Looking ahead for 2018/19
During the 2018 summer holidays we reviewed a number of elements of the competition. We also invited feedback from a number of schools about areas we could develop to improve everyone's experience of the GBDO. Here is a summary of the key outcomes of this...
COMPETITION LOGISTICS
- More detailed information to be sent to schools upon registration including dropbox instructions for videos etc.
- Bring entry deadlines a little earlier to allow schools more time to make arrangements.
- Develop a 'congratulations pack' for schools qualifying to the performance stage with comprehensive information about the next stage including risk assessments etc.
- Need more information from schools sooner - details of number of pupils, music etc.
- Need to check whether schools will be using props as they can affect the timing of the performances.
- Develop policies in relation to recent GDPR legislation which can be seen here: https://www.thegreatbigdanceoff.com/privacy-policy.html
- Final scores will be calculated slightly differently this year - the lowest 2 scores will be removed from all school totals. This will limit the potential for 1 judge to negatively impact a team's total score.
- To achieve more consistency from the judging panel. Many judging panels will include people from different backgrounds - for example some jugdes will have more educational background whilst others could be dance instructors. Therefore, levels of technical expertise can vary. To negate the impact of this, we will develop more information pre-competition for judges with details of what they should look for. We will also facilitate more opportunity for them to discuss before the competition begins.
- A common request is for more detail feedback from judges - including remarks. Our concern is that this could affect the running time of the competition. However, we will re-design the scoresheets which will allow them to make brief remarks (very brief).
- We have discussed some other ideas with some judges which are ongoing - we plan to pilot these at one heat this year (watch this space!)
- Exploring the possibility of rewarding outstanding individual performances. Judges often single out people they are particularly 'wowed' by. Looking at some individual prizes - again to be piloted at one heat. Again a concern about running time.
- All Chaperones will be expected to wear a GBDO wristband - these will be supplied to the lead teacher. Only those with these will be permitted 'backstage' and into the reserved seating sections.
- We need to emphasise the GBDO ethos more - which is our desire to give as many pupils a chance to get up on stage and have a great time. It is a competition but not to lose sight of this ethos. There are other competitions out there that place more emphasis on the competition element (as opposed to participation).
- We considered suggestions about separate competitions for different genres and different group sizes. However, with out ethos in mind - we didn't feel these were appropriate at this time.
