Now I am all for "individualizing" your costume, adding extra touches to make it more custom made for you, whether it is as simple as adding extra beads to your belt or as elaborate as adding a feathered collar for instance. However, there are a group of masqueraders pushing for the category of "Backline Individual" which to me is somewhat of an oxymoron, since an Individual is the masquerader that usually leads the section in a unique one of a kind costume that bears no resemblance to any other costume in the band, someone that is certainly not in the backline! Therefore is a backline costume with extra embellishments really a "Backline Individual" or a backline with "extra stuff"?
For those who are unfamiliar with the hierarchy of a section let me break it down for you:
Regular Costume/Backline
Frontline
Individual/Section Leader
The fact is masqueraders have always been adding extras to their costumes, I know Samaroos saw me many a times in the past, when I used to play backline, looking for sequin and gems to add to my costume. There was one year I reconstructed my entire bra, taking the decorations from one and adding it to another and I made jewelry to match the costume too!
Even when I play frontline I always add something to my costume, I never wear the costume as is out of the box; that is just me. So, to hear now that this form of customization makes you an "individual" is quite amusing to me as I never thought of this personalization as being an Individual in the true sense of the word; there are still several hundred people in the same basic costume as me so the change would have to be very significant to stand out as being unique, meaning I would have to be in a completely different costume from head to toe. I have also been an Individual Character once, so I know very well the differences among the section hierarchy as I have played in each category.
Apparently the phenomena of a "Backline Individual" is really taking off and many masqueraders are talking about adding lots of extras to their costume. The group has been even debating the whether the "Backline Individual" has the "right to push up in front because she is different"! Which leads to the question of the day: does the backline individual hold as a legitimate category of costuming? How many of you subscribe to the backline individual movement? Why is the backline individual becoming so popular, is it because of finances or an outlet for creativity? Would you consider a backline costume with extra embellishments an "Individual"? And finally, does a "Backline Individual" have the right to lead a section because the costume is "different"?
My one bit of advice to the ladies who want to do something very elaborate with their backline costume is to contact the mas camp or section leader, not only out of courtesy to inform them that you will be tweaking the design, but maybe the band or section leader will recognize your individuality and bump you up to "Individual" status for real!
43 comments:
I think that just because you altered your costume or recieved extra pieces that does not qualify to lead the section unless the section leader tells you that you are indeed a section leader. I know that a lot of people are adding collars, arm pieces, and even backpacks to their backline costume (I am making a few for some people). But that was because people just want to be different, I dont feel that they have the right to lead the section without the section leaders permission. Soon enough this movement will get out of hand and people is going to start making their own costume and just pay for a wrist band.
I am an individual/ section leader and if any backline individual try to get in front of me there will be problems. LOL
I would def agree, the Backline Individual is an oxymoron! I play backline mas because I simply cannot handle the pressure of being frontline, never mind an individual.. Nor do I want to pay that kind of money for mas! I cannot be restricted by a large headpiece, backpack, wings etc.. I need room to wuk up!! Am I an individual playing backline mas? YES! I've always been the one to decorate my crew's shoes/boots and make sure we have glitter, make-up, accessories, etc. Does that make us stand out? Of course! But can we compete [costume wise] with the sexy mama in she $1,500individual mas.. NAH!! Although I am paying extra to beautify my costume, I would never be so bold to push up myself in front of a frontline masquerader and certainly not an individual. I actually love the back of the sect.. More room to spread out :-)
BTW.. Mulberry was an excellent example of how the order goes.. 1) Individual, 2) Frontline 3) Backline. C'mon Ladies, know ya place :-)
Backline Individual, lawd that is a new one on me. People idle yes!
I completely understand that some people want to jazz up their BL costumes because a lot of those costumes are pretty whack. I've always played BL so I know the feeling. But just because one made their own front-line-esque addition that does not mean they can join that rank. Know your place. The indi and FL paid their money for that spot, not you the BL. So just rock back and lead the BL, please.
I completely agree with Carnival Divaz. If any BL playing she coming to jump in front of me, she will feel the wrath of the Bunny!
This BL Indiv thing really annoys me, because it smacks of people wanting to look like FL, without having to actually PAY for an FL. I mean, I'm not at all against anyone adding some sequins or feathers to a bra, waistpiece or headpiece. But if the FL already comes with a backpack, why are you paying for the BL, then making a backpack on the side? To me, it's slightly disrespectful to the costume designer. I would sooner pay for the FL, then contact the designer to say "I had some thoughts about reworking my backpack. Is this possible?"
