[lanza101]

Go Danny- for those of us not in the OOC- the letter:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18702569

[Drumbeat]

(Original post by Bust A Move)
Any tips for 1st day rehearsal for Para?

just enjoy every minute of it, assume u are at 3mills

[maclondon]

(Original post by Mum of Students)
so Sunday morning was our only one and although we were there for several hours we did very little.

we went a bit backward when we went to the stadium too, but by this sunday its getting almost perfect (in terms of the logisitic elements) theres still lots to do in the remaining 6 rehearsals and 3 dress rehearsals - but it does suddenly all come together

like wise we had one or two sessions where we seemed to do VERY little - but thats all part of it, its all being done in the tower, our section has has lots of changes to make it run on time.

[granta]

(Original post by Mandy_Panda)
Thank you guys, you're all fab. Hopefully Sundays rehearsal will go better. It's just very up in the air.

I can't wait to see all the other sections! I think I'm worried ours won't be as good as all the others and we'll let everyone down, arghhhhh, but they aren't going to let it be rubbish, I know that

Please don't worry Mandy! Everyone on the FOP keeps saying how amazing you all look and wishing that we could do a bit more choreo. I just keep telling myself that we are all thinking we are worse than we are because we can't see ourselves, yet when we watch another section, because we see the whole picture, they look great. Think yesterday was just difficult for all sorts of reasons, not least the weather.
Btw, I have not received any email from Danny, have you?!
Hopefully see you Sunday....I'm determined to make it to Las Iguanas one of these days!!

[Nevvie]

(Original post by Mandy_Panda)
thanks guys, there just seems so little time. I'm just losing the faith. Unnecessary changes are being made, and the things that need to be changed, aren't and important things seem to be overlooked. I'm convinced it just looks a mess and we'll be proving all the haters right. Hmmmmmm.

Mandy, I totally agree. It was really depressing. They've kept saying that the 'thing' that's not working would get better, but it hasn't. Not even a little bit over the last month. With these new changes, it's even worse! And we don't have time to practice anything else.

It feels ridiculous and insulting to have practiced choreography and then not get to do it. I've given up. Also, people are being very rude about it. I asked a woman to follow the instructions by mass movement as she was making it really difficult for us by not doing so, and she said (I quote!): 'I don't give a damn about you, I wanna be in front so you can suck it.' This is a grown-up woman! That seems to be the prevailing attitude lately.

[Pinnerite]

After weeks of unpredictable storms, torrential rain and high winds, more settled weather could be on the horizon. But it will be two more weeks before the country can enjoy it.
Britain is set to endure a continued run of chaotic weather until the middle of July, according to the Met Office.

Forecasters say a drier, warmer spell is expected for the last two weeks of the month, bringing hope of a sunnier outlook as the Olympics begins on July 27.
A spokesman for the Met Office said: 'There's going to be no great change at the moment. It's going to be much the same for the next couple of weeks, some dry days and also some days with showers.
'However, we are looking at a break in the third week. There are signs of some more settled, drier weather for the last two weeks of July.'

Here's hoping!!

[MsIs]

(Original post by Mandy_Panda)
we are prob going to drinks before most rehearsals now prob gonna do Las iguanas at 1 Sunday if you fancy it and bring anyone else. Happy hour on Sunday too! There's a new theme, I think.

See your there then

[Mandy_Panda]

(Original post by Nevvie)
Mandy, I totally agree. It was really depressing. They've kept saying that the 'thing' that's not working would get better, but it hasn't. Not even a little bit over the last month. With these new changes, it's even worse! And we don't have time to practice anything else.

It feels ridiculous and insulting to have practiced choreography and then not get to do it. I've given up. Also, people are being very rude about it. I asked a woman to follow the instructions by mass movement as she was making it really difficult for us by not doing so, and she said (I quote!): 'I don't give a damn about you, I wanna be in front so you can suck it.' This is a grown-up woman! That seems to be the prevailing attitude lately.

wtf?! Yeah, I heard you had issues like that in you section, ridiculous

Well out of the 5 dances I was originally told I was doing, I now get to do 2. And for the rest of it we have been told we will prob be doing nothing and haven't been told what is going on. They're just forgetting about us to concentrate on the one thing. It's actually really upsetting. I know that sounds lame, but it's verging on embarrassing, isn't it? i'm beginning to wonder why they bothered with volunteers and didn't get props that can sort themselves out. They don't care about us or choreography and it's a supposed dance role?

