Jump to content

billj

Members
  • Posts

    285
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by billj

  1. 5 hours ago, DFA1970 said:

    I call it BD fatigue and I get it. But these kids are working just as hard as any corp kids are and they are real good performers. Lots of them go on to teach themselves. As with any fans sports ect you a few who “hate”. I use that word because it’s true. B D knows they’re not right now fan favorite for the fact they win all the time. Is it their fault they’re so good? 

    It's the staff's fault for continuing to design shows that don't resonate with the masses. Sorry for those who disagree or don't want to hear it, but how many people have to say it before you believe that their show designs tend to be difficult to get into? 

  2. 3 hours ago, HockeyDad said:

    Groundbreaking. And a bit….. harsh on the ears. (Sorry). I do understand that in the context of the era that’s what everyone did. Well, except Ms. Opie’s horn line from Kansas. Talk about groundbreaking!  But I digress. Sorry again. Twice in one post. 

    Perfectly said, I feel that 80 was where the harshness was mostly gone, especially in the top 12. Pre 80, most corps still had some harshness, not that I haven't enjoyed listening to recordings many times in the past. But more recently, I'm not interested in listening to pre 80 other than for some quick nostalgia (Kilties, for example). But I can still watch and listen to the top 12 from 80 with great joy. That was such a great year. 

  3. 2 hours ago, regimentlvr said:

    Does anyone know if there are any changes to come or was last night the final package of the show?

    I am really hoping we can do whatever is necessary to capture the 5th spot. Overall I am surprised that music is hurting our scores with the staff that we have. 

    I'm a visual designer for high school bands, and I've been on both sides of . 1 and . 05 differences multiple times, deciding making/missing finals or winning a class championship. It's interesting how you feel based on which side you're on. I think I'm handling it better as age, but maybe not. Anyway... 

    Let's face it, Regiment, Mandarins and Cadets are a tight 5/6/7 (Cavies are a long shot, dark horse). Over the next week, their placements are likely to vary.

    Most people reading this thread, including me, would like Regiment to place as high as possible, but wherever they end up, I'll suggest that hopefully people won't think of this season differently.

    The corps has taken a step forward, and it's been great to see. 

    • Like 3
  4. 11 minutes ago, GraysonHarris said:

    You want them to stop playing jazz? Are you nuts? That is literally their legacy and style of music they have always been associated with. 

    That's like asking Phantom to have a show with no classical music. 

    Sheesh!

    Yep. Shake it up. I'm pretty sure they could play a non jazz show and it would be great. Why is that an unreasonable ask? Who else MUST play music from a specific genre EVERY YEAR? 

  5. 3 hours ago, ContraFart said:

    Resident BD Hater

    I posted this to the youtube video

    1. The park and bark. This is an older criticism that I believe applies less today, however going back to 2009 - 2015, this is very appropriate. In 2009 I believe I clocked BD as marching and playing for less than 2 min and when they did march and play together the step size was less than 8 to 5. Compared to the insane drill writing of Crown and Cadets in that era, it was crystal clear that the visual demand for BD was significantly less. I also personally had a critique of the drill never incorporating the contra section into the drill. I think there were changes in who was writing drill in the mid 2010s and some of that criticism is less valid today. Also other corps have moved towards BDs visual philosophy so the amount of time marching and playing has gone down across the board over the past 15 years. But even you say that BD does not have drill writers or dot books. To some people that whole philosophy is anathema to what drum corps is supposed to be.

    2. Paying the judges. I believe this is a straw man argument. No reasonable person believes that there is bribery in the judging community. At the same time, there are judges that if you see them on the finals panel, you know BD is getting a max score no matter what. (*cough* Chumley *cough*) When it comes to designing to the sheets, you have a valid argument. BD makes the art they want to make. Its just that a large a growing part of the audience does not like that art. I cannot stand the aesthetic of Scott Chandler. At the same time, I can see how those esoteric shows can make a very fulfilling member experience. It seems that the more straight forward shows are the ones the BD loses, so its natural to keep going to what brings you success. But then you become a theatre who just does shows by Mamet or Durang. Doing art for yourself, is not doing art to engage and entertain an audience.

