Sutasaurus
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Posts posted by Sutasaurus
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Just now, Hook'emCavies said:
Anyone at the show? How are The Cavaliers looking?
Ask Chuck Norris
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37 minutes ago, jwillis35 said:
Neither is staying the same or going backwards. You can't tame or control art. Artists explore and create. There are a lot of young people today that love where the activity is in terms of design. Not everyone is going to like it, but such is life. You can't have everything your way...and I think we all know that. I love the activity today and I loved it in the 80s and 90s. I have no desire to see the same old same old just. I love the new creativity and new design principles. I also like it when some old-school ideas or concepts get thrown into a modern show. That's cool too. Ultimately, if the current DCI model is not your thing, then I think there are other things to do, right?
Thank you for your thoughts.
Did I ask to “ have it my way”? Um, no. Do I like the direction the activity is going? Not particularly. If the current iteration of drum corps excites you, that’s awesome, but a lecture on how to appreciate modern day drum corps wasn’t necessary.
If you’ve read my other posts you would have known, I traded in my bleacher pad a couple of years ago. While I feel the basic tenets of drum corps are still alive like discipline, working for a common goal, and self esteem, the artistic side has been taken from the MMS and been handed over to professional staff.
It’s a big world out there and we all have room to explore and enjoy our passions.
Enjoy the rest of the season.
Cheers.
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4 minutes ago, Poppycock said:
It’s called visual not marching and maneuvering! SMH!
Progress is not always a good thing..,.
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5 minutes ago, xandandl said:
Yup, SUTAville, the best of the Nicevilles, USA.
Sux to be that jaded......Now, get off my yard!
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1 hour ago, Weaklefthand4ever said:
So I wanted to revisit my first impression of the show vs my impression of it now. I do this kind of self-analysis all the time as an instructional designer to find out if my training is effective.
I don't get the first 1:10 of the show up until the first impact. With 2010 Into the Light, it worked for me because there was a brass build up and a huge front ensemble presence to that first hit (which still makes me grin from ear to ear.) You knew you were about to get your face melted off in classic PR style. Something just seems disjointed here. The battery sounds muddy as it moves through the back form in that opening segment. Now it's most likely just how they're positioned and the echo from the back stands. It just doesn't work the way I would expect it to because it isn't driving the build up forward into that opening hit. I'm sure the book is good but I can't hear it.
Looking back the show at this point, the show is far less disjointed. It seems like the battery is coming through more clearly. I'm still uncertain about one battery segment where they're turned backfield. It doesn't take away from show, but it still doesn't add anything. The segmental work seems FAR cleaner than it was (as I suspected it would be.) I'm still looking for more build into that opening hit with some of the voicings and now, opposite of the first show, I can't hear the pit at all. For much of that first 1:30, the front ensemble is carrying the theme so they might want to bring up the front ensemble a little bit. But that's just my opinion.
I really don't like the "I am Joan" scream right before the hit. It would be different if it added something, but I don't feel like it does. Maybe that's just me. The high mark time into the "goose step" COULD be kinda cool but it's dirtier than my flam 7's and trust me, that's pretty bad. Maybe as the show develops and the story becomes a little more clear and clean it will make some sense.
I still don't like the "I am Joan" scream. It just doesn't add anything to the concept of the show as I understand it. In fact, it's the only part of the show that identifies that it's a show about Joan of Arc IMHO and it STILL seems misplaced. This show is SO MUCH improved, but the theme doesn't tie to the music to the average listener. If you're going to do a theme show, the theme should be pretty clear for all 12 minutes.
The high mark time into the "goose step" is much cleaner and I was wrong...it isn't as cool as I wanted it to be. The drill at that moment is too compressed for it to really stand out as anything more than a "hmmmm...that's interesting" kind of a moment.
On the much improved front, really strong horn performance now in that section of the show. I wouldn't call it "classic PR sound" but it's balanced and it's well written. The battery music seems to have been cleaned to the point that I now understand how it's supposed to fit. There are still a few "odd battery moments" where it feels like a little bit of random noise, but I'm going to listen to it again.
There are some really good moments in the show that make me think they're making a turn in the right direction. I love the set at 4:24. It's well executed and it's clean. Some of the mini "park and bark" moments don't have that same level of execution...but it's early season. The beginning of the ballad feels like it builds too slowly and the MM's feel too spread out. I think of drill design like I look at Instructional Design (which is what I do for a living.) If you put something into a piece of training material, it HAS to add something. If it doesn't add anything, then it's just a distraction. Being so spread out had my eyes wandering around the field trying to figure out what the story was and that pulled me away from the small ensemble work of the brass and guard. It also made me notice that the props at the back of the field hadn't been utilized the entire show. Remember when you were marching and and you missed your cover in the company front and were just hanging out like a 3rd nipple? That's PR's props right now. Just my opinion. /shrug
STILL love the set at 4:24. I think this is where I can really see some good things for PR moving forward. The small ensemble stuff is pretty hot. The ballad drill stuff is still a little spread out. I simply don't "get" the ballad I guess. My eyes are still wandering around the field looking for something to tie everything together. I will say that the build is stronger and musically, it sounds more like a ballad now.
