Where do SERA00 members attend school?

Hey everyone!

I know that I regularly complain about school and how it hinders my ability to update this blog readily...and I was going to give the same reason for the lateness of the winter concert and SERA00 Star City recaps. (I'm still going to.) However, I realized that the last time I talked about school was two years ago, when I was in the tenth grade. I don't mean SERA00 School, or complaining about school, but actually dedicating a post to it. The SERA00 member schooling system has changed quite radically since I last wrote about it, so I thought it was worth an update.

First off, I'm in grade 12. If you recall my previous posts about school in ninth and tenth grade, all members were tutored within the SERA00 Complex. We had scheduled academic classes, but they were all exclusively with other SERA00 members, organized by Management. Now, there was nothing specifically wrong with the system - we were all well educated, and those members who wished to continue post-secondary studies were able to, and none of them has complained of being academically behind their peers. The schooling system was tailored to fit around our odd schedules, which made it difficult for us to attend a "normal" school. The concept is similar to child actors and actresses attending school on set.

What was the problem, then? Ultimately, the factor that caused the paradigm shift was the lack of "outside" contact. For many of the members, we could literally spend all of our time, 24/7, within the SERA00 Complex. We study, train, perform, work, eat, and sleep inside the Complex. You could literally never go out. Of course, it didn't exactly happen like that. We did leave the Complex now and then to visit family, go out to eat, have fun, attend events and schedules, etc. I'm sure there were many other factors as well, but this was the main one that Management quoted when the change was announced.

Where do we attend high school now? Two years ago (three? the 2013-2014 school year), the Modern Arts Performing School (MAPS) opened in the closest town to the SERA00 Complex, next to the plaza that Fela's Sweetshop is in. Although still considered a relatively new school, its reputation is already impressive, partly because it is the arts-focused counterpart of the prestigious Guilun Academy. Located in Taiwan, the Guilun Academy is attended by many YS Entertainment artists, including Huang Yu Yan, DRE4M, and ECTI. Unlike MAPS, Guilun Academy students are known for their academic prowess. 

MAPS is an arts school focused on "modern" performing arts. "Modern" bands and dance instead of classical orchestras and traditional dance. Of course, that's not to say that "modern" performing arts are better than traditional performing arts - this just happens to be MAPS' specialty, and it fits SERA00 very well.

Currently, every SERA00 member of high school age is enrolled in MAPS. There are around 500 students in MAPS, and about 60 of them are SERA00/CASUT00 members. MAPS has competitive admission, so students must go through a rigorous application and audition process. SERA00 members have to go through the same process too, although no member has failed to be accepted so far. We're treated pretty much the same as other students. We attend the same classes and the full 9-4 school day. The only exception I can think of is the MAPS Showcase. It's an annual concert that all students prepare intensely for - it's attended not just by parents, but media and entertainment agency recruiters as well. It's a unique chance for students to get noticed. As a result, preparation is intense and consumes many hours not just during but after school as well. It's a requirement for all MAPS students, but SERA00 girls are exempt, as it's simply impossible to squeeze in Showcase prep with all the SERA00 schedules. SERA00 members are already debuted as well, so there's no need to appeal to recruiters, although in the past two years, we have put on a performance as a group at the Showcase, usually our latest single.

SERA00 doesn't recruit at MAPS Showcases, if you were wondering. SERA00 doesn't do street casting in general. All members join through the annual auditions. The only instance ever where Management placed a member in SERA00 is 8th gen's Sayoung Yoon, but she was already a YS Ent. trainee. If a MAPS student wants to join SERA00, they go through the same audition process as the public. So far, SERA00 only has two members who were already MAPS students when they auditioned for SERA00 - 7th gen's Eliza Moir, and 8th gen's Romy Stokes.

Okay, I think this post is long enough. Looking at my school agenda, I have some sort of test or assessment EVERY DAY next week...plus tonight is an Angel Stage :D

Please support SERA00!

THE NEXT GEN: Auditions

Hey everyone!

