FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The information below may be updated, so please refer check for any updates
Attention all Contestants:
If you are a contestant preparing hard, aspiring to be the winner @ Saratoga has Talent Annual Competition 2015, PLEASE READ. Note that there are TWO DEADLINES between now and August 22nd:
#1We request details of your information by July 31st entered in the form below or click here
#2We just have to have your mp3 file by August 16th
D0 not email us - detailed info about your act, the tracks or any other details- we will likely lose it :-(
WHERE?
SARATOGA COMMUNITY CENTER,
19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga CA 95070
19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga CA 95070
WHEN?
Friday August 22nd 2015 (6:00pm to 10:00pm)
We may extend the show till 11:00pm if necessary.
We may extend the show till 11:00pm if necessary.
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
You will submit your audition videos - click here
Contestant tickets are available for purchase by invitation only
NOTE: The Saratoga Cares Foundation team reserves the right to add 2 contestants to each contestant tier, outside of the audition process
TICKETING DETAILS???
On the Ticketing link on our home page
NOTE: Each Contestant needs to purchase a contestant ticket whether performing solo or part of a team.
Sibling contestants? None offered. Our ticket prices are purposely kept simple
NOTE: Your ticket $ go to the non-profit group "Saratoga Cares Foundation" and towards local causes.
Contestant tickets are available for purchase by invitation only
NOTE: The Saratoga Cares Foundation team reserves the right to add 2 contestants to each contestant tier, outside of the audition process
TICKETING DETAILS???
On the Ticketing link on our home page
NOTE: Each Contestant needs to purchase a contestant ticket whether performing solo or part of a team.
Sibling contestants? None offered. Our ticket prices are purposely kept simple
NOTE: Your ticket $ go to the non-profit group "Saratoga Cares Foundation" and towards local causes.
BY WHEN SHOULD I SEND MY TRACK?
Answer: AUGUST 16th 2015
Send us your track by midnight August 16th. If we have not received the track by then, incur the wrath of the judges NEGATIVE 10 points even before you have started. Lose 10 points for every 6 hours of delay.
And once you have sent the track, no changes will be permitted.
NO EXCEPTIONS
We don't want to go through angst on the day off having to deal with this, when we are focused on running the numerous logistics around the show. We all have day jobs that need attention - and please don't make our life more difficult by not figuring out what track you are going to use, or chasing us at the venue with another request for a track update.
Our playlist will be set 3 days prior and no changes will be permitted after.
And once you have sent the track, no changes will be permitted.
NO EXCEPTIONS
We don't want to go through angst on the day off having to deal with this, when we are focused on running the numerous logistics around the show. We all have day jobs that need attention - and please don't make our life more difficult by not figuring out what track you are going to use, or chasing us at the venue with another request for a track update.
Our playlist will be set 3 days prior and no changes will be permitted after.
Have we done this before? How did it go last year? How is the competition?
(click on "PRIOR YEARS" from the menu selection on the left)
Yes we certainly have!
We run monthly events, and this annual competition.
This is the 4th annual competition.
The talent level participating is superlative, check out contestants from last year here
http://www.saratogatalent.com/our-reality-tv-show.html
Check out Testimonials here
http://www.saratogatalent.com/kudos.html
Here are the winners from 2013
http://www.saratogatalent.com/2013-sgt.html
Here are the winners from 2012 (5 to 12 segment)
http://youtu.be/07XMAWe130I?t=20m9s
Winners from 2012 (13+ segment)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHm5BVzz1C0
We run monthly events, and this annual competition.
This is the 4th annual competition.
The talent level participating is superlative, check out contestants from last year here
http://www.saratogatalent.com/our-reality-tv-show.html
Check out Testimonials here
http://www.saratogatalent.com/kudos.html
Here are the winners from 2013
http://www.saratogatalent.com/2013-sgt.html
Here are the winners from 2012 (5 to 12 segment)
http://youtu.be/07XMAWe130I?t=20m9s
Winners from 2012 (13+ segment)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHm5BVzz1C0
I am not a resident of Saratoga, CA. Can I participate?
Yes - this competition is open for every citizen of the world.
Are there Age groups for the participation?
Performances are divided between two age groups (Age as of June 14, 2013)
5 to 12 years - each act not to exceed 2 minutes
13+ years - each act not to exceed 2 minutes
5 to 12 years - each act not to exceed 2 minutes
13+ years - each act not to exceed 2 minutes
Are there any rehearsal planned?
No rehearsals are planned
Should my act be the exact same as my audition video?
no! You get to choose your act
How many awards are you handing out?