Props...Oh my....the props. So those of you who have judged in the visual or GE captions before, what would happen if a corps just...didn't have props? Would it be any worse than having props that never move and seemingly have no purpose? To me, they're just a distraction. They're an elephant in the room for me.
From 8:28 to the end....THANK YOU PHANTOM REGIMENT! I would say, the front ensemble during the singing portion needs to turn it down a little...or maybe a lot. Ok...a LOT. Maybe from like a 10 to a 2 volume wise. Vibes especially REALLY drown out everything else.
You fixed the volume on the vibes! Still love the last 1/4 of the show. Now I just want it louder and more in my face. In the past, there would be a kick stop or a chevron or something that made me say "#### yes!" at the end of the show along with some melt my face off brass moment. I wants it...I NEEDS it and most of all, I EXPECT it. That's the problem with being great for so long. You set the expectation, now you have to live with that expectation.
Overall, this show is coming out exactly as I suspected it would. It's somewhere in the 8-10th spot depending on how much they can continue to clean. I said before that they're placement will be top 12 and WHERE in the top 12 will depend on when they peak and how much room to grow in score they have vs the others at the bottom 1/4. If the potential is there for tremendous growth score wise, it seems like the members and staff are up to the task (as they've shown so far.) If there isn't much more room for improvement, I STILL think it's a top 12 show, just maybe in the 11th or 12th spot. I'm personally proud of this corps. Work ethic and faith in your team and each other goes a LONG way me. It's about living up to the potential you have and this corps is showing just that.
Thank you for your deep, heartfelt analysis. It’s refreshing to see some real thought and reasoning behind an opinion. I’m anxious to compare notes in the next few weeks.
Cheers!
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23 minutes ago, dcikon2 said:
It is so nice to see people being positive on this thread.
It’s a thankless job, but somebody’s gotta do it!
SUTA
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3 hours ago, xandandl said:
I assume that was intended for me......found it mildly funny. Please go back and read my posts again. It’s not all sunshine and sunflowers..... I just choose to state my case in a more constructive manner which should not be construed as being blind to the truth. I agree changes should be made, starting with the corps director and several BOD but I choose to plead my case without belittling anyone or making fun of them.
A dose of civility around here would do some folks wonders.
Just sayin’.
Peace, out.
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5 minutes ago, Brass Lover said:
That Pherocious Phantom is on Phire, how Phar will they Phly????
Slow and steady keeps you in the race
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1 hour ago, EricS said:
NO. I can but I'm not about to open that can of worms, or beat a dead horse again. Read back several pages and you should find the answers to your question. No offense, just don't have the energy.
Pretty much your usual answer.... SAD
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1 minute ago, EricS said:
they are much improved, though I would not liken this to a comeback or anything near it.
The season ain’t over until DCI Finals.......
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4 minutes ago, EricS said:
and if they get rid of the hokey brother and sister singing thing at the end it will be much better.
Thanks Debbie Downer. They’ll get right on that for you.
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Much improved. Lots to clean but it is doable. Keep pushing ladies and gentlemen you have an entertaining show!
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5 minutes ago, CrownBariDad said:
Ok -- on the road home. It's been great!
Thanks again! Safe travels.
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1 minute ago, CrownBariDad said:
Awww -- You are most welcome!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! From Arizona.
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28 minutes ago, xandandl said:
and the costs have gotten tremendously prohibitive................especially since there are fewer local shows or local shows with many or variant corps.
Unfortunately, the activity is catering to the more affluent crowd. Can’t imagine what current tour fees cost.
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1 hour ago, GeneralTsoChicken said:
I don't necessarily disagree. I'm just unsure of the specifics of those things. You may be right.
I do know that JD, Paul, Klesch, Jamey, Adam Sage, those types weren't people cutting their teeth at Regiment. They weren't learning how to be good at PR.
(This next section not directed at you, SUTAsaurus.)
Is there a current PR designer or caption head that was successful in their role at another drum corps?
Brad Toth is the only one that comes to mind.
Will's stint with Spirit was a nonsucess that burnt to the ground. (I think the show was actually about fire.)
There has to be turnover for this to get better. No amount of optimism and sunshine puffing by others will make this a competitively viable staff.
