Moomitch Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 I am curious to hear from you all about this. Do you care about the cohesiveness of a show concept? There is a lot of praise for BD's design, but I have a hard time buying in. To me, it seems like they are going for a collection of moments, and fitting those moments to their show theme. This is in contrast to a show like Session 44 which feels almost all driven by the show concept. The execution and performance of both of these shows is fantastic, but I find the transitions in BD's show really jarring, and the moments to be only loosely related to their overall theme. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IllianaLancerContra Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 I'm happy with 4-6 songs that have melody & kick a**. They don't have to relate to each other or some theme. But I am an old flatus so what do I know? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR T3 Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 I prefer to be entertained when I pay good money and plan time off of work to see a show of any kind world class or open or even DCA. I don't need to be educated or feel "a deeper meaning" to any corps show. There have been some real out-there shows in past years that really had no business trying to call themselves entertainment. I admire the players and staff and respect all the volunteers behind the scenes but give the kids something they can enjoy performing and actually feel real genuine crowd response to greatness and entertainment. While I'm on the rant....PROPS... really, do we need 35 giant doors or 28 rubberband walls or 30 "trees" if thats what you want to call them. Really? Is that what the judges are DEMANDING!? If that is what it takes to make a drum corps "cohesive" I may be on my way out the door. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbc03 Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 No, but the judges do and I like competition... so yes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denverjohn Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 Judging aesthetics, emotions, intellect? Really? Comparing not apples to oranges but avocados to Volkswagons now. Let's eliminate judges altogether and use an applause meter. Save a bunch of money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photographer Jim Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 5 hours ago, Moomitch said: I am curious to hear from you all about this. Do you care about the cohesiveness of a show concept? There is a lot of praise for BD's design, but I have a hard time buying in. To me, it seems like they are going for a collection of moments, and fitting those moments to their show theme. This is in contrast to a show like Session 44 which feels almost all driven by the show concept. The execution and performance of both of these shows is fantastic, but I find the transitions in BD's show really jarring, and the moments to be only loosely related to their overall theme. Cohesion does not necessarily have to be totally linear. For example, how often do we see in movies, or read in novels, flashbacks, or shifts back and forth between characters and settings? As long as those non-linear elements somehow come together and allow us to piece together the thread of what we are seeing, cohesion can be achieved. The painting "Nighthawks" has been admired for its ability to spark curiosity in its viewers. We wonder who these people are, what are their stories, how have they arrived here in this diner in the late night hours? I think BD was successful in giving us glimpses of one possibility, while still leaving room for us to fill in other details from our own imagination. "Dreams and Nighthawks" is more of a collage than it is a straight out chronological story telling, and I think it works quite well as a musical and dance interpretation of the painting. Bloo used a linear plot line for their show, and it made good sense for their subject. We follow along as the singer moves along a path of creativity as the jazz musicians inspire and motivate her. It works. Two different ways of communicating with us, the viewers. Both work, and both are "cohesive' in their efforts to get us to the end; which is why both were highly rewarded this season. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappybara Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 I usually just care for whether I find a show entertaining and fun to listen to. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photographer Jim Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 1 hour ago, denverjohn said: Judging aesthetics, emotions, intellect? Really? Comparing not apples to oranges but avocados to Volkswagons now. Let's eliminate judges altogether and use an applause meter. Save a bunch of money! as long as all of the shows are held here in the SF-Sacramento area, I have no problem with using an applause meter. I have participated in many, many photography competitions. Whenever there is a "viewers favorite award" the winner is invariably a photo of a kitten. Just saying. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 5 hours ago, Moomitch said: I am curious to hear from you all about this. Do you care about the cohesiveness of a show concept? There is a lot of praise for BD's design, but I have a hard time buying in. To me, it seems like they are going for a collection of moments, and fitting those moments to their show theme. This is in contrast to a show like Session 44 which feels almost all driven by the show concept. The execution and performance of both of these shows is fantastic, but I find the transitions in BD's show really jarring, and the moments to be only loosely related to their overall theme. see I see BD's concept allowed them the creativity to be flexible with it, and it did flow. Not all flow should connect on an emotional level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRASSO Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 (edited) For years, Corps went out with no themes at all, so it was all performer based as to what we liked or didn't like, and the foucus was on performer excellence. Then Corps decided to have themes, and now even " theme specific attire ". Well. ok. I'm on board with the need for " themes ".But the irony comes about when some tell us..." well, forget the theme, as almost nobody knows what the theme and messaging is anyway, and just enjoy the performer excellence". But I already could enjoy that without the themes, and did for years and years.... lol! So my thoughts are... if Corps are going to have themes, with some sort of messaging they want conveyed thru music, dance, narration, singing, or whatever, then it should be clear in the end of the show what the show was all about, and what its theme message is. If audiences are unsure what the show/ theme is, that can't be good training for future music ed educators, or future performers in the Arts, imo. Judges should notice if the theme is convoluted, or confusing, or makes little to no sense at all. Conversely, if a show theme communicates via show design, performer efforts a successful communication to most audiences, there should be some place on the judging sheets for such substantive rewarding, imo..Otherwise, lets all admit that show themes don't have to make any sense at all to most audiences to enjoy the performer excellence on display, and just pretend nobody has themes and " theme specific " attire on during the shows.. I suppose in a weird way, thats a solution to confusing and/ or convoluted themes/ messagings. Personally however, I'd much prefer judges learn what is being communicated well, and what is not, and act accordingly with their #2 pencils. They're in the drivers seat here in regards to what is rewarded, and what is ignored as not important re. themes/ messagings. Right now, if a show is confusing to most in the audience, that is seemingly unimportant. So thats why imo, most audiences have increasingly begun to overlook themes/ messaging, and look for something else... ie, performer excellence alone to enjoy. if thats the case however ( and it is, imo ), well we've come full circle now, as thats pretty much the same thing we all learned to do before themes, theme attire, and large and costly props were created and introduced by the Corps themselves awhile back.. Oh the irony.. lol Edited August 12, 2018 by BRASSO 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.