How to build a crew that will last !
I posted this on Cros's site but want canadian input also
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In the spirit of trying to create a positive post I would be interested in hearing other crews thoughts on this. More often than not many crews only last a few years let alone 5, 10 or 20 years.
What are some strategies in doing this . This is an open question to all but it would be great if crews like FloorLords, RSC, Rockforce, Style Elements, Massive Monkeys and Bag of Trix would respond.
Our own crew celebrates our 22nd anniversary this year so hear are some of my thoughts on this.
1: Celebrate and document your accomplishments. Film as much as possible and keep this in case your around still in 20 yrs and peeps want to see and hear about the original members.
2: Do allot of shows - of all kinds together. Get paid so that you can also put bigger expectations on your members as far as choreographies, etc.
3: Do things together as a crew that reach out to the wider community. Become role models to youth in general and give back to society. You will not only feel good about doing this - but it raises the profile of your crew beyond just a bunch of battling badboys. (Ultimately try to get the key to the city given to you by the mayor or have a day proclaimed for you - Ask the Monkeys about this one)
4: Try to keep old original members of the crew involved - even if they don't dance anymore. It creates a sense of a much larger family in and around the crew and helps with mentoring.
5: Consider having an upcoming crew mentor under your crew. (Sort of like a farm team in baseball). This keeps young talent on the rise and gives them something to someday aspire to. It also gives them exposure to what your crew is about so they can be sure whether or not they want to be down someday.
6: Market your crew and its accomplishments to the media - this raises your crews profile and gives you chances to tell the inside story about what Bboying and your crew is about.
7: Consider writing a mission statement for your crew with the input of crew members. There’s nothing like being real clear on what you stand for. The exercise from doing this will flush out peeps position's on the foundation vrs circus debates, along with helping peeps visualize goals for the future.
8: Be supportive of each other in and out of the crew. Hang out together - help each other with the @#%$ life can throw at you.
9: Enter battles , support other peoples jams, and go on roadtrips together. (Roadtrips and the memories build tight relationships)
10: Don't only pick peeps to be in the crew because they are friends and don't only pick peeps because they are exceptional dancers. try to find the right chemistry and balance for this. Remember average skill dancers can become dope with encouragement and time and dope dancers can also become friends.
11:Consider probation periods for new members - re: time to make sure they are the right fit for your family.
12: Consider rituals like battling to get in - knowing the crews history etc.
13: Look at peeps other talents in the crew and find other ways for people to contribute. re: video editing, marketing, media relations, designing routines and commando's , MCing events etc. Its also important to give other's a chance to rise to the challenge in these areas. If you only ever let one guy on the Mic at shows what will you do if he gets hit by a bus.
14: Consider coming up with a graphic logo for the crew, teeshirts, etc. This helps create an identity for the future to be proud of.
15: schedule regular practice time - keep expectations high on peeps attending - but be understanding also of peeps work, family obligations, school etc.
16: Look at your crews strengths and build upon them - if your crew is great at comedy in the Cypher this may become one of the features you are known for.
17: Talk about your history and old stories and battles - but be careful not to preach to the youngins.
18: Don't freak out if someone leaves the crew for awhile to pursue other opportunities. Be supportive of them. If they are hooked into your crew they will rep you no matter where they are.
19: Run your own events! - Network with other crews in other cities.
20: Create a promo DVD of your crew
21:Be clear on expectations with each other.
22: Deal with conflict in your crew - don’t put your head in the sand and ignore it.
i don't think it's a matter of what you do with your crew after it's formed. i think it's a matter of choosing who is and who isn't in your crew and when it's the right time to create one. the older cats know, your crew is your family. you roll with them day and night. a bboy crew is only one aspect of your group. you may have met them through bboying, but that's not all it's about. even though im young still i can still see younger cats think a crew is about a funky name and good bboys. and only a few of us understand that's definitely not what it's about. i'd be interested to hear about how some crews were formed, maybe then people will get a better understanding on what it really means to be apart of a crew.
Re: How to build a crew that will last !
I think being friends is important - but you can also expand your circle of friends and learn to be tolerant of others. This is also a personal growth thing that is a skill usefull in the rest of your life when you launch into a career etc. One does not want to limit yourself from becoming close to new people.
To be honest - some people in our original crew were friends before and some were not. But over time we all grew to be lifelong friends. I am still in regular contact with most of the original crew who I have all seen grow up - get married - define carreers and have kids. But we will always be CFM family.
We still look out for each other and open doors of oppertunity for each other when we can. For example - Coach from our original crew got me hooked up with Cirque Du Soliel a few years ago and this has branched into a number of new oppertunities. We all realize looking back that involvment in our crew was one of the most important things that shaped all of our lives and we will always have this in common with each other.
Re: How to build a crew that will last !
true...i think the key is making sure eveyone feels a part of the family and having a crew identity...it probably avoids problems between members and motivates people to improve
but ill stop talking now cuz i would rather hear what the older crews have to say about this
Re: How to build a crew that will last !
ill just say
i am privilaged enough to be with a crew thats mad tight, though at times disfunctional, we are tight as @#%$ and see eachother so much i wanna puke sometimes. its VERY RARE we roll threw a jam without eachother.
only reason i try to come up is to rep my team right as they have shown me love before i really even had much @#%$ and had previously basically taught myself from scratch, they just saw potential and helped me grow. through set backs and obstacles, we've been tight for a minute now and i know these peeps are here for life and taught me what real crew is and hopefully i hvae to them to.
we've had new ppl come into the crew from random connections and now their close friends of mine, and i totally agree with what buddah just said bout keeping your mind open to new peeps. cause sometimes people just link right even if you've just met.
building is a bad word for putting together a crew with longevity, i think growing is the way it should be put. growing a crew is natural and enduring.
smooth-ops / drunkenmonkz fam
Re: How to build a crew that will last !
If not friends first... I think the crew should atleast have the same goals; in terms of where they want to get as a team. I think there would be less personal conflicts, and the crew members would just make decisions upon whats best for the crew. keywords: I think.
Re: How to build a crew that will last !
yo its all about frienship....its what will make it work.........
i dont even have a crew...i have a family........
its more than a crew we been thru thick and thin, and anyone down with us will go thru the same........
if u bring someone into yor crew they need to be down with becoming a part of the family not the crew
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