The Strikeforce Update (as of 30 Jan): Chingay Training!
Dear Strikeforce Members!
We should all have been informed by now that the whole Strikeforce would be involved in this year's Chingay. This is the 1st time that City Harvest Church has been invited to put up an item as a church (previous years were all through Strikeforce, and in collaboration with PA or some CDCs), so it's even more meaningful because all the audience will know that we are representing City Harvest Church directly!
We must apologise for the late decision to involve everyone, as the original decision was to allow Strikeforce to take a break this year and let the church members have a go at it. But we have no choice now as we are heavily short of manpower. Some of the original members that have signed up earlier have withdrawn, and there is insufficient time to recruit from church again. Hence the need to mobilise Strikeforce to stand in the gap! It's a priviledge to be able to represent church so let's show them what Strikeforce is capable of!
We strongly urge all to make Chingay a priority and reschedule your calendar for these 2.5 weeks so you can make time for all the practices and rehearsals. After all its only 'siong' for 1.5 week (1 week CNY break in between) and then it'll be over! It will definitely require a sacrifice of personal time, but we can all do it for the sake of God. Amen?
The schedule for Chingay are as follows:
- 6 training dates : 1, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13 Feb
- 2 rehearsal dates : 30 Jan (Combined Rehearsal) & 2 Feb (Full Dress)
- Actual Chingay : 15 & 16 Feb
We have also attached a training calendar below so it's easier for everyone to refer. MTTs for these few weeks will be converted to Chingay training.
We understand that some may not be able to perform at the actual Chingay due to valid reasons (e.g. poly exams), but you can still come down for the trainings to help us make props while the rest are training. Same goes to those who knock off late from work. Every bit of help counts! At the very least you should come on Sundays during MTT times to help out with the props!
Please let your Contact Head know if you can perform for the actual Chingay, and which training dates you can come. As there are many dates involved, please let them know in one go rather than day by day. Ty!
Let's make the church proud!
The Strikeforce
p.s. - some briefing notes below on Chingay so you are aware of the requirements.
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Introduction
- 1st time Chingay having "human-powered" structures (i.e. floats pushed by manpower)
- 1st time City Harvest Church has been formally invited as a church to put up a float in Chingay, whereas in previous years it used to be through Strikeforce as part of some other CDCs or part of PA.
- Hence it is a privilege that we are able to 'represent' CHC for this event, and we should all put in our best to make sure we do CHC proud.
- Name of our segment is "Many Creative Communities, One Nation", and the overall theme for all the floats is "Unity, Strength, Vibrancy"
- Other participating groups include: Geylang Serai Constituency, PA Youth Movement, Hindu Endowment Board, and Kowloon Club
- Out of all the groups, our item definitely has the potential to be the highlight and the most exciting gig, cos we are doing an 'epic' battle scene!
Float Design + Performance
- Our item is essentially a big battle scene of an army of attackers trying to lay siege to a castle, and ultimately being defeated by the castle's counterattack.
- Our float design is therefore a big castle, with villagers and a general and a few soldiers within the castle.
- The castle will be 'pushed' along by our pushers, who will double up as defenders as well.
- The route taken will be different and no longer through Orchard Rd. It will start at City Hall, make one round around Padang then turn right towards Esplanade, and end up somewhere near the new Singapore Flyer. (can check out the map at http://www.chingay.org.sg/2008/images/sub/parade/route_map.gif )
- Throughout the route there will be 7 designated points where we must put up a 2min item, and this is where the battle scene unfolds:
- 15sec Castle moving in + Attackers getting into formation
- 45sec Attackers attack the castle (battling ram, catapults, ladders, etc)
- 45sec General sounds the counterattack (hidden defenders storm out of castle, pushers transform into defenders)
- 15sec Attackers retreat and defenders + villagers rejoice/celebrate
- Therefore half of the people will be assigned as attackers and the other half pushers/defenders. A small number of people will be assigned as villagers. Naturally the pushers will have to be slightly stronger built while those in the castle will have to be smaller sized.
Training Schedule
- Refer to training calendar which will be sent out to everyone
- Total 10 trainings + 3 rehearsals in Jan, and 6 trainings + 2 rehearsals in Feb, actual day on 16th Feb
- Weekend trainings will be from 6-9pm, weekdays 7-9:30pm.
- Rearrange your schedule & re-prioritise your activities for these 1.5 months so you can come for all the trainings + rehearsals if possible.
- Important dates to commit are all the rehearsals, and of cos the preview on the 15th Feb and the actual day on 16th Feb.
