Okayyyyyy yesterday night was the long awaited 2013 SERA00 Haven Hall Concert! We had a blast and it was so fun to sing and dance onstage for all of you! And if you missed it it's coming out in DVD too ;) The DVD has the special features which features the backstage filming which I hosted! Remember, cuz Karayin is blogging the concert.
And by the way she says to stay tuned. Her post is coming out soon!
So anyways, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGEL! My lovely leader turned 19 today! More about that later!
Please support SERA00!
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Monday, April 29, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
SERA00 Auditions: Part 2
~the next day~
Let's go see Angel's group audition some girls!
"Hi Mikayla," Angel said.
"Good morning, Angel," she beamed.
"First off, congrats on getting so far!"
"Thanks, I worked really hard for this."
"So, if you couldn't break into the entertaintment industry, where would you steer your career?"
"Well, I think I would probably go into something like teaching, or a therapist. I want to work with people. I want to make people happy and I think working with them is the best way."
"I see...why do you want to be a singer?"
"It's the same reason as before. I want a profession that makes people happy and I think music is just the best thing in the world to do that! To be able to warm people's hearts just by seeing and hearing you, like you, I think is best gift ever."
A couple of girls later, we left Angel's group and went to our photoshoot studio, where they were capturing photos of the auditionees. As idols, the skill of posing for photos anytime must be perfected.
As Team Night was hosting the dance auditions, and Team Angel was hosting the interviews, Fracken and her Team Hope was hosting the auditionee's photoshoots.
The girls were all very excited as they got the chance to wear the members' costumes for the shoot. Fracken was standing on set, with about sixty or so girls huddled around. Fracken was decked out in the spring SERA00 uniform. We have four uniforms for each season, which we wear on TV and to interviews and then special uniforms for each song. Fracken is a Fab 4 member, so hers is slightly more dressy, and she has a couple of variations of the uniform, as the Fab 4 tend to be on TV more.
"Most of the time, you'll be instructed by the photographer on what poses to strike. In that case, the best you can do is listen closely and try to act natural. Remember, the photographer is a pro. What you think might not look good, might look good in his eyes," Fracken was saying. "So there's no harm in going along with it, as you have final say on which photographs can be published.
"Now, in the case the photographer just tells you to give them some poses, or they don't specify anything, or it's a quickie or a few spontaneous shots that they want, we give them the 'Idol Poses'."
Fracken demonstrated. "As you get used to it, it'll really be more of an instinctive thing."
She looked at the photographer present, who dutifully said his line, "Let's have some poses, Miss Fracken!" Fracken launched into a set of poses, moving very quickly. She would hold different versions of each pose, and each one for about a half-second. It was pretty awesome to see on of the Fab 4 doing an idol pose set; it came so natural to her. Although I can do that too by now, just saying...
"Would anyone like to try?"
No hands. Everyone who ever had confidence in their posing, has just been decimated by Fracken.
Elyse, an A rank in Team Hope, addressed the open-mouthed auditionees with a laugh. "Don't be too discouraged, girls! Fracken is a legit professional supermodel and fashion designer and all that!"
It's true, modeling is not just Fracken's "SERA00 Pastime"...although it would be cool to look into doing one on her, what do you guys think?
"Anyways, we're going to make it easy for you girls," Fracken smiled. "We're going to teach you the basic poses. So first, we have the classic V-shape with your index and middle finger. We always have the one girl who does it with the back of their hand facing towards the camera. Nooooo. Never. Palm out, kay?
"Next we have the finger. Just your index finger pointing out. The third basic pose is the hand, palm flat. And the last is the fist. Which should be obvious."
Fracken demonstrated as she spoke. V, finger, flat hand, fist.
"So then, put a couple of variations to each. For the V, you can do it with your right hand, your left, or both. Bring it close to your body, or far. Easiest variations are to move your head and body. Tilt left, right, bend down, turn around and look at the camera over your shoulder.
"For the finger, if you've seen our photo books, you should actually be familiar with all this. Finger on your cheek. Smile. Don't smile. Tilt your head the other way. Finger on your chin. Smile. Don't smile." Fracken was doing the poses as she narrated. I saw many of the auditionees start to nod their understanding and even try out the poses as Fracken introduced them. This was basically the Fracken before, but in slow motion.
"The palm can be placed on your chest, or cup them as if you're giving the viewer something. Put it above your head for the big-finish pose. Spread apart the fingers and place it right next to your face. Left hand. Right hand. Tilt. Turn. And the fist is basically the you-can-do-it pose. Right? Both or one fist pumped in front of you. Or above your head. Got it?"
Fracken stepped out of the photography area that had the backgrounds and invited the girls to try. "Hild each pose for only about half a second before moving on. Don't worry about the photographer, he will be able to shoot more than one photo per pose."
The first girl was very stiff. She stood straight like a stick and her movements were quite robotic, unlike Fracken's smooth transitions.
The next girl contrasted with the previous girl's performance greatly. "My name is Macey Fent," she bowed, as many of the members often did. Macey was quite comfortable in the spotlight. She effortlessly struck the basic poses, even adding in a couple of "shout" poses and winks and common poses in members' photobooks.
