ISKL Sea Forensics 2011

First and foremost, I'd like to share with you a picture I wanted to link but forgotten when I did THIS post. (bottom part)

Yes, the ugly truth. Well, true to some extent.

Right, back to the main business. I went for the International School Kuala Lumpur South East Asia Forensics 2011.

I joined the impromptu. It really was a good experience.

THe food and facilities at ISKL ampang was GREAT albeit expensive. Still, worth its money.
(PS: becareful with the meats. I accidentally ate beef without knowing it. I'm sorry)

THe facilities were just awesome! Everyone was using iMacs and Macbooks.

Sadly I died in the 2nd round. My number was 477!

AFter the opening ceremony and the demonstration of impromptu and solo acting (which were VERY good) (the impromptu demonstrator, Victoria, of ISKL, made her speech like it was prepared so many days in advance, she was SO PRO, like prepared, and completely confident and logical, left not only me and my friends, pretty much other participants jaw dropping, and in awe, but left many impromptu speakers balls shakin'. Assuming they had 'em to begin with. :P)

The topics I had were, (since that I have not managed to find any past year topics online, so thank me for sharing)

ROUND 1.
1. Contest.
2. Big Fish in a Small Pond.

Impromptu, only one minute to prepare and also have to speak a minimum time of 2 mins 50 seconds and maximum 5 mins and 10 seconds.

Wasn't easy. I think I went off topic (choose the second). Much to my surprise. I got a rank of 1 and 4. Yes, once you get inside, you can't go out (for impromptu. other categories did not matter as they all came prepared) and there will be a chair with paper and pencil. Within the envelope you find your topics. Upon pulling it out, the time keeper starts the stopwatch. Then after one minute. You walk to the podium (both contests of mine were in class, they had a nice wooden podium) and off you go. 2 judges will judge you. (duh, what else would they be doing) and then they will write comments on the adjudication sheets, which you shall receive later.

I got my results at the end of the day. By the way, this year there is only one contest per day. (as in for each category, besides debate and oral oratory i believe, as MANY joined those) and the 2nd one was the next day.
My ranking of 1 and 4 made me happy. But bear in mind. The rankings only go as 1,2,3, then 4,4,4,4 depending on the amount of contestants in the room (i had 7, usually 7-8). There were many others who had tons of experience. The 1234444 ranking system is good, because after the first 3, you won't know your actual standing. Seeing 7 out of 7 does hurt your confidence to a certain extent doesn't it?

I'd share the adjudication sheets for you to see, but I can't download them. It's kept private. But here's a tip, be confident, know what you are saying and also make corrections if you said something wrong. (sorry, what I meant to say was ___) and put up a bold front. Have good flow of thought, start nicely, and end with a bang.Quotes are a plus, and even better if you mention who said it. =) so to "prepare" for the unprepared impromptu, read alot, think alot, and learn quotes! Thanks to Hannah for prepping me. =)


ROUND 2:
Topics:
1. Tension
2. Burnt Child Fears the Flame.

Chose the 2nd one. Wasn't so good this time. Got 4-4. Went in as the 2nd last.

As you may notice, Contest and Tension, are 2 attributes that seem to apply to the impromptu speakers. I noticed many contestants all end up talking about themselves currently (take an example, now, I'm undergoing a contest, which is a test, OR I have lots of tension right now, I'm sure you can notice it from my voice.)

I don't think the judges I had liked it. But I'm not sure. No claims please. =)


I also believe Impromptu is well the most interesting to join, you never know what you are going to get, and you can't be prepared. Most fluid. Others are all scripted and prepared. Well, they have to redo acts and speechs everytime they advance. But you only have to do it a max of 4 times. (Excl. Debate)

But it was great fun watching duet acting. =) Everyone is so talented.
Also,
Then we had the other groups. Ashwin, Isaac, Hannah, Clar, Aarathi, Carmen, Edward, , Gwen , Qi Hua, Shaneal, Rayshini, Li-Vern, Joshua, Calan, Lay Yin and one more. =) 

 Everyone died in 2nd round except the Duets (Isaac-Ash, Clar-Aarathi), Oral Oratory (Hannah and Ashwin) and Edward i believe, forgive me, it's been a week, my memory does not serve me well, especially the current situation. Check with Hannah.


Hannah and ashwin made it to the Semi's, and Ashwin, the lone ranger, got into the finals. Hannah totally rocked. =)


We all thought that it's great already, to survive till there, turn's out, he got THIRD PLACE!!!


I mean, given the amount of training we had, the sucky whoops, i mean "GREAT" service, ( I was called stingy by a certain someone when that teacher told me to get a cab home, and I asked whether if we will be reimbursed) I believe that transport is the least they could do as we were there trying to fight for glory. Getting testimonial isn't the point. I mean, I'm not requesting the SCHOOL to buy food for us is good enough already. (fyi, other schools provided food.) My point of view anyway.

Owh, and the drama games were nice. =)
All in all, although having paid about rm30 for food 2 days there (I'm a glutton) and missing school for 2 days, I did learnt alot. =)


I'm just a big fish in a small pond.

Congrats to Ashwin!


Next up. Birthday Post. (hopefully) (time to get to my homework)


Hopefully to have been of help,


Wen Chuan


Disclaimer: All views expressed here are merely my own personal thoughts and I shall not be held liable for any issues arising. Should there be dispute, do not hesitate to contact me and we shall improvise. Remember, the right to freedom of speech. =)