Karaoke Contest (OLD THREAD - refer to announcement above)

[Radien]

( NOTE: The following is dated material. The official, up-to-date rules are in the karaoke announcement at the top of the Contests forum.


Since this seems like it will be the main forum for contest announcements, just to get a jump on things, I wanted to make a topic about next year's karaoke contest. I'll be creating an info sheet as time goes by, but for now this topic can be here for Q & A. For starters, I'll just rattle off the first few things that come to mind.

1. The karaoke contest will have an on-site sign-up beforehand, just like Sakura Con. However, since Kumori Con is much smaller, you don't need to worry too much about getting in. This will mostly give us a chance to be as prepared as possible before the contest. I'm tossing around the idea of printing up a sheet with performer/song info for the judges before the contest.

2. Additionally, all performers will be required to attend a short orientation, which will be slated for some time before the contest (10 minutes in length, max). This is partially to make sure you know how to treat the equipment properly, but mostly to make sure that your performance isn't interrupted but technical snafus (which is always a bummer).

3. Accompaniment will be strongly encouraged. I plan to make this a realistic goal by recruiting assistants with access to large archives of songs. If you let us know what you're looking for well ahead of time, hopefully we will be able to find the recording you need in time for the con.

4. The requirements for music are that it be one of the following:
- a. a song which played in a Japanese anime or video game, or
- b. a song which was originally sung in Japanese, or
- c. a song originally recorded and released in Japan, or
- d. an anime filk, which may use any song as source material, so long as the lyrics pertain directly to either anime or video games.

If you have an entry which you think is borderline, PM me and I'll let you know whether I think it could be entered.

5. Anime filk (meaning "anime-themed parody") will be encouraged. If 2 or more performers are slated to perform filk entries in the contest, then filk will have its own separate category.
(If this happens, regular performers will not be competing with filk performers, but filk performers will be more likely to win a prize... so if you feel like writing a parody, give it a try!)

6. In addition to Open Mic, we may potentially have a "real" karaoke room - meaning, an actual imported Japanese karaoke machine with both English lyric songs and Japanese lyric songs, and a small room to put it in where you can hang out and sing with your friends. If this plan flies, we will keep it open pretty late, depending on the demand.


That's all for now. Leave your questions and comments here. :idea:

[sakuri]

Awesome.  I'll look forward to that, and sign up once the form's online.

[Shikamaru]

I'm looking for a song, but it's so hard to find, what if you can't find the song I'm looking for?

[FilkAeris]

*grins*  Oooh, now I feel like I Made A Difference!  There is now a potential category for Filk at a karaoke contest!  *bounces off in OOC glee...*

[staze]

welcome welcome.  yes, you no doubt did.  I'm just hoping we have as good or better sound and lighting this year as last.  

As a general request since you were there, any likes and dislikes from what you saw of our lighting and sound?

Thanks.

[Shikamaru]

And are we allowed to bring our own songs (from anime of course) that you can use on the karaoke machine?

[Radien]

*grins*  Oooh, now I feel like I Made A Difference!  There is now a potential category for Filk at a karaoke contest!  *bounces off in OOC glee...*

You undoubtedly did, but I'll be the first to admit I'm rather biased. I'm in the SCA, and filk is a big thing there. I would love to see it become a big thing in the anime fandom, too. Regardless of the topic, filk is good fun. It's great to be able to laugh at and about your hobby.

I'm looking for a song, but it's so hard to find, what if you can't find the song I'm looking for?

Well, if you bring it up this early, it's highly likely that if it's out there, we'll find it. If not, well... there comes a point where a song is not just hard to find, it's simply not available. This is because most people who go to the trouble of hosting an MP3 tend to get word out that they have it.

Second-to-worst case scenario: there is no MP3 in circulation. Your alternative is to find the single or album it is on and import it.

Worst case scenario: the song itself is not in circulation except as the opening or ending credits to an anime. This means that you could rip the audio, but it will be the short version. Long versions are generally better for performance, unless they go on forever. Personally, I think 3:30 is ideal. Unfortunately they usually extend it to a full 5 minutes.

