New Flamin Year

After pondering at length the issues that I've observed in many fire troupes, I think I see the true core of many of the problems involved.

Fire performers suffer from a crisis of perception. Ask any 5 performers why they spin and you'll get 8 answers. People tell you they love the art, the whooshing sound as the fire goes by, they think spinning is fun, they think it'll get them laid, they think it'll get them money, fame, respect, etc. And I'm certainly not one to say which theory is right. Perhaps each one (or two) is right for each person. But this is not where the crisis lies.

As fire performers we have the fairly unique performance attribute of being able to throw down, nearly anywhere, at the drop of the hat. Moreover, fire performers get that call to spin at a friend's birthday party, corp event, etc much more than actors, street performers, dancers or even jugglers and similar entertainers. So, for most performers, joining a troupe isn't necessary. All the fun, fame, respect, and such is attainable without the assistance of others.

So, why join a troupe? Once passed through the filter above, the reasons narrow severely: money and artistic expression that requires numbers (like choreography). Everything else could be readily achieved in a basic solo career, and even some money filters to the soloists; though most still goes to the troupes.

So, why is it that I hear in EVERY single troupe: "remember, we're supposed to be having fun..." Bull. We're supposed to be making money. If it were only about fun, you'd be at a party with people you know, chewing on a pacifier and hugging everyone in sight. Instead, you're sober as a judge, smellin' of fuel and getting all stressed about choreography.

This isn't to say that you can't have fun as a fire performer in a troupe. But you have to keep it in perspective. You don't join a fire troupe in-order-to-have-fun, you join a fire troupe instead of selling plasma because it's a more-fun way to get the cash, plus all those side benefits: fame, whooshing sounds, etc. You join a troupe instead of spinning solo because there are events you can cover that provide much more cash than spinning alone.

When a troupe is trying to build (or advance, or just maintain) a name, it has to deliver a good product, plus provide assurances that future products will be as good or better. This means adding things like safety, costuming, and such, to the basic spinner-on-a-stage scenario. It means following a code of conduct for certain events (like, no flyering the governor's birthday with rave notices), and consequences when they're broken.

I know, it's hard enough to reprimand friends. It's even harder to point out flammability flaws, sobriety rules, or safety issues to someone who taught you how to spin (or might as well have). But in order for a troupe to build or maintain a quality product (fire show), it must be ever diligent on these issues, it must have a code. That's how the successful acts in our community have been allowed to continue to perform, and how all of us have a chance.

If fire performance is 'all about the fun,' then a troupe has no incentive to maintain a quality product. As long as everyone gets their jollies, it's all good. But when you stop and realize that you're actually created a little business with a service product, then you know that there must be consequences for failing to keep the code. This code must be followed whether or not you're getting paid, even if your group's name isn't attached to the event.

Why? Because everything you do echoes back to the group. You spin for free at a small venue, but a producer for larger shows is there. If you jack around and deliver a sloppy show, your name goes down and you don't get that big show. If you spin alone and they find out you're with a troupe, it echoes again. Heck even things you don't do might reflect on you, like someone leaving a beer can in the green room. The promoter or stage manager might see it and you together and add things up.

Now, I know that anyone likely to read this is an adult, and probably has figured this out for themselves. But the real crisis comes in when we forget.
It's one thing to grab the NAFAA regs and say, "we'll follow these", but the first time you slam a beer before going on stage, is most likely to be that time you light your face on fire.

So, when you're making a resolution this year, be resolute. If you're going to put on the veneer of a code of ethics or safety, follow them. Don't just pay them lip service. Be sober, check your tools and costumes, make sure everyone your spinning with has done the same. And don't just do it when you have an accident, do it before, do it long after, do it when you see the color red.

Our crisis of perception? "oh, we've done this a million times before" If you do it a million times with safety and respect, then do it again without respect, without that one little safety rule, without being your best ... that's the time you've have an accident. If not now, soon. If not soon, then you can keep losing a little safety here, a little there... get it?