Channel3

What did Will Pitts say the show concept was on tonight's Indy broadcast?

What's your source? Thanks, https://www.nationalpriorities.org/campaigns/military-spending-united-states/

Um, no, dude. You don't see stuff like this about the public library. This is way, way worse. If anyone has more info on the military band budget, please post. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-turns-486-million-afghan-air-fleet-32000/story?id=26083173

The reason why the ax is swinging over the bands is because bands cannot be privatized for profit, you know, like Halliburton did for military meal programs, outsourcing the work back to the original supplier after a 50 percent markup. By the way, the Pentagon has never been audited, even though we give them $700,000,000,000 per year, more than half our country's spending budget. We can't say how much the US military performance bands really cost because it's never been audited. Privatized military spending corruption is out of control, folks. And if anyone wants to challenge me on the military spending crisis and private company corruption, I will list out four personal unpublished examples of boondoggle projects that my professional contacts and corpsmen have told me about, first hand, names wittheld. Despicable. http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/12/defense-military-waste-cost-timeline http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ralph-nader/pentagon-budget_b_4046370.html http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/opinion/16thu2.html?_r=0

I'm not sure what you're responding to. Anyway, I loved that last moment of the Bluecoats show, Tilt. It was an exciting, high-risk visual requiring gymnastic prowess, safety coordination, and guts. The problem was it had no context, no precedent, no setup. It was random. Exciting for the moment, sure, but completely without context or meaning, like a pretty straw hat in January. The performer could have just as easily skateboard jumped on the triangles. Yay! Or the entire corps could have magically balanced on the several triangles simultaneously. Yay! Or... or... or... You see? No depth of concept. No context. No deeper meaning of any kind. Now, had the Bluecoats coupled the show with off-stage discussions about young musicians fighting alienation and feeling off kilter, or musicians trying to jump through industry clutter to develop a new style all their own, or used the metaphor of Tilt to mean performers overcoming personal doubts about their skewed vision of the world, then wham. First place. You see the difference? The metaphor ties in to the performer's POV and corps management's effort to address a pertinent aspect of the performer's lives. What an ineluctable, powerful context Tilt could have had. The ridiculous symbol would have made sense. And all of this could have been done off the field in an intentional, public way for the benefit of all. The depth of concept gives you chills. You could have built a freaking church on that foundation. Completely original and full of meaning. First place, no doubt. Without this context, and without the design team adding this context or acknowledging a deeper concept, meh, second place.

First there was the "New Ending" craze where corps would roll out new surprise endings and silks during finals week. (SCV's bottle dance and Bridgemen's fainting finale were examples.) Then, new set pieces began appearing at second tour. Now it seems there's a continuous rollout of new major set pieces all season long. Some new set pieces seem like they're delayed because of prop construction issues, or design issues or even late season development issues. Some show elements seem like they're implemented later in June because they're too complex to put on the field in time for the first show. And some show elements are intentionally held back. How many major show elements are delayed because of prop construction/development issues? How many late breaking show elements are delayed intentionally by the show coordinator as a method of building show momentum and steadily increasing scores? How many late breaking show elements are discovered a la minute in July or August? How many late breaking show elements are reveals that are planned months in advance? Do design teams tell the judges about future show elements before they happen, in order to add depth in advance? How many show elements are added simply because the designers have too much time on their hands before August? How many show elements are designed and constructed, but then tabled or canceled before implementation?

I notice that your toxic posts usually are the last post in a discussion. You really know how to clear a room!

I don't mean this in a mean way, but are you feeling okay? We're talking about the televised show coordinator interviews and the lead-in questions that they answer before they start their show description.

It is the magical symbiosis between the theme and visual design that clinches it. Last year, the Bluecoats' visual program was from a dream. Ethereal and mystical, but built on a thematic foundation of day old oatmeal. Blue"s visual team was like Van Gogh doing face painting at a suburban tween birthday party. Conversely, BD's Ink theme was great, but I wanted to give the marching program a nitroglycerine needle to the heart-- some of the stage pictures seemed clogged, gerrymandered and cluttered.

The show coordinators are invariably asked a lead-in curveball question, to which they should briefly respond, and then just continue with the prepared full show description. That's what they're there for. It's the same every time. "And music seems to be the focus here, right Schmo?" To that, the show coordinator could respond. "Yes, we started with the music and it carried us away." And then go into the prepared spiel. "This year's show is entitled No Particular Meaning so we're Happy with Third Place and blah blah blah. It's easy. Practice it. Q: "You've got a lot of props this year?" A: Yeah-- we sure hope the props help convey the theme. This year's show is entitled..." Q: "You've had a rough start with some illness this year?" Q: "We did, and we think we're back on track for a great show. This year's show is entitled..." Q: " I understand you have sex three times a day?" A: That's the rumor. But I'm also excited about this year's show entitled.." Practice it. News anchors are used to the curveballs, and are forced to transition to the news story-- it becomes a joke off camera. It takes confidence and a little bit of improv to turn it around, but the response is always the canned show description, at very least with a "That's right" before it. PS: I know everything. Bow down and worship me.