Each Age group will have 5 prizes/trophies
First Place, Second Place, Third Place, 2 Consolation Prizes
First Place, Second Place, Third Place, 2 Consolation Prizes
What can I perform?
We are a kids/ family friendly talent show, where anything and everything goes.
We love songs, dances, stand-up comedy, musical performances etc.We love almost everything.
And we call it a celebration of cultures; songs and music from every part of the world is welcome and encouraged.
We love songs, dances, stand-up comedy, musical performances etc.We love almost everything.
And we call it a celebration of cultures; songs and music from every part of the world is welcome and encouraged.
Any other rules? Yes
NO profanity or vulgar lyrics in any vocal performance or dance music. This is a family friendly event!!!
Participants may only perform ONE time during the show. Any participant who participates in more than one performance as contestant will disqualify BOTH acts.
NO nudity allowed! Keep attire at a respectable and tasteful level.
NO alcohol, tobacco, or drug advertisements are to be shown on any clothing.
NO PETS allowed in the act. Animals are prohibited with the exception of ADA service animals.
Participants may only perform ONE time during the show. Any participant who participates in more than one performance as contestant will disqualify BOTH acts.
NO nudity allowed! Keep attire at a respectable and tasteful level.
NO alcohol, tobacco, or drug advertisements are to be shown on any clothing.
NO PETS allowed in the act. Animals are prohibited with the exception of ADA service animals.
How long can my performance be?
See above
Is there a Contestant Fee / Entry Fee?
See ticket details above
Where is the Terms and Conditioners Form?
http://www.saratogatalent.com/terms-and-conditions.html
Can I accrue negative points?
If the organizers have to chase you to get the music files, information - you will lose points even before the contest has started. You need to look over the requirements and provide your responses by the required deadline. We all have day jobs and don't want to waste cycles trying to chase you down
What is the setup like at the event?
The sound system is outstanding, supplemented by 3 vocal mics. If you have a percussion, string instruments etc. bring it along. Guitars plug right into our system. Self-composed live music? That is a lethal combination - we love it! Want to go unplugged, Acapella? Bring it on!
We will have a piano available
Formats: If you need a music to accompany your performance, please email the file to saratogacares at gmail.com
DO NOT FORGET to bring the music yourself, just in case there is a glitch in our playlist / device etc
What is not permitted is to add your own karaoke system, and we don’t have a TV in the room to display lyrics.
Internet karaoke sites are not going to be supported.
We will have a piano available
Formats: If you need a music to accompany your performance, please email the file to saratogacares at gmail.com
DO NOT FORGET to bring the music yourself, just in case there is a glitch in our playlist / device etc
What is not permitted is to add your own karaoke system, and we don’t have a TV in the room to display lyrics.
Internet karaoke sites are not going to be supported.
Is there a Green Room?
A stage manager will be present to the right of the stage area - and available to answer any questions.
There is a green room and two dressing rooms backstage that contestants can use to prep and also to change etc.
Contestants can also step outside the theatre to huddle and prep if needed.
There is a green room and two dressing rooms backstage that contestants can use to prep and also to change etc.
Contestants can also step outside the theatre to huddle and prep if needed.
WHAT IS THE RATING SYSTEM ADOPTED BY THE JUDGES?
Judging would be based on the following 5 criteria leading to the final score of your performance
Each of these factors would be rated by our judges for the contestant (1 to 10 points)
Please refer to this website as the organizers reserve the right to make changes to these criterias
Each of these factors would be rated by our judges for the contestant (1 to 10 points)
Please refer to this website as the organizers reserve the right to make changes to these criterias
- Performance skill / expertise (20%)
- Audience applause (20%)
- Stage Presence (20%)
- Energy & Personality (20%)
- Costume (20%)
- *NOTE: 5 to 10 total points will be automatically deducted by each judge if performance time exceeds time allotted.
- Contestants that sign-up and do not comply with deadlines will also lose 10 to 20 points / judge (even prior to the start of the competition). Please use your current email and phone numbers, so that the organizing team does not have to chase you, to get the administrivia and other details done.
- Any ties in score will be resolved by a coin toss
FINAL SUGGESTIONS: for all contestants, performers and attendees
Thank you for being over zealous in providing information about your act via the form above. Let us not discover things the last week of the competition - we will not be able to accommodate you / any special requests. Quick responses back, outlining constraints and details of your act (as much as possible) are key to a super event.