"Thank you, Macey," said Fracken. "Do you have any previous experience?" Apparently Fracken was thinking the same thing as the other members.
Macey nodded, and then shook her head, and then decided to explain. "My mom is a makeup artist for models so I often go see these things. And then the odd photographer who invites me onto the set."
I left after that, thinking that we needed to get a move on before this post doubles in size ^_^"
Lastly, the job of Team Aurora is the singing part! But actually, that's just a cover. The auditionees who passed through are already pretty good. So we don't need to be teaching them vocals just yet. So why are we having singing lessons? What Team Aurora is teaching is not how to sing...but how to keep the image of an idol as you sing. Can you dance and sing beautifully? Of course. It might be tiring, but yes. The question here is, can you dance...sing...smile...charm the audience...and look as if you belong on stage?
Well, I won't give away all our secrets or idols will be popping up everywhere! ;)
Just kidding.
Here, Team Aurora is NOT cute to these auditionees today. As I enter the practice room, I can hear Maya's sugary voice yelling, "One, two, one, two," as she leads the group of auditionees in vigorous jumping jacks.
We see Team Aurora quite happily do jumping jacks...but alas...the auditionees seem to be...TIRED?
Nooooo way....
Okay I'll stop there, but basically that's the idea. The girls who get through won't go onstage for a good half-year at least. They'll be trained and buffed up to our physical standards (minimum 7 on the beep test mwahaha) and then they'll be trained in the art of performance, which is what we do best! ;)
And so with that, the stages of the auditions were complete. Please wish the girls good luck and look forwards to the results!
Please support SERA00 and if you didn't make it try again but still support SERA00 :D
Let's go see Angel's group audition some girls!
"Hi Mikayla," Angel said.
"Good morning, Angel," she beamed.
"First off, congrats on getting so far!"
"Thanks, I worked really hard for this."
"So, if you couldn't break into the entertaintment industry, where would you steer your career?"
"Well, I think I would probably go into something like teaching, or a therapist. I want to work with people. I want to make people happy and I think working with them is the best way."
"I see...why do you want to be a singer?"
"It's the same reason as before. I want a profession that makes people happy and I think music is just the best thing in the world to do that! To be able to warm people's hearts just by seeing and hearing you, like you, I think is best gift ever."
A couple of girls later, we left Angel's group and went to our photoshoot studio, where they were capturing photos of the auditionees. As idols, the skill of posing for photos anytime must be perfected.
As Team Night was hosting the dance auditions, and Team Angel was hosting the interviews, Fracken and her Team Hope was hosting the auditionee's photoshoots.
The girls were all very excited as they got the chance to wear the members' costumes for the shoot. Fracken was standing on set, with about sixty or so girls huddled around. Fracken was decked out in the spring SERA00 uniform. We have four uniforms for each season, which we wear on TV and to interviews and then special uniforms for each song. Fracken is a Fab 4 member, so hers is slightly more dressy, and she has a couple of variations of the uniform, as the Fab 4 tend to be on TV more.
"Most of the time, you'll be instructed by the photographer on what poses to strike. In that case, the best you can do is listen closely and try to act natural. Remember, the photographer is a pro. What you think might not look good, might look good in his eyes," Fracken was saying. "So there's no harm in going along with it, as you have final say on which photographs can be published.
"Now, in the case the photographer just tells you to give them some poses, or they don't specify anything, or it's a quickie or a few spontaneous shots that they want, we give them the 'Idol Poses'."
Fracken demonstrated. "As you get used to it, it'll really be more of an instinctive thing."
She looked at the photographer present, who dutifully said his line, "Let's have some poses, Miss Fracken!" Fracken launched into a set of poses, moving very quickly. She would hold different versions of each pose, and each one for about a half-second. It was pretty awesome to see on of the Fab 4 doing an idol pose set; it came so natural to her. Although I can do that too by now, just saying...
"Would anyone like to try?"
No hands. Everyone who ever had confidence in their posing, has just been decimated by Fracken.
Elyse, an A rank in Team Hope, addressed the open-mouthed auditionees with a laugh. "Don't be too discouraged, girls! Fracken is a legit professional supermodel and fashion designer and all that!"
It's true, modeling is not just Fracken's "SERA00 Pastime"...although it would be cool to look into doing one on her, what do you guys think?
"Anyways, we're going to make it easy for you girls," Fracken smiled. "We're going to teach you the basic poses. So first, we have the classic V-shape with your index and middle finger. We always have the one girl who does it with the back of their hand facing towards the camera. Nooooo. Never. Palm out, kay?
"Next we have the finger. Just your index finger pointing out. The third basic pose is the hand, palm flat. And the last is the fist. Which should be obvious."
Fracken demonstrated as she spoke. V, finger, flat hand, fist.
"So then, put a couple of variations to each. For the V, you can do it with your right hand, your left, or both. Bring it close to your body, or far. Easiest variations are to move your head and body. Tilt left, right, bend down, turn around and look at the camera over your shoulder.
