First Ever Comp (Franchise) - Need Guidance

I recently attended a franchise comp and experienced the same thing. Having previously done a Dancesport comp I found what I received for results at the franchise comp very disappointing-and not because I didn't do well, but because until I arrived at the comp, it wasn't explained that in all closed competitions gold, silver, and bronze is awarded and every competitor ranks one of the three. So a 'gold' could mean anywhere from 1st to 4th, depending on how many people were in the heat. 'Bronze' could mean dead last. For myself, if I am last, I don't need a 'bronze' to make me feel better--it tells me I need to work harder. But that is me.

In open competition, only first, second, and third was awarded, the rest received 'participant' awards, which again could mean anything from 4th to dead last. I was lucky in that I placed in the top 3 in most of my heats to give me an indication, but I found in general the results were very disappointing as far as giving me an idea of my progress since my previous comp (which was dancesport). I was also only able to receive my results and have no idea how my competitors were ranked, who was ranked better or worse, or how each judge ranked me--something else I find useful from Dancesport competition.

Having paid close to $12,000 for that comp, needless to say I felt very very cheated, and will NOT compete at a franchise competition again. I compete to give myself an idea of my progress, where I am stronger, weaker, etc. I really analyse my results and compare my results between comps. The results I got, because I did well were helpful, especially in the open events, but if I hadn't placed so consistently in the top 3 then the results would have been useless to me. There is a big difference between placing 4th VS say 10th. That said I am very analytical that way.

I asked about getting more detailed results after we got back home, and was told it was impossible, and that results were always done like that at all franchise events, and there was nothing that could be done about it. As I said, that will be my first and last franchise comp.
 
[quote="Spookisgirl, post: 1039683, member:
I asked about getting more detailed results after we got back home, and was told it was impossible, and that results were always done like that at all franchise events, and there was nothing that could be done about it. [/quote]

At the franchise comps I go to, I can get all of the information at the comp except for the full score sheets; as I remember it, I have to wait for those to be posted. That can take a while. I think the take away is that YMMV, and it's best to ask before the comp.
 
We could be with different franchises. None of the information for the comps for my franchise are ever posted anywhere. I did get my results sheet at the last event of the comp, but that was all I got, and I was told that was all I would get and all that was available. That said, it could have been the manager from my studio just trying to get me to stop asking.
 
From what I can find from my notes--

$2910 package for myself (single as no one to share room with)
$632 for flights
$360 for an extra night
$4500 for 84 dances and 1 solo
$1661 for my share of the cost of two instructors (flights, packages, meal allowance divided by 4 students)
8% "franchise tax" (we have to pay an extra 8% on top to cover the studio's franchise fees for the comp)
5% sales tax

= approx. $10818 Cdn, which was then converted to Amer currency, hence the close to $12,000 (Cdn). Didn't include lunches, and was only 2 days of competition. All prices are approximate, can't seem to find the final breakdown.
 
Thank you everyone for the input. Let me clarify my question just a little bit more though.

What am I interested to know about my comp is not so much how all of the other women scored compared to me (although that would be nice too as there were women whom I thought were very good and inspiring and I'd be curious if the judges agreed or not). Mostly what I want to know is how I did compared to how I thought I did. See, I danced 7 different dances (5x each). But the only feedback I got was a list of how many dances I earned gold, silver or bronze (or nothing) in. I have no clue WHICH dances they are for. I don't know if my Viennese Waltz was strong or if my Cha Cha was weak, etc. Plus, as I mentioned, 7 of those heats were proficiency grade heats - one each style. I was told that meant the judges were going to give me an actual score for those as opposed to just a ranking. I didn't get that at all.

I am competitive by nature, but this being my first competition, I most certainly didn't expect to go in and win everything. I'm competitive, not crazy. But I did expect to get some sort of feedback on my performances by the judges. After all, isn't that the very nature of a competition? Otherwise, it just feels like a 12 hour long, multi-studio, very expensive showcase.

I am going to keep bugging my teacher for answers but until I get them, if ever, I just feel misled and flat out lied to about what it was I signed up for.
 
Thank you everyone for the input. Let me clarify my question just a little bit more though.

What am I interested to know about my comp is not so much how all of the other women scored compared to me (although that would be nice too as there were women whom I thought were very good and inspiring and I'd be curious if the judges agreed or not). Mostly what I want to know is how I did compared to how I thought I did. See, I danced 7 different dances (5x each). But the only feedback I got was a list of how many dances I earned gold, silver or bronze (or nothing) in. I have no clue WHICH dances they are for. I don't know if my Viennese Waltz was strong or if my Cha Cha was weak, etc. Plus, as I mentioned, 7 of those heats were proficiency grade heats - one each style. I was told that meant the judges were going to give me an actual score for those as opposed to just a ranking. I didn't get that at all.

I am competitive by nature, but this being my first competition, I most certainly didn't expect to go in and win everything. I'm competitive, not crazy. But I did expect to get some sort of feedback on my performances by the judges. After all, isn't that the very nature of a competition? Otherwise, it just feels like a 12 hour long, multi-studio, very expensive showcase.

I am going to keep bugging my teacher for answers but until I get them, if ever, I just feel misled and flat out lied to about what it was I signed up for.
well, if you can't get an answer from your pro, you have a big problem
 
VWaltzLover, you might very well need to go above your pro's head, depending on his position at the studio. If the owner of the franchise isn't around on a regular basis, ask to make an appointment with him/her when s/he's next there and tell him/her about your concern and disappointment. It doesn't need to be confrontrational - but be persistent about asking for the marks. S/he will likely have all kinds of deflectors: "no one ever asked before", "other students don't care", "you should just focus on having fun", etc. Don't be put off - be persistent. It is not unreasonable for you to ask for details about your scores.
 
Do you have video footage of your dancing at this event? If you do, watching this with someone who can help you evaluate your dancing can be a great learning experience. Ideally that person would be your pro, but there are others who could help you with this as well potentially. Depending on the way an event is taped, sometimes you can see other dancers in the same heat. This allows you the opportunity to evaluate for yourself how you are dancing compared to your peers.

This is not to suggest that you shouldn't pursue getting more detail about your placements. Obviously that is important to you and you should try to get as much information as you can about that. But whether you get that information or not, looking at video can give you some of the information you are seeking about how your dancing is actually going.

If there is video available, make sure you get to keep a personal copy of the videos of your dancing. You may want to review it months or years down the road, so that you can compare the progress you have made since this event.
 
Proficiency scores in themselves explain little without the help of a pro to interpret them. The standard in which you are judged may be low or high (novices, for example, only have to know the basic step and show proper timing to get "first place"). At full bronze, the difference between a 90 (first place) and a 92 is still vague to me. I know if I danced well from how it felt to me and my pro's or other people's reactions. Videos show a different story too (and photos), and are pitiless in exposing faults. Placements in relation to other dancers are only helpful if you can identify who placed better or worse, something the printout won't tell you. So again, without the intelligent input of a pro to interpret your scores, you will still be in the dark about the quality of your dancing.
 

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