But Saucy's point is really good- the mas camp needs to be told, not because you're hoping to be 'upgraded' or anything. But because it's the courteous thing to do. Sections are designed and a band is produced with a certain overall 'look' in mind, and something about straying TOO far from that, irks me a bit. I shall once again refer to the twat in Pheasant FL who put HIDEOUS YELLOW feathers in what was a gorgeous GOLD costume.
I totally agree with Mz No Behavior. Backline girls are made to have more fun. I've been down the path of frontline before and it made absolutely no sense. I like to walk in my panty and bra, not even a head piece can stay on my head. For 2010 I registered for Silk of Rajasthan full costume but I know to my heart my costume will be experienceing drastic changes. I guess with the excitement of registering I agreed with all the questions that was asked, when I caught my self it was to late but it's all good. What the hell is a "Backline Individual". People so desperate for attention that they want to make their Shi! legal in the people band, get a grip!! Not mad with the front girl but YES BACK LINE BETTY IS MADE TO HAVE MORE FUN, MONEY IN OUR POCKET NEXT DAY FOR MORE FUN,SOURVENIRS AND THE FELLAS LOVE US FOR THAT. My costume is paid in full advance with cash, not a loan and certainly not credit!!! my real hair, makeup and accesories are always at their best. Fronline costumes are always pretty but before the day is done, their parts are seen through out the streets of port of spain and homegirls looking like crap because they had no fun!!!
In the words of my "Yankee" friends - they better go sit their a** down somewhere!! And while they're at it put down the damn glue gun.
If you want to be in front pay the band their money or take 2 giant steps BACK
If you ask me that Individual for Mulberry is also and oxymoron IF by definition "an Individual is the masquerader that usually leads the section in a unique one of a kind costume that bears no resemblance to any other costume in the band". IMO the FL of Mulberry looks like an embellished BL and the Individual looks like and embellished FL with a caged bra...Tons of resemblence unlike how true Individual costumes use to be back in the day. However, you can call yourself w/e, including BL Individual but I don't think you should be brasen enough to want to walk in front like an actual individual costume that will be judged. Play yuh mas but know yuh role....
"Fronline costumes are always pretty but before the day is done, their parts are seen through out the streets of port of spain and homegirls looking like crap because they had no fun!!!"
Sorry, but as an FHO who takes the commandments very seriously, I cannot identify with that statement on ANY level...lolol.
Re: the post.. an "IndividualIZED Backline" is so much different from the term "Backline Individual". Knoweth thine role!
again these are all issues that completely take the fun and ritualistic meaning out of playing mas, everyone pays their money to play Mas weather Backline, Frontline or individual that should not dictate where you are placed in the section it simply dictates you have paid more for your costume which you are wearing!
i am totally against all this revamping and adding to costumes simply because its not the designers vision for the section but you really need to step back and ask yourself whos to blame? the masquerader? or the Designer?
if the designer provides a good enough backline costume rather than throwing their creativity towards the overly priced frontline costumes and supplying sub standard over diluted versions to the backlines we would not be in this situation now!
i applaud girls who have the front to put 50 pheasant feathers in their headress and push up in front! lol i waiting for the day masqueraders duplicate the backpices too!
But Bacchanalmas the price you pay does dictate where they place you when you cross the stage. Would you place your individual after the entire band has crossed?
BacchanalMas, may I respectfully disagree?
My understanding is that the entire rationale behind having a gradation of BL, FL, and Indi, is for that same impact of presentation for the masses of which you speak. My concern is this: How is that impact supposed to be achieved when you don't have proper placement within sections (I'm specifically talking about judging points, by the way)?
Also, if you are against revamping BL costume because it compromises the designer's vision, how could you applaud the gumption of those who choose to "put 50 pheasant feathers in their headress and push up in front"?
I don't have any issue with anyone individualizing their costume. Once it has been done respectfully, and it has been approved by the designer. But pushing up to be in front? Hmmmmmm...meen know bout alla dat, and I am thinking that there are others who play mas (BL, FL and Indi's) that may see it the same way :)
Costume modifications should be seriously discouraged because most times the costume ends up looking coskel and tacky, not to mention the disrespect to the designer. And please there is no such thing as backline individual, so stop butchering the people designs :)
And on another note this Monday wear thing getting outa hand too, sometimes I wonder if I in de dam circus with so much clowns! crochet is not mas!!!!!