And are we allowed to bring our own songs (from anime of course) that you can use on the karaoke machine?

That's iffy. We might allow it, but are you aware that karaoke machines have their own CD format that they use? I don't think there's a region issue, but if you don't have karaoke format, well... it could probably play it, but only as a regular CD.

It's a bit early to say that, though. It's currently just a plan in the works.

(Snrk... I have a five-star ranking and I've got two posts. Go me.)

[SailorNaboo]

I'd like to see a 'no singing along to the vocals' rule for this year.  It's one thing to do that for open mike, but it did make it hard to judge last year.

[staze]

you mean like Britney Spears?  ;-P

[ScorpioEyez]

I'm really looking forward to the form getting online so that I can sign up. I have a song that I am dying to do in front of a crowd (instead of just singing it to myself in random locations for no one in particular).

[Radien]

I'd like to see a 'no singing along to the vocals' rule for this year.  It's one thing to do that for open mike, but it did make it hard to judge last year.

I totally understand why it makes it hard to judge, but that's a pretty tough rule to put across, because so many people want to do songs that they can't find karaoke versions for. This is one potential rule where I'd like to talk to a number of people and get their varying opinions. Encouraging people to sing with a karaoke version by offering to help them find one is one thing, but requiring it might not go over well. We'll see.

you mean like Britney Spears? ;-P

I'll add that rule: "Britney Spears not qualified to enter."

I'm really looking forward to the form getting online so that I can sign up. I have a song that I am dying to do in front of a crowd (instead of just singing it to myself in random locations for no one in particular).

Well then, I have some new information you might be interested in.  Someone has suggested that the karaoke contest have auditions rather than a first-come-first-serve policy. Personally, I think this is a good idea, because the people who've spent weeks getting their song ready, like you, have put in a LOT more time and effort than the amount it takes to get into the signup line an hour before everybody else.

It also would also mean that 1. entrants wouldn't have to waste time waiting in line (which would be better spent getting comfortable on our stage), 2. entrants could get a few words of feedback before the performance itself, and 3. staff would have a chance to orient people to the stage and lay out the performance guidelines, plus alert them to entries that aren't allowed under the contest rules.

Also, if any of you are intimidated by the idea of auditions... don't be. Kumori Con is still of a modest size, so most everyone who auditioned would most likely get in.  The main purpose of auditions would be to prevent problems that may pop up during the contest, to impart important information, and to help YOU, come showtime, to look and sound even better than you already do.

[modab]

I just want to second radien's post about auditions. The last thing I want is for people who prepared a lot, be denied the chance to compete. Auditions are a good idea, just like a dress-rehearsal for cosplay. And anybody who just wants to have fun and sing will be welcome to the open-mic portion of karaoke, right?

For people who came last year, and were disappointed in the karaoke (the open-mic portion was disbanded after incredible confusion), please don't worry, we have one or two capable people devoted pretty much solely to making the karaoke go off without a hitch.

By the way, I'm pretty confident our karaoke will have better sound than Sakura-con; we are working on monitor speakers for the singers, and fun lighting too.

I'm thinking it would also be fun to allow backup dancers too. What do you all think?

[Kei-Kei]

Would it be possible to do a duet with someone for Karaoke?

[staze]

I don't see why a duet would be a problem.  No Milley Vanilly though.  ;-P  It's like Britney, squared.  Heck, they came up with the idea before she did.  

Incase no one knows what I'm refering to with the Britney bashing, check here:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3670347.stm

[ScorpioEyez]

Well then, I have some new information you might be interested in.  Someone has suggested that the karaoke contest have auditions rather than a first-come-first-serve policy. Personally, I think this is a good idea, because the people who've spent weeks getting their song ready, like you, have put in a LOT more time and effort than the amount it takes to get into the signup line an hour before everybody else.