MARCH POST CHALLENGE #7

These post challenges are harder than I thought they'd be...

Anyways, spring is approaching fast, although the weather doesn't want to agree! And you know what that means - auditions for SERA00's 8th generation!

Management has been changing up the audition process quite often. I guess it gives me something to write about every year, at least. So today I'll be describing the 2015 audition process. As I've mentioned before, only auditions for SERA00 are open. Any future CASUT00 trainees will be picked internally from the company, but they're not planning any line-up changes for the time being.

This year, we are adopting a more talent based approach. Your journey first starts with an application, like always. These are automatically approved, unless you are ineligible to audition/join. You'll be given a time to come in and audition. These auditions will take place over the weekend of April 4-5. That's two weeks from now. Applications opened last weekend and will end the Friday night before the auditions (April 3 at 11:59 PM EST).

There are two categories for the auditions, singers and dancers, and you are free to choose either.

Singers: prepare first verse and chorus of a song, sung to a karaoke machine. Check our website for a complete list of songs.

Dancers: prepare a short ~30 second dance. Bring your own music or freestyle to a provided track.

Those who pass the first round will move on to the next round of auditions, which will be looking for both vocal and dance abilities, as well as potential and other attributes.

Around 50 girls will be chosen for the final group audition, from which the 8th generation will be selected. The number of girls who will be chosen is still undecided. In the past we've had anywhere from 12~16, maybe more, maybe less.

Those who are eligible for auditions include any female between the ages of 13 and 25 (by the application deadline). Apply now for a chance to join SERA00!

Please support SERA00!

CASUT00 second gen? And the 2015 Winter Concert!

It seems as if it's a bit early to talk about auditions. These usually happen in the spring, don't they? I'm not talking about SERA00 today, but CASUT00! CASUT00 currently has 8 Canadian members and 4 international members. If CASU was like SERA00, they'd be recruiting the second generation. Unfortunately for those who wanted to join CASU, it won't work like that. CASUT00 won't be publicly recruiting new members. The number of members is fixed (at least for now) and new members will be added only as current members graduate. The new members will be chosen from the existing pool of company trainees. 

So BASICALLY, if you want to join CASUT00, audition for YS Entertainment! I say that jokingly but if you become a YS trainee, you won't necessarily join CASUT00. You may end up debuting in an idol group similar to DRE4M or ECTI. Which is definitely not a bad thing! Many people vie for the chance to become a trainee at kpop companies like SM, JYP, and YG, and YS is no different. It's in fact much harder to pass the YS audition than the SERA00 audition.

From what I've heard, trainee life is pretty strict and vigorous, so I'm a bit surprised at how lax they let us SERA00 girls off XD We do have training plans, supposedly (I made a post about it a while back), but with the sheer number of girls, we honestly don't follow them very well. It's mostly schedules first, and if you don't have a schedule you're supposed to be training. However, if you take some time off, no one will mind that much. DISCLAIMER: if my juniors are reading this, it's not my fault if you do this and get in trouble!! Management still focuses very much on the idols-you-can-meet concept. They believe that our training is done onstage, where our fans can see us grow and improve. I've mentioned before that this is the main reason why training to become a SERA00 member is so short compared to kpop trainees.

Every couple of months or so, our training does fire up. This is mostly right before we release a new single, and we need to learn new songs and choreography, or we're preparing for a concert and need to brush up on lyrics and dancing. SPEAKING OF CONCERTS...the date of our 2015 SERA00 Winter Concert is set for February 1st! Since we purposefully set it after exams, we expect to see everyone there ;) just joking! We love the fans who are watching from home just as much <3

Of course, there will be some special things happening at the concert. Last year was SERA00's Snowflake Symphony, this year we invite you to SERA00's Land of Wintry Dreams!

Please support SERA00!

7th generation audition updates~

Hey everyone!

I guess I've been too preoccupied with the auditions for the 26th single to write about the actual SERA00 auditions for the 7th generation! Yeah, it's already been more than a year since the last auditions were held. Feels like yesterday, right?