- We'd expect at least 80% attendance for the rest of the normal training sessions.
- All the training venue will be Guillemard Camp unless otherwise stated, cos all the floats are there.
- When a training session or rehearsal clashes with CG or BS, please explain to your CGL and arrange to go for makeup CG and BS.
- When a rehearsal clashes with Sat service, please explain to your CGL that you'll need to go for Sun service instead.
- The trainings are very intensive and will require heavy commitment from everyone, but its only for 1.5months.
- It'll take a certain amount of sacrifice from everyone, but we can all do it as we're not doing this for our own sake but for the sake of the church.
Training Requirements
- Be on time for trainings, if you're unable to make it or will be late, please inform your contact persons accordingly.
- As Guillemard Camp is quite deserted, do watch out for your personal safety and health.
- Have your meals before you come for training
- Bring water, food, insect repellant, umbrella if need be.
- Wear comfortable attire with covered shoes for safety.
- We'll be making our own props (shields, weapons, etc) during training time as well.
- 1st time Chingay having "human-powered" structures (i.e. floats pushed by manpower)
- 1st time City Harvest Church has been formally invited as a church to put up a float in Chingay, whereas in previous years it used to be through Strikeforce as part of some other CDCs or part of PA.
- Hence it is a privilege that we are able to 'represent' CHC for this event, and we should all put in our best to make sure we do CHC proud.
- Name of our segment is "Many Creative Communities, One Nation", and the overall theme for all the floats is "Unity, Strength, Vibrancy"
- Other participating groups include: Geylang Serai Constituency, PA Youth Movement, Hindu Endowment Board, and Kowloon Club
- Out of all the groups, our item definitely has the potential to be the highlight and the most exciting gig, cos we are doing an 'epic' battle scene!
Float Design + Performance
- Our item is essentially a big battle scene of an army of attackers trying to lay siege to a castle, and ultimately being defeated by the castle's counterattack.
- Our float design is therefore a big castle, with villagers and a general and a few soldiers within the castle.
- The castle will be 'pushed' along by our pushers, who will double up as defenders as well.
- The route taken will be different and no longer through Orchard Rd. It will start at City Hall, make one round around Padang then turn right towards Esplanade, and end up somewhere near the new Singapore Flyer. (can check out the map at http://www.chingay.org.sg/2008
- Throughout the route there will be 7 designated points where we must put up a 2min item, and this is where the battle scene unfolds:
- 15sec Castle moving in + Attackers getting into formation
- 45sec Attackers attack the castle (battling ram, catapults, ladders, etc)
- 45sec General sounds the counterattack (hidden defenders storm out of castle, pushers transform into defenders)
- 15sec Attackers retreat and defenders + villagers rejoice/celebrate
- Therefore half of the people will be assigned as attackers and the other half pushers/defenders. A small number of people will be assigned as villagers. Naturally the pushers will have to be slightly stronger built while those in the castle will have to be smaller sized.
Training Schedule
- Refer to training calendar which will be sent out to everyone
- Total 10 trainings + 3 rehearsals in Jan, and 6 trainings + 2 rehearsals in Feb, actual day on 16th Feb
- Weekend trainings will be from 6-9pm, weekdays 7-9:30pm.
- Rearrange your schedule & re-prioritise your activities for these 1.5 months so you can come for all the trainings + rehearsals if possible.
- Important dates to commit are all the rehearsals, and of cos the preview on the 15th Feb and the actual day on 16th Feb.
- We'd expect at least 80% attendance for the rest of the normal training sessions.
- All the training venue will be Guillemard Camp unless otherwise stated, cos all the floats are there.
- When a training session or rehearsal clashes with CG or BS, please explain to your CGL and arrange to go for makeup CG and BS.
- When a rehearsal clashes with Sat service, please explain to your CGL that you'll need to go for Sun service instead.
- The trainings are very intensive and will require heavy commitment from everyone, but its only for 1.5months.
- It'll take a certain amount of sacrifice from everyone, but we can all do it as we're not doing this for our own sake but for the sake of the church.
Training Requirements
- Be on time for trainings, if you're unable to make it or will be late, please inform your contact persons accordingly.
- As Guillemard Camp is quite deserted, do watch out for your personal safety and health.
- Have your meals before you come for training
- Bring water, food, insect repellant, umbrella if need be.
- Wear comfortable attire with covered shoes for safety.
- We'll be making our own props (shields, weapons, etc) during training time as well.
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