This actually sounds like a wonderful idea to me. It'll give me a sneak peek at my compeitition. *smiles*

Is there any kind of estimation on how long it'll be before we can officially start signing up for this and submit our songs of choice? (Never done an anime karaoke contest so sorry if this question is a bother)

[Radien]

Sorry for the delayed response, but here are some general answers:


1. Duets are fair game! Group entries are standard fare for convention karaoke contests. COnventions often have an award reserved for group performances, too. We may as well, just because ensembles play to different types of standards than solo performances.

One limitation, though: each performer only gets to go on stage once in the official contest. If you enter a group performance, that's your song for the show. You can sing plenty more afterwards, but it will have to be at Open Mic (aka outside of the contest).

2. If we do auditions, a pre-con signup list will not be necessary. We may have a signup list at the convention to make it more convenient and organized for staff, but it will not be first-come-first-serve. Everyone who wants to audition will be able to do so.
(I can get away with saying this since our attendance isn't yet large enough to swamp the auditions...lord help me if I'm wrong )


Other possibilities:

- Auditions may be done in "snippits": 1-2 minutes of your song, or in other words until we have an idea of what to expect. We may listen to all of it if we suspect something needs our attention (anything from song eligibility, to proper stage usage, to micing issues).

- The auditions may double as our official dress rehearsal.


Expect a document on the site telling more about the contest in the coming week. In fact, we should have all sorts of programming information if the current "Website Plan of Attack" goes over well.

[sassy_lassy]

Question!  Would "Turning Japanese" That song be considered a filk also? *is curious*

[TomtheFanboy]

Dude, I always figured that I'd never memorize enough Japanese to actually sing karaoke to themesongs, until this week.

Now if we can pull of her costume, my girlfriend is going to do the best karaoke EVER!
TOP SECRET!!!


Oh.... How much music will be available? I mean, I can get a tape of the song or a CD if I try hard enough but I have no way of getting the lyrics out of it. How's that work?

edit: Der! Sorry, I didn't read the first post properly.
I'll make sure to PM you guys before hand.
Besides, I can always brainstorm a filk with my gf!

[Radien]

Question!  Would "Turning Japanese" That song be considered a filk also? *is curious*

No, that's not exactly a filk. First of all, a filk has to be a parody. And since this is an anime con, it has to either be an anime-themed parody, or a parody of a song from an anime. (You can also substitute "Japanese game" for "anime" in either of those instances for an acceptable entry)

I don't think I remembered to mention this (which is always a good reason for Q&A), but your filk has to use parody lyrics that you, the entrant, wrote.  If you've written an anime filk and will be at Kumori Con, but don't feel comfortable singing it and would like to have a friend sing your filk, well... we'll talk about it. I don't have any rules regarding that circumstance just yet.

(Note: if it were allowed, it would count as your one performance in the contest, whether you go up on stage or not)

TomtheFanboy:

Well, I'll try to have music on hand at the convention, but please understand that this is not a very efficient way of doing it, because it is difficult to amass such a large quantity of karaoke music in one place at one time and allow the performers enough time to find one they like.

One of my main goals for karaoke is to help performers find background music for their song of choice, but for that to work seamlessly it will require you to plan ahead a bit. I'm going to be searching for people with large music archives who would be willing to help anyone who contacts them on the boards to find their song... using karaoke (aka instrumental) version wherever possible.

As for transcribing lyrics, well, I'll do the best I can to help, but each song takes awhile for me so I can't help everybody. :? (I know the extent of my  listening skills from preparing my own entries)

[TomtheFanboy]

OK, thanks Radien.
I'll pm you about the music I'm in need of.
I'm sure that I can copy down the subtitles for lyrics anyway.

[DMStudios]

So, we can bring our own CDs, or hope that you guys have them up at the CON', right?  

I have several Karaoke versions of songs that I have made, including the one I used to win the Contest last fall with "Hitorijanai" by DEEN.

I'm hoping to do either "FIRE" by Kouji Wada, "CHA LA HEAD CHA LA" by Hironobu Kageyama, or "For Real" from Saiyuki.  