[Mandy_Panda]

(Original post by granta)
Please don't worry Mandy! Everyone on the FOP keeps saying how amazing you all look and wishing that we could do a bit more choreo. I just keep telling myself that we are all thinking we are worse than we are because we can't see ourselves, yet when we watch another section, because we see the whole picture, they look great. Think yesterday was just difficult for all sorts of reasons, not least the weather.
Btw, I have not received any email from Danny, have you?!
Hopefully see you Sunday....I'm determined to make it to Las Iguanas one of these days!!

how can it look good if it isn't coming together? Pretty sure that's just a line we are being fed.

No email either!

Yep, def try make it Sunday!

[MsIs]

(Original post by Nevvie)
Mandy, I totally agree. It was really depressing. They've kept saying that the 'thing' that's not working would get better, but it hasn't. Not even a little bit over the last month. With these new changes, it's even worse! And we don't have time to practice anything else.

It feels ridiculous and insulting to have practiced choreography and then not get to do it. I've given up. Also, people are being very rude about it. I asked a woman to follow the instructions by mass movement as she was making it really difficult for us by not doing so, and she said (I quote!): 'I don't give a damn about you, I wanna be in front so you can suck it.' This is a grown-up woman! That seems to be the prevailing attitude lately.

Hi Nevvie, I agree with you entirely - the "thing" just isn't working in the time given - more time and I think it would. And yes we are not doing choreography, which we spent weeks rehearsing, due again to time constraints, but have to say my partner and I did manage to do most of that particular one last night - the first time ever!!. I think a lot of people are frustrated by either "the thing" or other people just not finding their marks (or spending too much time looking for their marks and therefore causing a "bunch up") and therefore are getting quite tetchy. As for the camera hoggers - it has been stated, many many times, that there will be multiple cameras from all angles. Anyway, we all know who the real scene stealers will be (bless their little socks)

[wickedgrin]

Mandy_Panda - thanks for being so honest! You are not alone! Our section is just being continually workshopped rather than rehearsed and we do something different at every rehearsal. Each run through seems shambolic and does not seem to get any quicker or better.

The weather has been challenging for both us and the creative team and we have had the negative press leaks to deal with. Plus the discontent over DR ticket allocations, and the fact that after our section we have to leave the area and seemingly not allowed to stay for the fireworks and watch the rest of the ceremony on a big screen. So it's a difficult time.

However, we have some very long rehearsals ahead in order to polish and get it right. We have to have faith in the creative team and the "bigger picture". I can assure you that all shows go through this difficult period and it will be amazing on the night and these current thoughts will be completely forgotten!

[granta]

(Original post by MsIs)
Hi Nevvie, I agree with you entirely - the "thing" just isn't working in the time given - more time and I think it would. And yes we are not doing choreography, which we spent weeks rehearsing, due again to time constraints, but have to say my partner and I did manage to do most of that particular one last night - the first time ever!!. I think a lot of people are frustrated by either "the thing" or other people just not finding their marks (or spending too much time looking for their marks and therefore causing a "bunch up") and therefore are getting quite tetchy. As for the camera hoggers - it has been stated, many many times, that there will be multiple cameras from all angles. Anyway, we all know who the real scene stealers will be (bless their little socks)

Well said MsIs! And I know what you mean Nevvie about some people's attitudes as I experienced it several times last night, twice when people decided to 'crash' into us just so they could do their next bit. For the whole thing to work, it requires really good teamwork and some people holding back, but that is just not happening....Wonder if the 'thing' will be dropped?! Maybe then we will have new choreo to learn to fill the time!!

