NakedEye

1992. The "big fabric" year. They ended up in 8th or 9th and someone was a bit cranky about it....

Best wishes for his audition! Now, sometimes parents have to lay out the hard truths, so will you be the one to break it tol him that, if he makes BD, and they win again, that it has been decreed by some here that it absolutely, completely. without doubt will not be counted as a 3-peat? 😜🙄😂

Their props this year had all walkable surfaces covered in "grit paint." It was under the tarp coverings, which is why any time there was a show with moisture, they didn't put the coverings on. You can see the details in their sale listings from the used props, where they say that feature is there specifically for any rain or dew situations. They learned from 2019 and improved.

Just running through the props we just saw in my mind, I would think most, if not all, did conform to these general guidelines. The top of BD's stairs looked to not be over 6'. The SCV structures, as rickety as they appeared, completely surrounded the members with pieces that acted as railings when they climbed up in them. Phantom's tables weren't that tall. The big Mandarins stuff also had pieces that acted as railings, and the smaller X props with steps, were fairly short. The upper stage in the big Bloo set looked less than 6'. The one very tall one (Troopers) did clearly have a harness for the cellist.

It doesn't matter what "craft" kids have learned at another corps, a high level band, or wherever. The BD way of constructing/teaching/learning shows is a very different experience, and I have seen so many members attest to that. They essentially create big chunks of the show on the field, in real time, rather than hand the members something charted out in advance. It's a big learning curve for new members, no matter where you came from. They had 143 new-to-the-corps members and only 21 vets who knew the system this year, which was why there was a big question hanging over them early on about whether they were going to be able to pull off something of their typical level of excellence. Huge props to all involved that they were able to. The staff has been frank about saying it was a bit rocky early on and they had to slow down and alter their teaching approach until they could get so many new people locked into the method. It's all a unique learning experience and there is nothing unfair about people wanting to better themselves by being exposed to it, especially those who plan to go into the education field.

I didn't pick up on it until they posted a photo late in the season, but the design on the tops looked like the "blue marble" of earth as viewed from space, which led into the ending globe drill set. My guess is they will continue to sneak details like that in as Chandler specifically said they "would always look like the Blue Devils." Maybe something like the Shakespeare sleeve from '16 from time to time or some different thematic cuts/shapes to the outfits.

And especially since his son was in the corps for a few years. Perhaps he would even contribute an original composition? Something to hope for anyway. They will certainly enter in an extremely strong position. Bloo and BAC will be the main circling sharks, with Bloo likely having a bit of design edge again. Cadets look poised to rise and if Crown and SCV fix their staffing/design issues, the waters will be very crowded. I personally would like to see BD move away a bit from the art and theater-based shows, and I say that as someone with a BFA and long art career. They've done a lot of good takes on those ideas in the past decade, but it might be time for something more raw and aggressive to shake things up a bit. Keep people guessing about what's coming next.

It was pure joy. 😀

I think it is a given Bloo and BAC will be nuclear tomorrow. They are coming in tied and are going to leave it all on the field. My prediction a few weeks was Bloo in second and I think it will happen. They have such an octane boost from the alumni. As a result, yes, 99, but I would guess staying under Fellini. That show is still the standard. What a marvelously entertaining, and surprisingly emotional, year.

YES!!!! I just knew if anyone could make a crazy run for it it would be them!! The show is a masterpiece!

I saw this and thought the may have been a touch off tonight. Numerous fumbles and uneven heights where they are usually nearly perfect.

Oh Bloo, hands down the most creative show of the summer. I’ve loved it from day 1 and it just gets better and better. Always feels like it goes by in 2 minutes for me. And the GUARD. Their best ever I think. The writing is so wonderful.

I said this the first week of the season, but I also live in Orlando, so it was verrry familiar.

Cadets are like a dear friend who you’ve lost touch with and didn’t think you would ever see again. They turn up with a new haircut and suit of clothes, but the same heart you’ve missed so much. ❤️

You don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone. People really missed this. 😀

Where is Flo’s off-kilter camerawork when you need it?! 😂

But the time was now!! 😂

Cavies have so much to be proud of. The really pulled this thing together after what had to be an awful few weeks emotionally during the covid misery. These kids have learned a lot about overcoming adversity.

Cavaliers, you are very cruel. All I’ve wanted all season is for that pendulum to swing back the other way before returning to center and you keep denying me! Cold! So cold!! 😜

Mandarins brought it. Seemed a much stronger performance than last night and Charles was much more confident. Also broadcast mix much better so you could hear him.

TROOPERS 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 I think they did it!

Great job BK. It’s tough to overcome a design turkey, but they gave it everything they had. Regardless of where they end up, they will come back strong.

Here's my take: After two missing seasons, with a few corps at a dead stop during that period and the others doing very scaled back shows, who exactly was expecting earth shaking innovation this year? Most of them have ALMOST ENTIRELY NEW MEMBERSHIP. The staffs had no idea what to expect. Of course they, smartly, worked within frameworks that they have some confidence they will be able to teach effectively and that they felt all these rookies would be able to grasp onto and achieve. Even, so, there was no guarantee any of it was going to work. 140-ish new personalities, who had gaps in their training and fitness levels, to learn and deal with was a huge wildcard for all of them, plus potential covid issues, etc. etc. I think the productions are generally fantastic and a great launchpad for so many of them to reach higher next year. If you think everything is stale next season, scream it from the hilltops, but right now, let's give some credit to the admins, staff, and especially members who have really produced magic in a season that could have reasonably been a disaster.

Absolutely. I was watching with an 89-90 Cadet guard friend who had’t seen the show yet and she immediately screamed out “IT’S WESLEY!” A lovely tribute to his amazing feature in ‘87.

Was it Bloo’s mic fritzing or Flo? I hope the latter! Though the keytar at least was having connection issues as well it seemed?