saw them do a victory concert somewhere in southern California that was stunning. - 87 SCV. Finals in Madison. The closer was super loud and pretty much did all those things the judges say about connecting with the audience and "rising above the written material".

Martha's right. I was way up to the the tip top of the stadium (what we used to refer to as the "nosebleed" section). I had performed earlier in Sky Ryders and wanted to see Garfield from as high up as possible because I was in awe of that drill. I didn't have a ticket so I just kept walking till I found somewhere to sit down (which was practically at the top row). Right before Garfield's closer was getting really moving, an ambulance was about to pull out from behind the the visitor's side (I think maybe I could see it in a gap between two pieces of the stands) it hit it's lights and siren for about a second or two - like to warn oncoming cars in the parking lot to stay clear...or something.

I agree with everyone who has said "Racine Jr Corps". My particular interest would probably be the 1967 Racine Kilties. Regardless of how different the DCI shows and musical background of the members are today from how things were back then, I would love to see what a champion looked, felt and acted like in 1967. It would certainly be something I'd never forget. (Also, I work with a guy who was in the Kilties of 1967 and it'd be kewl to have seen them.)

WOW! My only exposure ever to VK was when they had already started doing all the Bobby Hoffman "Bridgemen" stuff. I would love to see a video of them back then. (Or a film or nickelodeon or whatever they were on back then... B) )

Maybe the word "dancing" isn't the best choice. (I've been away from corps for a while). The other corps that are in SCV's immediate vicinity score-wise (Carolina Crown, Blue Knights and even Spirit of JSU) ALL have parts of their show where the entire hornline (and maybe even drums) put the horns down on the field and do stuff that I think resembles dancing - but maybe it's called something else in drum corps these days. They do partnering and lots of full body movement without the horns. Even lay or roll all over the ground and do leg and arm stuff. The visual judges are apparently saying that unless SCV also does those types of things, they will not be competitive with the corps who do. Does that help?

I remember 88 Madison not taking very many captions. But I gotta tell ya, that was a VERY MEMORABLE finals performance. They were a friggin, RAGING inferno of a show and corps that year. I wouldn't think twice about any corps' scores if they were all as exciting and inspiring as the 88 Scouts were. (Isn't there a thread about "corps shows you'd like to see again"? I need to go vote for 88 Madison on that one...)

See my previous post...

Here's my response. I'm not trying to spark any controversy. Just want people to know some of "what is". - Currently, I don't consider Phantom or Cavies to be "near SCV" right now score-wise. I haven't even seen either of those two shows, so I'm not going to comment on whether or not their horns and drums dancing, and didn't mean to suggest that I was. - This information comes indirectly from SCV (I think they may have been comparing SCV to Blue Knights, Carolina Crown, and even Spirit of JSU who all have "dance features" in their shows.) I don't want to betray anyone's confidence by telling you what the SCV reaction has been to that. I just thought it would be helpful if the forum members knew that in a show partially based on war they have been told that a lack of dancing is hurting them, at least to some (probably immeasurable) degree. I feel it is relevant to the topic of "Is the 2005 SCV Underated" if the judges are essentially saying "There's a somewhat required element of dancing that you aren't doing that some of your competitors are." And once again, I am paraphrasing.

[since this post about trying to determine if the 2005 SCV is "underated" (meaning not being given a proper evaluation by the judges)... They're being told that (and I'm paraphrasing here) they are getting less credit for the product they have on the field (as of a few weeks ago) because they don't do enough dancing. The JUDGES seem to be telling them they would have a higher score if the horns and drums danced more. (The other corps that are near SCV as of few weeks ago all have parts of their shows that are essentially dance features.) AND the show that SCV is presenting/interpreting is about war and upheaval at different times in the history of Russia/Soviet Union. Please keep that in mind when attempting to determine if the 2005 SCV is getting a fair evaluation by the judges. (I'm sure some of the other corps are making more of their artistic decisions these days based on their desire to remain competitive. No matter what new slogan the marketers come up with, it's foremost, a competition. It's a point worth considering for those of you trying to sort things out.)

There had been some talk on this thread (and at least one other I've seen) about whether all of the dancing on the field is appropriate or whether it's taking drum corps in an unnecessary or unwanted direction. I just want to make sure you know something before you judge the corps that are doing more body movement on the field that could be considered "dancing" by the horns and drums: The Santa Clara Vanguard is beng told by the visual judges that (and I'm paraphrasing here) they are getting less credit for the product they have on the field (as of a few weeks ago) because they don't do enough dancing. The JUDGES are telling them they would have a higher score if the horns and drums danced more. (The other corps that are near SCV as of few weeks ago all have parts of their shows that are essentially dance features.) Please take that under advisement when directing your "anti-dancing" energy. The activity could be moving in that direction due in part because the judges DCI has cultivated like all the dancing and want it to continue to become more of a dominant part of the shows. It may not just be a case of corps deciding to disrespect the old and create something new (and in the opinions of some, something new and less appropriate.) If the judges are giving them a choice between an automatic rise in score if they do something the fans may not necessarily all agree on - or being kept down by the numbers till they do... I'm sure some of them are making artistic decisions these days based on their desire to remain competitive. No matter what new slogan the marketers come up with, it's foremost, a competition.

It might be easier to assess the hornline situation if an announcer wasn't talking over so much of it...