Paper playoff choreography

[BBBulldog]

In the world of supporters there are these things called choreographies. Basically it's when a group visually does something as an entity to have a stadium wide impact as opposed to an individual doing it. Idea is that if 100+ people raise scarf at the same time it has more effect that one person. If 100+ people throw rolls/confetti at the same time it has more impact than 1 person. If 100+ people raise a big flag it has more impact than 1 person raising a hankerchief. Anything visual that's achieved through organization or organized chaos to create a large picture fits into that.

One aspect of choreographies are large paper/small flag/even balloons (by small I mean 2x2) mosaics, that can get very creative. It's mostly done in contiental Europe although I've seen some from South America (where confetti/roll showers or enormous flags that cover half stadium are more common... if you want to attempt that hehe), Japan/Korea and even England (that one took a lot of digging). It's usually done before game or as players are coming onto the field.

I haven't seen pictures of anything like it in DC, and only place I've seen it done in N. America is by Section 8, they did a few this year. Do you think it would be possible to try a small scale one? Something very simple to show allegiance to our colors. Say we all raise black paper for a minute or two during most popular chant/song (ie loudest one that gets most people going). Or SE in 134 raise red and BB in 135 raise black. The importance for me would be more in introducing the concept and making a first attempt at it (it might be a new thing for a lot of people) than making it appear perfect. I personally have no experience in organizing or even being part of one as we weren't yet doing it 15 years ago so it would be a learning experience.

Some problems I would expect from seeing what BBB went through first times would be um... people making airplanes out of paper (before time to lift them hehe), people too bashfull to lift (or sing), people objecting it obstructs view to field (even if nothing is going on), the "it will look cool when everyone does it so I guess I don't have to, besides I am already holding 3 beers" people (which sucks when 40 people around them thing same thing hehe). I somewhat understand it, it probably doesn't look like much from the inside or with few people doing it, but it's not supposed to. it's supposed to look good from the pitch and from distance (much like spray painted signs). So I expect it to be far from perfect first few times.

I'll gladly cash out $25 for 50 red and 50 black 2x1.5 foot papers (can't afford or have time to get flags)

Thoughts?

some examples that are way too large/complicated, but concept is same:

Colettivo Autonomo of Fiorentina, city skyline (my favorite picture, there are nicer ones today, but I remember seeing this one 14 years ago and just thinking I've never seen anything like it)

http://www.tifonet.it/fototifoviola/fi-juve90-1.jpg

Bayern's group on CL finals at San Siro Milano

http://www.fcb-fanfotos.de/clfinale230501h.jpg

Croatian nats qualifier for Euro 2004

http://www.badblueboys.hr/web/galerija/03-04/Hrvatska-Slovenija/HRV_SL14.JPG

I wanted to get a South American one cos I have seen a crazy white and red flag choreo from River Plate's group but as I was looking for it I found this. Um wow! Chico lets set up cables from upper deck hehe

http://www.riverplate.com/es/albums/2003-07-06campo/018_G.jpg

[BBBulldog]

picture that shows how silly it looks from up close, and how it looks from distance (ok so this one is not really that good from distance but you can't expect more from Torcida :P )

http://www.ultras-croatia.net/images/torcida/14.jpg

[NattyBo]

Im down with that

[beltwayrob]

Sounds good to me man! I'm in!

[BBBulldog]

Bah, can't find flag one I wanted but balloons and tablerolls will work...

http://www.riverplate.com/es/albums/2003-07-06panoram/panoramica_sanmartin.jpg

[greenbill]

Yo BBBulldog,

In case you missed them, check out these threads, there's hundreds of pictures that people posted:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74235
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79030

BTW...You're getting some rep for starting this thread. Looking forward to seeing some choreography on TV.

[CHICO13]

Um wow! Chico lets set up cables from upper deck hehe

http://www.riverplate.com/es/albums/2003-07-06campo/018_G.jpg
I've been to River and can verify that those fanaticos are certifiably nuts. If somehow DCU doesn't make it to MLS Cup 04, I'll be there in late November.

I'm with you on the placards, we could start out with something easy like the Barra chants.."DC" and the Eagles hold up their red pacards, and then they chant "UNITED" and the Barra holds up the black ones. As the season rolls on we can improve get more creative.

[BBBulldog]

In case you missed them, check out these threads, there's hundreds of pictures that people posted:
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74235
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79030


I've posted in them several times ;)

I agree Chico, as simple as possible to start there's time to improve and build on if fundation is solid

I'm just happy I found 18x24 inch red and black paper few days ago, I've been looking for nononline source for months lol

[BBBulldog]

any SE with a pull that want to help effort as far as Eagles? I want some moral support before I commit $$ :p

If I have time I can spray DC on cards, or divide in quarters and put 6:2, 3:2, 1:0, 2:0.

C'mon, noone thought little 6:2 sings would work either :p

30th minute would be good time to put it up, unless there's a goal at that time.

[K]

any SE with a pull that want to help effort as far as Eagles? I want some moral support before I commit $$ :p

If I have time I can spray DC on cards, or divide in quarters and put 6:2, 3:2, 1:0, 2:0.

C'mon, noone thought little 6:2 sings would work either :p

30th minute would be good time to put it up, unless there's a goal at that time.

If you can write out exactly what people need to do (what time they're holding up cards) and what they're spelling out, I can certainly spread the word to the Nest. If we can get some BB and SEs to help you pass out the cards that would be helpful too (I can ask for volunteers, they will need to know where/when to meet up). We might also want to contact DCU about this to make sure no hassle getting the materials in (if we arrange a time they can probably bring the stuff in for us).