"For the finger, if you've seen our photo books, you should actually be familiar with all this. Finger on your cheek. Smile. Don't smile. Tilt your head the other way. Finger on your chin. Smile. Don't smile." Fracken was doing the poses as she narrated. I saw many of the auditionees start to nod their understanding and even try out the poses as Fracken introduced them. This was basically the Fracken before, but in slow motion.
"The palm can be placed on your chest, or cup them as if you're giving the viewer something. Put it above your head for the big-finish pose. Spread apart the fingers and place it right next to your face. Left hand. Right hand. Tilt. Turn. And the fist is basically the you-can-do-it pose. Right? Both or one fist pumped in front of you. Or above your head. Got it?"
Fracken stepped out of the photography area that had the backgrounds and invited the girls to try. "Hild each pose for only about half a second before moving on. Don't worry about the photographer, he will be able to shoot more than one photo per pose."
The first girl was very stiff. She stood straight like a stick and her movements were quite robotic, unlike Fracken's smooth transitions.
The next girl contrasted with the previous girl's performance greatly. "My name is Macey Fent," she bowed, as many of the members often did. Macey was quite comfortable in the spotlight. She effortlessly struck the basic poses, even adding in a couple of "shout" poses and winks and common poses in members' photobooks.
"Thank you, Macey," said Fracken. "Do you have any previous experience?" Apparently Fracken was thinking the same thing as the other members.
Macey nodded, and then shook her head, and then decided to explain. "My mom is a makeup artist for models so I often go see these things. And then the odd photographer who invites me onto the set."
I left after that, thinking that we needed to get a move on before this post doubles in size ^_^"
Lastly, the job of Team Aurora is the singing part! But actually, that's just a cover. The auditionees who passed through are already pretty good. So we don't need to be teaching them vocals just yet. So why are we having singing lessons? What Team Aurora is teaching is not how to sing...but how to keep the image of an idol as you sing. Can you dance and sing beautifully? Of course. It might be tiring, but yes. The question here is, can you dance...sing...smile...charm the audience...and look as if you belong on stage?
Well, I won't give away all our secrets or idols will be popping up everywhere! ;)
Just kidding.
Here, Team Aurora is NOT cute to these auditionees today. As I enter the practice room, I can hear Maya's sugary voice yelling, "One, two, one, two," as she leads the group of auditionees in vigorous jumping jacks.
We see Team Aurora quite happily do jumping jacks...but alas...the auditionees seem to be...TIRED?
Nooooo way....
Okay I'll stop there, but basically that's the idea. The girls who get through won't go onstage for a good half-year at least. They'll be trained and buffed up to our physical standards (minimum 7 on the beep test mwahaha) and then they'll be trained in the art of performance, which is what we do best! ;)
And so with that, the stages of the auditions were complete. Please wish the girls good luck and look forwards to the results!
Please support SERA00 and if you didn't make it try again but still support SERA00 :D
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Angel's Words of Wisdom ~
Angel threw a fit at the applicants. She's our leader and is the one who usually yells at us when we do something wrong. She's also the one who congratulates us and encourages us and gives us inspirational talks. She has her moments.
The auditionees were having lessons in our classrooms. The teachers were specifically told to turn a blind eye to any antics and just teach, but note down any inappropriate behavior. The list at the end of class included texting, drawing on the table, chewing gum, and conversations. According to the manager, it was the worst list so far from all the years.
"Girls," Angel said when she spoke to the applicants with her megaphone. "I'm disappointed. You are auditioning for an idol group. The least you should do is behave yourself to give the judges a good impression! Here at SERA00, the teachers don't appreciate it when you don't focus. Every girl knows that her education is important and will support her career. Texting in class, even gum under the tables; that's unacceptable. Even if you pass, if you exhibit any of this behavior as a 00 rank-out you go. You will be responsible for every action. Do you understand?"
Most of the girls nodded, but a couple had questions.
"We're accountable for every single mistake we make? That's impossible. We're teenage girls, you can't expect us to ditch our habits just like that."
Angel's razor gaze locked onto the girl who had spoke. Knowing SERA00's leader, I knew she hates it when people spoke like that, impossible this, can't do that.
"You can and you will," Angel said in a steely voice. "You will try your best, like every member, and if your best still can't bring you to focus in class; there are hundreds of others who can. And we will only accept those who can. Because we are idols, and we need to be good role models for our fans."
Please support Angel who has dumped another load of wise words on the auditionees! ^_^ And SERA00, of course.
The auditionees were having lessons in our classrooms. The teachers were specifically told to turn a blind eye to any antics and just teach, but note down any inappropriate behavior. The list at the end of class included texting, drawing on the table, chewing gum, and conversations. According to the manager, it was the worst list so far from all the years.
"Girls," Angel said when she spoke to the applicants with her megaphone. "I'm disappointed. You are auditioning for an idol group. The least you should do is behave yourself to give the judges a good impression! Here at SERA00, the teachers don't appreciate it when you don't focus. Every girl knows that her education is important and will support her career. Texting in class, even gum under the tables; that's unacceptable. Even if you pass, if you exhibit any of this behavior as a 00 rank-out you go. You will be responsible for every action. Do you understand?"
