The Wild West Performing Arts Society
INTENT: Update: 3/16/09
WWPAS will host round-ups at major SASS shoots and other events to help generate a broadening public attendance at these events and an appreciation of the Western Arts. Demonstrations, shows, workshops and competitions will be offered for members and become part of the entertainment at these events. WWPAS performers will be able to compete, perform and market themselves as well as offer approved merchandise and share ideas and promotional materials at these events.
ORGANIZATION:
WWPAS (pronounced; whoop ass, as in; “Don’t make me open a can of…”) is simply performers who believe in promoting the western arts and spirited competition. There are no dues or yearly fees to be part of WWPAS. In fact, if you perform, you are already part of the society. The only requirement is that you must be a member of SASS if you want to compete. There may be small entry fees for competitions down the line but these will be minimal.
WWPAS is affiliated
with SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) and they are doing a hell of a lot for us at these early stages. SASS endorses activities of WWPAS,
helps promulgate rules and procedures and ensure safety and consistency. The $55 membership for 1 year will help offset costs. Any
SASS member may compete and participate in WWPAS events but membership does not guarantee
participation or competition.
The organization of WWPAS Round-ups, competitions and networking is handled by a committee of founding members who will make decisions after considering all input from interested members.
We believe that by keeping Round-ups easily accessible and
competitions simple we can make events fun for members and audiences alike,
offering an expanded venue of opportunity and entertainment for all. We
recognize the contributions of past people and organizations like Buffalo
Bill’s Wild West, the 101 Ranch, Tom Mix and his Circus,
ROUND-UPS:
WWPAS members will come together in good spirit to share and compete at Round-ups. Competition in Wild West disciplines will be the central attraction of these gatherings. In addition, Work shops and “Jam Sessions” will be offered by members proficient in certain disciplines. SASS members and public attendees are encouraged to participate.
A WWPAS information area (table and/or booth) will be provided with a merchandising area for contestants to meet and hawk their wares. This is for individual performers and their own personal merchandise or souvenirs. No commercial vendors are allowed. Contestants and performers are encouraged to appear here after competitions to meet the public, clients, sign autographs and sell.
- Information booth and
Merchandising area provided for contestants.
- Work shops are for all interested and will help teach and involve those who have little or no particular skill but are enthusiastic. Lessons in safety and technique will accompany all workshops.
- Jam sessions are for WWPAS competitors to share techniques, skills and knowledge and may turn into broad public displays. This is a place for show offs to show off and generally whoop it up.
COMPETITION: Please note individual events rules and regulations at UPCOMING EVENTS page.
Working on a model of performers actually getting to perform for competition, each contestant is given up to 10 minutes to set up, perform and tear down their show. This would allow for 5 performers per hour to run through the program with an MC announcing and thanking each contestant.
A sound system, lights, performance area with seating and backstage area for equipment will be provided for competitors. One lavaliere microphone will be provided for those performers who work with one. No other mics will be used and performers who are not proficient with or prepared to don and use the mic will perform with out it. This is the simplest way to keep competition moving smooth and fast.
Judged on Skill, Style and Showmanship, this will not be a contest of just the best technique with any given discipline but also of presentation. Audience reaction, wow-factor and smoothness of execution will all play a factor. 3 judges will be picked from industry professionals and long time enthusiasts. Judges will use a simple point system to allocate points to contestants. i.e.; 1 – 10 with 10 being best and 1 being “shouldn’t have entered competition”.The contestant with the most accumulated points for Skill, Style and Showmanship wins. Any tie in the judges allocated points will be settled with a “show off” between the tying contestants. Show offs are 5 minutes of the tying contestants on stage together, vying for superiority. Audience reaction rules.
- 10 minutes to set up, perform and tear down.
- Judged on Skill, Style and Showmanship.
- Simple point system.
- “Show offs” break ties.
- Sound system, lights, performance area and backstage area provided.
Competitors are encouraged to “fill out” the audience for competitions.
SAMPLE JUDGES BALLOT:
Contestant Name________________________
Discipline _____________________________
SKILL : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
STYLE : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SHOWMANSHIP : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NOTE: _________________________________
AWARDS:
National
National
National 3rd place winner.……...............
Top Overall cowboy/Cowgirl..................
Best over all winner of total accumulated points in all competitions.
Best New Talent.....................................
SAFETY:
Safety is of course paramount to our cause. WWPAS performers
are to conduct themselves at the highest possible standard of safety at all
times. Industry standards in SASS, film production and CAS will be recognized
as law for performers and gross negligence in any safety area is grounds for discipline, including disqualification.
A NOTE ABOUT THE ABOVE:
(If you've read all the way down here then you deserve an explanation, or maybe an apology).
We are interested in making this a working society for all. These Organizational and clarifying statements above may change over time as we discover more valued and important ideas and systems. Please check back here for updates. Feel free to give your input as we move forward... but it better make dang good sense. I don't want to get a ton of those sprawling emails that go on forever about nothing and the point gets lost like bullets in rain. Isn't it a wonderment how some people can yap along without sayin' nothin'? I'm sorry. Was that out loud?