The auditions this year were held later than usual, but it's also my fault for writing about it so late. Actually the auditions has already finished and the new 00 ranks are being announced this week, which is partly why I rushed to write this post >.<

Traditionally, all our songs and stages are choreographed and written for a 16-member main cast. Teams are usually larger than 16, and not all members perform in each team stage, with some acting as unders. However, for the past year, all three teams have consistently had 15 members. So it's been the opposite, with all members needing to perform and 00 ranks making up the numbers. 

Last year, fourteen 00 ranks were accepted, and this year I hear that more 00 ranks will be accepted in attempt to bring the overall count up to 60 official members, with 20 per team. 

I'll keep you guys updated so please support SERA00!

SERA00 Regimen: Auditions

Hey everyone!

I noticed that you guys are interested in reading posts about how we train/debut, stuff like that. So having just refreshers my memory while training with CASUT00, I'll give you an updated in-detail post. If you don't like reading long posts about our system, just skip all the posts pertaining to this! So I already explained part of our system in a post before explaining our schedules. 

Now, first of all, it's not exactly correct to refer to our literal schedules as schedules. Maybe timetable or agenda would be better. We use the term "schedule" to refer to events an idol has to attend. For example, if Sassan has to attend a radio broadcasting at 3 pm, then Sassan has a schedule in the afternoon.

So I guess there are four main stages of SERA00. 

1) Auditions

2) Pre-debut training

3) 00 rank

4) Official member

For SERA00, the pre-debut training is about one month of intense training, which seems meager compared to overseas idols, who are trained for years since they were young before debuting. However, SERA00 encourages fans to support their favourite members and watch them grow, which is why most training and experience is gained when girls are in the 00 rank stage. Each girl's time in 00 rank differs, ranging from a couple of months to a couple of years. The girls that were promoted at the Winter Concert were 00 ranks for roughly a year. Then, of course, you are an official member until you graduate, or the rare case of demotion. 

CASUT00 is pretty similar, except the first gens are skipping over the 00 rank stage. Instead, they spent 6 months in the pre-debut stage, 5 months more than usual. And it was pretty intense, more intense than I remember mine being. 

So first I'll post about the audition process. I won't go into much detail since I've already posted a lot about auditions. Basically, you send in your applications and those chosen are briefly interviewed. Why are interviews first? Because SERA00 is not necessarily looking for talent, but rather, potential. So singing and dancing come after. 

Once the interview stage is passed, you audition for singing AND dancing. It's not singing first or dancing first, you're evaluated on both. At this stage it's still the mass group auditions.

If you pass that stage then it's one on one auditions for, again, both singing and dancing. 

Then the final audition goes back to group audition again, but of course the group is way smaller now, maybe 30-40 girls? After all, you are auditioning for SERA00, a girl group, so you have to be able to work in coordination with your fellow idols. 

Once you get in, you have to get your life in order before you enter the pre-debut stage, which starts just a few days after! There are actually a number of things you have to worry about. First of all, residency, since you most likely don't live anywhere near the Complex. Are you going to live at the Complex, live with a relative near the Complex, rent a place, etc.?

And then school; you will probably have to drop out of your current school and either transfer to a school closer to the Complex, or study in the Complex, which is the most popular choice for members. Of course, once you get to university that's another matter. 

Next comes the pre-debut stage, to be discussed in the next post. 

Please support SERA00!

CASUT00 Audition Interviews

Hey everyone! Most of you just started school, how was it? Fun? Boring? Wishing it never happened? (sorry, I wrote this paragraph like three weeks ago >.<)

Well this weekend, some girls have much more than just school to worry about... The first round of in-studio CASUT00 auditions are happening this afternoon! 

