What do you need to begin writing the drill?
The basics are: numbers, music scores (both winds and percussion), a count sheet breakdown and an mp3 of the music.
Any other information that you think would be helpful is always appreciated.
How early can you get started on writing the drill?
I can get started as early as you'd like me to, so long as I have all of the FINAL numbers, music scores, notes, completed contract and deposit.
I will not begin the drill without a deposit AND signed contract, even if I have received the music scores, production notes and numbers.
How long will it take you to complete the show?
Due to my typically full and busy schedule, I require a minimum 6-week turn around time for the ENTIRE show to be completed - so long as I have ALL of the music, notes and numbers from the very start. If there are delays with music it could take extra time for me to complete the show for you. For example, if the closer music is not in my hands until late July, it could take me up to 2-3 weeks to write the drill, depending on how busy I am at that time. I have to take great care in putting the time into studying the music and being sure I set the band up for success with the best staged and highest quality drill I can.
When is the best time to contact you to request your services to design for us?
The best time would be anytime between November and March. The sooner the better. I am still willing to take inquiries late in the spring, however my schedule can fill up very fast. The earlier you get in contact with me, the better your chances are that I will be able to fit you into my schedule for the next year.
* If you are reading this and it's already May or June of the current marching season that you would like to request my services for, please go ahead and still e-mail me. Sometimes I am able to get an early start on a show and finish it earlier in the summer, thus opening up room for me to write another drill. Just know that all of the same rules apply with the deposit and contract, so we would have to move things along swiftly for me to get started that late in the summer.
How much is the deposit?
The deposit is 25% of the total fee for the drill.
When do you need a deposit by?
Due to me being in such high demand, I require a deposit no later than May 1 of that marching year in order to guarantee your spot in my clientele. I am constantly receiving e-mails from directors in the late spring/early summer and each year the circumstances are different. Since my schedule can fill up very quickly, I would like to be able to confidently say a "yes" or a "no" to those who e-mail/call me.
Only a paid deposit (and signed contract) ensures me as your designer, however an unpaid deposit by the due date and without contacting me prior, can mean that I could potentially take on another group if they are willing and able to pay the deposit right away - thus expelling your band from my clientele.
I only have enough room for as many bands as I am comfortable with writing. I prefer to not overwork myself by taking on more projects than I am capable of doing, yet I would very much like to hold onto a full load for the entire summer.
I am very flexible if there are difficulties getting finances straightened out during that time of year, so please discuss it with me if more time is needed to make the deposit payment.
When do you need music, notes and numbers by?
My preferred date is June 1. This start time gives me the best chance to meet those July deadlines and for those who start camps in late July/early August.
I understand that June 1 is quite early to have a final set of numbers ready because auditions are still being held, as well as some uncertainties with who will/will not be part of the band in the fall. But the sooner I receive all of the information I need to write the drill, the better off I will be and the more time I'll be able to commit to writing the highest quality drill I can.
Do you do drill re-writes?
I will do re-writes, but there will be an added fee if it involves adding or subtracting positions after the drill is completed. A fee also applies if there are any music rewrites/changes that require drill adjustments after it has been written. Inaccuracies in the drill design on the part of myself will be corrected at NO charge.
It is no problem adding or subtracting positions in the next movement of drill if I am notified before getting to that part of the show, however adding or subtracting to current or previous movements will result in an additional fee.
What do you charge for the drill?
There are many factors that go into how I price the drill. Not only how many positions are on the field, but also the competition level of the band. How many contests are you planning to attend? Are you competing at any larger national regional competitions - e.g. USSBA/BOA? Will any props be used and will they be stationary/mobile?
Those are just a few of the many questions that need to be answered in order for me to determine the price of the drill. Please Contact Me to discuss specifics.
Is the drill copyrighted?
The visual design book will remain my property for exclusive use by the client for the specified time frame.
What style of drill do you write?
As per my drum corps and teaching background, my strength lies in a very "geometric" style of visual design. I do feel I have a very strong understanding of ALL types of visual design, but I admit that it is a struggle for me to write in a "curvilinear" style.
I believe that my style of writing is both creative and unique. I am always very conscious of the instrumental staging, making sure the musicians are set up the best possible ensemble success as well as making a very effective drill that is easy to understand.
What will I get when you are done writing the drill?
In addition to providing the drill charts (printed and emailed in PDF form) using whatever symbols are preferred by the client, I also include the complete set of student coordinates and a video animation of the drill with the music. The video will be posted on a dedicated page on my website for the directors to use for reference, or even share with students. This dedicated page will include links to download the PDF of the drill charts, coordinates and view the video animation.
This page can be password protected at the director's request. It does not have to be shared with the other staff and it is up to the director who has access to this page.
A sample of this page, and what it will look like, can be found here:
Sample Personal Page
Do you write the drill by hand or by computer?
I write the drill on the computer using Pyware 3D Java. Although, many of my key visual ideas come from sketches on post-its or on napkins when I'm hangin' out at the local Starbucks. :)
Would you mind sending me files to review as you write the drill?
This is one thing I do not like to do, only because it screws up my "flow" and can really make the design process drag on much longer than it needs to. I take the production notes that we put together and "sketch" the entire movement top to bottom, making many tweaks along the way. It's a very unique writing style, but it is one that has been very successful for me as a designer. It gets very difficult to stop and start as I write, and to send a presentable file to be reviewed before the drill is completed takes almost as much work (for me) as writing an entire separate movement of drill.
I understand that some directors have certain needs and don't always know how to communicate that information with me as well as they would like to, so they prefer to see the drill in frequent updates to make sure it "works" for them.
Communication is key and it is very important that the director(s) and designers (drill/guard/choreographer) discuss the show design in as much detail as possible prior to me starting the drill. This will ensure that we are all on the same page throughout and it is my job to do the best I possibly can to put together a drill design that suits the needs of the band and the staff. It is very important that you trust that I will follow the production notes to the best of my ability and that I will create a product that is of the highest quality and standard.