What is it? / How Do I Play? / Videos & Pics
Upcoming Events / Community
What is it? / How Do I Play? / Videos & Pics
Upcoming Events / Community
All Content Copyright 2008 Ezra Claytan Daniels
Battle Anthems
Half the fun of the Comic Art Battle is the music. Nothing gets a crowd riled like a corny rock anthem or a nostalgic dance hit. Your Battle Anthem mix will keep time for the battle, as well as keep your audience tuned in and enthralled.
First, assemble an assortment of your favorite crowd-ruffling tracks. A Comic Art Battle isn't that far removed from a hockey game or a pep rally. Don't try to enlighten your audience with obscure punk b-sides from 1983. Think "Jock Jams". Dueling Banjos, the Charlie Brown theme, and Flight of the Valkyries have all been crowd-pleasing surprises as well.
Next, cut your songs down to exactly 5 minutes using "Garage Band" or some other free audio mixing software. If a song is shorter than five minutes (which most are) then splice two or more together. At the 5 minute mark, insert this Fight Bell sound effect, or any noise that will let people know their time is up.
Finally, make your mix. You'll need:
1 Comic Art Battle Intro Song (to play during the explanation of the rules)
2 Team Theme Songs (to play during team introductions)
5 Timed 5-minute Battle Anthems (to play during the battles)
1 Victory Song (to play as you crown the champion. John Williams' "Summon the Heroes" is my personal fave)
Then just burn the mix onto a CD, or import the songs to an MP3 player, or sort them into your computer's music player. If your venue doesn't have an in-house PA system, you'll need to bring a boom box or something. If they do have an audio set-up, then you'll just need to figure out some way to plug your music player into their system, and still be able to control it. Good luck!
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