It takes 10 seconds of watching PR not interact with, move, or design engagement with their props to realize they're in trouble.
I totally get what you’re saying General and agree with you about the turnover. I was around to see what happened after the 86 season and the 1999 season and I think it’s time for that to happen again.
I’m far from a sunshine puffer but I also believe the MMS will do what’s asked of them and in doing so, they will succeed not only from a self confidence standpoint, but a placing standpoint as well. I feel if they finish ahead of where they did last year they are headed in the right direction from a year to year standpoint....but this needs to be a long range success plan.
Drum corps is changing at a rapid pace, as is everything else around us. A turnover is necessary to push this organization towards a more competitive standing and it can’t happen fast enough. If RV has done a great job securing the Regiment’s financial viability then they have the $$$ to hire the staff needed to improve from a design/execution standpoint. So why isn’t he convincing the BOD to make the investment?
Axe grinders need not reply.
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3 minutes ago, GeneralTsoChicken said:
You mean the guy that wrote Avon, cut his teeth as the visual caption head and rewrite guy at Cadets, who SAVED the drum corps (PR) with a full drill rewrite in 2000 after they fired a bad writer?
Yea we all remember Leon. A PROVEN commodity.
People keep coming into this thread acting like Leon May, JD Shaw, and Paul Rennick were unknown question marks when they started at PR.
The biggest case of revisionist history I've ever seen to try to prop up people who are CURRENTLY underperforming over people who were known.
Not necessarily revisionist history but they achieved championship status while working with PR. That means they would have had to work alongside Dan Farrell. I don’t believe Dan was to blame for that staff leaving. I do believe the current director may have had something to do with that. He’s not drawing big named staff since then either. Hmmmm? Coincidence?
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2 minutes ago, queenanne_1536 said:
In my heart I wanted better for them, but last week I had written them off for making finals. 100%. But thanks for the nice words. It's good to be wrong more often than being right.
We all want better for the corps, it’s what makes us a family....er phamily. Many don’t get that, but I know you do. This organization has survived for many, many years because of our commitment to the ideal. It’s up to us to help move the corps in a more competitive direction. Don’t Give up!
I offer you a heartfelt SUTA!
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3 minutes ago, queenanne_1536 said:
Really happy to see the progress this show is making. I had written them off. Glad I was so wrong.
Queenanne, Never thought you had written them off...,.You just questioned their trajectory, as have many. I think in your heart of hearts you didn’t give up on them.you wanted them to fair better. While we all want to see them battling for a medal, we have to be persistent on support of their forward momentum....whatever that entails.
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1 hour ago, EricS said:
I guess they are scrubbing the internet of recordings until they feel comfortable with it being recorded. That's understandable but it would be nice to watch them improve for those who aren't fortunate to attend their shows.
So perhaps you shouldn’t be so critical of a product you haven’t seen in person? I’m encouraged by the comments we’re getting from folks who have seen them live.
A silly question but I gotta ask: Why are you that dismissive of the group if you have not seen them live?
I’ll take you a bit more seriously when you can give a review from a show you’ve actually attended and not from a jaundiced eye of contempt for previous staff.
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Congrats to Boston tonight, but Crown....you have legs!
Kudos to Regiment! Tonight . SUTA!
My question ..... why is the focus on how a show is “designed” rather than how it is performed? The design caption is primarily geared to how much a corps can spend to depict an idea.
I feel those GE points should be redirected to how well the members portray the the show theme. Props need to go away and a return to individual performance should take over on the sheets.!
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7 minutes ago, GeneralTsoChicken said:
Let's not forget that that scenario existed a few years ago and the ensemble STILL got worse, with a big name Program Coordinator. There are only 3 constants here.
The corps has gotten worse since Dan's role diminished and his ultimate retirement.
The corps has gotten worse with Will on board
Rick seems exceptionally hands off on the competitive side of things, but has done an amazing job cleaning things up financially.
While I applaud RV for his financial prowess, I feel his people skills , or lack thereof, are not helping the corps....at all.
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2 minutes ago, Continental said:
Move Will Pitts out of programming and keep him as arranger.
agreed! Will is coming into his own. Let’s see how the next few shows develop before throwing the baby out with the bath water.
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38 minutes ago, EricS said:
Two weeks in with these issues..........SAD
Fire staff beginning with Pitts
Talk about sad.....
. Many are encouraged with their progress. Go bag on someone else for a while
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2019 Phantom Regiment
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
Ok, it’s time for a little sunshine and rainbows.... congrats MMs on your undeniable improvement. A testament to your strength and dedication. Two qualities that will serve you well in whatever endeavors you take on in years to come. Keep pushing!