Sprite Step-Off Update: ZTA and AKA to share 1st place

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by xp2k

Without regard to history, or culture or whatever, I'd say Zeta won it fair and square. Their routine "borrowed" heavily, but I have a hard time saying they werent entertaining. They were semi-emotionless robots, yes, but they did put a lot into their routine. Sprite should have just left it at that and this probably would have died down by now.

Sprite marketed this show to D9 orgs for participation, but surely they want as many people in the general public as possible to see this...and the general public doesnt care about which org traditionally does what...they just want tosee something exciting...and for 95% of the people who've never been to a step show before...the ZTA show was exciting...more so because they didnt think white girls could do it.

Sprite could care less about D9 history if its going to impede their marketing campaign...and thats one of the prices you pay when you lie down with corporations...they only see the $$$...

I loved the the AKA (Tau chapter) routine...but the most talked about move in their routine has been done by the IU Red Steppers for decades. Doesnt make AKA copycats.

Sprite messed it up this time, but it doesnt mean they cant do a better job next time. And they are giving away a lot of scholarship money.

D9 groups dont need the exposure...but until the final result of this competition, I'm sure most people enjoyed themselves.

I hope Sprite hosts another step show next year and I hope they invite everyone...black, white, asian, latino, martian...whatever...let everybody be involved, and make sure everyone is original.

I'm sure next year participants will up their game more. I know part of the problem this year was that Sprite didnt do a good job of letting people know the competition was going to happen. Some of the routines I saw that were at the regionals were hardly impressive.

Hmm you say "Zeta" won fair and square, but yet several things you said after that contradicts your point.

[xp2k]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Hmm you say "Zeta" won fair and square, but yet several things you said after that contradicts your point.

of course they do if you take them out of context, for example:

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Hmm you say "Zeta" won fair and square, but yet several things you said after that contradicts your point.

I said no such thing...

anyway:

I said Zeta won fair and square, as in they performed a routine and the judges voted it the best. As far as I know Zeta didnt bribe anyone...break another team's member's leg...or give someone food poisoning...

My point was that their show wasnt without flaws, but it was definitely competitive.

Plenty of performances in judged competitions WIN that arent perfect.

Ask anyone who's done figure skating, gymnastics, diving...even marching band...there's always that competition where someone wins with "ok" because they did ok very well rather than doing something new.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by xp2k

of course they do if you take them out of context, for example:



I said no such thing...

I gotcha and, like you said, many of the viewers are oblivious to all of this and couldn't care less about the logistics and context.

Many people are still like "so what if the steps may've been borrowed and the routine may've been taught---they performed it and did quite well, flaws and all." I'd feel the same way if I didn't know all that goes into stepping and stepshows.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by xp2k

of course they do if you take them out of context, for example:



I said no such thing...

anyway:

I said Zeta won fair and square, as in they performed a routine and the judges voted it the best. As far as I know Zeta didnt bribe anyone...break another team's member's leg...or give someone food poisoning...

My point was that their show wasnt without flaws, but it was definitely competitive.

Plenty of performances in judged competitions WIN that arent perfect.

Ask anyone who's done figure skating, gymnastics, diving...even marching band...there's always that competition where someone wins with "ok" because they did ok very well rather than doing something new.

Yes, but that still doesnt explain how they scored well concerning creativity. If a show lacks craetivity, then I would argue that it was not "definitely competitive."

[BluPhire]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Yes, but that still doesnt explain how they scored well concerning creativity. If a show lacks craetivity, then I would argue that it was not "definitely competitive."

Because if you take the comments she made in the context of what she said,

Without regard to history, or culture or whatever, I'd say Zeta won it fair and square.

Then that answers your question.

Anything that is judged is at the discretion of the judges.

The step off was an attempt at mainstream corporate marketing judged by non-D9 individuals.

That's like me judging figure skating.

I can't tell you the difference between a triple axle and a double two loop whatever, but if they execute it without stumbling and they look better than the competition who used to do that routine, then guess what they win, regardless

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by BluPhire

I can't tell you the difference between a triple axle and a double two loop whatever, but if they execute it without stumbling and they look better than the competition who used to do that routine, then guess what they win, regardless

Right, but if there were things that you were supposed to look for in judging those things and you had no idea what to look for, then that creates an issue. It is about more than just making sure they don't stumble while performing a triple axle.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Hmm you say "Zeta" won fair and square, but yet several things you said after that contradicts your point.

No because that comment was within the context of "Without regard to history, or culture or whatever....."

It is later that the poster picked back up on the context and discussed the issues with the show and the accusation of borrowed steps.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

No because that comment was within the context of "Without regard to history, or culture or whatever....."

It is later that the poster picked back up on the context and discussed the issues with the show and the accusation of borrowed steps.

I could see that, but the creativity issue is not really just something that relates to culture, history, or "whatever." I really don't know of too many competitions (speaking outside of step shows now) where someone could use a performance created by someone else and still be considered competitive.