Popular Post jwillis35 Posted August 15, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted August 15, 2016 (edited) I think what Bluecoats did this year was innovative and will definitely have an impact. I still think TILT has had an impact. That impact will not look as some might think, like a copy-cat show or something with such obvious references. SHOW CONSTRUCTION Show designers will look closely at how the show was constructed, the timing between sections of the show, the arrangement of music, props, how electronics are used and how often and in what way, etc. CONCEPT SHOWS Types of show themes have been discussed much on this forum. The Bluecoats have not told a story in years. Their show themes are not written in stone or forced. They don't really require closure the way a story does. Bloo has used simple concepts to work with. This year's show could have been titled "FUN" and it would have been appropriate. I believe designers will continue to dig into how Bloo takes a concept and weaves it into a show. To me, part of Bluecoats success is that the "what they do and how they do it" is way more important than "what's the meaning of what they do, and why did they do it?" Personally, I believe all types of shows can work. Concept shows, theme shows, stories, etc. The Blue Devils 2015 show (INK) utilized a series of vignettes that didn't tell a story but briefly introduced a character and a character trait. The general theme was about storybook characters coming to life in the imagination of the person reading the book. But no story was told. A series of short sketches or vignettes highlighted each character in a fantasy-like way, which helped to create the magic in their show (along with some great music). None of this is to say telling a story is bad. Look at what Academy did this year. Look what Phantom did in 2008. But telling a story, in short form no doubt, can be difficult and it locks the designer into a definite arc, one of intro, development, and closure. USE OF PROPS We may see more props, but not just any type of prop. I think Bloo reinforced the notion that a quality prop used well can add a lot to a show. Their props were also able to serve as a nice visual backdrop to the show, and that can be so much better than throwing a few ladders or racks or boxes on the field and calling it a show. I thought it was obvious at the onset of the season when Cadets came onto the field with ugly props -- props that were not easy to read nor did they add much visual appeal, and their use was marginal at best -- that they [Cadets] were in trouble. To me there are 2 types of props. Those are integral to the show and are used often while adding to the visual, and there are those that simply add scenery but are not used (much like SCV in 2014). The 2nd type can be very effective too. A show like the Cadets really called for the 2nd type more than the 1st. The Bluecoats, however, chose the 1st type. A prop that was often used in the show, was a big part of the show, and also added to the background effect and color. That's a difficult thing to pull off and they did so with huge success. MUSIC ARRANGEMENT From a music construction standpoint, the Bluecoats 1st tune reminded me of an early-90s Crossmen chart, and from the 2nd tune on it reminded me of a mid-90s Madison Scouts horn book. The sheer solo features that were used to ramp-up the crowd added so much to the show and were impeccably written into the show. The style of arranging and how well it grabbed the crowd is something to note. Nothing felt chopped or under-developed. Their show seemed to have many builds and wonderful hit points. I think a lot of music arrangers will look into what Doug Thrower did. COSTUMES and NO HATS The costume effect will certainly get some groups thinking. This is something that's been on the mind of many corps designers for years. The Cadets utilized a two-tone effect in 2011 to great success to tell their story, but the uniform was still the classic Cadets West Point Style jacket and pants. Blue Devils have been modifying their uniform proper for each show they do since around 2007 or 2008...with great success. Carolina Crown, to a much greater degree, has been using a similar style but appearing in a totally new color combination and design for every show since 2013. And now Bluecoats come out in a WGI-style jump suit for brass, percussion, and guard. Guard is in yellow, the corps in white. Simple yet effective. In addition they do not use hats. This helped to open their possibilities. Even the Cavaliers came out in different colors (no green) and a different style of uni (not the traditional Cavies uni). The Cadets were in black but it was still a West Point-style uni. Will slight uniform modifications be the norm, or will we begin to see more total change-over to costumes (show-specific outfits). Carolina Crown has done well with their combination of similar style uni but different color/design scheme. Bluecoats just utilized a costume (for lack of better word), and it worked amazingly well. The shift here is not an easy one. Some corps have a long history, many more alumni and donors, and more of an established brand. The Cavaliers are one of the oldest corps out there and they managed to pull off their uni this year. No easy task when you have alumni that want and perhaps expect to see the "green machine." The Cadets are the oldest, continually operated corps going (1934), and their alumni/donor base is huge. Their classic West Point-style uni with maroon, gold, and cream pants has been a traditional look for the corps pretty much every year of existence until 2011. As has been discussed in another thread, it might be more difficult for them to go the costume route. For other corps it is easier. Some corps have never had one definable style of uni. USE OF ELECTRONICS Finally, from an electronics viewpoint, I believe the Bluecoats continue to show the wonderful possibilities. It's not always easy or perfect, and electronics can bring additional issues of balance, mixing, the need for professional training and good equipment, and designers/arrangers who have a good idea of how they wish to incorporate these additional bells and whistles into a show. So there is a lot to look at. The Bluecoats show was a beast in many ways. No doubt it will have impact. Edited August 15, 2016 by jwillis35 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PamahoNow Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 jwillis35, I think you've got it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mello Dude Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 I don't want to see 12 Coats knockoff shows next year!!! Loved them but let's move on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwillis35 Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 I don't want to see 12 Coats knockoff shows next year!!! Loved them but let's move on. And I don't think you will. We didn't see 12 or more Star of Indiana knockoff shows in 1994 or beyond after their legendary 93 show. We will not see it now after Bloo's legendary show. It's little things. Designers will analyze different aspects of Bluecoats' show and then try to weave some of those things into a new formula, new idea, and try to modify it and make it their own. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share Posted August 15, 2016 I think what Bluecoats did this year was innovative and will definitely have an impact. I still think TILT has had an impact. That impact will not look as some might think, like a copy-cat show or something with such obvious references. really nice write-up 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpsband Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Not sure I agree it will have much impact on other corps designs. Electronics? Already doing that. (Although full credit to them for pushing the envelope) Uniforms? Costuming was already here. Ramps? Cool but not really something that can be copied (and props were already here anyway) IMO by far the biggest change in their design philosophy is the shift from a brass-centered musical ensemble to a electronics/percussion-centered musical ensemble. And 1 out of 3 of their performances in Indy demonstrated the risks involved with such a move. Perhaps the most copied feature of their design could be the very effective of use of "old-school charts" with modern visual design. IMO that's where their effect hit a home run. Very familiar sounding music with new visuals made audiences very comfortable with a show that they otherwise would have raised an eyebrow to. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emc2 Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 (edited) Not much may be their uniforms. amps done back in 1985 to current. jumping on props done back 1990 to current etc. st. standing on props everyone has done it. Show inside the 40 everyone and those that use the hole field. Edited August 15, 2016 by emc2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAvery Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Chuck Naffier posted a good perspective on DCI jazz a while back. To paraphrase, to truly play jazz as, well, jazz, it requires a ton of work on nuances that the judges, quite frankly, neither care about nor reward when done. Too much risk for too little reward. Mike I think there is a certain flexibility in timing (for lack of a better term) that is viewed by most in the activity as inprecision. Perhaps that is what you are referring to as some of the nuance that misunderstood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaviesFan17 Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 I hope not, I like shows with a story, but I mean of course their victory is going to change the state of DCI. The caption awards proved that GE is what you want to attack. Crown had the best "marching show" but they lost because Bloo's GE was through the roof, I think we will see more shows that use props, body, and electronics..but hopefully we never have to see another drum corps in a jump suit lol I can't wait to see the Bluecoats actually wearing coats again next year, one of my favorite uniforms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.E. Brigand Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Many of my favorite shows, like SCV 1999 or Phantom Regiment 1989, don't have stories, and drum corps isn't a medium that's highly suited for storytelling anyway (how many movies or plays manage to tell stories in eleven minutes with almost no dialogue?), so I would be glad to have fewer shows attempting that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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