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caliswift

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Posts posted by caliswift

    Blue Knights 2016

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I'm just going to add how much I love this show (finished or not). It's really intellectual and different and thoughtful - I don't know how else to explain it - but it really grabbed me !

    Later,

    Mike

    I agree. I had no idea what I was watching but was entranced by it.

    • Like 1

    Carolina Crown 2016

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    There is a crown in Dante's Divine Comedy.

    Do Bluecoats yell "Blue" this year? It's fraternity like, it's not germane to the production, and breaks the fourth wall. George is following an aesthetic rule that each component of a production should fit the selected theme. It's not some capricious whim.

    Oh my, we have two DCI experts that are more talented than Crown! Man, lucky days!

    Carolina Crown 2016

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by caliswift

    Just please fot the love of god no crown shape at the end. Doesn't fit the show. I love the fresh visual this season by crown.

    Yep, Crown should throw away it's tradition because George, the omnipotent show designer the he is, has stated it doesn't fit the show. Yet somehow it magically fit in all the other shows. God, how did the corps ever win without taking George's sage advice? Please George, when you've written the new closer for Crown (or any other corps) please let us know so we can see how it should be done corrrectly. JMO

    The FEAR of Change

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by caliswift

    Here are my top reasons for lower attendance.

    Show Content Change

    Where's the fun in recent year's shows? The humor? The joy? The accessibility? Look at this year's content, for example:

    --Pioneer - Joan of Arc, operatic mourning, and burning her at the stake. (And yes, it's a good show.)

    --Crown - Relentless - a violent point blank execution style gun murder, and then a retribution point blank revenge murder. What happened to a fun spaghetti Western?

    --Cavies Propaganda - as grim, unredemptive and nihilistic as social commentary gets.

    --Troopers Heroes- heavy, heavy subject matter - AIDS, loss of loved ones, cancer (and yes, I cried),

    --Cadets - Statues Awakening - humorless, with a lack of whimsy or fantasy or buoyant resolution.

    --Judas - Some buoyant music from JCS, like Everything's Alright, but overall, a grim, heavy subject matter-- who wants to scream "Yay, Judas, way to betray Jesus!"?

    --Phantom - straightforward serious classical music without humor, whimsy, gymnastic set pieces or strong emotion.

    Demographic Change

    Clearly there's a change in the demographic and psychographic makeup of today's marching members. Remember when the corpsmembers' age was from 13 to 21? Now it's an aberration to have someone in high school in one of the top corps. They're all college and university-age kids, and mostly music and arts majors from solidly middle class families. In the 70's and 80's you had kids marching who were on the edge, socially-- working class, chemical dependency issues, and more rough and tumble. Remember when the Cavalier bus would rock back and forth so hard that the bus suspension broke?

    Economy Change

    Remember when you had a job at a company for 30 years in a row? Remember getting odd jobs during the summer between tours? Remember pensions? Remember when there was a payroll department? Remember when there were receptionists and secretaries? Remember strong unions? Remember vacation pay? Remember not checking work email from home? Remember raises? To see where all these perks have disappeared to, look at the skyrocketing stock price of your company and the enormous earnings increases. Last year Boeing made 5 billion dollars profit, and paid only 8 percent in taxes, and zero taxes the year before. Don't get me started.

    Emotive Modern Dance

    The trend of sloppy, outwardly emotive modern dance in drum corps shows has deflated the emotional containment that works so well. Standard military bearing style movement created emotional tension that was beautiful to watch. But now, when you see a color guard member gnashing their teeth and rending their garments, rolling on the floor in mock pain, and doing all the crying for you, why bother?

    Casual Setups

    The stakes are lower now when a corps enters. You see the corps members smoking cigarettes during the setups, shooting the breeze, having a snack. This lowers the high tension, high stakes off the line bang that used to be so unbearably beautiful.

    Low Stakes Show Openers

    Many of the show openers start in the most tentative way now, usually to bolster pit exposure, or to introduce some story element and dance feature before the drill starts cranking. The opening sequences are the quietest, most esoteric, abstract modern dance sequences imaginable. Most performance and theatrical arts begin with a bang, otherwise the audience loses interest.

    Electronics Check

    The electronics checks are confusing the start of the performances. I often think, "Is that weird noise part of the show?". Also, last night's Whitewater audio problems delayed the opening of Cadets and Cavaliers.