Most of the girls nodded, but a couple had questions.
"We're accountable for every single mistake we make? That's impossible. We're teenage girls, you can't expect us to ditch our habits just like that."
Angel's razor gaze locked onto the girl who had spoke. Knowing SERA00's leader, I knew she hates it when people spoke like that, impossible this, can't do that.
"You can and you will," Angel said in a steely voice. "You will try your best, like every member, and if your best still can't bring you to focus in class; there are hundreds of others who can. And we will only accept those who can. Because we are idols, and we need to be good role models for our fans."
Please support Angel who has dumped another load of wise words on the auditionees! ^_^ And SERA00, of course.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
SERA00 Auditions: Part 1
Welcome welcome welcome SERA00 fans, to the awesome 2013 recruitee auditions! Here is my report on audition week!
This year over 50,000 girls applied to become SERA00's sixth generation. This year, only 8 applicants will make it through to become a 00 rank in this famous girl group! Out of the 50,000 online applications, sent in with self pictures and samples of their singing, the applicants have been narrowed down to 1000 girls.
Competition increases every year. Take 2013's 1:50 chance of passing to 2007's 1:10 chance.
Now begins the first round of live auditions. There will be 5 groups of SERA00 management and each will audition 200 girls over two days! Each applicant has three minutes to sing a song of their choice. These auditions will cut 50% of the applicants.
The remaining 500 participate in a mass dance audition. Only half will remain.
The fourth and final round of scrupulous auditions, judging panel including SERA00 members themselves, will consist of singing and dancing sessions, interviews and photoshoots. All these elements of idols will be used to judge the girls; only 8 will pass.
Let the auditions begin! Rome and I were wandering around the complex. There were no lessons as all our teachers were in the auditions, although the daily concerts were still operating. We were told that we could sit in on auditions. The auditions took place in five of our studios, leaving the stage open for members to practice, as usual.
We settled on Studio Aurora, which had the least SERA00 girls. The auditionees looked wide-eyed at us as we came in. They looked so nervous at the prospect of auditioning. The panel of five SERA00 staff sat at a table in front of a mic. I knew they were waiting for the Fab 4 to complete their rounds before beginning.
Every year, the Fab 4 and a couple of other girls went around to boost the auditionee's spirits with this cheesy little rap. The story went, Angel had made it up on the spot on the morning of Luraland's audition to calm her nerves. (Angel took no part in judging that audition to prevent bias).
Right on cue, Angel, Sassan, Luna, Fracken, Maya, River, and Rosie burst into the studio, surprising the auditionees with their shout, "We are the Angelites!" They marched into formation and started a dance routine. "Now ain't the time to worry 'bout your nails, now ain't the time to worry 'bout anything! Now ain't the time to let those butterflies hatch, now ain't the time to be anything but - confident! Whooooo!"
Instantly, the atmosphere was a lot lighter and many of the girls burst into laughter. The judging panel took advantage of the fact and called up the first girl. "Number 1."
A girl holding a number one card timidly approached the mic. "My name is Lisa Yaw, and I'll be singing 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift." She sang really softly, even with the mic on. This was a common trait among the rest of the girls who auditioned as well; they were all afraid to sing. And that was the main problem, wasn't it? To be in SERA00 meant you needed to sing as your job.
Two days later, the judges had decided which 500 to keep and which 500 to cut. We all gathered in the Grand Hall, the only room in the complex large enough to house the 1000 auditionees and SERA00 staff. The Grand Hall was usually used for rehearsal, and was especially useful for practicing stage formations before a big concert, as the SERA00 stage is tiny.
Maya, River, Cherry, and I were giving the wonderful task of sending 500 girls home crying. -___- Great. We appeared on the makeshift stage singing "Look up, look up, look up, I said look up, look up, look uh-uh-up..."
"Goooood morning everyone!" River shouted. "Good work these past two days. Unfortunately, we'll have to admit only half of you to the next round or the judges will be overrun," she joked, trying to keep the apprehensive atmosphere light. It wasn't working. River passed the mic to Cherry.
"We are going to split you into four groups," the B rank said, "Each of us will head a group. If we call your name, go to that group."
Each of the four of us held a list of names, and we took turns reading them. The girls were split of into four groups slowly.
"You all did great," Maya said in her sweet voice. "Just because you didn't make it in this time doesn't mean you don't have talent. It just means we aren't ready for you this time so don't lose confidence! You can always try again next year!"
River took over the mic for the breaking of the bad news. "My group, please stand." 250 girls rose from the mass of sitting girls. River wasted no time in making the girls wait. She gave them the news straight out. "Good try, but unfortunately you girls didn't make it." Many of the girls clutched each other in tears as they made their way out of the Hall to retrieve their belongings.
"My group," I said with my perfect poker face. "You're next." The other girls looked apprehensive as well. If my group was out, they were all in. "Girls, you are now...one step closer to 00 rank." They broke out in loud cheers and congratulated one another.
