Visual design and GE "The Potter Effect"

[PRPhan4ever]

So as we know visual design and general effect are the most heavily weighted categories within the DCI judging at present.  As a staunch and avid longtime supporter of the Boston Crusaders,  I have watched their progression from the bottom of the top 12 to medal winners and 2022 24 and the world championship in 2025. 

So I thought to myself with the success that was proven with Carolina crown prior to his departure and coming aboard with Boston I wonder what percentage of their assent to the top was actually through his design or creativity?  Boston has a ton of creativity and staff to back it up so I asked myself after seeing them rise to the top since 2017 does anyone else know if they'll combine roles for visual and general effect?  

Others have said that he played a major role in their climb and others feel it's a team effort which I'm in agreement with no one person designs and crafts a winning show it's everyone together and I think Boston has a staff that totally gels and gets the perspective from others and designs from that standpoint rather than a theme and everybody coming up with their own details independently I think it's a total win-win and I can't wait to see what Boston brings to the table this year as the defending champions!  Any thoughts I leave it up to the community for some spirited discussion mind you this is not sliding anyone in any way for any reason it's just that when you think of the designs of late his name rises to the top with those shows of late

[LabMaster]

19 minutes ago, PRPhan4ever said:

So as we know visual design and general effect are the most heavily weighted categories within the DCI judging at present.  As a staunch and avid longtime supporter of the Boston Crusaders,  I have watched their progression from the bottom of the top 12 to medal winners and 2022 24 and the world championship in 2025. 

So I thought to myself with the success that was proven with Carolina crown prior to his departure and coming aboard with Boston I wonder what percentage of their assent to the top was actually through his design or creativity?  Boston has a ton of creativity and staff to back it up so I asked myself after seeing them rise to the top since 2017 does anyone else know if they'll combine roles for visual and general effect?  

Others have said that he played a major role in their climb and others feel it's a team effort which I'm in agreement with no one person designs and crafts a winning show it's everyone together and I think Boston has a staff that totally gels and gets the perspective from others and designs from that standpoint rather than a theme and everybody coming up with their own details independently I think it's a total win-win and I can't wait to see what Boston brings to the table this year as the defending champions!  Any thoughts I leave it up to the community for some spirited discussion mind you this is not sliding anyone in any way for any reason it's just that when you think of the designs of late his name rises to the top with those shows of late

I believe you are on target with a team effort.  This is a wonderfully collaborative group and once they had a few seasons together, the creativity and quality of the design, design development and performance expectations and quality blossomed.  The collaboration is strong enough to withstand staff changes and the creativity is intact.  The expectations of design and performance should remain the same.  This is a talented staff, experienced as a unified staff, that has a high regard for each others abilities as teachers and humans.  The freedom they have as instructors has allowed this success to thrive.

[NewArpege]

BAC has a tremendously talented staff, and I know that’ll show this year. BAC design may look different this year or evolve in ways as any time a leader leaves, the culture that they’ve groomed shifts with the new leaders.  And there’s nothing wrong with that shift and change.

I do think it’s important that people understand the Artistic Director is a key role in drum corps and is the head of the design team. When Keith came to Crown this year, he had a theme and a playlist of all the music that he was inspired by. Then the Design Team at Crown then began to collaborate of how to bring it to life. This is the same process he did previously at Crown and how he created Boom and Glitch.  As collaborative as these design teams are, the Artistic Director is who brings the show concept and owns the decision what to do that year, and then works with each area to ensure the overall design is consistent and uniform.  And as you’ve seen at Crown, a good Artistic Director is essential for producing high quality shows.

There’s no denying it’s a key role, and Keith is one of the best at what he does.  His absence from BAC doesn’t necessarily mean doom and gloom for them as they have a talented bench, who may be every bit as strong as Keith or even better than him.  We will just have to watch and see how their design is and if Crowns is improved this year. 

[Barneveld]

2 hours ago, PRPhan4ever said:

..........So I thought to myself with the success that was proven with Carolina crown prior to his departure and coming aboard with Boston I wonder what percentage of their assent to the top was actually through his design or creativity?  Boston has a ton of creativity and staff to back it up so I asked myself after seeing them rise to the top since 2017 does anyone else know if they'll combine roles for visual and general effect?  

Others have said that he played a major role in their climb and others feel it's a team effort which I'm in agreement with no one person designs and crafts a winning show it's everyone together.........

According to the design team roster on the corps website..... Michael Townsend is listed as the "Design & Artistic Lead" along with his previous roles as lead choreographer and guard caption head. All of the other designers & titles are the same as before.

