Star Struck the Movie

Hi all
Thanks for supporting our adventure to the movie theatre on Sunday morning. It was a very unique experience for Star Struck and another first. Now that Greater Union have this new gear it opens up a world of possibilities for crossing the bridge between live and big screen. I think it may be fabulous for next years launch.
If you haven't picked up a archival copy of Star Struck 2008 best hrry as they're going fast.

Star Struck the movie

The latest buzz is that we may have an opportunity for a private showing of Star Struck at Greater Union on a Sunday morning sometime in August. This is a special time for performers to see the great show everyone was raving about but you never saw 'cos you were in it. Or as a teacher you were always backstage looking after performers. There'll also be plenty of giveaways and commentry and maybe some special awards and lots of fun.....and it is a big screen.
Sure you could just sit at home alone boring family and friends everytime they visit with the DVD on your big TV but this is the magic of cinema. Huge screen, popcorn, fellow struckie-natics together again.
There only 360 seats so once the places are full that's it...... Info will be in the next newsletter. So check out your mail, talk to your teacher or check the website.
The date is yet to be confirmed but it will be a Sunday morn.

It's About Time

Well holidays came and one got out of the habit of updating but dare I say this is th attempt to relaunch the blog.
Hi all... the hols meant lots of things . Time to take stock. Time to get some more input so a trip to Melbourne and "Wicked" seemed to be a necessity.
and who's in it ...Ryan Sheppard....brilliant!
For those that don't know Ryan was with Star Struck back in 2000/1.
He was on the student production team in 2001 and actually choreographed Livin' the Vida Loca as well as singing. He was also a graduate of the NSW Talent Development project and a Spectacular performer. A former student of Erina HS he still loves the Star Struck experience and encourages everyone to have a go.
He plays Chistery in Wicked. The show is unbelieveable. He is incredible and i've suggested to Ryan that we encourage everyone to go.... so everyone go.
I'm still buzzing with ideas as I know everyone that goes will be.

Thank You

Well what can I say... the show hit and everything became reality. Cyber space was put aside from the bump in until now as we became totally absorbed in the action.
Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You etc.
It was another great show but moreover a time that will have its own unique stories and memories for everyone. We will certainly try to publish those stories here. Things that worked and things that went pear shaped all figure in the picture for the Star Struck 2008 history book.
Prime example being the flying mighty mouse. For every rehearsal including the Dress I had a wonderful puppeteer run across the stage with a long stick much to everyones confusion. I kept running out of time to make the third replica of mighty mouse. Number 1 MM would 'fly' off the choir stage Number 2 MM would appear on a stck and travel from T3 to T1 where number 3 MM would come out and strutt his stuff. In the end I had several failed attempts to create this final puppet and resorted to Plan B in the last minute.... a tiny stuffed toy ( the size of a real mouse) dressed and stuck on top with gaff tape and pipe cleaners..... everyone still thought it was still just a stick but it brought a smile to my face everytime... memory.
Have you some to share?
Love your work all!

All systems are go

It is Friday afternoon and everything is gearing up for next week. The marquees are up and in place. The 1st sitzprobe is done and the second is on tomorrow. Our production manager has arrived to ensure all is ready. At the office we are still making and preparing but we know we'll make it happen over the long weekend.
The choir stand arrives tomorrow. Brilliant.

The Rain

I think its great to see the rain... Now. Last year I remember worrying that we it had been so long. We were in drought but a break must come. and it did as we all know.
Bit hard for the guys putting up the marquees but even they are happy that its now and not next week when things blow away or did last year.
When I see these go up you know how big we are.....Huge and loving it.
Tomorrow... The Choir
Brilliant that.

Wednesday

3 rehearsals that I know of. I dare say there are countless others operating in schools on a daily basis. The boys got together to do their thing for War. The percussionists joined in..sounded great ....thanks Sam. Then onto the Lambton High Flower power for Running. This will be stunning. Then onto the vocal rehearsals...... Thanks Dan and crew....sounding brilliant. Can't wait to see it all come together with the orchestra.
Still plenty of tickets available for the best value show ever.

The Glenrock/Kotara Star Struck Camp

Talk about support and excitement and fun and all great ideas. Kotara HS have again organised their special Star Struck dance camp. It is a brilliant idea for getting that full on rehearsal time and sharing across the grades. They all work hard practising moves and lifts and formations. Tweaking this and that as well as building team. It is a great honour to be invited. Tonight I arrived about 10pm after workshops but everyone there may have been tired but all were still firing and full of conversation. Captured some random shots...showing late night fashion, remains of the exquisite catering and the enthusiastic leadership and energy of teachers.
All I can say.... It's funtastic!

