visual team check list - Sweet Adelines International

"VISUAL TEAM CHECK LIST"
QUESTIONS TO BE DISCUSSED BEFORE DESIGNING THE PLAN...
Words of wisdom from the director and the music team...
•:. What is the overall vision?
.:. Where are the areas of vocal challenge or concern?
.:. What is the forum for which the song will be performed?
.:. What is the chorus size and current level of performance skills?
.:. Is the song primarily rhythmic or lyrical in style?
.:. What is the musical, lyrical, and emotional interpretation of the song?
.:. What are the thoughts on scenario, character, era, and style?
.:. How could the costume and makeup plan enhance the character and overall vision?
QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED TO TEST THE PLAN'S SUCCESS...
1. Can the level of the chorus effectively perform the plan, and sing well?
2. Does the choreography/showmanship plan completely support the music?
3. Are the characters well defined and does the choreography/showmanship plan support them?
4. Does the choreography/showmanship plan support the lyrics?
5. Is the plan completely in style of the era?
6. Was the pitch pipe technique planned into the performance?
7. Were the areas of vocal challenge planned to enable vocal freedom?
8. Does the visual plan for the chorus and front row support each other?
9. Does the plan build from beginning to end, or as the arrangement and interpretation require?
10. Is the drama and emotion within the plan evident?
11. Have we planned the director's role in the performance?
12. Have we planned the emcee staging and transitions before and after each song?
Handout: Creating a Visual Plan/How to Create and Use a Visual Team/Script: Lynne Smith, International Faculty

"How to Create Showmanship and Choreography
to Support the Musical Plan"
1. Always stay in style of the character and era.
2. Emphasize character or emotional changes by using vocal textures, characterizations, and
highlighting words that "feeL" A word that feels is a word where both the audience and performer
are clear on the feeling or emotion that word creates. Such as...love, never, or pop!
3. Emphasize soft dynamics by creating movement that is smaller, lower, and closer to the
center of the chorus or quartet.
4. Emphasize loud dynamics by creating movement that is bigger, taller, and wider. Angles to the
Big X or Down the Tiles also create a larger look and sound.
5. Emphasize progressive dynamics by using peel-offs across the chorus or up by rows.
6. Emphasize dramatically different dynamics by using dramatically different movement.
7. Support and lift the ends of phrases by using continual lifted movement.
8. Rhythm patterns are emphasized by...
• Strong beat-movement starting on and emphasizing the strong beat.
• Back beat-movement starting on and emphasizing the back beat.
• Accelerando-gradual progressive movement.
• Patter-showmanship only or each rhythm having their own relative movement.
• Ad-lib style-unplanned moves based on the character, drama, and lyrical line.
• Quick tempo-snaps.
• Swing tempo-sways.
• Staccato-crisp percussive movement.
9. Emphasize smooth musical lines by creating sweeps.
10. Use the breath space, rests, and dramatic pauses not only to forward the motion, but to
forward the "el/motion. Define and perform the emotion of the next thought on the breath
before it begins.
11. Use the pitch to set the tone for the song, and use the acknowledgements to complete it.
12. Create energy and passion into all aspects of the choreography/showmanship plan.
Handout: Creating a Visual Plan / Script: Lynne Smith, International Faculty

TECHNIQUES TO
CREATE ENERGYAND ENHANCE YOUR SHOWMANSHIP
1. Go for it...take the longest route and use all your parts!
2. Soft dynamics...your body language should feel smaller, lower, and closer.
3. Loud dynamics...your body language should feel bigger, taller, and wider.
4. Pick-ups, ooo's, bumbum's, etc...stay physically and emotionally involved whether you are
singing the lyrics or not.
5. Live the music. We don't want a series ofmeaningless hand motions. !fyou find it difficult to
relate, call upon your acting skills.
6. Use all your space, and a little bit ofyour neighbor's! Use the space next to you, above, below,
and behind you.
7. Stay focused and in the moment. This way you won't be tempted to advertise mistakes.
8. Be sure you have clarity in the emotion, character, and style. At the very least, know who you
are, where you are, and what you are doing.
9. Sustained notes and restatements...use them to drive and build the music with continual
movement.
10. Character or emotional changes...take advantage ofevery one including vocal textures, questions,
and words thatftel such as love, never, or thrill!
11. Where's the passion and drama? Steal and keep the spotlight.
12. Taking the pitch...use it to set the tone for the performance, build excitement, and add energy.
13. Know the plan. Only then will youhave the confidence to transcend the music.
14. It's not over 'til it's over! Become the character and live her until the curtain falls.
15. Where is your window? Get over it! You might not always have one.
16. Breath spaces...use them to forward the motion and to forward the "e" motion.
17. Build your stamina. Get in shape and you'll be better prepared to perform and have more fun!
18. Improve your posture. Make it more confident, stand tall and you'll look and sing better.
19. Rip your shower curtain open! You mustbe willing to take a risk and share "all ofyou" with an
audience.
20. ENERGYl ENERGYl ENERGYl Are you contributing to the ensemble's energy, or are you
taking it away? Start to develop your energy level to enhance both your physical expression and
vocal skills by simply adding confidence to your posture, and finally by applying all nineteen
techniques listed above. Oh...the magical performances you'll create!
Handout: Showmanship lOl/Showmanship Coaching/Teaching Skills for Choreographers Script: Lynne Smith, International Faculty