LETTER FROM A JUDGE... Some food for thought regarding Contests; In light of the controversy that surrounds most contests, this letter was submitted for information purposes only. The opinions expressed here are the reflection of one of the participating judges only... Although the links available to the reader at the end of this article have been supplied as a true form of those that are used in one competition. *****The info you will be reading in the additional links is sent to every contestant who enters a contest.***** IT IS UP TO THE CONTESTANT TO READ ALL THE INFO AND WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THEM. **************************************** The Letter.... Personal Information Being a hockey and baseball coach for approximately 12 years, it was up to us, as coaches, to ensure that all information pertaining to a tournament was read over so the team would be ready and adhere to the rules of the tournament as set out by the organizers of that particular event. If we did not read the info given, then who was responsible, "the team"? No, it was the "coach". Another example..Being a Union Representative, for the United Steelworkers of America, representing approx. 150 employee's. It is my job as a Rep. to ensure that our Collective Agreement is adhered to, (contract between the company and the union). When a union member comes forward with a complaint, it is the Rep's job to gather the FACTS from the parties involved, before heading into a grievance meeting. IF, as a Union Rep, all the facts where not gathered the grievance would not be successful, therefore, my credibility as a Union Rep. would be tarnished. IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE ALL THE FACTS. Elvis has been in my life for as long as I can remember. I may not have told anyone, a guy thing I guess, but I have enjoyed his music all my life as my mother and sister listened to ELVIS. My first exposure to contests came a few years ago when I went to Collingwood for the first time. It was a great experience and one to remember. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to manage an ETA, a very time consuming responsibility, traveling, booking shows, etc... and one that sadly had to be given up due to other family responsibilities. Being a judge requires you to study Elvis, his moves, vocals, which hand he held his mic in, which side of his body he wore the sashes on, what outfits fit what era/era's of his music. Everything, that pertains to Elvis on stage. It is a HUGE undertaking and responsibility, one to be taken seriously as some ETA's do this for a living. What he did in his personal life has nothing to do with judging a contest. It is what he did on stage during his lifetime. Some ETA's have been noted saying... "This is what Elvis May have done", yes he very well could of-if he were still alive to-day. But the sad news is he is gone from this earth, so we will never know. For an ETA to enter a contest and do what he thought Elvis might have done will not win contests. THEY need to read the info packets, the 50s 60's and 70's is when Elvis was here! My experience as a judge was tremendous fun, but also very mentally exhausting. You have to remember that you are judging each contestant against ELVIS PRESLEY, not each other. This was very challenging, because after about 25 contestants, you start to forget what Elvis sounded like, so you have to reach way back into your mind and pull ELVIS out... Judging is also not who you like, but who gives you the best portrayal of ELVIS PRESLEY. As a judge you have to be unbiased, fair and honest. You also need to follow the criteria set out by the Contest Committee as you can read in the links on the bottom of this interview. Now here is my opinion on contests. All contests should be following the same criteria, this would make it easier for the ETA's to know what to expect at each contest they enter. Following one set of criteria's would give each contestant a better judgment, because all judges would be looking for the same thing at all contests. If one set were used and a contestant wasn't winning, he would know he has to improve. All contests should be held using 7 judges, not 3, not 4... A panel of 7. The highest mark and the lowest mark should be thrown out. This way if you have a judge on a panel that favors an ETA or dislikes them, their marks would be tossed out and it would be based on 5 judges. ODD numbers break ties. A contest should be judged by the same judges throughout the contest. Lastly, all contestants should be given their marks at the end of the contest or each set. Pre-lims, semi's and finals. There is no acceptable reason why these marks cannot be given out, as they are tallied to find out who is going to be in the semi's and the finals. If the contest people are worried about getting flak from the contestants, there should be a rule in the packets that any complaints should be put down in writing and will be answered in a timely fashion AFTER the contest. A judges mark is final, once they are handed in. IF a contestant has a problem with their scores, put it in writing and give it to the organizers of the Contest, this is how positive changes are made. It should also state that if they complain or interrupt the contest in any way, they will be disqualified from the event and not allowed back to this contest. Also each contest should have a runner to take the judging sheets to the score keeping room, this person should be given a folder to put the sheets in and NOT be stopped by anyone on there way to the tally room. My experience as a judge was of great pleasure, but it was a hard task. Remembering everything about ONE MAN, ELVIS PRESLEY, you see so many contestants you wish they all could win. But there can only be a single winner. They all do a terrific job, but as we all know, there are area's that each contestant lacks in. A perfect score would be impossible to give, as there was only one ELVIS!! Name to be Anonymous, Any letters regarding this article can be forwarded to the author through Melody Sanders ------ADDITIONAL INFORMATION---------- NOTE FROM THE ORGANIZER... It was clearly stated, and was posted for all contestants to read, the contestant's meeting was held at 11:00am and the MAJORITY of contestants were there, however, there were 7-8 contestants who did not attend the meeting and chose to instead come just prior to the onset of the contest. It was THEIR responsibility to get there to the meeting and be briefed, however they chose NOT to attend, we can't be babysitters. ALSO, every single contestant receives copies of all of those sheets when they register and if the have failed to read them, then again, it is THEIR responsibility and fault if they have not chosen to do so. NOBODY can say that they didn't receive them, or weren't aware of the rules because they were sent to them upon registration either by Canada Post or email and they were AGAIN distributed within their beige envelopes upon getting their name tags and all other paraphernalia for Elvis Fest. The organizer of the Brantford ELVIS FEST was gracious enough to forward the following documents that they use in their EVENT. ****************************** Please click on the following pages... JUDGING CRITERIA JUDGING SHEET SCORING SHEET CONTESTANT INFORMATION