"And now," River said, "Either Maya or Cherry's group will have to leave." 750 faces stares back solemnly, some more anxious than others. "The group that is advancing is...Maya's group." Cheers were mixed with groans as another 250 girls left the hall.
"We have one thing left to tell you," Cherry said, "The judges were more impressed with the girls in Maya's group than in Evie's group. We're not talking about skills in singing. We're talking about something that is a foundation for SERA00. It may be that Maya's girls just did it without knowing, or that they noticed this fact. But whatever it is, find out soon. It'll make a big difference in your final audition."
"Congratulations everyone who made it," Maya smiled. "But you're not done yet! You have one hour before the mass dance audition, right here in this room!"
Rome and I were gonna go out, but Sassan had other ideas. "Auroras! We haven't practiced today yet! Let's go!" We're performing the song "It's Like This" from our 5th Stage at the Haven Hall Concert and Sassan's been really nit-picky lately. I think it's cuz Luna jokingly said that we were cuter than our skills. But we're supposed to be the cute team. "One and two and three...four and five and six ready one and two and three and it's like this la la la la la la it's like this..." Sassan signaled to stop the music. "Girls, can we change the choreography..." With a nod from the staff, the center of SERA00 forged on. "Can we do the elbow jab on 'like' instead of 'it's'? Music!" We got into position and tried out the altered move. "Fan out to the sides more, remember that Haven Hall Stage will be bigger.
At the mass dance audition, our choreographer was heading the audition. Eight members of Team Night were dancing at the front of the room, to a routine that I recognized but was not released with a song. The applicants were trying to copy the SERA00 girls. Team Night was often coined as the strong team, while Aurora was the cute team, Angel was the early team with the members in SERA00 the longest, and Hope was the future team, with many younger members.
Around three times into the routine, many of the applicants had gotten a hang of it. Now began the real test. The dance teachers strolled through the 500 girls and began tapping girls on the head and shoulder. I was just standing off to the side, given permission to watch in order to blog for you guys, so (the teacher) asked me to keep track of the number of girls she tapped. "Three hundred," I yelled at the mark.
(the teacher) stopped the music. "Those who are standing, go off to the right side. Those who received a tap on the shoulder, to the left side. Those who were tapped on the head, remain in the middle." The girls all went to their positions. (the teacher) addressed the girls in the middle. "I'm sorry, you didn't make it." Then she told the girls at the right side, "Congrats, you girls made it!" After the cheers subsided, she called the shoulder-tapped girls back on the floor and auditioned them again. Fifty were admitted to the advancing group, fifty were sent home.
~the next day~
(coming in the next installment, SERA00 Auditions: Part 2)
Good luck to all those auditioning. Please support SERA00!
This year over 50,000 girls applied to become SERA00's sixth generation. This year, only 8 applicants will make it through to become a 00 rank in this famous girl group! Out of the 50,000 online applications, sent in with self pictures and samples of their singing, the applicants have been narrowed down to 1000 girls.
Competition increases every year. Take 2013's 1:50 chance of passing to 2007's 1:10 chance.
Now begins the first round of live auditions. There will be 5 groups of SERA00 management and each will audition 200 girls over two days! Each applicant has three minutes to sing a song of their choice. These auditions will cut 50% of the applicants.
The remaining 500 participate in a mass dance audition. Only half will remain.
The fourth and final round of scrupulous auditions, judging panel including SERA00 members themselves, will consist of singing and dancing sessions, interviews and photoshoots. All these elements of idols will be used to judge the girls; only 8 will pass.
Let the auditions begin! Rome and I were wandering around the complex. There were no lessons as all our teachers were in the auditions, although the daily concerts were still operating. We were told that we could sit in on auditions. The auditions took place in five of our studios, leaving the stage open for members to practice, as usual.
We settled on Studio Aurora, which had the least SERA00 girls. The auditionees looked wide-eyed at us as we came in. They looked so nervous at the prospect of auditioning. The panel of five SERA00 staff sat at a table in front of a mic. I knew they were waiting for the Fab 4 to complete their rounds before beginning.
Every year, the Fab 4 and a couple of other girls went around to boost the auditionee's spirits with this cheesy little rap. The story went, Angel had made it up on the spot on the morning of Luraland's audition to calm her nerves. (Angel took no part in judging that audition to prevent bias).
Right on cue, Angel, Sassan, Luna, Fracken, Maya, River, and Rosie burst into the studio, surprising the auditionees with their shout, "We are the Angelites!" They marched into formation and started a dance routine. "Now ain't the time to worry 'bout your nails, now ain't the time to worry 'bout anything! Now ain't the time to let those butterflies hatch, now ain't the time to be anything but - confident! Whooooo!"
Instantly, the atmosphere was a lot lighter and many of the girls burst into laughter. The judging panel took advantage of the fact and called up the first girl. "Number 1."
A girl holding a number one card timidly approached the mic. "My name is Lisa Yaw, and I'll be singing 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift." She sang really softly, even with the mic on. This was a common trait among the rest of the girls who auditioned as well; they were all afraid to sing. And that was the main problem, wasn't it? To be in SERA00 meant you needed to sing as your job.