    Culture of Immediate Pinpoint Satisfaction

    Young teens at last night's show couldn't wait to get out of the stadium. They couldn't stand it. Today's kids can dial in to their preferred type of entertainment or visual excitement, (or physical excitement) at the click of a button. Instant gratification. Decades ago, kids were so desperate to get out of the house to see the world that they were willing to see a drum corps show, even with their parents. Think about it. When you were a kid, you attended events like this enjoy people watching, enjoy the sights, scoping endlessly to find what turns you on. Now, just type it in and avoid going outside altogether. Also, the nature of a drum corps show is arts roulette. You don't know what you'll see next, and you are powerless to change the lineup. Kids today can change their entertainment lineup in a fraction of a second. The liberal arts appreciation and exploration appears to be fading, except in the most hard core arts fans, and that's who's marching now.

    Can we declare this a rant? Like is there a way to stamp it officially a 100% DCP supported rant? Can he get a badge on his profile as head ranter? Jesus Christ (superstar), you old people get mad at stuff don't you?

    LIVE from Sacramento! The Moonlight Classic!

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted · Edited by caliswift

    My take on last night having only seen the world class corps and knowing nothing about guard or drums and having not researched the show concepts:

    • Mandarins - I hate to say this, but I feel like they have taken a step backwards. The horn line sounded worse than last year and the concept is nonexistent. They have these long white poles that seem like they came from the BD Rite of Spring show that are supposed to later be turned into trees. I like that they got rid of the drops or tails on their uniform. They need some pretty serious technique teaching with their marching. I think it might be the worse marching I've seen from a world class corps. I don't see them in the top 17 this year.
    • Academy - I like the show concept a lot, way more entertaining than I've seen from them in a while. The horn line sounded very good compared to what I've heard in the past. I found Unchained Melody to be odd, but to each their own. The had a lot of neat moments with the white chair/tombstones. I see them in the top 17 this year.
    • Pacific Crest - Again, I think they've taken a step backwards. The horn line was not as loud as previous years and their book seemed watered down. I don't get the concept at all other than "train stuff", although I'd say it was better than Mandarins'. I don't see them in the top 17 this year.
    • Madison - Loved it. Best show I've seen from them in a long time. Super entertaining and the horns sound awesome (is Van Doren still there?). I love some of the voice overs, particularly when the guard is using the ropes. The effect with the scaffolding is pretty sweet. I really excited to see where they place in finals. I think it's official, they're back. They are top 10 if not top 8. This was my favorite show of the night.
    • BD - Two years in a row where I enjoy their show. I think it's way more accessible to the general public than it was in the years prior. I like the subtle uniform changes which are traditional enough, although the shoulders do look like they have some football gear on. They seem to be moving a lot more than in years past as well. I can't tell if BD or Cadets have the best use of trombones I've seen so far. I really like how BD has used them this year, specifically musically. While the concept isn't quite there yet, I think it's because they are still adding to the show. I can't wait to see where they go with the moving scaffolding. I have difficulty seeing this up with Cadets, Coats and Crown but I refuse to believe they aren't in the top 3. I will say, that I absolutely abhor "hip-hop" or "club dancing" which this show has in a small part. I hated it last year with the k-pop part and I hate it this year. It's like they have someone from Grambling, Alabama State or FAMU on staff. I'd rather they add more high stepping and drum majors with staffs.
    • SCV - They sound much better. I can't tell if it's a better arrangement that fits them or it's the actual performers, either way the sound is better. The show concept isn't there though. It's some sort of stormy, weather, lightening theme which I guess will come together more in the coming weeks. Having marched a show in DCI with an eerily similar theme and playing music from the same composer I hope it comes together more as the season progresses. I don't see them coming into contention with BD, Coats, Cadets and Crown. I want to applaud them on their uniforms. Someone kept it traditional and I like it.
    • BK - Boy, they certainly have a swagger now that I haven't seen from them before....and they deserve it. The best I can describe their show is SHINY. Holy crap there is light reflecting everywhere. I'd wear sunglasses. I don't think they have the whole show on the field but what I saw sounded and looked pretty good. I have no ability to judge it, but I noticed the pit a lot and felt it did a great job pulling everything together. I have no idea what the concept but was it was kinda crazy. Lots of computer voices, seriously I enjoyed it but just had no idea what was supposed to be communicated. I fell confused, enthralled and kinda wanting to see where it goes next. Overall, it'll be interesting to see if they can crack the top 6 and who gets sacrificed if they do.

