Archive for Musicals.Net Musicals.Net |
| Rumblepurr |
DISCUSSION: FORUM CASTING - JULY 2008Sorry about that... I had the last one and I dropped the ball... literally...DISCUSSION: Last January, we only had 13 people participate in the casting - not a pretty sight when you try to determine roles from just 13 votes apiece... especially when you get 13 different people... Now being July 3rd, I will entertain this discussion until July 7th. Depending on how many people respond, and how they respond, the casting with BEGIN on July 8th and progress until July 22d instead of the normal 1st through 14th. Question: Do you really want to have a Forum Casting? If I get a majority of YES votes or a fairly good response (15 or more), then I will set up the ballot for JULY 8th. Otherwise, I will drop out as Casting Director. Rumblepurr The Writer Cat January 2008 Casting Director |
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| Nettik |
I'd definitely love to have a new forum cast! 
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| darkmage |
Sure, I'm all for it! | ||||||||
| Flitterbug |
I think it would be interesting to be able to vote for some new people, instead of just the old ones. There have been quite a few new faces, I think some of them might enjoy it.
Um, I'd enjoy it too... *sheepish* |
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| Mungojerrie_rt |
*Bounces and waves*
If I may humbly express my interest. 
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| Moongewl |
I don't really see the point anymore, but if other people want to try to keep the tradition alive, I'm not going to say it shouldn't continue.
However I'd really like to see a smaller ballot. Combine the double roles and lose some of the swings, maybe even a few of the lesser non-swing roles. Here's a sample ballot that eliminates the chorus cats and Bustopher(who was left blank on 6 of the 13 ballots in the last casting) and combines some roles:
That's a pretty drastic reduction, I know, and I'm sure some of those combinations and eliminations won't be liked. But the statistics on the last casting say only 64 different members were used for the lists...and heck, inactive and barely-active members like Carbucketty, Nemi, and Roller Boy got roles. If you took out the people who haven't made ten posts on this board in the last six months, I bet that number would drop dramatically. I'm not saying the list I used as an example above is the one we should be using. It's just ridiculous to have a list of 36 characters when last time only a third that many people cared enough to submit a list themselves, and though I can't find the list-posting thread I'd guess that at least a few of those 13 members who DID submit lists are gone. This forum hasn't exactly been hoppin' lately. |
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| Mungojerrie_rt |
Heh, if you use every character then it adds up to 43 different characters. Rather excessive. | ||||||||
| Rumblepurr |
List of CharactersMoongewl ?I understand where you are coming from on the list you placed. The only reason I like have some of the "double-up" characters, such as Misto and Quaxo, is that you sometimes find two people who have the same qualities, but only one can get the role. Same with Jemima and Sillabub. However, I do not mind seeing the opposing viewpoint... Such POV is needed to keep things honest. Regards, Rumblepurr
The Writer Cat. |
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| Mungojerrie_rt |
You could cast as understudies sort of thing. For example; if you got someone cast as Bombalurina, the person who got the seccond most votes could be Cassandra as an understudy, unless they got cast as someone els primarily. Same with Mungo/Pounce, Rumple/Etc, Munkus/Alonzo and others. I realise this would be more complicated, but it might work. | ||||||||
| Spanish_Rumple |
I like to do this cast but I agree on reducing the characters. However why Mungo/Rumple and Victoria/Electra???? I don't see it that way.
They four should be counted separately and I would add Admetus/Plato I do think he's kinda useful. On the other hand I do not really see a use in Growltiger, for instance, Macavity is the supervillain. As for the rest, I do agree on the new ballot. 
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| Alonza0 |
I really want to see a new forum cast. But I don't see the need for a new list. Regardless of how many people vote, we'll still be putting the same people on our lists, and I always find enough people for mine. But if we do use that list, I would definately not go for a combination of Victoria/Electra. I don't think those characters are alike at all. I also don't really understand why we'd want to combine Mungojerrie/Rumpleteazer and Munkustrap/Alonzo.
