jeff_demello

Hehe ... it seems like more people spend a lot of time analyzing the show, which is not a bad thing. I just like to watch it, without thinking, and take it all in!

The BD BOD does NOT get involved with ANY creative aspects of the programs. We worry about the strategic business direction of the organization, and assist the CEO with high level tactical business issues. In this way, BD is successful as a business, as there are business professionals doing what they know how to do best, and the creative professionals are doing what they know how to do best. It. Just. Works.

Wow ... this is the first time I've been on DCP for a while. The hatred is strong this year, so I guess we must be doing a good job in "engaging" people.

I'm there!

I haven't logged onto DCP for a while, but when I did today, I saw the following threads on the first page: Is DCI Broken? 5 Good reason the activity is destined to end. 5 Ways to Save DCI Drum Corps Performance Great, Business Model Not It seems to me like the activity is getting really bad when fans start complaining / discussing the "problems" of the structure of the activity, rather than talking about the competitive aspects. Sad.

I just got back to my hotel from video taping the Walnut show for the DCI Fan Network. Just starting to process videos. I've got a lot of coffee standing by for tonights work!

I forgot to include a big "Moonlight Classic" thank you to the Blue Knights for their parking lot performance as well. Again, another class act who believe "the show must go on" for the fans!

I'd also like to personally thank the Phantom Regiment and the Santa Clara Vanguard. Doing the parking lot performance after the Moonlight Classic was stopped is also "above and beyond" anything we expected. You guys rock! The fans were blown away by your performances. Very classy.

As you may have heard, the Moonlight Classic show, held at Sacramento State University had to be called off because the lights didn't come on in the stadium, so the last few corps couldn't perform. But in true Drum Corps fashion, the Phantom Regiment, the Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Blue Devils did their shows in the parking lot which did have lights! I just wanted to give a personal THANK YOU to these corps, as they went "above and beyond". Also ... there is a "silver lining" story. Below is an e-mail sent to Scott Johnson, Percussion Caption Head of the Blue Devils: Hey Scott- Just wanted to send you a little note of thanks. Last night was the first drum corps competition I had brought my kids to, having only taken them to family night a couple years ago. After driving and hour and a half to get there, you could imagine how ###### I was about what happened last night. I decided to take my very disappointed and tired kids over to the parking lot in the dark after the show was cancelled. When the drumline started weaving through the crowd, I was soon glad we had made it over there. Next thing I know, one of your snare drummers turned his sticks over to my 6 year old son, who started flailing away. That tired kid turned around quickly! Soon my son and 9 year old daughter had 2 sets of tenor drums literally at their noses with a snare drummer behind them as the line came together to finish the warm up. It was awesome. Even though this may be one of those moments that drives my kids to want to become drummers (gasp..) :), I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you do for all of your fans out there. It was a big reminder that the Blue Devils always have been...and always will be the coolest thing about the summer. Thanks to you and the Blue Devils for more than salvaging the night for my 2 kids and I. Hope you have a great tour. 15! <name withheld> Baritone 1988, 1989 I love stories like this! THANNK YOU BD!

UOP stadium was closed / condemned.

Due to the lighting issue and having to end the show early, we never got a chance to announce the 50/50 raffle winner. We took in a total of $434.00, which means that $217.00 going to the lucky winner ... the holder of ticket #001093. Since we have no record of who purchased that ticket, we will post this number here, on Facebook, and on our website ... www.someinc.com to try to track them down. If no winner is found by the 2013 Moonlight Classic, we'll add the $217 to the next years 50/50 raffle. If you have the winning ticket, please contact some@someinc.com. We will work with you to verify your claim, and get you your winnings! Again, SOME regrets the issues with the Sacramento State University not providing lights as per our contract.

Thank you! Just for everyone's information: 100% of all funds raised by SOME goes back into scholarships (i.e., the DCI "Jim Ott Memorial Scholarship") and grants back to performing arts groups. The Board of Directors are all volunteers, doing this for the love of the activity. No one gets paid. It may seem like an overused comment, but it's still true: "It's all about the kids".