It's actually kinda weird how all those girls look up to me. If I'm considered a "SERA00 expert", what are Maya and Fracken? Goddesses? Anyways, even though I may look experienced in front of the auditionees, it's surprising how unprofessional us C ranks still look against the As. -_-

The first gens are very important, as always. They're the ones who will have to work hard to decide whether CASUT00 will succeed or fail. They're the ones whose work will decide whether CASUT00 will have second gens. So the management really combs through the applications, and Miss Avery and the managers and Angel are there every step of the way. 

Five hundred girls arrive on scene; this is greatly reduced from the original number of around 20k by the written applications and preliminary auditions. 

There are three parts to the audition. Singing, dancing, and interviews. Once the management passed the rule that you could use "any" song for the audition, the J/C/K-pop started coming in. Many chose the jap songs that Sassan sang as b-sides for her singles. 

I'm actually really bored, so let's play a game ;)

THE CASUT00 INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE 

You are in a room in the Complex with many other applicants waiting to be interviewed, when your name is called. Walking up to the booths, you discover that Angel, an actual idol, is your interviewer, instead of a management staff manager. 

"Hi," she greets you. "Sit down and make yourself comfortable."

WHAT DO YOU DO?

1. Sit down and introduce yourself right away

2. Sit down and tell Angel how much you love her

3. Sit down and wait for her to say something

"Great," she smiles. "So your application has been picked out of thousands others and you've already passed the preliminaries."

You nod nervously. 

"Now you're able to tour the SERA00 Complex and meet some of the members. I'm sure you've seen some members walking around or in the practice rooms," she continues. "How do you feel right now?"

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

A. "Very good, thank you."

B. "I'm actually feeling quite nervous. After seeing so many other applicants, it's hard to keep up my head up and face the challenges ahead, as I know the chances are slim of getting in."

C. "I'm pretty confident, I think I have this down. I'm a really good singer, and my dancing isn't that bad. Consider me your junior soon!"

Angel rifles through your application papers, and you briefly see your own photo flash by. "I can see you already have some sort of musical background," she comments, "that's always good." She puts down the papers and clasps her hands together, looking at you. "Why...do you want to stand on the stage?" That's slightly unexpected! You were sure she was going to ask why you wanted to be in SERA00. 

WHAT IS YOUR REPLY?

1. "I love to entertain others, so to be able to stand on a stage and sing, dance, perform for an audience is a dream come true."

2. "The stage is a sacred place for performers. If I'm able to stand on that stage, I know I've already worked harder than 95% of all budding entertainers."

3. "Because SERA00 has such a loving fanbase, they're sure to love anyone standing on the stage, so it's a quick way to get famous and create a fanbase and to climb the ladder of fame effortlessly."

Angel nods at you. "Thank you very much for trying out and I wish you all the best luck."

-Congratulations! Your interview is over. Follow the instructions below to see whether you would have gotten in.-

WHAT'S THE SCORE?

For every 1 or B, give yourself 3 marks. 

For every 2 or A, give yourself 2 marks. 

For every 3 or C, give yourself 1 mark. 

DID YOU GET IN?

3-4 points

Your application was probably cut after your interview. You should think clearly before answering, and should reflect on the reason you want to join SERA00. 

5-6 points

Your answers were borderline. They were average, and many other applicants were on the same level as you. You were probably cut in the second review of applicants, as there is no room for mediocreness. 

7-8 points

Your performance was pretty good. But SERA00 wants the best. You'll have to see. If they have room left over you might move on. You are probably part of a waiting list. 

9 points

Bravo! Your answers were right on the mark. You're definitely going to be able to move on to the next round. Better start polishing your singing and dancing!

~THANKS FOR PLAYING~

Now that we've gotten past the interview stage, we can actually pick out the girls that exude star presence based on their physical and vocal performance. Yay! The part where the youngest member (me) is made to dance for three hours on end as an example for the auditionees to follow while Maya and Fracken can go around evaluating at their own pace \(-_-\) (/-_-)/. 