I also agree with Rumblepurr about having too many members for a specific type of personality. Usually, the roles of Jemima, Sillabub, Bill Bailey, Carbucketty, etc. are the first to fill up on my list because there's always an abundance of young, bubbly people on this board. If we combine those characters, I feel a lot of those people will be short changed out of positions. Truthfully, it's usually roles like Bombalurina and Demeter that I have trouble filling, but that may just be me. |
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| Moongewl |
[quote=Moongewl"]It's just ridiculous to have a list of 36 characters when last time only a third that many people cared enough to submit a list themselves[/quote] It made sense when we had a page full of new posts every day. Now, though, I don't think we have nearly enough people to fill a list out. You have two people you think fit Jemima? Cast one of them as someone else they might fit. It's not like there are so many users on here that you can't find a place for them SOMEWHERE on the ballot. Try viewing that character as Grizabella or Victoria or even Munkustrap.
Note the word "example" in that sentence. This wasn't something carefully thought-out, it was a list with as many roles combined and removed as I thought I could get away with. |
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| MsJellicle |
If people are still interested in doing the cast list, I say go for it.
I visit the forum almost daily (but have been lurking for the most part). There can be 0-4 new posts a day....mostly on the lower side of the scale. This forum has slowed down the past couple of years. I agree about shortening the list. One of the reasons we had a long list in the first place was because we had a lot of people visiting the forums at the time. Here's a possible suggestion for the new list: Alonzo Bombalurina Cassandra Coricopat Demeter Etcetera Grizabella Gus Jellylorum Jemima Jennyanydots Macavity Mistoffelees Mungojerrie Munkustrap Old Deuteronomy Plato Pouncival Rum Tum Tugger Rumpelteazer Sillabub Skimbleshanks Tantomile Tumblebrutus Victoria Swings That's 25 characters down from 36. We could shorten even more if need be by taking out Sillabub (or Jemima), or Etcetera, or Plato, or the twins (because they aren't in every production). The reason I left out Growltiger and Griddlebone is that they are 'pseudo' characters. They are supposed to be fictional characters played by other main characters. The same reason we had taken out Rumpus Cat before. And no one seems to want to cast, or be cast as Bustopher Jones (poor guy!). 
Also, another thought....we could maybe change the casting to once a year instead of twice a year? Opinions? ~MsJ |
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| Belle |
I like your list, MsJellicle! Tho I'd rather, personally, see the London kitten names... if it's generally accepted that broadly speaking, Sillabub IS Jemima, and Admetus IS Plato, etc, perhaps we could cast just one of each, and the winner gets to choose which name to use?
I always intend to vote, but I want to do it well, and so it takes me hours... so it's a huge job that gets put off til too late! shortening the list will definitely make it easier. I suspect I'm going to lose my title...  I'll live!  I'll go after Jennyanydots instead!
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| Mungojerrie_rt |
Depends on the production as to whether they are the same. In Australia/World Tour every character is separate. |
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| Reeza |
I don't have much to add except that the casting is still fairly new to me since I came back last year. I enjoy it, and I vote to have one. Whatever is decided is fine with me. | ||||||||
| Tigress |
I feel the same way, if you reduce the list then the new people will feel left out. IDK about the rest of you but with the exception of Stephen IDK any of the new people therefore I can't cast them. And a lot of us old timers are just now starting to come back and we'll all cast each other b/c again we don't know the new people. Last time I didn't post my list b/c I never saw the cut off date. Yes I know you're all going to say “it was on there if you'd bother to read it.” but I honestly did not see it. And as I recall a lot of people we not able to get their lists posted for one reason or another. Personally I think reducing the list is a bad idea however I would suggest to adjust it for each casting. Say if one character gets less than, IDK, 5 votes then that character is out for that round of casting but they shouldn't be left off permanently. Anyway that's my $.02. Oh and P.S. I've been cast as Bustopher before so I'd like to see him stay in, but that's just me. |
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| Moongewl |
Fine. Let's play the "Name 36 Users Still Visiting This Board!" game.
If I can get 3 people to PM me the usernames of 36 people who A) have been here for at least three months and B) post here at least once a week, I'll withdraw my support of a shortened ballot. (Obligatory caveat: I don't want you getting four of your friends to send me virtually the same ballot, so I want to have at least 50 different users total from those lists.) |
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| Flitterbug |
I support a shortened list. I also think an "audition" thread would help the "old timers" get to know the new people who have shown up since they were last here.
