billj
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Posts posted by billj
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1 hour ago, BlueStainGlass said:
It's a rehash show. IMO that is what's wrong. I'm not a fan of hey these things made is popular so here is a show with all those things. There are subtle ways to do it without smacking you in the face. But many people have said the music sounds like many thoughts at once with poor pacing. That's design teams fault not the members. So someone said somewhere a huge rewrite is coming and that may fix it.
Two obvious to me areas for rewrites: totally remove Somewhere, and reduce the multiple overlaying musical ideas. Sure, it's clever that they switch musical gears and overlay multiple songs from their history, but ... Why? And how does it enhance their theme? And I don't really sense an actual theme ("stuff from our history" isn't a theme), so that may limit things on the GE side.
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3 hours ago, Vuitton said:
Yes. If I was running Crown, BAC or Bluecoats, I'd be heading out west to see BD first thing. Once you see BD you know where you stand. Why wait?
Pardon my ignorance, but I don't see how "seeing" another corps has any value. You can't really "defend" against another corps or control their score, their design, or how/what they clean.
Each corps should focus on itself and do the very best it can at design and execution. No time/energy should be spent on worrying about another corps' scores, or how to strategize against them.
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2 hours ago, SJugster said:
FYI for those who are looking forward to tonight and the changes mentioned in the last vLog, It isn't happening tonight. No tarps or major updates.
Those will be revealed over the weekend it seems.
hopefully it is ok for me to spill these beans
"Closer changes" is intriguing.
Does the HS in Rockford have artificial turf yet, or is it still (dicey) natural grass?
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1 hour ago, Rocketman said:
Agreed. I like WGI. I just don't like that it has infected DCI. If I were a brass player today, I'd be a little miffed that my brass playing expertise has taken a backseat to things unrelated to my ability to play said instrument.
I have to wonder what the 2026 alumni corps production will look like.Alumni corps of this generation all have plenty of great music to play. The bigger question is: if drum corps lasts 20-25+ more years, what will alumni corps have at their disposal to play (that the audience can recognize and enjoy listening to)??
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The music, costumes, guardwork, choreography and props did not clearly portray a theme to me. Maybe there's more to add? The props were used a lot in the later portion of the show, but seemed forgotten for much of the show. Again, maybe more to come, to clarify the theme?
Until the theme is more clear, those GE numbers are going to be hard to move up.
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Only watched the first minute or two of Devils. That was the most unwatchable multi-cam I've ever seen in my life (directed at Flo). Gave up trying to watch due to frustration and dizziness.
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My last live viewing of the year (in Dekalb) 😞
Nice progress from Lisle.This is a nice step forward for Regiment, and I'm happy for them. Should be a tight battle when all the corps get together.
I never posted this, but I wondered if they'd add tarps to the area they run to during the ballad (honest). I don't mind it since they aren't marching and playing while on the tarps (safety). It does add a nice frame.
Some minor brass things to tighten up. Is it me or is there consistently a tuning issue when the low brass plays their feature in the ballad (low brass to other brass, or low brass to pit)? Also, would like to see the low brass more visually interesting & spread at that feature.
Pacing-wise, the big thing that continues to stick out to me is the transition from the end of the perc feature into the ballad. They've been tweaking how long they wait to start the ballad, but I think it should start ASAP, like about 2 seconds after the last percussion note.
Love the pause in the music when they hit the company front (hint to audience: "SUTA!").
I know this won't happen, but if I could have one wish, there'd be a big, exciting drill moment. I'm a drill guy, and there's too many scatters for my taste. I think pretty much every segemnt starts with scatters. I wrote a drill one year that ended up like this. I didn't plan it that way, that's the way it ended up, and I didn't even realize it until the judges called it out.
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Sat side 2 low, in the blast zone for Regiment (and Cavies)...
Genesis: I like Firebird. They put out a big sound. Design might have been ok if they were Open class.
Scouts: horn line energy and volume is a positive. Visual design lacks.
Crossmen: that is not a top 12 design, musically or visually. I don't get the props, and I don't get the constant musical references to Long and Winding Road.
Troopers: very big sound and nice percussion. Finalist show, for sure. Visual is starting to clean up. The show is almost too intense, start to finish. As others have said, things need to be worked out w the rope. I also thought that turning the prop off at points in the show would be good, but my family suggested that keeping it moving made sense, since you see it at different angles as it moves across the day. As mentioned, the prop remained on when the show ended, unlike previously.