Please support SERA00! And CASUT00! Wait CASUT00 is non-existent for the time being o_O okay we'll just go with SERA00 ^_^

Clearing Up the Tsukino Yumi Matter

This is a post to clear up all the rumors and misunderstandings about the new 5th generation 00 rank member, Tsukino Yumi. In the 2013 SERA00 Haven Hall Concert discs, as well as in Karayin's blog post concert report, something unusual happened during the reveal of SERA00's newest member.
Tsukino Yumi (17), one of the accepted girls, was seen running to embrace SERA00's centre, Mihashi "Sassan" Sakiko (17). In addition, Team Angel's B rank, Aida Kotoka (17) was also seen joining the warm welcome.
Sassan explained, "Yumi-chan is one of my best childhood friends. We were together, with Kotoka-chan and Tomiko-chan."
Hamasaki Tomiko (17) tried out for SERA00's 2nd generation and successfully passed. However, for unknown reasons, she pulled out from the group.
SERA00 management confirmed that Mihashi Sakiko had no part in the audition process of Tsukino "Yumichan" Yumi, and that she was unaware of the fact that her childhood friend had auditioned.
On the topic of favoritism regarding management boosts, air time, and advertisement, Miss Avery commented that "in the world of entertaintment, it is impossible to rule out bias". She later said that "because Tsukino Yumi has ties to SERA00's most popular and successful member, it could not be considered unfair if she received more attention than the other 5th generations".
So as you can see, please regard the 5th generation members in a positive and welcoming light!
Please support Yumichan, the new 5th generation members, and SERA00!

~K~ SERA00 Haven Hall Concert: Part 2

Here's how the concert went.
Accelerate
Starting with this song, it jumpstarted the concert and stirred up the audience. Accelerate is a fairly new song, and is also the first time performed in a concert hall outside of the SERA00 stage.
~opening MC~
The opening MC was taken care of by the members of the Fabulous Four.
"How are you all doing tonight?" Angel asked the crowd
"(incomprehensible roar)!!"
"Great! You are all in for a wonderful concert! Every girl is pumped to sing and dance for you!"
"(more roaring)!"
"Ehhh, everyone, do you know what? Isn't Sassan's hair pretty?" Angel patted the centre of SERA00's curled hair.
"Thanks...what are you trying to say, Angel?" Sassan said suspiciously.
The audience laughed, familiar with the usual MC banter.
Angel shrugged, her face projected behind her on a large screen. She faced the audience. "Everyone, I came late because of a meeting...and I found someone in my chair in my dressing room...and someone helping themselves to my stylist's expertise..."
Sassan pouted. "I seem to have a picture of you stuffing your face with my slice of your birthday cake. Do you want to see it everyone?"
"YEEEAAAHH!"
The picture depicting a giggling group of girls with Angel covered in cake appeared onscreen.
Angel yelled. "Ehhhh? Fine. I have one of Luna."
"Hey, leave me out of this!" Luna squealed. "I have not committed any faults here!"
"Are you so sure of that?" Angel said slyly.
"It seems as if I am the only one safe here," Fracken spoke up. She slowly backed away. "Perhaps I should get away before Luna does something rash like show the picture of-"
"Of what?" Angel and Sassan immediately both turned their attention on the supermodel idol.
"NOTHING!" Fracken said hurriedly. "Why don't we now invite all of your SERA00 onstage for the theme song?"
The audience roared their approval.
"OKAY COME ON SERA00!!!!!"
SERA00 (single)
All sixty or so members appeared onstage in the spring version of the usual SERA00 uniform. When "SERA00" was finished performing, there was a short two minute break while members speed-changed.
Seventh Heaven (single)
Seventh Heaven's pink costumes girls appeared onstage singing this song!
~MC~
Sassan's solo
Nothing but Forever (Team Night 2nd Stage)
Look Up (single)
Runaway (Team Hope 1st Stage)
~intermission~
~announcements MC~
The ones who appeared onstage were Angel, Sassan, and Miss Avery.
"I am Miss Avery, SERA00's producer and I have the results of SERA00's fifth generation audition!"
Angel was holding an envelope. She slowly opened it and pulled out a sheet. "Congratulations to our eight newest SERA00 00 rank members!"
Sassan leaned over and read the first name. "Macey Fent." As she spoke, a photograph of Macey from the auditions photoshoot appeared on the screen.
A strangled shriek came from somewhere.
Miss Avery brought her mic to her lips. "Macey, come on out."
The girl practically ran onstage, she was that excited. All of the finalists had been invited to a special viewing box of the concert.
Angel read the next name. "Mikayla Iverson."
"Oakley Canterbury."
"Kaya Courtland."
"Liesl Surrey."
"Haley Wickham."
"Scarlett Sommier."
The camera switched from an elated Scarlett to a hint of confusion on Sassan's face as she handed off the mic to Angel to read the last name.
Angel grinned at Sassan. "The last girl, but not least, is indeed Tsukino Yumi."
Two things happened at once.
First, a black haired, tear-streaked Japanese girl ran onstage and enveloped Sassan in a hug. I noticed that she was the only one of the eight that had a mic already attached to her shirt. "Sakiko-chan!"
Sassan had a look of shock on her face. "Yumi-chan?"
"Yumi-chan!" the voice of Aida Kotoka, a B rank, screamed. The three girls ran together and began blubbering through a barrage of tears.
Angel faced the audience and gave them a dazzling smile. "Please welcome Luraland, performing her brand new solo, Secret Garden!"
Secret Garden by Luraland
It's Like This (Team Aurora 5th Stage)
Last Breath and One More (single)
~MC~
River's solo
Genesis (first generation single)
~ending MC~
"Lavina Stanbee," Angel said. "Is graduating soon."
The audience groaned.
"But the good news is, one 00 rank member will be promoted. Will Amelia Tyson please join me onstage. Starting today, you are promoted to C rank and Team Hope's newest member!"
When the Bells Toll (single)
When the Bells Toll is SERA00's graduation song. Lavina Stanbee had the honors of introducing the song and giving a short speech before this song.
~encore call~
13013 (media member single)

