Drum Corp World and Throw It Down The Movie

I recently had the opportunity to view see an advance screener of “Throw It Down,” a feature-length documentary will give audiences a very intimate, inside look into what it takes to produce a world class drum and bugle corps.

Three years in the making, this movie covers many aspects within the Canton Bluecoats organization during the 2006 season, portraying what is involved in putting together a corps, from countless rehearsals to long bus rides. All the logistics, planning, fund-raising, endless rehearsals, experiences, desires, pains, joys and stories are covered.

Much of the film takes viewers behind the scene as the corps travels cross-country and endures grueling practices in brutally hot temperatures. The daily grind, from the initial stages of learning the drill through a complex grid system or dots, to perfecting the musical and visual show are captured. All aspects of being a member are touched on such as injuries, exhaustion, exhilaration, determination, unity, teamwork and the love of performance.

Along the way, there are interviews and selected features with a variety of corps members and staff like Drum Major Joe Beitman, Corps Director David Glassgow, brass arranger Doug Thrower, program coordinator Drew Shanefield and trumpet player Rumi Tamura from Japan. The viewer is also given a close-up and intimate look at the corps as they huddle-up after a contest and sing the corps song, Autumn Leaves -- a touching moment.

As Ed and John Maher of JEM Films explained, “We could have chosen any corps to tell this story. We were attracted to the Bluecoats as a group that was in the middle of the pack, working their way up. After shooting over 60 hours of High Definition images and spending a year editing, we have a portrait of what producer John Kelly calls, ‘A new American Family.’ From the beginning, this film was intended for a wide audience beyond drum corps. As outsiders, we were able to see the whole phenomena from a different perspective.”

Having seen several corps tour videos and DVDs, along with various documentaries on the drum and bugle corps activity over the years, I must say that “Throw it Down” is the most comprehensive, honest and professionally made of the lot. I thoroughly enjoyed this film!

JEM Films hopes to have this documentary available by the holidays. Here is a link for more information http://www.throwitdownthemovie.com/.

Steve Vickers, Publisher
Drum Corps World
http://www.drumcorpsworld.com/