Colts: the variety in brass dynamics (after the intensity and volume from Troop) stood out. And a very different mood from Troop, too. They seem pretty balanced across the sections, from a design and execution standpoint. Bummed that they didn't hold up the Rockford sign during Classical Gas like they did at Lisle (I thought it was clever).
Cavies: family agreed that the chop and bop music arrangements make it hard to get into the show. Percussion is their strong suit. I realized that their current marching technique not matching the champion years is a little bit of a disconnect (probably just an issue for me). Realized the 4 cornered soloists are a 4 Corners reference. Low brass was loud a lot, maybe too loud sometimes.
Blue Stars: pretty good across the board. Transitions to the green done pretty seamlessly. Interesting theme, but I prefer less on the props side.
BAC: very good overall. Great guard, but more than a few drops (yes, the wind picked up during Stars, but not terrible). I feel like there's too many moments without flags (all weapons and or dancing). The ending didnt have a big impact. Assuming that'll change. A diminutive guard member representing the white whale doesn't cut it. And it wasn't clear visually how we got to the dead guy on the raft.
Regiment: continuing to improve. LOUD. A few minor timing issues in the brass and some overplaying in the low brass. The tarps are fine as a frame. The musical pause when they hit the company front is nice (maybe an opportunity for a SUTA! from the crowd?).
Enjoyable overall, glad we lucked out w the weather.
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How does DCI announce schedule changes? If anyone hears an official schedule change, please post here. Thx
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1 hour ago, SJugster said:
I wasn't trying to set up any animosity but trying to learn. I know corps will go up and down for a number of reasons (show changes that work/don't, tired members, good/bad moral, lighting in a bottle, etc...) just curious why the same comment was mentioned a number of times. Once is ignorable (not a word but I made it up and it works), twice is interesting and 10+ is noticeable and was curious. All in all it is just conjecture this early in the season.
With that said I was told there are some changes going in soon including at least one tonight. Not sure what they are but i hope they are impactful.
Looking forward to tonight. It better not rain! Knowing the brass staging for several prominent impacts, I have tickets in the blast zone tonight 🙂
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Not liking the 50% chance of rain that's now showing on the 8-11pm forecast, but let's hope it holds off.
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3 hours ago, Sensioto said:
Indeed. If there was ever a show that needed a crown set, it is this one! I hope they integrate the pizza wedges and somehow the round table into the crown set. Or a dissolving crown a la 2017. Something to get the crowd on their feet 👑
Pizza slices = jewels on the crown
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29 minutes ago, SJugster said:
I have watched and enjoyed DCI for close to 30 years. I never marched (life decisions and ability kept me out) but I kept up as much as I could and have enjoyed Regiment almost the whole time during this 30 years. I also have someone who currently marches in the show so I am a bit biased.
What I don't get is the comments in this forum from many that say things like BS/Cavies have more of an upside on Regiment. Can someone explain how a corps who is 3 points below another corps and the gap is being widened have a higher upside?
I know changes happen throughout the year for ALL Corps to improve their scores (this they swing and miss or things that worked so well they want to enhance those moments) but do people think BS/Cavies staff will make the needed improvements but Regiment wont?
Oversimplifying: If you look at the detailed breakdowns per judge, each gives a score for repertoire/content and performance/achievement. The first part scores the design (what they are doing) and the other part scores the performance (how well they are doing).
The theory is that if a group has higher repertoire/content early in the early season but lower performance/achievement early on, they may have more "room to grow" assuming they are able to clean and perform at least as well as their competition.
So, if two groups perform "equally", the design can decide who places higher.
Those who crunch the numbers more can correct me if I've missed it.
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33 minutes ago, NewArpege said:
Question. Do they allow lighting in DCI? Wonder if anyone will ever add lights into a tarp or props.
Was thinking of that, too. SCV had lights on their uniform in... 2015? Not impactful under a well-lit LOS.
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1 hour ago, KVG_DC said:
Hoping not a tarp too. They're always too shiny and I think it'd clutter the effectiveness of the prop usage.
I could deal with the Phabric Wedgiment approach being woven in though.Top issue w tarps is safety. I've seen too many people trip or almost trip. Then, you have the glare - these things only look good on the design software and the PC monitor.
A visual distraction plus a safety hazard = just say no.
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13 hours ago, college-phan said:
Can’t say too much more because I don’t want to spoil anything. I think it’s going to be a great addition, but knowing what I know about this forum, some might not be pleased. However, it fits imo, so all is good if you ask me. All I’ll say is to trust the design staff and look forward to some really cool new stuff when they’re ready!