Please buy the Haven Hall Concert disk set to fully enjoy the experience!
-__- Miss Evie has the gut to criticize my concert report skills. Fine. Evie will be reporting on the SERA00 Summer Concert. It's a grand biannual event not to be missed!
Please support SERA00!

~K~ SERA00 Haven Hall Concert: Part 1

SERA00 Haven Hall Concert
4:30 PM
Good afternoon everyone! This is Karayin reporting. The concert starts at 7 PM. Right now it's four thirty. Welcome to the SERA00 Haven Hall Concert -Backstage-.
The last of the members are arriving now and they're doing sound checks on stage. They will be running through a couple of songs to get a feel of the stage. The members really work hard to put on a good performance. They've been training like mad lately so please support them! Some of them still haven't been notified that the set list has been altered since last time due to timing issues. Alright, let's visit them onstage! (*storytelling mode*)
I ran onstage with my microphone and yelled, "Goooood afternoon SEEEERAAAA0000!"
I was rewarded with many cheers and a couple 'Karayin's. Many of the members knew me as a reporter, but the first and second gens knew me as a former member. "What are you girls doing?"
The three captains (minus Angel) were standing at the front of the stage holding microphones, facing the rest of the girls. "We're running through the schecdule with the girls," Fracken said.
"This is the first non-SERA00 stage concert for many of the recently promoted 00 ranks," Sassan added.
I swept a bow in their direction. "Do carry on."
Fracken gestured to Team Night. "So it's your 2nd Stage song Nothing but Forever right after Sassan."
"I'll be leaving that way," Sassan said, pointing to the left of the stage, and then that curtain will rise and reveal the 2nd Stage backdrop and start song."
Luna glanced at her watch. "Team Night and cast for the opening song Accelerate go to hair-makeup-costume," she ordered.
Fracken jokingly went to join the herd of girls stampeding to get ready, but circled back with a "Team Hope, you're up next!"
"Where's Angel?" I asked.
"She's been in meetings all day," Luna replied. "Her last one squished in ends at five-thirty."
"Take fifteen," Sassan yelled. "I want to see Maya Shale and Romanne Taylor from my team. Amelia Tyson from 00 rank." Let's go see what this is about!
"Maya, you are the stand-in in the event any media member is down for the count," Sassan told her, "Rome, you will cover for Maya in this event, and Amity will cover for Rome. Any questions?"
"I don't know the updated 2012 choreography for the encore song," Maya piped up.
"Go ask Rosie to teach you."
"Okay."

