PDA Studio Competition

Rue Mort started this discussion · 8/4/2013

Hi Everyone, I am waffling really bad on the Pole Dance America Competition that they are doing in studios this year. On the one hand, I am technically qualified to compete at the amateur level and am being encouraged to do so by my instructors etc. On the other hand, I feel the requirements are very vague and confusing, and i feel i am setting myself up to fail if i go. Compounding the issue is my schedule which leaves training for things very difficult (i have 7 weeks before the comp i would be in). Yes i have heard all of the just go for it its a good experience etc bits of advice, unfortunately spending 7 weeks practicing in my very limited free time for something i feel i am sure to fail at makes me not want to go. FYI. the complusory portion is what scares me, not the performance. Has anyone competed in this way, or similar, or have any advice? im feeling really torn and dont know what to do. sorry for complaining/freakingout/ being unpleasant

8 replies

Rue Mort · 8/4/2013
I should add- i have performed before, but this would be my very first competition
Ginalovespole · 8/5/2013
I competed in the very first competition Moses created. In the compulsory round you will do the required moves (without music). I'm not sure what specifically you have questions on. . I think Stephanie Skyy is the head judge, contact her for questions. Also, you can contact Moses for clarification.
ItsEss · 8/5/2013
I'm in the same boat as you. Although you don't want to hear it....you should just go for it! I'm a strong believer of mind over matter. You can talk yourself into failing something that you totally CAN DO! It won't be easy to randomly "perform" without music for almost 3 minutes but I say try it one night you have 10 minutes to yourself. And then decide. Good luck!
PippiParnasse · 8/5/2013
You're saying 7 weeks of training could be a waste of time and effort, but if you truly love to pole than it's not wasted at all, it's fun and rewarding! The journey, not the destination, you know? As for worrying that you'll "fail," what does failing or succeeding mean to you? In my opinion, no one should be going into their first competition expecting to win. You might even say no one should be going into any competition expecting to win, even if it's their 1000th. Dreaming big is good but, sorry to sound like our moms, "it doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's how you play the game!" If you think you'll enjoy the process of training and performing in a competition environment, that's what should inform your decision. :)
Laura KittyCat · 8/6/2013
I have competed and judged with PDA, and I am very familiar with the compulsory round as 2nd place national champion with them. You should count on the compulsory as being at least half of your score. As amateur there are 12 (i think) required elements. Each element is judged on exexution on a -2 to +4 point system. If you do not do one it os scored as zero. If you fall out of a move or do a move above your ability that os unsafe, you get megative points. As an amateur you will not be judged on each move as stringently as a professional, however, if you do a move that is (according to poledancedictionary.com) a beginner move it better be PERFECT on entry amd exit amd execution to get a 4. Higher diffulty moves are not jidged as harshly. With that said, pick moves you are confident with and do them in the order you say you will do them. Work transitioning into and out of them vigorously, as that is the difference between a 2 and 3- dont hope for a 4 as I have never gotten one, and give them out very sparingly- the move itself, intrance, and exit have to be darn near perfect. On another note, as a competitor, the compulsory round is very weird... There is no music, costume, or props... If you decide to go ahead with competing (you should if you feel it is right) Make that pole your b*tch!!! Seriously! Also, do not use moses as your contact, he is unreliable and wont get back to you promptly- any questions, especially about compulsory, should be directed to Trixie at [email protected] ( i think its .com) the sooner the better. As far as if you should compete or not, it is up to you. If its close to where you live and can have friends and family come cheer you on, I say go for it- even if you lose its worth it to share your passion and strut your stuff. If you are travelling a great distance and wont have a support group there for you it will be much more alien. I do overall like pda for hosting competitions at small studios instead of big venues because as a competitor it is less stressful. I wish you well, and best of luck to you if you decide to go for it- its cheap to enter and even if you dont win, you will gain valuable critique and experience. Pda isnt nationally 'recgonized' as a seroius competition, but if you feel you are ready you have nothing to lose- again- make that pe your b*tch and bring it!!! Props are big points in round 2- go all out. Sorry for the long reply, and if you have questions facebook me- laura kittycat
Laura KittyCat · 8/6/2013
I have competed and judged with PDA, and I am very familiar with the compulsory round as 2nd place national champion with them. You should count on the compulsory as being at least half of your score. As amateur there are 12 (i think) required elements. Each element is judged on exexution on a -2 to +4 point system. If you do not do one it os scored as zero. If you fall out of a move or do a move above your ability that os unsafe, you get megative points. As an amateur you will not be judged on each move as stringently as a professional, however, if you do a move that is (according to poledancedictionary.com) a beginner move it better be PERFECT on entry amd exit amd execution to get a 4. Higher diffulty moves are not jidged as harshly. With that said, pick moves you are confident with and do them in the order you say you will do them. Work transitioning into and out of them vigorously, as that is the difference between a 2 and 3- dont hope for a 4 as I have never gotten one, and give them out very sparingly- the move itself, intrance, and exit have to be darn near perfect. On another note, as a competitor, the compulsory round is very weird... There is no music, costume, or props... If you decide to go ahead with competing (you should if you feel it is right) Make that pole your b*tch!!! Seriously! Also, do not use moses as your contact, he is unreliable and wont get back to you promptly- any questions, especially about compulsory, should be directed to Trixie at [email protected] ( i think its .com) the sooner the better. As far as if you should compete or not, it is up to you. If its close to where you live and can have friends and family come cheer you on, I say go for it- even if you lose its worth it to share your passion and strut your stuff. If you are travelling a great distance and wont have a support group there for you it will be much more alien. I do overall like pda for hosting competitions at small studios instead of big venues because as a competitor it is less stressful. I wish you well, and best of luck to you if you decide to go for it- its cheap to enter and even if you dont win, you will gain valuable critique and experience. Pda isnt nationally 'recgonized' as a seroius competition, but if you feel you are ready you have nothing to lose- again- make that pe your b*tch and bring it!!! Props are big points in round 2- go all out. Sorry for the long reply, and if you have questions facebook me- laura kittycat
Laura KittyCat · 8/6/2013
Also, sorry about the spelling errors and double reply- phone and veena are not yet in sync... Good luck!
ORGANIC ANGEL · 8/6/2013
I think 7 weeks is good enough time to enter and prepare. Practice your routine 3x a week and you'll be solid!Good luck!