This confirms what I wrote in the Lisle thread, that more was needed to enhance the theme. Top guesses are more colors (banners, cloth material, tarp - I hope it's not a tarp), more props, or maybe ... costumed creatures?
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Just got home...
Scouts: Black Hole Sun works well and some nice energy at the end. The prop added nothing for me.
Colts: did they use their proximity to Rockford as an excuse to play Classical Gas? (For those who don't know, a guard member holds the Rockford road sign prominently while they play the tune) 🙂
Regiment: good overall. I can't help feel like there's more to add (props, material, etc.) to enhance the theme.
Crown: really good overall. Guard was hit or miss in a few spots (as everyone was). The drill has a sameness to it. Nothing memorable. Also disappointed in the significant thunderous goo. The stadium was shaking several times when they took the goo to 11.
Cavaliers: can see and hear the talent, but still pretty dirty in spots. The music is too choppy for my taste. And for those who talk about high demand, I'm not seeing it.
My opinions & observations, and it's ok if you don't agree.
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Sun has come out just in time to blind people during the first half, as always.
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12 minutes ago, jjeffeory said:
Can't be completely retro, gotta be modern.
Is playing Somewhere and Somewhere Over the Rainbow (yes I get the latter) in the same show modern? Sorry, I've seen that done by about 100 high schools.
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1 hour ago, DCI Fan 9287928734 said:
I'm very close with one of the members of the Cavies. After the show, he said they are all totally exhausted from intense rehearsals. The show is kicking their butt. Also, he said many members were not pleased with their performance. I think they knew it was not their best. The morale in the corps is huge, though. They see this as a love letter to all 75 years of fellow Cavies and are really putting their heart into it. Give them time. This show is a beast, but once they clean it, it's gonna be magical.
Personally, I'm glad to see a show without all the props. Very much like the recent Into the Woods revival on Broadway, it's stripped down and focuses on what really matters - the marching, the music, and the corps itself. Giant Sugar cubes are cool, don't get me wrong, but it will be interesting to see how this more classic, yet very modern take, will fair against the propfests of the other corps as they turn this thing into a well-oiled "Machine."
While not participating in the prop-fest, they are participating in the chop-and-bop-fest. Anyone else a little frustrated that just as you recognize a tune, they shift gears to another (or have multiple tunes overlaid?
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I am also looking for 1 reserved ticket.
First dibs to MadScout80.
@MadScout80 if you get a ticket, could you please post an update here so I can move to the front of the queue?
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31 minutes ago, corps8294 said:
Say what?
I read it as: as strong as the show is, the closer seemed anticlimactic.
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I thought last year's book was a little SCVish and I think the same this year. Last year's music had emotion from day 1, but this year, not yet.
In 2017 I sensed SCV decided to play the game, and in 2018 they out-deviled BD and that was a great show. After that, 2019 and 2022 just seemed like more of the same, visually and musically. What I'm saying is: if you need to play the game to move up, don't play the game too much like SCV.
Need to see the visual, but hoping for great things to have a solid package. I think the uniforms will help remind us that THIS IS REGIMENT!!!
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On 5/25/2023 at 8:38 PM, Sutasaurus said:
You and I don’t agree on many things and we probably won’t going forward. No problema. I didn’t miss your point …thank you. I don’t think people need to be spoon fed concepts. Let your imagination take over and let the season play out. When did folks get so lazy that they have to be “instructed” on what a show is all about? No disrespect to BAC’s vid but I don’t see it as a trend setter for the 2023 season.
My money is on how a show engages the audience and not what “armchair critics” like ourselves have to say about a program.
Flame on….
Spot on. How did people manage to enjoy shows back in the day before the internet, when they simply heard a show title or the songs being played as a corps was coming onto the field?
Abstract and non-literal themes can work just fine.
Also, I may not know every DCI book JD Shaw arranged, but I feel safe in saying I haven't met a JD Shaw book I didn't like. Therefore I'm not worried about Regiment 2023.
If I may add to you your post...
My money is on how a show engages the audience and not what “armchair critics” like ourselves have to say about a program, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT SEEING A PERFORMANCE.
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Phantom Regiment 2023
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
I'm glad to see some structured drill w velocity at the end. Hopefully there will be more into the final set, which I think we all think will be the egg/wedge with a kick out, right?