Front Line also means just that. You are supposed to be in the front of the section (but behind the individual of course... :-} ). I agree with Saucy that the price you pay does dictate where they place you when you cross the stage.
BacchanalMas you would not dare plop your behind in First Class when you paid for a coach seat would you ?
ok, now the backline individual talk came up on the cbox when one or two ppl including myself talked about creating a backpack for my costume. The backline individual talk has gone WAY out of proportion, it was never meant to overpower the frontlines or individuals, you're still in the back, but if you feel you want something extra and you know that your something extra can ENHANCE not butcher your costume, do your thing. My problem is when people start to make there costume so ENHANCED that you cannot even recognize the costume, well then its a problem. The reason why we called it a backline individual is that it would be different but still a backline, if you want to call it an individualized backline, fine it doesn't matter, the point is its not to overpower the frontline, bettys know their place, but nothing is wrong with adding a little something that will satisfy your needs and make the costume look better!
Mimi is it true that one backline-r is planning wings? 10ft wings to be exact? lol
in my band i dont have to worry if my individuals come across the stage after or before their section as the size of them emphasisis the fact they are an individual!
picking up on what Empress said in respect of grading the costumes tribe and bands alike have got it wrong! the frontline should actually be the backline and the individual should be the frontline! indivudals to me are supposed to have pressence and size like the blue tanger male costume featured in tribe this year thats what i class as an indivdual!
i think people are more interested about being noticed and making sure they are first to be seen when the section crosses that its actually stupid!!
in response i didnt know the price you pay dictates where you are placed in the band?? i was under the impression that the more you pay the higher the grade of costume! ie remember option B and C headresses???? they used to be larger than the standard backline, if what you guys are saying is the case why do Tribe represntatives not come and order you in a flow of individual, Frontline and then backline???? they dont do it because the grade of your costume means nothing.......... and allyuh frontline and indiduals need to just accept that and up your game lol
err Bacchanal Mas, in fact the years I have played Individual and Frontline there was order in how we crossed the stage. Individuals went first then frontline and then the rest of the section. This year in particular security was VERY tight in making sure we crossed in that order. I know Sonia Mack is also VERY strict with this as well as Harts. Individuals pay lots of money to be section leaders, so you are saying that "price" should not allow them to cross the judging points first?
Trinigyal in response i Applaud it because it would not happen in my band so for it to happen in tribe and people get away wit it i applaud it cos i find it funny! i also applaud it because it pure bold face! i have had it happen once or twice in my band trust me the people knew i was not impressed as the designer! and as a designer / Bandleader we should reserve the right to take action against people who do offend this within reason! i think that is something Tribe should look into...
but i guess once they got allyuh dollars you all jus people to them Individual, Frontline or Backline!
Oh like if TRIBE kicks someone out of the band for adding extra plumes that will not reach the front page of the Express the next day? This is not NHC it is Trinidad Carnival and TRIBE knows good and bad PR as well as customer service, I cannot see them kicking someone out of the band for adding plumes to their costume...that will NOT fly in Trinidad.
10ft wings u say sauce?!!!! nah that is just overdoin it! I dunno nothing about that!!!!
im not saying price or being frontline should not dicatate that! but truth of the matter alot of the time its a free for all i know the year i played in Tribe it was certainly a free for all i dont know about now!
i have also seen how Harts crosses the stage yes they let the individuals go first but the rest of the band is usually one big mish mash of sections??? if im not mistaken.
but me personally i do a similar format mine actually flows Frontline, Midline, Backline then the Individual which is normally on stage alone as my individuals span a minimum or 6 metres wide 4 metres tall!
well then Saucy your argument has come to an end if Tribe cannot do something about it theres no point complaining about it, and from what i can see this year looks set to be worse in tribe so i guess u all best get used to it and start pimping out your own costumes and creating some Frontline individuals, cos when them 10ft wings block allyuh 5ft Individual and de 3ft frontlines allyuh gonna be cussing real harder!
