scheherazadesghost

Yes, but it's the execution score again I believe. Not some fuzzy "effect" score that few can explain clearly. Yes there's bias, but there are multiple judges doing the same thing to minimize it. I gladly admitted above that most sports have bias. The close calls fall in that overall category, for me, of who cares? Why do we care who is best? Can't we just appreciate the feats of strength? It's different with sports like basketball where things like effect would be ridiculous to judge.

This is why I argue to drop the competition aspect all together, but that'll probably get no traction ever forever never ever. At a certain point, the nitpicking kills the creativity and experience for me. Did as a member, does now as an advocate and fan.

Gotcha. No, I'm being a bit of a contrarian approach here, so apologies. I'm actually the first to argue that sports are subjective as hell. But at least they feign objectivity and work to improve it over time. I'm super ready for that conversation. All scoring where creativity is mixed with sport is fuzzy and fallible. Just some more than others. And the subjectivity can be minimized with the right minds who have rubric-making experience. Not just sports experience. That is the work happening in many collegiate arts settings. Even then, they know it's an impossible task and regularly work to improve rubrics year-by-year. It's exhausting but important work. Including audience reaction, as has been indicated in this thread more than once, is an excellent idea. My thesis was all about fun, amicable audience interaction... it's proven to drive audiences if done well. In the arts anyway...

Glad you latched onto gymnastics. I was a competitive gymnast, 2 levels before elites/Olympic level before I quit. My poor joints. Anyway, there is extremely limited subjectiveness in gymnastics. Trust me, I could get gyms ROCKIN' to my floor routine, but that was never reflected in the scores because it was counted in the execution score. If any subjectivity sneaks in, it's minimized by the use of multiple judges watching the same thing at the same time, and those scores are averaged. There are point deductions, but mainly just the "difficulty" and "execution" scores. With some apparatuses, the difficult score is predetermined. More here: https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/gymnastics-101-scoring There is no "I didn't like that routine." Or if there is, it should be justified within the judging paradigm. I could agree to there being some fuzz, but the system minimizes it intentionally. Same with other sports. You don't get extra points for HOW you dunk in basketball because the how already means you got the point. It could be argued that Michael Jordan dunked so well that it fed the audience which, in turn fed him to dunk better and more beautifully, but that's not part of the scoring system until it manifests in more points. Now that's something I could get behind.

🤪 I couldn't find them when I looked. Thanks for the direct link!

Respectfully, however, is there any other sport that assigns point value to something intangible? Can't think of one off the top of my head, but I welcome clarification. This is what differentiates sport from art. Most artists I've known and respected don't try to quantify their artmaking in process or product. Or if they do, it's an experiment that feeds the art. DCI's use of quantifying GE is not an experiment. They're committed, and money is tied to the outcome. In basketball, gymnastics, whatever, there aren't scoring matrices for this intangible quality because as we all know it's a merely subjective, fallible contributing factor. You don't get points for it... you only lose points (or players) when your "it factor" gets out of control, crude, or dangerous. I've argued herein that this intangible, subjective GE rubric sullies the quantifiable aspects of the judging system. It creates room for fuzz that few, if any other sports judging systems make the space for.

What's a girl stuck in the desert gotta do to snag a pair of those Mandarins chopsticks I've heard about? 🥢

Not as simple as one would think, nor as simple as it should be. Despite what the judging diversity initiative might have one believe.

The only corps that's really got me itching for fresh recipes! All the ones currently available are going stale! Go MANDIES GO!

The only thing currently available is their recipe of the opener from a week ago. That said, it's the only show to elicit tears from me so far this season. Thanks SoA, I got to briefly remember how much I love this activity... and that was just your opener. I know the admin staff has done a lot of work to improve the safety of the corps experience. I used to work with the current guard caption head. He's a good guy from what I recall. But the movement technique could use some work. As I've been telling everyone else, extend the bottom legs and point your feet during sautes. It's the easiest thing to fix that could make a real difference in the longevity and safety of these member's bodies. Proud of you Spirit. Can't wait to see the full show!

Bump. Just caught the Rose Bowl high cam recipe and yup, this show is on my radar now. Clean, beautiful colors and cohesive design. Just needs cleaning, which they have plenty of time for. Good work, and wishing that my fellow alum has helped turn the corner for this corps, prioritizing member wellness and treatment above all else.

This sounds familiar to me for some strange reason... As much as one can set that aside, I'm wishing the current members an excellent season and look forward to catching the latest recipe asap!

Extend your bottom leg and point your feet Colts colorguard!

This is second instance I'm aware of that Cavies have sacrificed the show for member health this season. Seems like they did the same for covid protocols last year. More power to them. Member health should always have come first, so these sacrifices show me how much they care. First acknowledge how common these injuries are, then you can more effectively prevent them in the future. This is a paradigm shift from the numerous injuries that went unacknowledged and untreated in my day. Wishing this member a thorough recovery.

All Cavies cake recipes have been taken down. Boo. 😞 💔 Guess I'll just wait for the next brave baker. Have a great show tonight, can't wait to see it!! 💚

It can be bad, but if it's taught well and compassionately, it can be profound for members, staff, and audience.

I saw more colorguard dance in this show than I expected, that's why I called it out. And agreed about the joint replacements; just pivoted to a career in massage therapy for the same reasons. The training is still very visible. Just not thoroughly embodied across all members yet. I'm sure it will be.... or I'll call it out at finals. 😉 The colorguard technique is super bad pretty much everywhere else. 🤐 Sure wish any other corps would give BD a run for their money. Alas.....

Ackshully... they've devolved to beating up on each other... 🤐 I'll see myself out.

Just caught my first BD recipe as well. Exactly what I expected except... Devs, I caught some of your guard with turned in landing feet and not-pointed gesture feet. Thinking also that some of the choreo is unfinished which is all good at this stage. But an ensemble arial, solid synchronicity, and overall achievement means your spot is secure in the movement tech arena compared to your peers, as usual. Was just surprised, given I was so complementary just earlier today. I have eyes like a hawk tho. Clean it up and you're golden.

I never had any doubts. It's one of the strongest, long lasting legacies in the activity. I only wish other corps would prioritize movement technique with the same ferocity. (Future members' bodies would be grateful.)

I can only say one thing here cause I haven't seen BD in full yet but I know them as well as a Vanguard alum can. Crown's movement technique in the guard alone won't be able to hold a candle to the BD guard's. That is assuming BD didn't just lose their historical mastery of jazz techniques since last season. They can spin, that's for sure, but the movement technique makes them look inexperienced without equipment in their hands. BD are the legacy masters of movement technique in our activity. If there are any other tells regarding Crown's weaknesses, then they have a lot to catch up on if they want to unseat BD. Boston is only slightly better than Crown in this department. I guess the overall point allotment here will work to Boston and Crown's advantage, maybe, but their members' bodies will feel it later in life if they don't clean up that technique. BD has never had that problem. Not a single time I've looked.

Don't be shy! Was just about to post that this show is.... growing on me, I'm happy to say. First read left me underwhelmed, and that made me initially sad. Love the corps costumes but the guard costumes only really look good at a distance because of the colors. Luckily they can spin! Just gotta watch their bottom feet on their jumps. Lots of not-extended dangle feet. Something I'm sure my fellow alum in the movement staff can clean up in time for finals. They had me at the black mushrooms. Bluecoats, you weirdos. I just love it when you get weird and stay casual. Such a breath of fresh air.

Bloo was the only other corps that leapt to mind that could handle Firefly/Serenity.

Kinda getting upset this hasn't happened yet honestly. 😎

Fingers crossed that the recipe will be available pronto! 🙏🏽