Two days later, the judges had decided which 500 to keep and which 500 to cut. We all gathered in the Grand Hall, the only room in the complex large enough to house the 1000 auditionees and SERA00 staff. The Grand Hall was usually used for rehearsal, and was especially useful for practicing stage formations before a big concert, as the SERA00 stage is tiny.
Maya, River, Cherry, and I were giving the wonderful task of sending 500 girls home crying. -___- Great. We appeared on the makeshift stage singing "Look up, look up, look up, I said look up, look up, look uh-uh-up..."
"Goooood morning everyone!" River shouted. "Good work these past two days. Unfortunately, we'll have to admit only half of you to the next round or the judges will be overrun," she joked, trying to keep the apprehensive atmosphere light. It wasn't working. River passed the mic to Cherry.
"We are going to split you into four groups," the B rank said, "Each of us will head a group. If we call your name, go to that group."
Each of the four of us held a list of names, and we took turns reading them. The girls were split of into four groups slowly.
"You all did great," Maya said in her sweet voice. "Just because you didn't make it in this time doesn't mean you don't have talent. It just means we aren't ready for you this time so don't lose confidence! You can always try again next year!"
River took over the mic for the breaking of the bad news. "My group, please stand." 250 girls rose from the mass of sitting girls. River wasted no time in making the girls wait. She gave them the news straight out. "Good try, but unfortunately you girls didn't make it." Many of the girls clutched each other in tears as they made their way out of the Hall to retrieve their belongings.
"My group," I said with my perfect poker face. "You're next." The other girls looked apprehensive as well. If my group was out, they were all in. "Girls, you are now...one step closer to 00 rank." They broke out in loud cheers and congratulated one another.
"And now," River said, "Either Maya or Cherry's group will have to leave." 750 faces stares back solemnly, some more anxious than others. "The group that is advancing is...Maya's group." Cheers were mixed with groans as another 250 girls left the hall.
"We have one thing left to tell you," Cherry said, "The judges were more impressed with the girls in Maya's group than in Evie's group. We're not talking about skills in singing. We're talking about something that is a foundation for SERA00. It may be that Maya's girls just did it without knowing, or that they noticed this fact. But whatever it is, find out soon. It'll make a big difference in your final audition."
"Congratulations everyone who made it," Maya smiled. "But you're not done yet! You have one hour before the mass dance audition, right here in this room!"
Rome and I were gonna go out, but Sassan had other ideas. "Auroras! We haven't practiced today yet! Let's go!" We're performing the song "It's Like This" from our 5th Stage at the Haven Hall Concert and Sassan's been really nit-picky lately. I think it's cuz Luna jokingly said that we were cuter than our skills. But we're supposed to be the cute team. "One and two and three...four and five and six ready one and two and three and it's like this la la la la la la it's like this..." Sassan signaled to stop the music. "Girls, can we change the choreography..." With a nod from the staff, the center of SERA00 forged on. "Can we do the elbow jab on 'like' instead of 'it's'? Music!" We got into position and tried out the altered move. "Fan out to the sides more, remember that Haven Hall Stage will be bigger.
At the mass dance audition, our choreographer was heading the audition. Eight members of Team Night were dancing at the front of the room, to a routine that I recognized but was not released with a song. The applicants were trying to copy the SERA00 girls. Team Night was often coined as the strong team, while Aurora was the cute team, Angel was the early team with the members in SERA00 the longest, and Hope was the future team, with many younger members.
Around three times into the routine, many of the applicants had gotten a hang of it. Now began the real test. The dance teachers strolled through the 500 girls and began tapping girls on the head and shoulder. I was just standing off to the side, given permission to watch in order to blog for you guys, so (the teacher) asked me to keep track of the number of girls she tapped. "Three hundred," I yelled at the mark.
(the teacher) stopped the music. "Those who are standing, go off to the right side. Those who received a tap on the shoulder, to the left side. Those who were tapped on the head, remain in the middle." The girls all went to their positions. (the teacher) addressed the girls in the middle. "I'm sorry, you didn't make it." Then she told the girls at the right side, "Congrats, you girls made it!" After the cheers subsided, she called the shoulder-tapped girls back on the floor and auditioned them again. Fifty were admitted to the advancing group, fifty were sent home.
~the next day~
(coming in the next installment, SERA00 Auditions: Part 2)
Good luck to all those auditioning. Please support SERA00!
"Stages" and "Singles"
The blog post about the recruitee auditions are coming up!! I realize some of you many not understand the "2nd Stage, 4th Stage, etc." references made in the set list and in the concert so I'll explain that now.
When we are performing different the daily concerts at the SERA00 Stage, we have different "Stages". I'm going to use Team Aurora as an example.
Let's say we're performing tonight. We have tons of songs, we can only perform a limited number, how do we choose which ones? That's where the Stages come in. Each Stage is basically a set list of songs, and consists of several of SERA00's major singles, as well as some songs written specifically for that team. These can include team songs and singles. So for us, "It's Like This" is a Team Aurora song only, written for one of our Stages. The songs in each Stage don't change; we simply add more Stages.