No one is asking TRIBE to put them out, but if someone shows up in a home made Individual do you think they should cross before the section? lol
no i dont think they should but i know they will make every effort to try! if they had the guts to walk into the band so they got the guts to upstage allyuh frontline and individuals! lol
Upstage who? LOL I know no Backline Individual will be crossing the stage before me :)
you say that now but what could you physically do to stop them?? i mean i could easily whip up a back pack indentical to the Mulberry Individual one but i know i wouldnt have the guts to wear it but all im saying is as the backpacks are so easy to replicate you may not even know that they bought a backline, again referring to mulberry as you have the pics up there is no difference body wear wise between the frontline and backline, fling more feathers on de headress create the arm pieces and fling some plumes on de legs would you be able to tell the difference???
You know, the wonderful thing about this blog is that someone who has the power to make changes in the Large Bands is ALWAYS reading and sifting through the constant contradictions in statements and polar opposite opinions.
:)
I can't believe what I am reading. Are you guys really stressed over who crosses the stage ahead of who? It's carnival!
So ok ... you pay for your individual/FL,you get your extra feathers and your special treatment. The size of your costume commands extra road space that you WILL be given which is fair enough. But now, you also want to tell other masqueraders where they can and cannot play their mass? Especially in a band like Tribe which is a general mess as far as section discipline goes?
I am FL and I think it's all a bit silly and impractical!
Perhaps the real issue here is the fact that in Tribe, the finished backline product is often very disappointing. I can say that from experience. Ppl are clearly taking matters into their own hands. I don't agree with messing with anyone's designs...but after a few year's of being BL with Tribe I could defintely understand the "need".
Don't get me started on the tacky Monday wear trend... that's another discussion!
I am not telling anyone where they can play their mas through the streets of Port of Spain and St James but when we reach the main judging point, be it downtown or by the Savannah as PER DICTATED by my section leader there is an order in how the section crosses the stage: Individual, then frontline then the "floor members".
After that they can mix up in one callaloo, they can lead the jumble I do not care but for those few minutes, I say let the section cross with some semblance of order. I cannot see an individual paying 12,000.00TT for the privilege to lead the section getting run over by floor members... but that is just me and I know my section leader is one that ensures order is kept when crossing the "stage".
By the way I saw the same thing at Miami Carnival, Individuals and Frontline crossed first then the rest of the section so it is nothing new or unique to Trinidad!
Of course it SHOULD be like that ... but it is Tribe! Unless you are individual/fl in the fisrt section in the band it will be very hard to ensure there are no $3,800 costumes in front of your $12,000 costume.
There are a lot of things that should happen that don't. Take Monday wear (grrrrr!)... The fact that for many masqueraders the only thing that differentiates them from a spectator is a plastic band, is horrible. I'm sure band leaders, security and designers would prefer for everyone to wear enough of the costume for it to be obvious that they are in the band. But that doesn't happen does it? Surely helping the band to ensure your safety and happiness is just as if not much more important?
People will do what they like though. There will always be the argument of "It's my costume, I paid for it, I could do what I want!"
I am sorry, but I strongly believe your extra $$ gets you your costume and your service. Ensuring your place on the streets of POS and in your section is up to you,the cooperation of masqueraders, and the band itself ... and Tribe has probably (unfortunately) become too large to have total control over that.
Thats more like 3 cents :)
I beg to differ, it really is up to your section leader and if they are on hand to make sure when crossing the judging point that order is maintained.
I was not in the first section this year, I believe we were 5th or 6th, and everyone crossed in order, security was very strict with that.
Maybe someone in other sections could speak of their experience if it was different.
Interesting topic. I read it, read the comments too and thought to myself that this is kind of like "I'm not a secretary, I'm an administrative assistant" or "He's not the janitor, he's the sanitation engineer". I am a comfortable backliner (until I'm done with student loans) and my sisters and I have been known to add a little extra to our costumes, but whether it's we call in (and I'm not down with the term) a "backline individual" or whatever else, we holding down our sexy IN THE BACK. Not trying to get in front of the frontline and definitely OR the individual. For what?! And just because YOU add extra plumes to your costume does not mean you deserve a complimentary upgrade.
Piggybacking of Salsaman's point about the airplane. I'm in coach, but I have my fluffy custome made flying blanket and and my own customised flying pillow, should the Flight Attendant (not Air Hostess) say,"but A-A, you looking just like you in first class, go and sit in the front"? HELL NO!