    3. Money. Yes this is a huge advantage. However its not the props or instruments or electronics that give the advantage. Its the member experience. One of the reasons a corps like BD becomes a destination corps is because of the idea that tour life will be easier. BD gets closer housing sites, so there is less travel from housing sites to show. They get later gates so there is more floor time and rehearsal time. I would bet the food choices are also better. This is not a recent phenomena. Back in the 90s when I marched, it was legend how much better tour was for BD.

    4. Metamorph17. You are correct that corps will fall into their own tropes. The only difference is that judges seem to reward BDs tropes over the other top corps. Whether it be the side to side shimmy, the body movement that swirls into a tight clump. The drum set feature. The staging shift among others, BD does do a lot of the same things. However as a champion, they play it safe. Also nothing that BD does visually is as iconic as the leg kick or the Z pull. The only things that are unequivocally BD are the arms out posture and the shimmy. Think of the last 3 champions that were not BD. I think what they tried next year was not the same old same old, but an evolution of what they were trying to do. In 2014 Crown had those trampolines and even though they reused some of the same devices, I think besides Rach Star, it was their most out of formula show. In 2017 Bluecoats came out with the largest set piece in DCI history and music from an experimental rock band. In 2019 SCV, well they tried. However I think it was still an evolution of 2018. I also think that constantly going back to music feeds into the playing it safe narrative. In the end, I do not think there is a huge difference in the talent or execution of the top 4 corps. So why does one corps win 40% of every championship ever and 60% of the championships in the past 15 years? Its frustrating when I see a show like Bluecoats 2019, which is one of my favorite shows of all time and it loses to a show that does not connect with me at all. There was a time where BD was my favorite corps. 1993 BD is what brought me into Drum Corps. 1994 is one of the best shows of all time. However a combination of fatigue and the inability to engage with their concepts has almost made me resent BD to the point if they win tonight in Broken Arrow, the season is over and I really do not care anymore to watch to the end.

    Articulated way better than I could ever hope. It's just no fun for me. I was just thinking: I challenge BD to design something VERY DIFFERENT. Maybe classical? Funny? Story telling?

    I dare them to have a show with no jazz or screamers. Just once. 

    Something that speaks to the masses, PLEASE

    • Thanks 1
    • Haha 2
    • Confused 1
  6. 1 hour ago, Ashontheinternet said:

    question about the show: what is the right-most member doing during the opening hit? during the hit, they land at their dot, do the group choreo, and then turn around, then face front and flick their hat. is this a thematic element im missing, or some kind of tradition? no matter what it is, it is BAD-A. i love it. this show is growing on me slowly. 

    Isnt it what was the traditional DM salute for may years? 

    • Like 1
  7. Apologies if this has been discussed, but the addition of the whale banner made a huge difference for me. The show is approaching Epic, which is what's needed to pass BD. Hopefully more is planned for the ending. Maybe too easy or too cheesy, but a bunch of red banners at the end? I know blood is more of a shark thing, but still, it would pop on the field and have a visual impact. 

  8. 27 minutes ago, TheOneWhoKnows said:

    @Hook'emCavies Been meaning to ask now that you've seen the show, do you think it would read better with the bicycle step? 

    What might really be effective is if they marched with technique from the time. Not realistic since they intertwine so many melodies, but pre whenever, they weren't bicycling. But the straight leg does seem like a mismatch give they pretty much invented the bicycle step, didn't they? 

  9. 58 minutes ago, KVG_DC said:

    Dare I say....they're making me like the use of their tarps?   I mean... I know... but this one is really effective in framing the field, the off set makes the drill and pit placement pop.  They're not marching over it most of the time, and when they do go onto it, they do in ways that make sense.  Not just "There's a tarp down, we're marching over it to get over there though."   

    The last time I saw tarps used in ways that really made sense might have been Blue Stars' anniversary show in 2014.  But there, they were long strips to make the house plan on the field, and while sometimes they'd move the drill through the doorways into other rooms, other times they were marching directly over it and there were falls.  

    The tarps are nice and they tie nice to how the props are used, and definitely glad they don't march backwards while playing on them.

    Many of us can probably tune out the white yard lines, hash marks, and multi colored team logo center field, but while the tarps are nice by themselves, the white field markings and the (Indy) Colts helmet will make the tarps not quite as effective. But, I don't think tarps are ever worth it, although Bluecoats' Tilted frame was cool. Sorry, I'm rambling. 

×
×
  • Create New...