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Thread: What makes a good demo?

  1. #61
    An Eclectic Toaster
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    Re: What makes a good demo?

    Quote Originally Posted by drathzel
    Oh the carniage...
    carniage n. - any motorway pile-up involving a Funfair...

  2. #62
    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
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    Re: What makes a good demo?

    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart M
    carniage n. - any motorway pile-up involving a Funfair...
    Like the sig...

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    Forum Bombshell - Our Queen! Lory's Avatar
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    Re: What makes a good demo?

    I've read this thread though with interest, as I'm demo'ing on Monday and these are the points i'm picking up on!

    Quote Originally Posted by Danielle
    the key is relaxing and enjoying yourself while you demo and the rest should all fall into place!
    Relax! Ok, a nifty Jack and coke should help with that

    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Iain
    be supportive, have a laugh at your own expense and get the footwork right are the keys i think...
    There's footwork?

    Ah yes, thats where the 'laugh at your own expense' bit must come in!


    Quote Originally Posted by spindr
    A: Wearing contrasting colours to the teacher, so that the class can see at a distance which is the demo's arm and which the teacher's.
    Russel, I'm wearing sparkly turquiose, don't wear the same as me!


    Quote Originally Posted by foxylady
    and a dazzling smile, directed at the audience, and direct, encouraging, eye contact with members of the class as often as possible...
    Clean teeth with pearl drops!


    Quote Originally Posted by Gadget
    Smile. Remember the order of the moves. Don't embelish too much. Be clear and smooth with the timing. Do it the same way on every walk through and demo - especially foot placement.
    Back to 'laughing at one's own expense again'!

    Quote Originally Posted by Sparkles
    A good rapport between teacher and demo is important. If you make it look like you're comfortable

    Hey Russel baby how high did you say that stage was?
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  4. #64
    Registered User Purple Sparkler's Avatar
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    Re: What makes a good demo?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory
    I've read this thread though with interest, as I'm demo'ing on Monday and these are the points i'm picking up on!
    Hey, good luck Lory! *jealous jealous jealous and wishes she was good enough to be a demo*

  5. #65
    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
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    Re: What makes a good demo?

    From this post:
    Quote Originally Posted by Daisy Chain View Post
    Round here we seem to be blessed with demos who are pretty young things with sulky or bored witless expressions (praps they think this makes them look cool?) They can barely be bothered to step through the moves - it all looks such an effort.

    On the all too rare occasion when we have an older demonstrator (ie 30+), they invariably look interested, smile and inject some style. They even appear to be enjoying themselves.

    I know which type inspires me.
    I was about to launch a thread entitled "what makes a good demo", but then I found this one

    I would also say now, that there are a couple of extra skills for a demo:
    • Always be aware of the position to the audience - if you're trying to demonstrate some clever behine-the-arm thing, it's no good if your arm is not visible, so sometimes a discreet shuffle-around is helpful.
    • Take Big Clear Steps, even if you don't dance like that normally. Exxaggerate the size of the movements to make them clear, where appropriate.
    • Smile, even when everyone gets it wrong and can't count to 4 ("4 ladies on" etc)

  6. #66
    Registered User Blueshoes's Avatar
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    Re: What makes a good demo?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidJames View Post
    I think a male demo has to be a "passive lead", using the terminology from the "active / passive" thread.

    So you've got to do exactly what you should, when you should, but be aware that you are, effectively, being lead. Although always bearing in mind the fact that you may have to very occasionally supply a real lead if required

    This combination should then give the (female) teacher confidence that you'll do it right every time, and that even if she makes a mistake or forgets a signal, you'll fill the gap.

    Maybe I'm biased, but I think a male demo has a much harder time of it than a female demo, simply because of the subtleties of these requirements.


    Very well put. I also think it's harder to be a male demo as a lady can be led through the moves by a good teacher, which is what usually happens on the dance floor. Of course the female demo must look good and use her own stlye whilst this is going on as well.

    A female teacher can't lead a male demo in the same way so he has to learn the moves more positively and be comfortable enough that he can do them with some style and purpose. This is fine for beginners moves but bear in mind the male demo has to be able to pick up and learn to lead four intermediate moves in a matter of minutes.

    The time I felt most uncomfortable in a class was being taught by a lady doing the man's moves with a female demo....

  7. #67
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    Re: What makes a good demo?

    Quote Originally Posted by Blueshoes View Post
    I also think it's harder to be a male demo as (snip yet more reasons)
    With all these problems, why would anyone bother having a teacher "following" with a demo "leading"?

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