This is your best work so far. The big picture is just around the corner for you.

They should nix the obtuse explanation-- it's a Madison Avenue fever dream. The image utility is weak. Lay out the specific link to the focal lyric, and lay out the interesting device. Get us excited about the portions of music being played backwards. Get us excited about the show's rewind device saving us from the apocalypse. I don't think we should spend more minutes solving the obtuse lyrics puzzle than the show is long. The whole explanation seems to tip-toe around the apocalypse, mainly because the Knights know they've been way too morose. In doing so, they obfuscate the show's theme beyond recognition. Also, where's the fun part?

Thanks for proofreading my work. You've found what you're really good at. The structure of the three realms follows a common numerical pattern of 9 plus 1, for a total of 10: 9 circles of the Inferno, followed by Lucifer contained at its bottom; 9 rings of Mount Purgatory, followed by the Garden of Eden crowning its summit; and the 9 celestial bodies of Paradiso, followed by the Empyrean containing the very essence of God. Within each group of 9, 7 elements correspond to a specific moral scheme, subdivided into three subcategories, while 2 others of greater particularity are added to total nine. For example, the seven deadly sins of the Catholic Church that are cleansed in Purgatory are joined by special realms for the Late repentant and the excommunicated by the church. The core seven sins within Purgatory correspond to a moral scheme of love perverted, subdivided into three groups corresponding to excessive love (Lust, Gluttony, Greed), deficient love (Sloth), and malicious love (Wrath, Envy, Pride).

Depth of concept. Selection of music. Selection of theme. Are you looking at the 1975 scoresheet?

The stronger the show's thematic through line, the more room there is for wild, experimental choices. For example, when the design team added the KPop Got7 tune to the rock solid storybook through line of the "Children Will Listen" theme in Ink, no judge batted an eye.

Your name should be changed to Lennie, as in Of Mice and Men.

By adding even a hint of meaning, on or off stage, they'll have a dynasty that will last for decades.

Change the video or the news item will say, "Local drum corps labels MLK a propagandist."

That's not what the show announcement page says: http://ascendperformingarts.org/blue-knights-announce-2016-show-the-great-event/ The Great Event Denver CO "The 2016 Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps is pleased to present, "The Great Event". Our creative mission at the Blue Knights continues to be a commitment to curiosity, experimentation, innovation and fun. Once again we are challenging ourselves to take inspiration from the world around us and create a brand new story. Our 2016 production ponders time, existence and the courage to stay open in the face of change. The ancient philosopher Heraclitus is credited with the quote "The only constant in the universe is change." Change is sometimes wonderful and welcome. Other times it shatters our illusion of safety and strength. It is human to wish for change when there is suffering and many show great courage in this endeavor. Through music, color, imagery and motion the 2016 Blue Knights want to bear witness to the human condition and celebrate how rare and beautiful it truly is that we exist. It may be the end of the story or it may just be the beginning of a great adventure." - - No mention of Cohen's experimental piece as the central focal point or thematic essence. His song is listed among several other songs in the lineup. - - - Here's what it does NOT say: Leonard Cohen's 1997 experimental piece "The Great Event" is the creative impetus for our 2016 show where The Blue Knights will explore the theme of the end of the world, and working backward, like Cohen's mention of the Moonlight Sonata played backwards, helps us reverse time, build the courage to change the world, and value our experience here on earth. THE GREAT EVENT Song and Lyrics by Leonard Cohen Its going to happen very soon The great event, which will end the horrorWhich will end the sorrow Next Tuesday when the sun goes down I will play the Moonlight Sonata backwardsThis will reverse the effects of the worlds mad plunge Into suffering, for the last 200 million years What a lovely night that would be What a sigh of relief, as the senile robinsBecome bright red again, and the retired nightingales Pick up their dusty tails, and assert the Majesty of Creation - - - See the difference, Princess? Pay Cohen his royalty fee and refer to the lyrics directly. Otherwise, we're lost.