5:00 PM
Everyone is in the dressing rooms getting ready, so we'll go see how it's going. First, Team Aurora's dressing room.
Right outside the door, our obedient Rosie and Maya are practicing the choreography for the song 13013. Sassan is having her hair braided back, and many of the girls like Kansas, Willow, and Piper are doing their own makeup. There's a curtain on one side of the room; the costume rack is behind. Blisse steps out in her "Accelerate" costume. The Accelerate costume is composed of a black chiffon collared no-sleeve top, paired with a navy blue skirt with eclectic yellow streaks.
In Team Night, they are mostly done. Most of the girls are warming up their voices and doing stretches. In Team Angel, we see Evie, who is prancing around with a microphone and a cameraman following her. Because the written report was handed to me, our little blogger is the narrator for the Haven Hall Concert DVD's special features. Let's listen in.
"We're all getting ready for the concert that starts in two hours," Harley commented. "Ah, the venue isn't quite as magnificent as our SERA00 Winter Concert, but that doesn't mean that we're going to use any less energy performing!" Harley pumped her fist at the camera.
Evie spots me and runs over, sticking the microphone in my face. "Karayin! Karayin!" She turns back to the camera. "Look everyone, it's our beloved Fab 4 member from a couple years back...and she's back! Karayin, tell us why you're here."
Evie knows very well why I'm here, but this is for the camera. "I am guest-blogging on Evie's SERA00 life blog and I am here to report on this wonderful Haven Hall concert. I wish you all luck!"
"Karayin, you should join the Genesis cast as a nice big reunion," Evie joked. Genesis was the song for the first generations, which I was part of.
"I wish," I laughed. "Here, come here!" I took Evie's microphone and marched over to the star of the room. "My darling Sassan, care to comment on why you're here when it clearly says Team Angel's dressing room?"
"Why yes, dear Karayin," said Sassan, staying perfectly still, looking at us through the reflection in the mirror in front of her. "Well, as you can see, I'm getting my hair done..."
I smacked her playfully. "That isn't the question, Mihashi." We laughed.
Sassan stared at the camera. "I was thrown out."
I can almost imagine the pop-up question marks that the editors will surely add over Evie and my heads.
"Rosie said I was hogging her hair styling tools."
"So she threw you out?"
"Eh...well I came over here, because I heard Angel had brought her stylist and Angel's not here yet."
I shook my head and flicked her ear. (None of us mind, it's all good fun for the camera) "So you weren't thrown out, you're freeloading off of your friend! Where's your loyalty to your leader??!?!"
"I'm going over the speeches in my head for her. I would say quite loyal," Sassan jokes.
"The infamous Angel speech," Evie explains at the camera. "Our leader gives us pep talks before we go onstage. She usually has to use a loudspeaker though cuz we have so many girls. Sassan will take Angel's place if she doesn't get here on time."

5:35 PM
Angel has just arrived. She's currently in the dressing room, getting ready.