As I have posted elsewhere ... The Sponsors of Musical Enrichment deeply regrets the disappointment suffered by our drum corps family, both fans and corps, due to the issue with the lights not coming on at the Stadium for the 2012 Moonlight Classic. It is not something that any show sponsor has ever run into with a “professionally run stadium”. As per DCI Policy, this will be treated similar to a “rain out” that is more common in the mid-west and eastern shows, so no scores will be announced. Thank you for your patience as we deal with this delicate situation, including first and foremost our fans, and Sacramento State University. UPDATED: changed "per DCI rules" to "per DCI Policy"

The Sponsors of Musical Enrichment deeply regret the disappointment suffered by our drum corps family, both fans and corps, due to the issue with the lights not coming on at the Stadium for the Moonlight Classic. It is not something that any show sponsor has ever run into with a “professionally run stadium”. As per DCI Policy, this will be treated similar to a “rain out” that is more common in the mid-west and eastern shows, so no scores will be announced. Thank you for your patience as we deal with this delicate situation, including first and foremost our fans, and Sacramento State University. UPDATED: Changed "per DCI rules" to "per DCI Policy".

Yes, both SCV and BD are doing encores. Both will be on DCIFN.

I thank you, and my camera thank you!

As an homage to Seinfeld, I think that the Cadets should include a Festivus Pole in their show.

If you are looking for a scholarship ... DON'T FORGET: The Jim Ott Scholarship is available to anyone! For more information, go to this S.O.M.E. web page.

Check it out!

All I know is that I'm going to do the streaming video for the Stanford show, and the VOD for the Walnut show (as I have for the past few years).

I haven't heard from PR yet on the clinic content. The clinic will only be 1.5 hours (tight tour/field scheduling), from 3-4:30pm, but they will be rehearsing on the field starting at 1pm, which everyone who attends the clinic can attend!

JUST ADDED: The Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps will be presenting a clinic before the Moonlight Classic show, hosted by the Sponsors of Musical Enrichment (the group who sponsors the Jim Ott Scholarship) ... June 24th at Hornet Field at Sacramento State University. The clinic starts at 3pm, and goes to 4:30. And the best part is it's ONLY $5! Purchase tickets for the show online or at the gate. Pay for the clinic at the gate. If you are a group of 10 or more, you may pre-purchase clinic tickets. THIS WILL BE GREAT!

Love you right back, Garry! Contrary to a certain individuals beliefs, I personally have no problem with Crunchy Frog ... I was a member! The ONLY point that I've ever made is that the Renegades Association of California is not associated with either Crunchy Frog or it's proponents. Crunchy Frog is a separate organization. I wish Crunchy Frog, and it's participants, all the best ... and want them to have fun! That is all.

I'm doing the video for the 2012 Live Streaming from Stanford, and the 2012 Walnut shows (as I have been doing the last few years). They will both be single camera shoots. I'm doing both shows by myself, as that's all it takes. I wouldn't say that DCI is "pinching pennies" on video, though, as all the people shooting video are getting paid. As a professional videographer (and the Blue Devils video/audio historical archivist) I too would love to see more multi-cam shows. HOWEVER ... the costs for going from a single camera to a multi-camera shoot shoots WAY up ... FAST. It's not just having more than one camera, you have to have run a LOT of wires (or have very high quality - read VERY EXPENSIVE - wireless video transmitters/receivers). You have to have a camera-person for each camera, and if there is a roving camera, someone to coil/uncoil the wire behind the camera person. There has to be a very experienced person to mix the videos in real time, and there needs to be a producer to orchestrate everything. ALSO, to do good videos, the producer should interact with a staff member of each corps, to make sure they get the "good shots". Oh, yes ... audio. There should be an audio person as well. And then there's the obligatory "crane camera" that flies over the performers. That's a $30k rig by itself, if done right. Multi-cam is a BIG job ... and to do it right you need a seasoned video crew. That is all!

That's my hand and my rings!