Popular Post over60 Posted July 30, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 30, 2019 I haven't posted here in years and I remember how rough you readers can be but I'll risk being ridiculed. After watching the Southeast regional in Atlanta I was happy to see that Phantom finished well and has a good chance of making finals again this year, but I thought the ending does not live up to a couple of their previous dramatic show endings that had the crowd on their feet, screaming. So I went to bed and awoke to go the the bathroom about 4am Sunday morning because I'm a 71 year old guy and that's what we do thanks to Mr. Prostate. As I shuffled to and from the bathroom with my eyes half closed I suddenly had a vision of a new ending that would be simple to implement (I think) while adding a great deal of drama. Hear me out. I've read a lot about Joan of Arc and there are many known general facts but many lesser details are unknown. We know that she was taken to the town square in Rouen, France to be burned at the stake and 800 troops surrounded her so the adoring masses couldn't somehow rescue her. Joan also had a priest accompany her. Currently the show ends with the hornline and percussion front and center and the guard spread around the field with Joan on the tower in the center of the field, alone, except for some puffs of smoke. Pretty weak, emotionally. And it's not the actual scene of her death. Thinking of how this show's ending differs from both their Juliet and Spartacus shows, it's a matter of staging. In Juliet, after Romeo collapses and dies on the 50 yard line, Juliet runs to him and holds him but she's inconsolable and decides to kill herself. But, she doesn't do it on the field. She runs up to the drum major's podium and commits suicide as close to the crowd as possible and the audience roared it's approval. In Spartacus, after our hero has been killed, one of the Roman officers who was sympathetic towards him grabbed a spear and ran up to the drum major's podium where he skewered the Roman general whose army killed Spartacus. Again, the crowd roared. (Incidentally, the bad Roman general who was killed was none other than Will Pitts. You unkind fans can insert jokes here) So, how to replicate the actual scene? Currently, as they end the show, the brass and percussion players are front and center so they don't have to move much. They can briefly separate so the tower can be pushed to the front of the field and then close back in to surround it as it passes. The brass players are now the 800 soldiers. Now use a portion of the ladies in the guard to act as the crowd. They would be facing the soldiers, most of them on their knees with their hands in prayer position in front of them and also crossing themselves. Perhaps one or two of them would either break through the soldier's ranks or be allowed to place small bouquets of flowers at the base of the tower. Now all you need is for one guy to be dressed in a brown, ankle length priest's robe to stand at the foot of the tower. That completes the scene. As for the music, I suppose they could play what they use now but how about a reprise of Fire. The musicians already know the music and it's much more forceful for this scene. Now for the real drama. There are many accounts of what Joan's last words may have been but I don't think anyone knows for sure. So, let's take the one that is most dramatic for our purpose. The Catholic church excommunicated Joan for being a heretic but in her mind she was still pious and considered herself a good Catholic. After all, she had only done what the visions of angels (and Saint Michael) had instructed her to do. One account I read was that just before the fire was lit she told the priest that the last thing she wanted to see before she died was a crucifix. She asked him to "hold it high, so I can see it above the smoke and flames." Wow. Picture that image. I think we got ourselves an ending. So the priest got a long pole and attached the crucifix to the top of it and held it up high in front of her as she was consumed by the flames. And, this is my thought, to add even more pathos, have her kiss the crucifix as the music builds and then slump in death a few moments later on the last thundering note of the show. If that wouldn't get the crowd up and screaming I'd eat one of their pith helmets, without salt. (maybe a little ketchup) This is the recounting of my dream. Am I crazy to think this, or at least some of it, is simple enough to implement even with the limited amount of time left? (On second thought, don't comment about the crazy part.) And remember, God is surely with them, although I do wish I would have had this vision a month ago. And I don't mean to criticize the instructors. Maybe they have something similar in mind. As Joan would have said, hey, I'm just telling you what I see in my visions. Don't kill the messenger. Suta! 10 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Ream Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 this this stage, i think any revisions would have to be in this week, but not sure it'll be enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewToPosting Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 I'm confused about some of the costuming in their show this year. It's about Joan of Arc (French), but the guard is wearing something reminiscent of English Crusaders. I may not get the tie-in, though. Is there somewhere I can go to understand more about this (show description, etc)? Nothing is jumping out at me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Cline Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 48 minutes ago, over60 said: Â Replicating Joan of Arc - A New Ending Currently, as they end the show, the brass and percussion players are front and center so they don't have to move much. They can briefly separate so the tower can be pushed to the front of the field and then close back in to surround it as it passes. The brass players are now the 800 soldiers. Now use a portion of the ladies in the guard to act as the crowd. They would be facing the soldiers, most of them on their knees with their hands in prayer position in front of them and also crossing themselves. Perhaps one or two of them would either break through the soldier's ranks or be allowed to place small bouquets of flowers at the base of the tower. Now all you need is for one guy to be dressed in a brown, ankle length priest's robe to stand at the foot of the tower. That completes the scene. As for the music, I suppose they could play what they use now but how about a reprise of Fire. The musicians already know the music and it's much more forceful for this scene. Now for the real drama. There are many accounts of what Joan's last words may have been but I don't think anyone knows for sure. So, let's take the one that is most dramatic for our purpose. The Catholic church excommunicated Joan for being a heretic but in her mind she was still pious and considered herself a good Catholic. After all, she had only done what the visions of angels (and Saint Michael) had instructed her to do. One account I read was that just before the fire was lit she told the priest that the last thing she wanted to see before she died was a crucifix. She asked him to "hold it high, so I can see it above the smoke and flames." Wow. Picture that image. I think we got ourselves an ending. So the priest got a long pole and attached the crucifix to the top of it and held it up high in front of her as she was consumed by the flames. And, this is my thought, to add even more pathos, have her kiss the crucifix as the music builds and then slump in death a few moments later on the last thundering note of the show. If that wouldn't get the crowd up and screaming I'd eat one of their pith helmets, without salt. (maybe a little ketchup) This would be an awesome ending and worthy only if done by Phantom Regiment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRapp Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 I think Phantom makes finals and I see a fairly significant drop off between the top 12 and everyone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KVG_DC Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 I think the top 12 are set. Â Phantom needs to call 1-800-BAC-FIRE and borrow that thing to shoot out of the platform that currently smokes. Â 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Cline Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 What was Joan of Arc famous for? Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans," was born in 1412 in Domrémy, Bar, France. A national heroine of France, at age 18 she led the French army to victory over the English at Orléans. Captured a year later, Joan was burned at the stake as a heretic by the English and their French collaborators.Apr 2, 2014 Here is a Link: Joan of Arc - Death, Facts & Accomplishments - Biography https://www.biography.com/military-figure/joan-of-arc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideways Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 Burning Will Pitts at the stake will get the crowd on their feet. 2 2 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSnareDrummer Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 1 hour ago, over60 said: So I went to bed and awoke to go the the bathroom about 4am Sunday morning because I'm a 71 year old guy and that's what we do thanks to Mr. Prostate. As I shuffled to and from the bathroom with my eyes half closed I suddenly had a vision of a new ending that would be simple to implement (I think) while adding a great deal of drama. Hear me out.  I was laughing so hard relating to this that I lost track of the rest of your post. Sorry, I'll go back and re-read. Ok, got it. I'm not sure the designers were so concerned with historical accuracy as creating an artistic, musical experience. Ok, that's a load of crap. I'm still giggling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris ncsu Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 LOS has claimed a lot of lives so far. What's one more? Will start to rival the death toll from windmill cancer before long. 1 2 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.