I wasn't at the champs, so I can only go by what I have seen of the three routines we are talking about on this thread on other occasions.
The Thriller routine didn't bowl me over when I saw it at Chill – perhaps because I saw it mostly from behind. The three times I've seen the Mary Poppins routine I've been impressed.
Both I am sure are fairly derivative of the concept behind them.
I don't know I've seen this particular performance from Amir and Cat, but I've seen them in the past – every time excellent.
However, as far as engaging with the audience, I think Alex and Phil's routine probably wins.
I have no idea who were better on the day though, so I can't vote. Not sure what the point of the poll is anyway...
In every competition there are decisions from the judges which seem to differ from "popular opinion". That's because the judges tend to be looking more critically than the audience and may come away with differ opinions of the performances.
Thing is, it's not a popularity contest, otherwise they would do away with the judges and employ a clap-o-meter.
Let your mind go and your body will follow. – Steve Martin, LA Story
--ooOoo--
Age is a question of mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter
Leroy (Satchel) Paige (1906-1982)
Mickey Mouse's girlfriend, Minnie, made her film debut, along with Mickey, in "Steamboat Willie" on November 18, 1928.
That date is recognized as her official birthday.
Let your mind go and your body will follow. – Steve Martin, LA Story
No.
I watched a whole table full of people vote once, at the first final, before the dancing had actually started. While it was fun, and undoubtably interesting, it was still in some part a popularity contest, which had nothing to do with the dancing.
Indeed. And generally, you have to accept that the judges decision is final, even if you don't agree with it. Hell, some of the judges won't agree with it!
Except for those occasions where the judges decisions are really strange of course!
No way!! Whats the point of a dance competition where the people who judge can make up any criteria they like for judging. At jivemasters people sometimes filled out their voting sheets before the couple even danced - just as people do with the tv programmes. This is good ??! I'd completely lose interest in a competition where that was practiced.
I haven't seen Amirs showcase but I have seen the Mary Poppins one. My opinion would be Mary Poppins tried to tell a not very original story and but did it very well indeed. The voice overs from the film I found annoying (just dance, we can SEE who you are and we know the music, thanks - i thought). The dance fitted the subject very well though. So if Amirs was technically better but had little in the way of a story, costume and perhaps less in crowd interest. I can see him dropping points where Mary Poppins gained.
Big Deal. I doubt Amir is crying himself to sleep right now
I've seen both of these 'showcases' a few times now, including sundays performances. I don't really think it is appropriate to have to choose between them. It's the same as choosing between watching The Royal Ballet perform Swan Lake and a top West End Show such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Two completely different nights out. Amir and Cats performance was moving and beautiful to watch. Whereas Phil and Alex make me smile and want to sing along. Both performances are worthy of our utmost respect as to what can be achieved with a lot of hard work. Surely (as discussed in another thread) it is just an example towards the argument of maybe instead of a team cabaret and a showcase catagory, there is a cabaret catagory for couples or teams and a showcase catagory for the same. Cabaret would incorporate the Alex and Phil's and Thriller type performances. Whereas the Showcase would have the more 'pure dance' performances such as Amir and Cat, Phil and Yuko, Jango Team....
I seem to remember that at Chill everyone who'd got through to the final of the DWAS was really pissed off that it turned into a popularity contest for the final placings. That was just a last minute DWAS - can you imagine having your year's hard work get less applause because you're not a local teacher and the other guys are, so they win? I didn't think so.
EDIT: PS. it wasn't a broomstick, it was a chimney brush. Duh.
From the judge's mouth... (I am aware this is somewhat of a selective quote)
Without wanting to get into the specifics of two routines I've never seen (other than a grainy YouTube version of Amir/Cat's routine), if the judges are saying "routine A may have been better danced than routine B, but we think routine B was more entertaining", and yet "popular opinion" is that routine A was actually more entertaining, then I think that does show a problem with the judging. Entertainment value is one area where "popular opinion" surely is a very important criteria.Originally Posted by Rocky
Re: audience judging. They do this at the Mayan competition I mentioned on the showcase thread. Pretty much everyone involved agrees it's a totally unfair system.
Never having been to a comp. as such I didnt realise that the dance had to tell a story.
Basically what you are saying then is that in the case of showcase it is theatre.
Hey ho and there was me thinking it was couples doing moves that I have no idea how to do but dressed up to add a little sparkle to the proceedings.
Sorry to have missed these, would like to see them on youtube if anyone has a link! I love cabaret/performances - would love a whole comp full of it!
I've seen Amir & Cat's at Britrock...... and was blown away. It was in a different league imo, and to give a correlative judgement in parallel with a MJ couple could prove confounding for any judge. Vox populi is valid, but as has been said, possibly open to misapplication.
Personally I would like to see an audience choice for all categories. It would only work once you get to the final though.
You could do it with mobile phones and the results are instant. Like on TV programmes. It would be both fun and interesting to see how peoples opinions differ from the judges.
I'm sure Ceroc wouldn't mind another opportunity to make money as well.
Spiky Steve
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Bookmarks