Greater Union -New Movie offer

Unfortunately 'Prince Caspian' the movie on offer was rated M. It has now been replaced by special arrangement by 'Speed Racer'.....PG
Thanks heaps Greater Union for making this switch especially for Star Struck kids
JD

2 weeks to go

It is just 2 weeks to the NEC rehearsal. It is just 9 days to the Major Choir rehearsal. It is two weekends of making, preparing, getting ready. Exciting activity happening everywhere at the moment. Kotara HS have their Star Struck overnight camp. Col Whiteman, our fabulous aboriginal artist is screen printing, painting and designing. We have a made an 8 metre sun reveal and are presently working on the huge flower dresses. Boys are rehearsing tomorrow with percussionists. It's all go go go.

The Orchestra

WOW..... it's just getting better and if you are a musician even more challenging and exciting. The program began in 2007 is now expanding.....to that end we are going for some revolutionary (for us) foldback in the pit. Well done DW.MD......it was funtastic!

Man in The Mirror

Wow...how simple in concept and brilliant in visual ....and that's without the lighting concept that All Hayl hopes to explore.....and that all fits with the ancient costuming effect..... Thanks heaps to all the travellers....love you work.

Less than 3 weeks to go

hey we're now at Friday and there are just less than 3 weeks to go...isn't that exciting. Of course there is much happening still as we start to pull all the strands together. It'll be a brilliant show with many new things happening...some you will see , some will be heard and some will just appear unnoticed.
Today we do Man in The Mirror that was postponed because of the National Testing Program....It's an amazing commitment by some schools like Merriwa to back up for the second time in 3 days. It's over 2 hours just from the school...then rehearsals for 4 hours and back for the 2 hours home and then back to home....certainly a big day with all that additional travelling. We are making provisions for that next year but for now just a huge thanks for playing.
I hope to post the new timetable for June 10 and 11 over the weekend.
June 10 will be in show order ....the Tech crew need to get the flow of the show. This will be an 8:30am start..... rehearsals and choir arrivals from 7:30am.
June 11 will play in the reverse order with the 2nd half starting first...sounds confusing but it'll all become clear with the timeline
More tomorrow.

The major Rehearsals

Monday was choir and Tuesday was dance and the nights are all about the singers and the music....
What can I say ...I am blown away.
What a show is in store ....what a great rehearsal.
Thanks heaps to a brilliant team all round.
Now I'll have the time to get this happening more regularly ...flat strap couple of weeks up til now.
As soon as I gather together some pics I'll post
JD

Our Pavilion

Not only do we use the Brambles Road Pavilion for storing our bigger stage pieces we also use it is as part of our incredible backstage accommodation complex.
Now it has become the Star Struck Pavilion at The Revamped Newcastle Show.
This year was a tester. It went unnoticed in the program or map. It was not found on any entertainment schedule. It was just there. We did however manage to promote the show throughout the 4 days with lots of bargains and help from a magic band of SS performers...thanks all. Love your work....thought we should show some action from the experience.

Now we want to do a bigger show and advertise it and all.

Interview

Just the other day I had 3 brilliant journalists come to the office to interview me on behalf of Struck 2008. The questions were awesome and incisive and probing and ...well ...real newspaperStar inquiry stuff. They really knew their background too. I discovered not only were they journos of some note but accomplished dancers with years of SS experience. Can't wait to see the article in the Tenambit School newspaper.
Love your work girls....see you at rehearsals.....

The Newcastle Show

We are really looking forward to the show this year as Star Struck will have its own little input in the Brambles Road Pavilion which for the duration will be known as the Star Struck pavilion....cool hey. We'll have lots of pics from the 15 years we've been going. Vision running of past shows and backstage stuff as well. Every so often we'll pick up on performers past and present an get them to do a number or 2 for the audience. There'll be our bargain basement show special sale of past T Shirts and products. There'll be special show deals. and there'll be plenty of Struckies there to chat about Star Struck 2008 Changes.
We'll also have a sign on section to recognise past performers ...so if you were in Star Struck at anytime and can remember the year and item come along and join our Strucky Performers Book.

The ticket are now on sale

The ticket launch is the chance for us to officially say this is it. We have a show. We are ready to accept the challenge of the 3500 performers and go for it.
It is the liftoff ....At the NEC today we have cups of coffee and entertainment to kick start the event.There are the faithful. The first in line every year. So we respond with fun stuff while we wait for doors to open at 9am. It was also great to see the media response this year. A great ad in the Herald. KO were there in the Thunder and stayed on to check out the performance. Jason (thunderman) also took some pics. Check out the KO website to see what happened. Thanks to Blake and Daniel and Emily and Marissa for the performance. Getting exciting now.
Finally there was Mad and I...we was rapt.....see above.