No mention of who you want to be or who you think you're like - Just a simple name, age, interests/extra. Although, somehow I dont think we even have the right amount of interested people to do a casting at this point... |
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| Spanish_Rumple |
I support Ms.Jellicle's shortened list and Flitterbug's suggestion of an "audition" thread. I also agree on NOT telling who do we want to be casted (is it a regular verb??) as... this is really childish, and it's much better to feel the curiosity of asking yourself why people see you as that particular character. | ||||||||
| The Drama Queen |
I don't see that as really fair, because lets face it, this is not the most active forum anymore. I post here when I see topics that interest me, but thats rarely once a week. I still consider myself a "member" of the Cats forum, and would like to be considered for a role. I really like Ms. Jellicle's list the best, since I think roles like Victoria, Etcetera, Coripcopat, and Tantomile should all be seperate roles. If we do any doubling of roles, I think it should ones that people normally do in actual casts- i.e. Griddlebone/Jellylorum, and Admetus/Macavity. I also support the "audition" thread idea. Some people don't even want to be voted for, and get roles. The last casting I *thought* that I was choosing not to particpate but still received several votes...? Those were votes that could have gone to someone who wanted them. |
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| Alonza0 |
I really don't think anyone's arguementive enough to be counting members and sending PMs, Moongewl, not even me. Especially since I know that I, for one, don't post once weekly sometimes, so I couldn't even put myself on the list. Besides, we're not asking you to stop supporting a shortened ballot, we're just stating that we don't support one. It's okay to have different opinions, right?
I don't know if anyone else is counting, but I think I've counted twelve people responding saying that they wouldn't mind a new casting. Is that right? If it is, that's just three more people... And lastly, if we do end up using MsJellicle's list, I'll have to protest the absense of Electra. I don't see any reason why Electra should be eliminated while Etcetera stays. Both are eliminated from productions just as often as the other one is. Also, I again have to bring up the fact that a lot of members on here are young, and female, so I don't think it's fair to eliminate young female parts. I might not be so combative if I could figure out why you'd eliminated her, but I can't figure out why. I'm sorry for being a pain, but if you can explain to me why you think she doesn't deserve to be on the list, I'll shut up. |
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| Eponine_Thénardier_08 |
I would participate in this!
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| Tigress |
I'm the same way, I only respond to topics that I'm interested in but that shouldn't exclude me, or anyone else, from the casting just b/c I'm not around as much as other members. As to the “audition” thread I do like the idea but not the name, but change the name and yes it's a very good idea and would really help us a lot. |
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| Spanish_Rumple |
Oh!! I didn't even see that!!! Electra should be in!!! She's got a very important role.
I'm going to try to make a list of INs and see if you like it: Video Admetus Video Plato (I'm sorry, I personally love video Plato) Alonzo Bustopher Johnes Etcetera Electra Victoria Jemima RTT Mungojerrie Rumpleteazer Macavity/Growltiger Munkustrap Bombalurina/Griddlebone (I know that this character is played by Jellylorum but I see an alter ego of Bombalurina from a kids story) Demeter Jenny D Jellylorum Old Deut/Gus Quaxo/Mistoffelees Pouncival (a bubbly alter ego of Etcetera maybe?) Tumblebrutus (a strong kid?) Tantomile Coricopat Cassandra Grizabella Well I have taken into account the video mostly because I think they could be the most representative. For me Griddlebone, Growltiger (and the rest of their story)and Rumpuscat are like "imaginary" characters from those "fairytales" sung by Munkustrap to Old Deut, more like "traditional" Jellicle kids stories. And Mistoffelees is like Quaxo's hidden personality. However, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer I see them as real Macavity servants (though playing in both sides). Sorry I've never understood the personalities of Victor and Bill Bailey from what people explain of other productions... Again it makes a list of 25, which I think is complete enough... What do you think? |
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| Bombateazer |
I have to admit that I too, like MsJellicle have been here almost everyday but as a lurker, but I really like the casting, even when I'm not in it. I find it fun and I like its tradition. So yes I'd vote if this goes ahead.