Also, will we have time to warm up? Like, in a room or something?  If so, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Radien]

Don't count on us having many CDs at the convention.  I got practically no response to my offer to help people find music, so I haven't had incentive to continue trying to hunt down someone with a music collection.

On the plus side, we've got a karaoke machine lined up, so the karaoke room may very well become a reality.

I will do my very best to get you guys some warmup time. However, I can't guarantee a room for it. It will probably be on the stage. Warmups will probably be either a brief dress rehearsal or, more likely, 1-minute auditions. Auditions are a definite possibility now that I've confirmed I'll be able to be there for all three days of the convention.

[FilkAeris]

Don't count on us having many CDs at the convention.  I got practically no response to my offer to help people find music, so I haven't had incentive to continue trying to hunt down someone with a music collection.

...could you find me the backup music for "Cowboy" by KidRock?  It's for a filk...  *large hopeful eyes*

[Radien]

Kidrock? *blink, blink* 80s pop music?... Okay, interesting request... O_o Umm... I could try looking through the usual avenues. But I probably won't be any more help than the next guy. 80s fad music isn't exactly a number 1 internet download from what I've seen.

That makes me really curious what you're going to do with it, since filk usually relies on audience recognition of the song... is this something I'd recognize and I don't know it? :roll:

[Teregate]

80's fad music? 8O That song came out in the late 90's or so...

[Radien]

It did? Well, sheesh. I certainly never was a pop music authority.  :roll: The last I saw of them was on an MTV parody episode of Sealab.

[Teregate]

Lol. Yeah. I just remember that because I had a friend who really liked them. But to Sealab... I say phooey. It's replaced ATFH, and now I think it should burn.


(Appologies to Sealab fans, but I liked our Photoshop created friends much more)

[FilkAeris]

It did? Well, sheesh. I certainly never was a pop music authority.  :roll: The last I saw of them was on an MTV parody episode of Sealab.

*grins*  Yeah, "Cowboy" was extremely popular in my early years of high school...e.g., circa 1999-2000.  If you can't find that, may I request either or both of these; "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega, or "Curbside Prophet" by Jason Mraz?  The latter is so new that there may not be karaoke for it yet, but Mambo No. 5 should be a cinch.  ^_^

[gshock99]

i'm definitely looking forward to performing... or so i hope i will be doing so.  if i don't chicken out at the last minute again.

also, i didn't see it in the rules but i could just be blind... but is there a time limit for the song?  such as the song cannot exceed __ minutes?

[Radien]

FilkAeris:

Dang, that is recent. I didn't expect Sealab to make a pop music reference younger than ten years ago. Well, I'll do my best. I have a lot to do to get ready, mostly gathering volunteers.

You know, I bet you'd make a great open mic host... *nudge nudge*

gshock99:

Yeah, it should be in in the rules somewhere. The limit is 5 minutes. Many long versions of anime intro themes go just over 5 minutes, but if I lengthen it to 5:15, then people will want 5:30, and so on. :/

FilkAeris:

Dang, that is recent. I didn't expect Sealab to make a pop music reference younger than ten years ago. Well, I'll do my best. I have a lot to do to get ready, mostly gathering volunteers.

You know, I bet you'd make a great open mic host... *nudge nudge*

gshock99:

Yeah, it should be in in the rules somewhere. The limit is 5 minutes. Many long versions of anime intro themes go just over 5 minutes, but if I lengthen it to 5:15, then people will want 5:30, and so on. :/

kewl kewl, thanks ^_^ mine's right under 5min so everything should work out i hope

[FilkAeris]

FilkAeris:

You know, I bet you'd make a great open mic host... *nudge nudge*

^_^  If I have any time left after the various panels Rem's got me in, and the Anime Bedtime Stories/Cafe, maybe I'll give it a go...

[Radien]

^_^  If I have any time left after the various panels Rem's got me in, and the Anime Bedtime Stories/Cafe, maybe I'll give it a go...

Alright. Do you have any idea what your schedule is going to be, yet?


NOTE: I've locked this thread, in order to redirect attention to the new, official rules announcement at the top of the Contests forum. Please take your comments and questions there.