    Overall I saw a great night of drum corps. I see the trend is to add electronics with a much heavier hand this year. I am concerned about adding so much low-end electronics. It seems every corps is doing it which makes me wonder why they bother marching tubas anymore, especially on any loud/hit moment. I don't think the audiences are picking up how much is coming from the speakers versus the players.

    • Like 2

    Drum Corps or Figure Skating...is judging going there or is it there?

    in DCI World Class Corps Discussions

    Posted

    I fear that all of this discussion is leading up to one inescapable conclusion: that being, the formation of what shall forever be known as SCI.

    Skating Corps International, that is.

    With the list of 13 Founding members to include:

    Argonne Axels

    Boston Blue Biellmanns

    Casper Camels

    Carolina Crossovers (the world's first fully transgender Skating Corps)

    Debuque Death Spirals

    Edmonton Edges (lending true "international" credence to "SCI World Class")

    Louisiana Laybacks

    Las Vegas Lutzes (Due to pressure from Mafia owners and executives of city casinos, the corps will fold after the first season, due to a total loss of electrical power throughout the city resulting from the single need for all power being consumed to simply maintain a serviceable ice surface in the Nevada heat.)

    Santa Clara Salchows

    Spirit of Spirals

    Toronto Toe Loops (See "Edmonton Edges" above)

    Twin City Twizzles

    Walla-Walla Walleys

    Brian Boitano will be the first Executive Director of the SCI. Championships will be held each year in Nome, Alaska (to huge outcry from ALL fans, both of the East AND West coasts of the continental United States -- not to mention those in Hawaii -- who scream "You can't expect us to go THAT far for championships, for cripes sakes!!!"), and will hire Scott Hamilton as its championships stadium announcer. Hamilton will be fired after the first year, due to his propensity to yell "OHHHHH MYYYYYYY GOD!!! WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT!!! FAAAAAAAABULOUS!!!" throughout the entire evening -- including in the middle of corps performances. To replace Hamilton, SCI will hire former skating announcer Dick Button. Unfortunately, Button will have to be removed due to his constant, simple assessments of "Well...THAT sucked." for all corps performances (always said through judgementally-pursed lips). If nothing else, Button's inclusion will be of a positive nature for the activity, giving rise to a tradition of "Dick Button died." rumor mongering amongst all of its corps. For Button's replacement, SCI will hire Oksana Baiul. Her thick Ukrainian accent will render her announcing almost unintelligible -- but SCI will justify her hiring with the rationale "Oh, well...at least she'll be cute to look at." (totally forgetting, despite its infinite wisdom, that nobody will actually SEE her in the announcing booth). SCI will employ Tanya Harding as its "Kiss-And-Cry" area reporter. Harding, too, will be fired after her first year, due to her beating the living crap out of George Hopkins after his smug reply of "We'll let you know soon enough." in response to her question of "Do you foresee any changes to your program?" after one of its shows. Though SCI will actively seek out Nancy Kerrigan as Harding's replacement, Kerrigan will only be able to wail "WHYYYY MEEEEEEE???," and will be dropped from consideration. Finally, Michael Boo will be hired as the official score tabulator. He, unfortunately, will ALSO be released due to constant squabbles and disagreements with the Russian Judge, who will insist upon submitting all scores not only in word form, but in Cyrillic script as well. His replacement will be someone who goes by the secretive name "Garfield," and who, on another site, often exhibited an expertise in dealing with numbers. Boo will be reinstated to the post 20 years later (replacing "Garfield," who resigned from the position and, along with "the kid," accepted the position of DrumHead with his much-loved Toe Loops), but will again be canned due to physically abusing the same dino...errrr...Russian Judge after the judge's score of 11.250 for the eventual 16-time World Champion Blue Biellmanns. This second firing will lead to the longest thread (11,647 pages, and named "What is the Worst Case of Blue Biellmanns You've Ever Experienced?" ) of controversy on the SCP (Skating Corps Planet) website. In conclusion, all judging will be conducted according to a variation of the old "tick" system, but now called the "Slick System," whereby a judge can make allowances such as "I THINK that was an error...but I'll let it slide for now."

    (In the words of teachers everywhere -- "Isn't summer wonderful????")

    We could probably turn this into an Olympic event. I'm in.

    • Like 2
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