The Star Struck Sponsors Launch

Really good morning and great venue. Thanked our sponsors....if we didn't have this support we really wouldn't have a show. Introduced the 2008 show to all of our sponsors. Presented another 5 students with the EnergyAustralia Scholarship.... Natale Jacobs, Luke Thompson-Leane, James Pickard, James Jennings and Brett Foreman. This is the start the ball rolling event. It is followed by the All Schools Meeting.

Rehearsals

Have added the rehearsal format to the net but as yet it is not ready to publish details....that will be by Wednesday I hope....so have a look

Week9

The one after the All Schools Meeting...it is a very busy time in the old office at the moment as we finalise schools and choreographers confirm dates and prepare DVD for sending. As well we also are into solo rehearsals and confirm auditon times for instrumentalists. Next week we open the ticket sales with a mini presentation for early birds at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.....Wednesday April 2...All happening.

Week 7

All preparations are underway for the All Schools Meeting next week. This week we are posting the results of the auditions to schools inviting them to be part of next year show. Here again the quality of the auditions was excellent and this determined the level of involvement in the show.
See you next Wednesday.
Greater Union are also offering a special teachers showing of Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger following the meeting....I'll certainly be going. Love the music.

The Star Struck 2008 Launch

Held at Greater Union Theatre Glendale the event also saw EnergyAustralia present 5 scholarships to Star Struck students from last year...Natalie Jacobs (dancer/choreographer), Luke Thompson- Leane (dancer/choreographer), James Pickard(singer/percussionist), Brett Foreman (percussionist) and James Jennings (percussionist). Makalie and Kyla performed on the day. Both were brilliant for so ealy in the morning.
We are off and running.

Round 3

Round 3 Auditions proved how very special our singers are at this level. Everyone had to be so well prepared and focused throughout the day. In most cases the choice really was about matching the image required with the voice and the age of the performer. At times a junior person was needed even though so many seniors could do or vice versa. A huge effort from all. Unfortunately not everyone will move onto the show. However be assured there are many opportunities for all singers within their own schools. Keep going.
For all who will now be involved there is plenty of hardwork and promotions and rehearsals and practice ahead. The next show is our best show.

Student Production Team

I am presently awaiting the arrival of the new Star Struck student team. This is the 2008 model and I believe it is new and improved. A big call going by the brilliance from the past.
Anyways their segment which they began creating last month is all to do with the changes in a day from the rising of the sun to the nightlife and the next morning. It even has a nightmare....Thriller stuff or so I believe. Today will see the ideas expanded,refined and readied for the addition of performers. That could be you.
There are parts for PS and parts for HS and knowing the team it will be prepared , taped and ready for rehearsals if not for the All Schools Meet very soon after.
I am still looking to increase the number of student choreographers in the show. We will even train you this time.... So far we have 1 from Whitebridge, 1 from Singleton, 3 from Maitland, 2 from Irrawang. I'll let you know if we grow.

Week6

How fast does that happen. Week 6. All audition DVDs and some antique video tapes were received last Friday with a few more arriving with the dog ate my homework story so its onto the sort.
More people and less money...and I thought this was the year of changes. However the show is bigger brighter and even more fun with heaps more variety than ever before so what can you say.
For all those thousands of people out there who have been anxiously awaiting the updates ...sorry....forgot my password or the dog ate my homework.
Since last we have also had our lovely Miss Chandel perform the National Anthem at the Olympic Fundraising night at Wests and many of our brilliant singers and musos from the past combined to provide the entertainment at the Newcastle media Ball...A Big Night.
Now there is much coming up but let simply say March 19...the All Schools Meeting date.
Talk soon.

Choreographers Meeting

Yesterday was a busy time with choreographers coming and going throughout the day and our gathering that night. We now have a full show...subject to copyright and final round singer/musician rehearsals. Exciting what....you bet.
From year to year the situation changes on the team...we have to prune the budget, at times change direction, account for births and baby duties even overseas travel but we keep on keeping on....many faces have been there since the start or nearly and just as inspired as ever. New faces are also brilliant 'cause it means we continue to build a future. There is also the wealth of student choreos waiting their call...I have the Maitland HS team on board.
Our own Dan Wilson has also begun a Star struck facebook....clever move Dan ...lots of friends so far and growing...something to access and play with at home.
Finally I will mention that next week we begin to face lift the website for this year. Keep posted.