I'm in agreement with @LabMaster's reply to your post.

 

T-minus 19 days until the corps reports for spring training in Vermont!

 

[kdaddy]

54 minutes ago, Barneveld said:

Michael Townsend is listed as the "Design & Artistic Lead" along with his previous roles as lead choreographer and guard caption head. 

 

There is an assertion that Townsend urged for Potter's ouster. Townsend reportedly denies this, but that he now has this role is interesting...

Potter is clearly talented, but if there were a design staff that could handle such a substantial departure, it's the one in Boston.

[craiga]

I understand the interest in the palace intrigue here. All I know is that with Michael Townsend, Leon May, Gino Cipriani, Colin McNutt, and Ryan George, I am supremely confident that Boston continues to be in great hands. 

Edited May 12 by craiga

[TheOneWhoKnows]

Of course it’s a team effort, but there’s also the style of design. Potter has a clear style in his designs which I think have resonated quite well within the fan base and led to championship corps. Look at the shows he designed at Crown and at Boston. Similar style of storytelling, theme, progression of the concept. His stuff works and yes that’ll mean Boston is going to look a little different this year. They’re still going to be talented and still can remain at the top.

The bigger question is: how is Crown going to look having Potter back? 

[NewArpege]

3 hours ago, TheOneWhoKnows said:

Of course it’s a team effort, but there’s also the style of design. Potter has a clear style in his designs which I think have resonated quite well within the fan base and led to championship corps. Look at the shows he designed at Crown and at Boston. Similar style of storytelling, theme, progression of the concept. His stuff works and yes that’ll mean Boston is going to look a little different this year. They’re still going to be talented and still can remain at the top.

The bigger question is: how is Crown going to look having Potter back? 

Wholeheartedly agree with you about his aesthetic and style.

Regarding how Crown will look, I've heard they have quite the ambitious package this year, and it’s very different than anything Crown or Keith has ever done.  Let’s hope the visual design rises to the level of their sound. If that happens, sky is the limit for them. A lot of fanbase will rejoice to see them get it together and push for another championship again.

[Jeff Ream]

On 5/12/2026 at 9:29 AM, PRPhan4ever said:

So as we know visual design and effect are the most heavily weighted categories within the DCI judging at present.  As a staunch and avid longtime supporter of the Boston Crusaders,  I have watched their progression from the bottom of the top 12 to medal winners and 2022 24 and the world championship in 2025. 

So I thought to myself with the success that was proven with Carolina crown prior to his departure and coming aboard with Boston I wonder what percentage of their assent to the top was actually through his design or creativity?  Boston has a ton of creativity and staff to back it up so I asked myself after seeing them rise to the top since 2017 does anyone else know if they'll combine roles for visual and general effect?  

Others have said that he played a major role in their climb and others feel it's a team effort which I'm in agreement with no one person designs and crafts a winning show it's everyone together and I think Boston has a staff that totally gels and gets the perspective from others and designs from that standpoint rather than a theme and everybody coming up with their own details independently I think it's a total win-win and I can't wait to see what Boston brings to the table this year as the defending champions!  Any thoughts I leave it up to the community for some spirited discussion mind you this is not sliding anyone in any way for any reason it's just that when you think of the designs of late his name rises to the top with those shows of late

i corrected and took out general effect, because with the now homogonized overall effect, music is maybe 30% of what egts coveed in that caption.

 

my guess is from what i have heard, he played a big role in meshing all of the staff talent together into a unified approach. his impact can't be denied, but he is not solely the source for the success, just as it was with Crown.

[PRPhan4ever]

I appreciate the insight from all that have replied you know when you're out walking with your buds in listening to Drum corps replaying the show in your mind as you walk you wonder how important overall design really is. 

 

I've enjoyed wholeheartedly and deeply the ascent that Boston has made since 2017.  They have always been a favorite even be it an underdog I guess that's what appeals to me.  I have been around Boston enough to see this creativity that Potter brings brought to life in the many shows that staff has collaborated on and he is indeed one of if not the best at what he does.  

I could not offer any more congratulations to him as he reprises his role there at crown and wishing him nothing but success. 

Ask for Boston they've tasted victory and they're savoring it and I know this staff is ready willing and more than able and capable of Fielding another tremendous show I just can't wait for spring training I'll be on the road several times with Boston this year and it just up's the appeal knowing that they're defending champions! 

 

After all the Drum corps mantra is ;    "we will never die" and after 86 years of ups and downs successes and not so great things the future is very bright and I can't wait to be a part of it and glean from it.