Show Concept Rankings - 2016 Here are the rankings of the top twelve's concepts as presented in their show announcements. Each production concept is judged on clarity of theme, specificity, universality, and uniqueness. These rankings will impact finals night rankings more than say "How tight the drumline is." Depth of concept includes the meaning and purpose behind the production and carries the largest scoresheet weight, impacting all captions. 1. Cadets - Awakening of the Design Team - Statues dare to come to life, a metaphor for self realization and self-identifying. This could be the most powerful metaphor in a drum corps show ever, and directly relates to youth and personal development. Profound. 2. Blue Devils - As Dream Wins are Made On - Shakespeare's The Tempest. Classic tragic-comedy, universal and whimsical, with a flare of fantasy and humor. Sophisticated fun around the theme of love and redemption. Incredibly hard to stage and clarify. 3. Carolina Crown - Relentless - Spaghetti Western about revenge. Sendup or serious? They better decide. The description is all over the place and mentions three dramas from three different eras. On paper, it's a confused stylistic mess that needs focus. 4. Blue Stars - La Reve Your Engines, story based on the famous painting or a dream or Emile Zola's version, likely a romance fantasy sequence. Original, sexy and fun. 5. Boston Crusaders - Don Quixote In 12 Minutes. This story-based show could be a barn burner. And there's only one way to do it in twelve minutes, and that's if the entire corps transforms from criticizing and trampling Quixote, to by the end mirroring Quixote's movement, in a show of support for his crazy vision. Skip the story points on this one. 6. Cavaliers - Propaganda, In General - If they stick with well known political propaganda, this show may work. It might rely on historical audio recordings of the likes of McCarthy and George McGovern. If they build a transformation by the end of taking off their masks and breaking out of lockstep conformity, it may be an effective ending. (Note: Their promotional video entitled "Propaganda" featured Martin Luther King, a big gaffe. He's known as a Nobel Prize winning humanitarian, not a manipulator. Do they even know the difference? Are they muddying the definition of propaganda- - that's way too heady and thankless a POV for a twelve minute show, and the notion that King could be considered a propagandistic manipulator is just so... wrong. Really almost fascist and sickening- - King's inclusion as a propagandist exposes the corps to a media firestorm of controversy.) 7. Madison Scouts - Judas Christ Super-risk At least this show has a specific intent, but there are just so many stylistic potholes that they can encounter with this campy Broadway musical and weighty subject matter. Incredibly exposed. A 20,000 foot interpretation is best. Jesus help them. 8. Phantom Regiment - Voice of Vagaries, a dusty and confused anniversary show concept, have your capes and checkbook ready, alums. 9. Santa Clara Vanguard - Force of Nature Buffs - Looks like a melange of natural destruction imagery without a specific expository platform. If they use the seasons, it will provide some understructure. Where's the humanity and relationship to the corps member's lives? 10. Crossmen - Continuum. Um. Right. Andrew Markworth's original composition. Great. What's the theme? What's the show about? Drum corps is not a concert with added random movement. It's a visual performance medium with all the added responsibility of imagery, theme, meaning and story, either behind the scenes or in front of the camera. Get Markworth to start talking. 11. Bluecoats - Great Big ? in the Sky Blue's design team can't write a show description because they don't have a thematic through line. This corps is struggling artistically and is unable to build a thematic argument into their recent shows. Today, drum corps is not simply a concert with movement. Being glaringly theme-free will cost them on the score sheet. A meaningful theme isn't that hard to build, even with random musical selections like these. 12. Blue Knights - The Great Sixth Grade Book Report - The show announcement is an embarrassing sixth grade book report-- unedited, sprawling, rambling and vague. Change, innovation, illusion of safety, new story... yams are a super food... beginning of a new vague something, hey this wallpaper smells like a upholstery shampoo.

Thank you for this insider document, Michael Boo. I'm shocked at its lack of specificity. I personally never saw Satan characterized in this show. I wonder how early in the season this document was written, and what time of night.

I am an architect. I built this building. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKeENdyIluI

I didn't say "rules". You did. That's how your mind works. (Left brain alert.) In the realm of food, are things like recipe backstory, flavor profiles and local sourcing called "rules"? No of course not. They're food marketing guidelines. They help build meaning around food, and help sell it. (I feel like I'm in high school.) These guidelines are a launching point for developing meaning and human resonance in any production-- the creativity is limitless. These guidelines are square one to help lost corps designers develop meaning and a through line, two of the very most basic components of any performing art. These guidelines prevent designers from abstract diaper designs like "yogurt blob" formations as one drill designer called them, and prevents them from creating a meaningless show around a non-descript general adjective or property (Tilt), or an empty numeral (Ten), or vague scientific phenomenon without resonance (Kinetic Noise), all of which were exquisitely detailed shows with a profound, almost cold-blooded lack of meaning, humor, or human resonance for marching members and audiences, alike.

Dante is a man. Let's start there. It's not a girl. Are you with me so far?

Who is underneath the river of blood, reaching out to her and getting pulled back? Some waiter angry about Beatrice's tip? An interior designer who thinks she's making a big mistake choosing a big red cloth for her living room? Although he's not represented by a character in this production, the basic story is Dante goes into hell to retrieve Beatrice. That's why he's there. Dante's not in hell to scope out the depressed real estate prices! Be honest, are you in a scientific or mathematical or engineering field?