5:50 PM
"Formation check, formation check!" Angel's voive blares over the concert hall's massive sound systems. "Can I have the debut soloists-Alura, Sara-and Genesis and 13013 friends to the stage." Naturally, that should include me too ;)
Luraland and River peruse the stage, getting a feel of the space so that they can make full use of it.
"River," Luna calls from below the stage where everyone else is waiting. "Can you forego one of the poses in the beginning sequence? That'll give you an extra four beats to walk."
"Let's take out the middle two," Ms. Tallan agreed, calling to the choreographer.
Alexandrea climbed onstage to speak with River. They exchanged a couple of instructions, before the Genesis cast took the stage. The Genesis and 13013 singles were both sung by sub-units. The amount of girls on stage then, were significantly smaller and they needed to learn to make better use of the space.
On the other far side of the extreme, some of the heavily themed songs like "SERA00" and "When the Bells Toll" feature bigger casts, so almost the entire SERA00 was onstage trying out the props and the different levels on the stage.

6:15 PM
"They said they can't delay any longer," Ms. Tallan called. "All girls backstage immediately, the audience is being let in!"
On cue, music fills the hall and a slideshow of SERA00 pics starts showing. This will entertain the audience for 45 minutes.

6:30 PM
Reminiscing from my days as a SERA00 member, I know this scene before me very well. Girls running this way, girls running that way, girls clustered around staff with schedules, 00 ranks freaking out...ahhh, the good old days.
"Karayin!" Aurora's Larisa "Fiore" Difiore screeched. "Do you have the time?"
I gave her an amused smile as I replied, "Six-thirty four."
"Thanks!"
"Fiore! This way! Any one else?"
"Um I think Fawn's over there too."
"Where?"
"That way."
"Okay, thanks. You're due this way. Go!"

7:00 PM
"Accelerate cast! Head count, is everyone here?" Angel said calmly into the microphone she was holding. The feed was connected backstage only, so the audience couldn't here what she was saying.
Luna gave Angel a thumbs up.
"Alright. Remember everyone, smile, breathe, we're going to have fun with the audience tonight, okay?" she yelled. "Let's do this!"
The technician standing with the group spoke into his walkie-talkie, giving the go for the music.
Everyone was impatiently waiting.
After ten long seconds, the first chords of "Accelerate" blared and the girls of SERA00 were galvanized into action. The cast streamed onstage, yelling and waving to the audience. One of the staff caught Angel's hand and switched her mic before she went onstage.
(I shall now make my way to a better position to overlook both onstage and backstage)
Here's how the concert went.

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

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!

Happy Easter! (and Recruitee auditions!)

Happy Easter everyone!
As a bonus we will have a SERA00 Encore concert :)
(we will expand the theatre)
SERA00 girls usually work over the holidays cuz that's when fans can come see us. So we are getting Tuesday off. No daily concert on Tuesday okay? But we will be back to sing for you on Wednesday.

Ehhhh...oh yeah!! The first round of online auditions have been sorted through and results sent out. Soon the face-to-face auditions will begin!

Everyone is so hyped for the Haven Hall Concert!! Kicking off the spring promos with a blast! And not before long our biannual summer SERA00 Concert is going to be literally five times as wild as the Haven Hall! So be prepared!

Please support SERA00!

Official SERA00 Announcement: 2013 Recruitment

~EDIT~ if some of you have noticed, our policies have changed. Please see "SERA00 Auditions" for accurate info!

As comes annually with SERA00's spring promotion season, we are now recruiting new members for SERA00! From tomorrow, February 27th, until March 15th, send in your applications and auditions.

If you are a girl between the ages of 12 and 20, and aspire to be a SERA00 member, here's your chance! Record yourself singing the chorus of any SERA00 song (8 lines minimum, 16 lines maximum). Send this in with your application form and two photos of yourself.

Those who pass will advance into the producers' round. In this round you will re-perform the same song live, with choreography. SERA00 staff will narrow it down to 400 girls.

From thereon, a few mass performances of a chosen song will eliminate a further half of the applicants.

The second last round will be judged by senior SERA00 staff, including Miss Avery, and will eliminate another half of the applicants.

The remaining 100 girls will get the chance to audition in front of an actual A rank SERA00 member.

The ultimate decision is made by the senior SERA00 members, who will be the successful applicants' teammates in the future.

Good luck to every girl in passing all five auditions! We will see you on the stage!