By the way, if you're wondering about our CDs, since we release songs as singles and not in CDs like conventional American artists, I'll explain. Each single is released as a CD. So take our latest single, Seventh Heaven, as an example. That CD contains "Seventh Heaven" as the title track. The single is sung by the main cast, and there are the "B side" and "C side" singles that are sung by the other girls who didn't make the main cast. Then depending on which "Type" you buy (there's one for every team) you would have an extra song sung by that team.
And then there are usually some DVD specials like the music video, making of, interviews, SERA00 Sonic Speed episodes, etc. This makes up one whole single CD.
Of course, once in a while we release CDs that are a compilation of the title tracks of previous singles. Those usually sell really well too.
Well, that's about it. Please support SERA00!
When we are performing different the daily concerts at the SERA00 Stage, we have different "Stages". I'm going to use Team Aurora as an example.
Let's say we're performing tonight. We have tons of songs, we can only perform a limited number, how do we choose which ones? That's where the Stages come in. Each Stage is basically a set list of songs, and consists of several of SERA00's major singles, as well as some songs written specifically for that team. These can include team songs and singles. So for us, "It's Like This" is a Team Aurora song only, written for one of our Stages. The songs in each Stage don't change; we simply add more Stages.
By the way, if you're wondering about our CDs, since we release songs as singles and not in CDs like conventional American artists, I'll explain. Each single is released as a CD. So take our latest single, Seventh Heaven, as an example. That CD contains "Seventh Heaven" as the title track. The single is sung by the main cast, and there are the "B side" and "C side" singles that are sung by the other girls who didn't make the main cast. Then depending on which "Type" you buy (there's one for every team) you would have an extra song sung by that team.
And then there are usually some DVD specials like the music video, making of, interviews, SERA00 Sonic Speed episodes, etc. This makes up one whole single CD.
Of course, once in a while we release CDs that are a compilation of the title tracks of previous singles. Those usually sell really well too.
Well, that's about it. Please support SERA00!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Maya's Quick Art!
Hey everyone it's Evie!!
A girl in my team named Maya Shale, A rank, ranking 9, is a really good artist. One day during the five minute break in dancing lesson she picked up a pen and sketched a depiction of Sassan in the Seventh Heaven costume. Everyone oohed and aahed over the cartoon, and Sassan jokingly complained about her over-volumous hair.
Well they aren't photographs but you can see our costumes and Maya's artistic skills! Enjoy ^_^
P.S. Maya says that the drawings are only representations of the girls and that she knows they don't really resemble the actual girl.
A girl in my team named Maya Shale, A rank, ranking 9, is a really good artist. One day during the five minute break in dancing lesson she picked up a pen and sketched a depiction of Sassan in the Seventh Heaven costume. Everyone oohed and aahed over the cartoon, and Sassan jokingly complained about her over-volumous hair.
Well they aren't photographs but you can see our costumes and Maya's artistic skills! Enjoy ^_^
P.S. Maya says that the drawings are only representations of the girls and that she knows they don't really resemble the actual girl.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Sassan and Angel to be Ex-Captains
Remember that post when I told you that it wasn't required for the Fab 4 to be the team captains any more?
Mihashi Sakiko (Sassan) and Annelise Gillian (Angel) have exercised this new rule and have both officially announced their intentions to step down as team captain at the upcoming elections whether they are voted into the top four or not.
SERA00 management has released a statement backing up the members on their choices. They commented that "Miss Mihashi and Miss Gillian have not a single spare minute on their timetable". Angel later said that she wants to "devote her time to being the leader of SERA00. Without having to worry about two leadership duties at once, I can more effectively and efficiently serve SERA00."
Many fans have saw this coming, though, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise. When Angel rose to fourth place in the 2012 elections, her highest rank so far, the staff were already considering pulling the Fab 4 captains rule, due to the fact that being leader (Angel) and the centre of SERA00 (Sassan) was already a stressful job in itself.
So let's continue to support Sassan and Angel! Thank you and please support SERA00!
Mihashi Sakiko (Sassan) and Annelise Gillian (Angel) have exercised this new rule and have both officially announced their intentions to step down as team captain at the upcoming elections whether they are voted into the top four or not.
SERA00 management has released a statement backing up the members on their choices. They commented that "Miss Mihashi and Miss Gillian have not a single spare minute on their timetable". Angel later said that she wants to "devote her time to being the leader of SERA00. Without having to worry about two leadership duties at once, I can more effectively and efficiently serve SERA00."
Many fans have saw this coming, though, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise. When Angel rose to fourth place in the 2012 elections, her highest rank so far, the staff were already considering pulling the Fab 4 captains rule, due to the fact that being leader (Angel) and the centre of SERA00 (Sassan) was already a stressful job in itself.
So let's continue to support Sassan and Angel! Thank you and please support SERA00!
Friday, April 5, 2013
SERA00 Movie Audition Results!
The results are out!
They were announced by Miss Avery who made a surprise appearance at the daily concert.
Fans were quite surprised at the listings...