Week 4

Can't believe that we're here at week 4. Holidays were a dream I had ages ago. As said we are catching up pace with Star Struck post move and later lead in time (August show last year). It will happen and like all glitches backstage everyone will assume that we are still totally in control. In fact Mad is (as always) but I'm just paddling like crazy under the surface to realise the fantastic ideas in the budget. We're all used to deadlines so that'll happen.
This week we meet with choreographers. That's the next part of the plan. Have to have the rough of the show in a bit better shape by Wednesday. Too many ideas and too little time to play with. Our limit is under 50 songs. Less than 3 hours total performance including comperes, interval and setting. We are also attempting as always tyto include 3000+ students on the floor twice. A small number to us is anything less than 100 on the floor and that will not happen often.
The student production team are focused on Changes in a day and sounding brilliant.
The signing choir are involved with Wind of Change and the Berlin wall and I speak to Melissa Wright opn Wednesday re the Aboriginal dance vision.
In the words of Yoda " Excited i am".

Reworking the show

After the excitement of Round 2 auditions on the weekend today was the reality check. With more variety of voice styles and fewer songs in the shorter show format really special will miss out. Then we looked at the dance nominations again. We have 4 more HS groups and 9 more primary groups than in 2007. We keep aiming towards the shorter show so we will have to be even cleverer than ever before with the vision on the floor.....more numbers mean more spectacle.
We are still searching for more Primary fun so if you think you have something that woulsd be fun and up let's know.
Lastly just spoken to James from Wingham....brilliant original song that he auditioned with ...so good we have included it in the show. Great locked in. Done and dusted. One song finalised. Then over the phone he plays me the new one he has just finished. All about change. It's brilliant too. Now what do I do? I think I'll encourage him back to covers. He makes it too hard otherwise. Or maybe I'll give up the show and become a manager or better still a recording producer and open Star Struck Records. But then what about all these fantastic dancers. And the actors.....I'll have to stay where I am and do both. What a brilliant dream. Love your work all.
Oh and go for it JJ...I'll just keep changing subjects until I get enough for the album.

Managing the production

Today we met with Dale Scotting our production manager. He drove up from Sydney to update on the latest from the world of staging, lights, sound, venues, scaff, marquees and well evrything that is happening behind the scenes. Really we just needed to start confirming dates and times so that we could begin to realise all the changes. He's also great value because he has such a vast knowledge of music and bands and artists and stuff. I noted heaps of suggestions for the show throughout the conversation.
We're also thinking of new ideas for backstage accommodation and security. Will keep you informed as we know more.

Round 2 Auditions

What an awesome experience to see such amazing and extraordinary singers. Day one started with primary and then onto junior High school. By 11 am I knew we were in for a very very tough time. We wanted to accept all. The standard was brilliant.
By 6pm Sunday we had seen over 120 auditions finishing with Year 12. The show would indeed be 9 hours long if I could take all the great singers we heard. There was pop and classical and punk and swing and jazz and pop and rock and fantastic original compositions and brilliant covers. Sorry if I'm raving but it was all that good.
We could do an original concert. A country special. A swing show.and so much more.
The confidence and natural ability that shone through in the presentation were to be the defining factors.....then the show could be somewhere between 5 and 6 hours long. Truly it has that much potential.
One particular audition (the best I have seen in 16 years) left me with the feeling I had sneaked into the audience of a top line professional act without paying. Yes it was that good. What an amazing show it will be with all this talent ....and that's just the singers

Newcastle Show time

Star Struck will run its own pavilion at the new Newcastle Regional Show. This will be held April 10 through 14 at the Newcastle Showground. We will be building our display and performance opportunities throughout the coming months. If you are interested in helping out please contact us now. We are looking for lots and lots of support. Don't wait for an invite ...jump in now.

Primary Dance Audition

The primary audition DVD will be posted on Monday February 11. You will need to learn quickly ( as you need to with most Satr Struck items) and return to SS Office on the date shown. If you do read this you might like to drop on over on monday and pick it up before school so you get that little extra time.

Welcome to Star Struck 08

We have now moved to our new home at Islington Public School. Thanks heaps for hosting us Islington team and a big thanks to Merewether Heights Public School and the old CEIT centre that was home for over 10years. Everything changes. Good theme that! In line with change we are now opening our own blog to keep you informed and updated on a more constant basis.
Coming up this weekend is the solo auditions for singers. Let you know more later.