Thank you for staying till the end and cheering the other performers. That also helps to contain the energy and helps create the community feeling. It is all about bringing the community together, and your presence there to support helps immensely.
Thank you for not persisting in jumping positions in the lineup. There is a lot of thought process put into the sequence of acts, and we open a Pandora's box if we jump a single participant up the line. There are many things going on in an event like ours – and the last thing the organizing team wants to deal with is persistent, pushy performers.
Thank you for making it too easy for us. Thank you for following instructions, and working with the constraints of this location. That helps immensely.....and for not exceeding your time slots. Once you are on stage, being respectful of the other performers after you is key to the success of the event
Thank you for staying till the end and cheering the other performers. That also helps to contain the energy and helps create the community feeling. It is all about bringing the community together, and your presence there to support helps immensely.
Thank you for not persisting in jumping positions in the lineup. There is a lot of thought process put into the sequence of acts, and we open a Pandora's box if we jump a single participant up the line. There are many things going on in an event like ours – and the last thing the organizing team wants to deal with is persistent, pushy performers.
Thank you for making it too easy for us. Thank you for following instructions, and working with the constraints of this location. That helps immensely.....and for not exceeding your time slots. Once you are on stage, being respectful of the other performers after you is key to the success of the event
Contestants that don't adhere to the deadline or have to be chased for information may automatically lose 10 points even before the performance.
- Names of all the performers in your act
NOTE: Only one act/family in each age group.
- Ages (if minors)
- Detailed description of you act: Song ? Dance? Magic
(NOTE: Max 2 minutes of setup time. Bands can make requests with details of their setup and we will look to to accommodate - no guarantee)
- What are the needs of your act. Are you bringing any special instrument? Do you need a wireless headset mic to do a song and dance routine? Do you need a piano? How many mics do you need etc etc Send us all the information NOW, otherwise it may be too late to accommodate on the day of the performance
- Use the form above to submit the mp3 link for download. Your mp3 file should be edited to 2 minutes or 3 minutes - ready to play. Please don't expect our team to play and stop somewhere in the middle. Also be very clear - at what point will you need this file be played - include detailed instructions do you need it played before you are on stage or after you are on stage etc. You will not have access to our sound manager on the day of the event - they will read instructions and follow. We will have a single play list in the control room where your music will be played. We will not be able to accommodate CDs or cell phones on the day of the event.
- We would like to ensure a level playing field. Please do no dedicate your performances to anything. Do not request mic time to speak about your performance.
Remember: Acts for 5 to 12 has to be max 2 minutes long.
Acts for 13+ needs to be max 3 minutes long
Please, please Send us your track in advance. If we have not received the track by then, incur the wrath of the judges NEGATIVE 10 points for every 6 hours of delay - even before you have started. And once you have sent the track, no changes will be permitted. Just trying to minimize the organizational challenges and heartaches.
NO EXCEPTIONS
- Names of all the performers in your act
NOTE: Only one act/family in each age group.
- Ages (if minors)
- Detailed description of you act: Song ? Dance? Magic
(NOTE: Max 2 minutes of setup time. Bands can make requests with details of their setup and we will look to to accommodate - no guarantee)
- What are the needs of your act. Are you bringing any special instrument? Do you need a wireless headset mic to do a song and dance routine? Do you need a piano? How many mics do you need etc etc Send us all the information NOW, otherwise it may be too late to accommodate on the day of the performance
- Use the form above to submit the mp3 link for download. Your mp3 file should be edited to 2 minutes or 3 minutes - ready to play. Please don't expect our team to play and stop somewhere in the middle. Also be very clear - at what point will you need this file be played - include detailed instructions do you need it played before you are on stage or after you are on stage etc. You will not have access to our sound manager on the day of the event - they will read instructions and follow. We will have a single play list in the control room where your music will be played. We will not be able to accommodate CDs or cell phones on the day of the event.
- We would like to ensure a level playing field. Please do no dedicate your performances to anything. Do not request mic time to speak about your performance.
Remember: Acts for 5 to 12 has to be max 2 minutes long.
Acts for 13+ needs to be max 3 minutes long
Please, please Send us your track in advance. If we have not received the track by then, incur the wrath of the judges NEGATIVE 10 points for every 6 hours of delay - even before you have started. And once you have sent the track, no changes will be permitted. Just trying to minimize the organizational challenges and heartaches.
NO EXCEPTIONS
Facebook Event Page?
2014 event page - https://www.facebook.com/events/231599933711348/
2013 event page - https://www.facebook.com/events/405216639573725/
2013 event page - https://www.facebook.com/events/405216639573725/
