Post-performance thoughts, feelings, analysis

Studio mini-match a couple weekends ago was pretty good - I've been super busy since then with life (working, being a grandma, adopting a shelter puppy) so I haven't written about it on DF. I did finally upload 4 videos from the mini-match (one heat each of W T F V) to my unlisted youtube channel, but didn't have time to do stuff to them like I usually do (e.g., zoom in on the segments when we're at the far end of the floor; stitch two heats together in the same video and cut out all the segments where we're completely blocked/invisible; etc.). So what I uploaded was the raw material. And I haven't even read all the judges' ballots/comments, much less updated my spreadsheet to track trends with them.

Pro was VERY pleased with my performance and also liked the videos, which is rare for him. We are excited to compete at Manhattan this summer!

P.S. Honestly, my favorite thing about the mini-match this time was my hair & makeup. Sorry to brag, but I did such a fantastic job with my hair that day that two people - including the Studio Mgr!! - asked me if I'd had it professionally done by a ballroom hair/MUA. Another lady told me she assumed it was a hairpiece affixed to my head, since it was too perfect to be real. Pro even said I could probably save money at our upcoming comps by doing my own hair. I gave that some thought, since I do like the results I get a LOT better than the results from anyone else (including Boyko himself!). But prob I'll let the professionals handle it, since my nerves will be taut enough without the added pressure of screwing up my appearance.

Hopefully I'll have time to write more/catch up on DF this weekend! Off now to a dance lesson....
 
ProgressNotPerfection said:
Studio mini-match a couple weekends ago was pretty good - I've been super busy since then with life (working, being a grandma, adopting a shelter puppy) so I haven't written about it on DF. I did finally upload 4 videos from the mini-match (one heat each of W T F V) to my unlisted youtube channel, but didn't have time to do stuff to them like I usually do (e.g., zoom in on the segments when we're at the far end of the floor; stitch two heats together in the same video and cut out all the segments where we're completely blocked/invisible; etc.). So what I uploaded was the raw material. And I haven't even read all the judges' ballots/comments, much less updated my spreadsheet to track trends with them.

Pro was VERY pleased with my performance and also liked the videos, which is rare for him. We are excited to compete at Manhattan this summer!

P.S. Honestly, my favorite thing about the mini-match this time was my hair & makeup. Sorry to brag, but I did such a fantastic job with my hair that day that two people - including the Studio Mgr!! - asked me if I'd had it professionally done by a ballroom hair/MUA. Another lady told me she assumed it was a hairpiece affixed to my head, since it was too perfect to be real. Pro even said I could probably save money at our upcoming comps by doing my own hair. I gave that some thought, since I do like the results I get a LOT better than the results from anyone else (including Boyko himself!). But prob I'll let the professionals handle it, since my nerves will be taut enough without the added pressure of screwing up my appearance.

Hopefully I'll have time to write more/catch up on DF this weekend! Off now to a dance lesson....
Click to expand...
I watched your videos, fantastic performances. I think Foxtrot was your strongest, followed closely by Tango.

And yes your hair rocks :D
 
I still recovering from a few days of lacking sleep and now I need to get ready to go on vacation this evening, but Emerald Ball was super fun. One year ago it was my first (!!) competition, and this year it was only my second in Silver. I’m pretty happy with how I danced (obviously have tons to work on) but it was a much better outing than Feb. Didn’t panic nearly as much. I remembered all my routines. Was able to work through some traffic issues without getting too flustered. (Could always do with more poise.l and bigggggger steps.) And I got to take my new red dress out for a spin.

I was third in my singles against some very experienced silver dancers and came second in the Championship and Scholarship.

What’s funny is I’m usually so fixated on the one just who didn’t mark me first, but now I’m sooo grateful to the couple judges who marked me 1st because I’m like wow they saw something in my dancing and there is hope for me yet!
 
It sounds like a terrific experience and that you are continuing to grow as a dancer. Congratulations on a job well done and your performance under pressure!
 
ProgressNotPerfection said:
I haven't even read all the judges' ballots/comments, much less updated my spreadsheet to track trends with them.
Click to expand...
Ok, now I have. This time, the judges were asked to put plus signs (meaning “looks good”) by three things per heat, and a minus sign (meaning “needs work”) by one thing per heat, and a written comment explaining each minus sign.