I support too MsJellicle's version of the shortened cast, but with either Electra and Etcetera or neither - because I can't choose between them *is very indesicive*, and I also support Flitterbug's audition thread - not only because it's a good idea but also because it could be quite fun! This is just my 0.02$. |
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| Rumblepurr |
Quota MadeI counted at least 15 people responding to this thread, so I will chair the Casting. I probably should have asked for opinions about me doing so, but too late now...I have noted the suggestions concerning the list of characters, and I can understand some of the choices. I am certain that many can argue that even the alter-ego characters such as BJ/Gus/Growltiger, and Griddlebone and even Quaxo should have their place, even though they are played by the same performer. For that brief bit of time, they have their own personality and identity. However, previous castings (especially the last one) so not truly support a full list like we used to have... For the time being, we will have a shorter list, and I hope not too many will complain... I will have the start of the casting up around midnight Pacific Time starting the day of JULY 8th... 2 Weeks = to July 22nd... Rumblepurr
CATS Forum Casting Director. |
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| Bombateazer |
That sounds great!
Just wanted to say thank you for the hard work you're putting into this Rumblepurr and if you need a hand just shout!
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| Mungojerrie_rt |
I think that Quaxo should be left out all together. It's only in the UK that he is teh same as Mistoffelees. The rest of the world either doesn't have him at all, or has him as a separate chorus member. | ||||||||
| Moongewl |
I didn't say I wanted posting at least once a week to be a requirement to be cast. It was just an arbitrary decision of posting frequency to determine the difference between someone who's active and someone who lurks. It's hard to tell the difference between someone who visits every day and posts every two weeks and someone who visits every two weeks and makes a post on that visit.
In fact, that illustrates my point perfectly. When we started forum casting(in what, 2004?), I was a long-time member, posting at least every week, and STILL wasn't cast, because there were so many users that 36 was a pretty small percentage of the overall forum. Years went by and the forum dwindled. Now, I'm not even sure we have 36 users posting regularly. I am aware that the discussion on the matter of the forum casting is now irrelevant, as Rumblepurr has already made his decision. However, it frustrates me when people pick the most unimportant part of my post to get all up in arms about while ignoring the main point. |
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| Spanish_Rumple |
I am amazed how you can all take written stuff so much personally...
Moongewl I got your point. You just suggested that proposal not to do it but to show that it's a fact that these days there are more lurkers than regular posters. I agree, it's evident. There aren't many new things to talk about, people don't bring new artistic stuff... But this is because Cats itself is fading away... it's normal it wasn't supposed to last forever! However we can still play, we can still draw, we can still do casting lists if we want it, even costumes! There's a lot of things to plan, when people have the time... Hey!!! What about the list i did?? isn't it representative enough? |
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| Mungojerrie_rt |
Video Plato is exactly the same a UK/Russia Admetus and most places' Plato. I agree with the Bomba/Griddle mix. I think Griddlebone is simply a more oldfasioned Bombalurina. I have noticed that a lot of the characters come in male/female pairs. Same personality (and singing/dancing requirements too). Tugger/Bomba Jerrie/Teazer Corico/Tanto Pounce/Etcy Skimble/Jenny Tumble/Electra Plato/Victoria |
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| Rallers |
Well crap, I'm gone a few days and miss this. Personally, I always love the forum casting and look forward to them. It gives me a chance to get to know any newer members better and nostalgic about the older members, so I'm glad we're going with it. Thanks Rumblepurr! I'm relieved we'll have a shortened list, because I have to agree with Moongewl on all her points. | ||||||||
| darkmage |
When it comes to a shortened list we should stick to the tour casts as much as possible, IMO. And since some of the roles are the same with different names, the cast list should reflect that. For example:
Tumble/Bill Bailey Pouncival/George Etc. |
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| Bustephen |
Reeza has been bugging me for years to join the forums and be cast as Bustopher, and now this happens.
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| Eponine_Thénardier_08 |
I just wanted to say that I'm really excited for tomorrow and Break - a - leg to everyone!.........SQUEE!!
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| Quaxo! |
Off topic:Why Don't we Set up a time and place for an audition somewhere in the world and actually put up a production of Cats? Now THAT would be interesting! ON TOPIC: I am Relatively New to this forum and am Very interested in seeing how Casting Works. I will definitely participate (at least to some degree) in this.
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| Tigress |
To Bustephen:
I just met you so you're one new person that I know and since I know you I will be casting you so welcome to the forum. (Again.)
To Quaxo: We did have a group like that a long time ago called "For Fans, By Fans" but sadly it closed and we never did to our production. But alas maybe one day... http://www.geocities.com/cats4fbf/ Well anyway I'm Tigress and good luck. |