Please!
Call it what you want, you get what you PAID THE BAND for! Sorry!
I don't expect more.
And for those who vex about Monday wear, I will say again, I'm not wearing NO costume two days in a row! I don't do that with regular clothes far worse for something I spend 10 hours sweating down the place in, so Monday wear it is. Who vex....sour!
And Sauce, from what I see, masqueraders give Tribe, ONE time for the day that they'll behave and get in their section, after that, all hell breaks loose. Some do it, some don't, and by the 5th judging point, everybody is like to hell with it. THAT (and not Monday wear, or extra feathers or whatever) irritates me, and THAT, is a bigger insult to the designers of the sections, and to the band as a whole.
So, all of that to say: No, "backline individuals, are nothing but "glorified" (even though some of the alterations definitely don't be glorious), backliners and in the BACK they should stay! Myself included :)
IMHumbleO!
Ms Gray, I LOVE your comment!!!
Well without going back through the years, from a BL perspective the judging point crossing was a total mess this year, and I did not get what I paid for with SC.
I did not pay for a messy job, scant head piece, and 2 clashing tones of gold. Therein (maybe) lies the problem. The need for add-ons may be lessened if you got what you paid for! The only reason I went for FL this yr is because I'm tired of not getting what I paid for with BL, and from this blog alone I figure the satisfaction might be better with FL.
So wait...after allyuh give these bands allyuh money allyuh still going to spend MORE money to embellish it? Just to so that you could move up the masquerader hierarchy on carnival mon and tue. Whatever happened to playing your mas for the love and fun of it? I think this whole debate is nonsense. No wonder these bands could hike up prices and do whatever they want. There's a niche for it. Dance little puppets. Dance...lmao.
I can say that when crossing the Savannah "stage" this year with Tribe, which was the very first stage we crossed, everyone was in sections, and it was frontlines first, then backlines. The individuals all cross together ahead of the whole band if I remember correctly, and you can see evidence of all of this in both the Toronto Lime Carnival Tues video and the Parade of the Bands DVD (even despite the editing in the latter).
Well ahmm, no one said you have to wear the same sweaty costume two days in a row, but don't tell me that grown women suddenly dunno how to clean a outfit the night before for next morning, and tribe does offer the option of purchasing extra shorts for Monday.
Even if you don't wear your costume on Monday, at least look like you belong in the band. As RWB cleverly pointed out the only thing that separates some masqueraders from the spectators is the wristband. I seen masqueraders look like they going to the beach, to bed in lingerie, to ringling brothers dressed in doilies and flags, I even seen one silvery creature from space, lol.
BTW Sauce, you looked just gorgeous on Monday, maybe you should give tips ;)
MsGray I love your comment and I agree wholeheartedly!!!
And how come All of a sudden people jumpin out with this I don't like monday wear talk?
I cannot play in the same costume two days in a row, never did and never will! Greg tell me how I goin and properly clean the costume with all that embellishments and thing, suppose something on the costume runs while I cleanin it? I can't take that chance so I wear costume colour coordinated monday wear!
In life there will always be someone who will get carried away and overdo something! There will be that chick in the backline costume with the VS angel wings looking outta time, there will be that chick with yellow feathers on an orange costume, so what? that is their busines, is them who goin down d road lookin outta time. so just because a minority does get carried away on monday wear and adding embellishments to their costume doh mean that everybody gonna be the same.
Its not that serious....its simply carnival....
In my opinion, the mas camps who set the trend for costume design/budgeting placing all the funding in the frontline and individual. And that dont necessarily mean that a person who choose the option C costume is unable to afford the other costumes. A creative person with options has the right to determine if the fl and indiv costumes are worth buying. If she wants to make her alterations she can do so. As far as designers rights, I think thats a courtesy that can be extended to a designer or mas camp if you have a personal relationship with them. I hold no contractual obligation to extend that courtesy. Just as they hold no contractual obligation to give me prior knowledge of any changes being made to the prototype. Aside from that, In any band people have the right to move freely. If you playing mas with people from another section you can move to their sections or vice versa. As far as getting in order to cross the 'stage' well then fine, we will cross in the order that the security guards/section leader/etc ordain. But other than that- you paid more for your costume because your costume cost more. You didnt pay to stand in front of anyone. This aint jim crow carnival we can all mingle on the road! LOL.
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