So after a competition- you step back and take a look and what worked and what didn't work, so that you can make adjustments for next time.
Yesterday, I participated in The Cal, in Culver City. After being a spectator at The LA Prix back in March I was concerned about this show. I asked around out of curiosity, both spectator and competitor, how they felt about that show (March show). The general consensus I got from spectator was one of frustration and boredom. The show was said to be too long and the judging on the categories left many confused about what was what. From competitors, I got frustration and anger. Many were displeased with how the show was conducted, saying that it was rushed, and many felt gypped out of their time on stage.
I had just registered for The Cal when I attended the March show. Needless to say, I was concerned about my show choice after hearing/seeing this. I saw many spectators request a refund for their finals tickets and many competitors that wish they hadn't done the show. My fear was that The Cal would have a similar issue and result in a similar disgruntled feeling, but my feelings subsided as I trained and prepped and basically turned toward other matters.
Well...... my fears were confirmed.
To start - my part.... I know I didn't come in at peak, I feel like I peaked the weekend before the show, and rather than maintaining, my body just kept burning and I showed up on Saturday entirely too flat and too small (over dieted). That I can deal with, not taking first, or being first call out, I'm fine with that because I try to be honest with myself and not delude to think that I put the best physique on stage that day. My prep was off, fortunately in a good way and easily corrected for next show.
What I have a problem with, however, is the treatment on stage. These shows are getting way to out of control with the number of categories and the number of competitors, and they are running into time problems. If they want to have so many categories, then they are going to have to start splitting it up over 2 days. Their current method of handling it is to rush everyone on and off the stage. Let me give you a play by play on my stage experience.
They line us up back stage, we walk out and ALL line up on one side (10 girls, me being number 9 in the line had trouble making myself seen, I was half in shadow by the girl in front of me- and that's with stepping a little off the line). Then the first five girls don't need to model pose so they model posing starts with the second half of us. Five girls step out and do their model turns (total time probably 2 min), before the last girl even gets back in line they are calling out numbers for the call outs. No quarter turn comparisons before hand, and I don't even know how they relayed those numbers in that time, let alone compare girls.
The first call outs go through their quarter turns and step back, now its the second call out. They call out our numbers and tell us to just stand anywhere, just on a red dot, they don't care our order - in other words it was a "courtesy" call out. Then sent us off the stage. Total time in front of the judges probably 30-45 seconds if that (that's counting model turns and the "comparisons").
Now I'm not saying I should have placed better, even my friend, Maria, who helped me that morning could tell you I didn't feel right from the start. I was off, plain and simple. But I did pay just as much to register and get pictures as those other girls. And I'm not complaining about MY treatment, I'm having an issue with the treatment in GENERAL, with Everyone.
On top of all, btw, if you have ever been on stage (and I can only say about this regions judges) you've caught this - eating, texting, talking, zoning out, etc. by the judges. But lets move to the finals.
So for the finals, I don't even bother pumping up, I know I'm not in contention. I also know that I basically am only making a cameo appearance, I have to wait forever just so I can walk across the stage and basically "say hi". So I'm not expecting much. But I certainly wasn't expecting them to disregard us. We walk across the stage, do our model turns (which I shortened to only 3 poses and still was getting the exit music - total pose time 5 seconds), they line us up - all ten on the same line again, and call out the winners. They take the picture of the winners and then.....nothing....no stage direction, no closer...nothing... basically just an awkward period of no one saying a thing but a definite feeling of just get off the stage.
So, reflection..
My prep went too far and I over dieted to too small and not able to produce a good fullness in the muscle. We didn't expect my overall prep to go so quickly so I actually probably peaked a week ago.
As for the show, I think unless things change with this venue, I won't be going back to Culver City.