Cast for SERA
Agent R (main): Luna Remington
Agent T (supporting): Fallon Mackenzie
Sera (supporting): Mihashi Sakiko
Gillian: Annelise Gillian
So it seems as if Luna snagged the main role, Fracken snagged the role of her choice, and Sassan is now the candy-and-gumdrops-exterior villain. Angel has a small but vital role with the character named after her; after reviewing the plot, I discovered that Gillian is a singer in a night club who is a witness that helps Agent R. In other words, Gillian is the deus ex machina.
How interesting for those who expected Sassan to take the main character...
Please support SERA00 and watch the movie when it is released!
They were announced by Miss Avery who made a surprise appearance at the daily concert.
Fans were quite surprised at the listings...
Cast for SERA
Agent R (main): Luna Remington
Agent T (supporting): Fallon Mackenzie
Sera (supporting): Mihashi Sakiko
Gillian: Annelise Gillian
So it seems as if Luna snagged the main role, Fracken snagged the role of her choice, and Sassan is now the candy-and-gumdrops-exterior villain. Angel has a small but vital role with the character named after her; after reviewing the plot, I discovered that Gillian is a singer in a night club who is a witness that helps Agent R. In other words, Gillian is the deus ex machina.
How interesting for those who expected Sassan to take the main character...
Please support SERA00 and watch the movie when it is released!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
New Schedules!
In preparation for the flock of 00 ranks swarming the halls in a couple of weeks, our daily schedules have been totally reworked. The schedules are mandatory for members B rank or lower, or in eighth grade or lower. So if either rule or both rules apply to you, you have to stick to the schedule unless management says so. These rules have been consistent the past years and the only exceptions have been when members had extreme popularity surges between elections.
The A ranks may follow the schedule, but because they are more famous, they usually have more activities and having a rigid schedule isn't the most efficient way to schedule their lives.
Keeping with the factor that idols need to have clean images to be good role models for their fans, the eighth grade or lower rule is in place to prevent members from dropping out of school early. All members are encouraged to graduate from high school though. As their career as an idol is only in their youthful years, we are encouraged to have a good education.
Apparently the team captains (which would be the Fab 4) complained that the schedule just wasn't working for them. And so, SERA00 management dreamed up a whole other schedule that they conceded was more appropriate.
The schedules before consisted of many classes by age and rank, but the Fab 4 said - SERA00 is all about teamwork. Each team needs a sense of unity in order to work as one. Therefore we feel the need for lessons such as singing and dancing to be by team, so that we can have more practice working together to give our audience the best performance possible.
Such a statement is, of course, expected from the Fab 4.
After a couple of days with the management locked up with the top members, they arrived at a tentative arrangement to try out.
From now on their will be five different schedules. Each schedule places the team lessons at a different time of day, with other classes scheduled around the team lessons. Because the top members events are usually scheduled far in advance, management can determine which schedule works best for each day. The schedules will be posted by the month; for example, April 1 is Schedule 3, April 2 is Schedule 5, April 3 is Schedule 1, etc.
Actually I'm kinda excited to see my schedule fill up more. I can access it on the SERA00 database and the management has booked more time slots. That's how it works for younger and lower rank members; the management manages your schedule. If you object to any you can always go talk about it though...
Okay...please support SERA00!
(p.s. Team Aurora is in Toronto promoting the Spring SERA00 Season next weekend ^_^ please come out and support me and Team Aurora!)
The A ranks may follow the schedule, but because they are more famous, they usually have more activities and having a rigid schedule isn't the most efficient way to schedule their lives.
Keeping with the factor that idols need to have clean images to be good role models for their fans, the eighth grade or lower rule is in place to prevent members from dropping out of school early. All members are encouraged to graduate from high school though. As their career as an idol is only in their youthful years, we are encouraged to have a good education.
Apparently the team captains (which would be the Fab 4) complained that the schedule just wasn't working for them. And so, SERA00 management dreamed up a whole other schedule that they conceded was more appropriate.
The schedules before consisted of many classes by age and rank, but the Fab 4 said - SERA00 is all about teamwork. Each team needs a sense of unity in order to work as one. Therefore we feel the need for lessons such as singing and dancing to be by team, so that we can have more practice working together to give our audience the best performance possible.
Such a statement is, of course, expected from the Fab 4.
After a couple of days with the management locked up with the top members, they arrived at a tentative arrangement to try out.
From now on their will be five different schedules. Each schedule places the team lessons at a different time of day, with other classes scheduled around the team lessons. Because the top members events are usually scheduled far in advance, management can determine which schedule works best for each day. The schedules will be posted by the month; for example, April 1 is Schedule 3, April 2 is Schedule 5, April 3 is Schedule 1, etc.
Actually I'm kinda excited to see my schedule fill up more. I can access it on the SERA00 database and the management has booked more time slots. That's how it works for younger and lower rank members; the management manages your schedule. If you object to any you can always go talk about it though...
Okay...please support SERA00!
(p.s. Team Aurora is in Toronto promoting the Spring SERA00 Season next weekend ^_^ please come out and support me and Team Aurora!)
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