I'm wondering if maybe we should just try red and black cards and skip spelling stuff out for our first go (or maybe just all black for the blackout, that might be really cool). I'm just afraid people might move around with their card and then it will look goofy (hey, I know you Nest and BB people! ;) When the time is decided I can give Dave Johnsona heads up so CSN can show the folks at home.

K

[McOwen]

anything that sticks to those stinking gypsies is OK with me :D

[BBBulldog]

If you can write out exactly what people need to do (what time they're holding up cards) and what they're spelling out, I can certainly spread the word to the Nest. If we can get some BB and SEs to help you pass out the cards that would be helpful too (I can ask for volunteers, they will need to know where/when to meet up). We might also want to contact DCU about this to make sure no hassle getting the materials in (if we arrange a time they can probably bring the stuff in for us).

I'm wondering if maybe we should just try red and black cards and skip spelling stuff out for our first go (or maybe just all black for the blackout, that might be really cool). I'm just afraid people might move around with their card and then it will look goofy (hey, I know you Nest and BB people! ;) When the time is decided I can give Dave Johnsona heads up so CSN can show the folks at home.

K

I will write it up

basically 134 red, 135 black, no spelling anything (if basic red 'n' black loks good first time I'll be more than happy, pictures were just example of groups that have been doing it a long time)

option 2 is all black (simpler) with BLACKOUT IN EFFECT or similar banner fliped over SE-BB banners for few minutes (then we pull it back in)

30th minute sounds good? I'd prefer when players take the field but 135 will be largely empty :)

I don't think they'll give us problem with paper (it's not very bulky) and if they do Marshall can just take it in through side entrance.

Tip to DJ would be great!

Thanks Kay :)

[beltwayrob]

I like the idea of the Red & Black cards, if any help is needed I'm more than glad to assist.

[MikeLastort2]

If we can pull this off, it'll be an awesome display.

I'm planning to be in the stands for this one, but I'm going to bring my pass and camera so I can get on the field for at least part of the game. I'll want to take pictures of this.

[TEConnor]

Funny story.

Prior to the 1997 final, myself and a small but determined group shredded loads and loads of confetti. We got around 200 bags of confetti and placed them along the first row of the upper deck with instructions for people to throw the confetti at the kick off.

Well, besides the incredibly wet conditions, the primary problem we had was that most of the 200 bags were thrown off the deck without ever being opened. If you watch the 1997 final, these can clearly be seen falling rapidly to the ground just before kick off. Definitely one of my proudest moments as a supporter! Luckily, the crowd more than made up for it later in the match.

As far as visual effects, the best one I can think of we have already thanks to the Barra: the big flag.

Perhaps a way to expand on the big flag experience would be to coordinate something around that...say distributing the papers you're considering to be held up in the sections adjacent to the big flag at kickoff or during player intros, etc. Of course, this would mean that 50 % of the fans be in the stadium at kickoff and that has not happened in my recent memory, so maybe shoot for the 15 minute mark.

Cheers,
Tim

[BBBulldog]

I like the idea of the Red & Black cards, if any help is needed I'm more than glad to assist.

We will probably need people to spread cards around, and we will definitelly need people to be ones start lifting and create domino effect. The more people know about it less they have to ask around what's going on, they can just ask person next to them.

If we can pull this off, it'll be an awesome display.

I'm planning to be in the stands for this one, but I'm going to bring my pass and camera so I can get on the field for at least part of the game. I'll want to take pictures of this.

I'll make sure someone's on quiet side with my camera to take pic/video.


Well, besides the incredibly wet conditions, the primary problem we had was that most of the 200 bags were thrown off the deck without ever being opened.

ROFL, I'll make sure to try and spell everything out :)

I like big flag, but I like doing new things all the time.

Speaking of big flags...

Los Pillines and Los Chaperos of Rosario Central:
http://www.barra-bravas.com.ar/telon27.jpg

LA 95, Guardia Imperial and Racing Stones of Racing
http://www.barra-bravas.com.ar/acad3.jpg

This one is not longest, groups from the first picture got an even longer one at nearly 10000 feet (yes, 10 thousand) but I lost that pic.
http://www.riverplate.com/es/albums/2001-05-25c/003_G.jpg

[Pints]

I have an idea. Simple but could make a broader effect than red and black squares.

mostly black squares with three rows of red squares and four stars at bottom of sections. (simbolyzing the fourth cup we win this year ;) )

Come in early and place them under the appropriate chair and leave them there until it's time to hold up.
Must be sure to tell people to keep the cards there and assgn people every row to remind folks just walk up and down rows as the match is getting ready to begin...???

[BBBulldog]

I have a lot of ideas like that, but I think it's very important to keep concept as simple as possible first few times so people get hang of it. I thought it would be simple to get 12 people to lift up 6:2 signs in jersey 3 weeks ago and it wasn't so I learned from it :)

If there's solid section of red and solid section of black without people making paper airplanes, creating large holes by not lifting, etc I'll be very happy. There are still people that stand in supporter sections but don't sing (and I mean even simple things like DC United chants that you can't not know words too).

Hmm wonder if 50 cards per section is good enough

[Begbie]

We need to start a university course on futbol supporter ideas for Americans.
This merging of football culture makes Barra Brava great. Knowledge is power.
South America+Central America+Western Europe+Eastern Europe+Africa= An emerging soccer tradition for America.

[MikeLastort2]

We need to start a university course on futbol supporter ideas for Americans.
This merging of football culture makes Barra Brava great. Knowledge is power.
South America+Central America+Western Europe+Eastern Europe+Africa= An emerging soccer tradition for America.
Hey, we're a melting pot. :)