Moderately interesting results. I used different fonts for the comments so I could keep up with which judge said what. Overall, not hugely informative, but the feedback was consistent enough to be useful. As always, "Movement: Traveling" was hands-down the most complimented feature (11 out of 16 heats got a plus sign for that, and no minus signs at all).

1777926599410.png

Curiously, there were 6 judges there, but my ballots were written by only 4 distinct hands.

Trying to figure out what "Poise/Posture" means, because I received the highest number of minus signs (6) in that category - and the comments all seem to refer to shaping (roll sternum more up, head more back, more CBM, open up chest, etc.). But then - what does "Dance Position: Closed Position" refer to, and how is that different from "Poise/Posture"? I received 5 plus signs in "closed position," which I'd have thought meant my posture in closed hold/frame was good...? But there were two heats where "closed position" had a plus sign & "poise/posture" had a minus sign, so it appears the judges see those as two distinct things. And Pro hasn't been able to explain to me what the ballot categories actually mean (I don't think he's very interested in them, tbh), so I'm asking the peanut gallery/hive mind for input.

Shockingly, the category with second-highest number of plus signs (8) was "Footwork: foot position"!!! @j_alexandra all I can say is, the ballroom must've been dimly lit, lol. Or maybe my toe turnout is finally under better control, now that I haven't danced Rhythm in five months.

Pro doesn't usually seem to take mini-match ballots very seriously, but he agrees that we need to reeeeeally focus on shaping & make that our next Area of Big Improvement. (Obviously I have "hair & makeup" down, so we can check that off our list.)

The judges' written comments were supposed to be about whatever they marked with a minus sign - and sometimes they were, but other times I wasn't sure how they related. E.g., minus sign next to "connection" and comment is "careful not to anticipate." OK, that makes sense, I see the relevance. And ditto for the minus sign by "closed position" with the comment "stretch head back." However, look at heat 27 tango. There's a minus sign by "turns" with the comment "keep arms quiet on turns" - but there is ALSO a plus sign by "Arm Styling: Dynamics"?!? So I should NOT be keeping my arms quiet, right? Or maybe that judge really liked my dynamic arms during that heat EXCEPT during turns? And what's up with heat 108 VW - the minus sign is by "arm dynamics" but the comment is "drive forward step more." I'm struggling to figure out how my failure to adequately drive my forward step caused my arm dynamics to get a minus sign in that heat. Although...after I typed that all out and re-read it, I think I might see the connection after all.

Oooo! Just thought of something else...I don't remember which heats I posted on YouTube. I'll go back & verify which videos were of which heats, in case anyone needs a hobby wants to look at the ballots for the specific dances I uploaded.

OK, enough ballroom nerd-ery for now.
 
ProgressNotPerfection said:
I don't remember which heats I posted on YouTube. I'll go back & verify which videos were of which heats, in case anyone needs a hobby wants to look at the ballots for the specific dances I uploaded
Click to expand...
OK, videos have now been re-named on youtube to include the heat #s. I also uploaded 4 more videos (one more each of W T F V).
The first set of videos I uploaded were of heats 22W, 94T, 78F, and 71V. The ones I uploaded today are of heats 101W, 27T, 36F, and 50V.

It was very very VERY challenging to get decent video footage. The view was often partially blocked, & sometimes completely blocked. The heats I've posted were the best of the bunch ("best" meaning "you can see me at least half the time"), but I'm disappointed that some of the cool new stuff we've been working on (such as deep shaping/swaying in cobra fans) isn't visible in any of them. Oh, well. #firstworldprobs
 
ProgressNotPerfection said:
OK, videos have now been re-named on youtube to include the heat #s. I also uploaded 4 more videos (one more each of W T F V).
The first set of videos I uploaded were of heats 22W, 94T, 78F, and 71V. The ones I uploaded today are of heats 101W, 27T, 36F, and 50V.

It was very very VERY challenging to get decent video footage. The view was often partially blocked, & sometimes completely blocked. The heats I've posted were the best of the bunch ("best" meaning "you can see me at least half the time"), but I'm disappointed that some of the cool new stuff we've been working on (such as deep shaping/swaying in cobra fans) isn't visible in any of them. Oh, well. #firstworldprobs
Click to expand...
Ohh I want to see the super secret YouTube please
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top