[Mandy_Panda]

(Original post by wickedgrin)
Mandy_Panda - thanks for being so honest! You are not alone! Our section is just being continually workshopped rather than rehearsed and we do something different at every rehearsal. Each run through seems shambolic and does not seem to get any quicker or better.

The weather has been challenging for both us and the creative team and we have had the negative press leaks to deal with. Plus the discontent over DR ticket allocations, and the fact that after our section we have to leave the area and seemingly not allowed to stay for the fireworks and watch the rest of the ceremony on a big screen. So it's a difficult time.

However, we have some very long rehearsals ahead in order to polish and get it right. We have to have faith in the creative team and the "bigger picture". I can assure you that all shows go through this difficult period and it will be amazing on the night and these current thoughts will be completely forgotten!

thanks for that wicked grin! I know they logistically have a lot to contend with, but they are being overambitious. We have worked on the one same thing for 2 months and it isn't working - time to move on. But at least we aren't the only group with issues. I just hope they get round to dealing with issues before it's too late, rather than sticking to their guns and the whole thing failing!

[maclondon]

F*** M* can you all stop moaning and just enjoy it!!

sorry but REALLY!

[wickedgrin]

(Original post by maclondon)
F*** M* can you all stop moaning and just enjoy it!!

sorry but REALLY!

.....and that, of course it just the attitude, that others have been complaining about. This is a discussion board and most of us discuss things both good and bad in a civilised manner.

[tylergardener]

(Original post by Mandy_Panda)
thanks guys, there just seems so little time. I'm just losing the faith. Unnecessary changes are being made, and the things that need to be changed, aren't and important things seem to be overlooked. I'm convinced it just looks a mess and we'll be proving all the haters right. Hmmmmmm.

Sorry to here some of you are becoming disillusioned with the rehearsal process.
I think we have to trust the creative team, they see a far bigger picture than us watching from the towers and control rooms and can see what works and what doesn't. There are also very tight time constraints for the show and some things are bound to change.
Must admit I felt a bit down last week, facing three rehearsals of hard graft as a 44 "scene shifter" but once we got into it and saw more of the story unfold I realised that it is going to be a truly spectacular show.
Oh, and we had a brilliant motivational talk from Danny Boyle before we started.

[maclondon]

(Original post by wickedgrin)
.....and that, of course it just the attitude, that others have been complaining about. This is a discussion board and most of us discuss things both good and bad in a civilised manner.

its mostly a moaning board lately.

[Flakeydom]

I wonder if there had been a Chinese equivalent of TSR, there would have been similar comments of frustration. While our segment hasn't struggled through multiple rehearsals to see things consigned to the bin, we have had a few changes to routines and have a LOT still to be revealed and practiced!

I guess all we can do is hope that the old theatre cliche holds true and that it will be alright on the night.

[MsIs]

(Original post by granta)
Well said MsIs! And I know what you mean Nevvie about some people's attitudes as I experienced it several times last night, twice when people decided to 'crash' into us just so they could do their next bit. For the whole thing to work, it requires really good teamwork and some people holding back, but that is just not happening....Wonder if the 'thing' will be dropped?! Maybe then we will have new choreo to learn to fill the time!!

I doubt it will be dropped (but I am so hoping it will be). While the idea is fabulous and creatively it will be an amazing spectacle it does, as you say, take good teamwork. I had one person last night who wouldn't let me past as she hadn't applied her "safety catch" so therefore I could wait - and you know how hard they can be to apply sometimes! I did it for her. And yes other people do need to hold back - as they are told but don't seem to listen. I really don't think they anticipated the "thing" taking as long as it does - and it is taking longer because some people just aren't comprehending even after all these weeks. I agree with Mandy too that some areas seem be neglected in favour of others.

[Mandy_Panda]

(Original post by maclondon)
its mostly a moaning board lately.

well i'm glad for you that your section is going well and you haven't been practising one thing for 2 months nonstop, neglecting everything else, with that one thing still not working. At least your section will be spectacular and it won't be you named as the disgrace of London 2012 oc. This isn't me being bitchy, I'm genuinely happy that other sections are going well, because they need to, you haven't seen ours, the press will actually be proved right with ours at this rate.