Col 2006 ist raus und ist wieder mal sehr gut geworden.

Für den der's nicht kennt, Col steht für circle of light und ist die DVD des jährlichen Feuer-Video-Wettbewerb von home of [lexicon]Poi[/lexicon] mit Teilnehmern aus aller Welt.

Zielsetzung des Col 2006 war "Stand und Bandbreite der Feuerkunst weltweit" aufzuzeigen, also nicht so sehr nur auf [lexicon]Poi[/lexicon] und Staff zu gehen. Damit setzt sich ein Trend fort, der schon in Col 5 und Col 2005 zu sehen war.
Wir sehen wirklich alle möglichen Feuerspielzeuge in Aktion wie [lexicon]Poi[/lexicon], Staff, [lexicon]Double Staff[/lexicon], Meteor, [lexicon]Fächer[/lexicon], Fakeln, Handschalen, Hula Hoop, [lexicon]Ropedart[/lexicon], Schwert bis zum Regenschirm (ratet aus welchem Land).
Wir sehen ausgefeiltes Gruppenspiel, Duo/Trio/Gruppen und obwohl Feuer überwiegt gibts auch Sockenspiel, [lexicon]flags[/lexicon], LED und Schwarzlicht.
Es zeigt sich auch ein Blick in eine mögliche Zukunft, im [lexicon]crossover[/lexicon] von Ideen, zB Staffmoves im Poi/Meteor, Acrobatik, Breakdance-Einlagen und natürlich viel Choreo und allerhand Kostüme.
Insgesamt wirds auf den 90 Minuten nie langweilig und für mich ist's ein Must-have.

Erfreulicherweise hat hop zudem die Preise gesenkt.
Die DVD kostet jetzt nur noch 7 Euro. Das Porto aus Neuseeland ist mit 2,70 Euro billiger als innerhalb Deutschlands *soviel zu deutschen Preisen*. Meine DVD war wie gehabt nach 7 Tagen in meinem Briefkasten.
Wer meinen hop-Rabatt von 13% nutzen will, kann diesen Link nutzen Col 2006
Übrigens ist auch das Paket der "alten" Cols preisreduziert worden, die auf [lexicon]Poi[/lexicon] und Staff fokussiert waren und echte Highlights bieten, ich selbst hab noch das Doppelte dafür gezahlt. Für 25 Euro gibts 4 DVDs, die ich für die besten der Serie halte (habe allle ausser der ersten gesehen): Col 4 (Nick, Yuta, Antii) Col 5 (Andy, Jools, Rubber heart duo, Thaitom), Col 2005 (Arsn, Heraclitus, Anya/sistafirewire, oli) und Col 2006. Col Paket

Ach so, hier gibts einen 3,5 MB Col 2006 Trailer

Über Col 2006 habe ich im hop Forum in der Post der Darsteller eine detailiertere Kritik geschrieben, die ich hier auf Englisch widergebe (sorry is mir echt bisslviel zum übersetzen):

While each entry is certainly deserving appraisal and comment, I will limit myself here to my personal top dozen keep this post readable. In order of appearance:

Pyroptix: Simply fantastic [lexicon]Double Staff[/lexicon] spin solo, well lit and well set, lovely to watch.

Planet Zips: How nice to see the Philippines having come in, a great country you should all go see for the beauty of its shores and the hospitality of its folks and now apparently also for its spinning community. While they seem to prefer the glowsticky ultrafast style, it is still nice to watch, well played and especially the girls graceful style is a highlight.

Story of the lake: Lovely opening shot with [lexicon]flags[/lexicon] and lake mirror effect, elegic, enticing dance with hand torches, lovely [lexicon]Poi[/lexicon] and [lexicon]Snakes[/lexicon] [lexicon]flow[/lexicon], this girl can move I could watch this on end.

One-Wheel-Dave: The man so skilfull he should rename One-Hand-Dave. I have been a big fan since his first appearance on Col 5. Great [lexicon]crossover[/lexicon] staff-poi [lexicon]figure 8[/lexicon], creative filming of juggling moves, able to find jungle in Blighty, great to hear his guitar play has advanced too. Sad to hear his “resignation” from Col, even sadder the reason, hey allowing space for fresh talents fine but broken friends camera, hope he gets a new one soon.

Rubber heart: Oh yeah I like the announcement voiceover too, and the jaw-dropping incredible [lexicon]Double Staff[/lexicon] throws and syncs are again to be marbled at… this is so fasinating I guess next stop of their World Tour could be Monte Carlo for the Circus Prize. “You make it look so effortless” is a wild understatement …

Fire Groove: Dreamland, fantasy, this is [lexicon]Poi[/lexicon] gone MTV. This is what happens when the guy behind the camera knows what he’s doing, when someone is directing the shots, when lighting, setting, choreo is done by pros. This sets a new standard in Col. This proves again how an eye candy overdose of kinky clad girls playing [lexicon]windmill[/lexicon] and [lexicon]butterfly[/lexicon] in a waterfall easily beats any überspinner in his backyard. Seducing, enticing, centrefold stuff, I could watch this on end too and probably will. I want to see your show. Yet I struggle to give you my vote, as I see 7 second cuts all along. That makes it hard to judge how a single burn of yours looks like, how graceful the [lexicon]flow[/lexicon] would be and this is what I am finally after in an inspiration video like Col. Don’t get me wrong, I see you can play, you can dance, you are creative in every aspect of show business. But this appears a teaser for some real thing yet undefined…

Generally I see a big problem that the 3 minute limit is producing such clips. Hey, gimme 5 tries and I can do the perfect [lexicon]Hyperloop[/lexicon], but in the [lexicon]flow[/lexicon] of a burn ... While I understand the 30 entries target to allow variety and fresh talents, the 90 minutes seem an artificial obstacle in DVD age. Please consider how much better 3.30 min could make it next time. 105 minutes reel time should be no problem and as entries arrive edited, it shouldn’t be more work either …

Fire sisters: Another duo I have a crush on since Col 5. Again highly creative, thought trough and well played, entering new territory with blacklight, nice choreo, nice music, beautiful [lexicon]flags[/lexicon], funny inserts like the staff fight-kill-rebirth-love theme, wow.

Infinitos: Simply great, thought through duo play, outstanding skill level, you see the passion and the ideas.

Dee D’Caro: Solo [lexicon]Poi[/lexicon] as good as it gets, bit too fast style for my taste but respect, loved the meteor doing rotors, great setting too.

Phoenix: Simply great. Wow. This should have all elements of a winner: Different toys all very well played, acro, duo sync, choreo, nice setting, nice lighting, some drama. Will definitly go see you guys live …

Arsn: I just love to see you spin mate, this Tai-Chi style defines grace, the perfect [lexicon]flow[/lexicon] with a few tricks spicing it up, this is the kind of Video I watch in slomo dozens of times to learn, I really hope to see you spin in person one day …

Clayton Allred: Barefoot hippy spinning at its best, unadulterated single burn no cuts, this is da man doing his thing and full stop. Looking at this brings me back to the beaches of Asia where I got hooked on [lexicon]Poi[/lexicon] and staff, I can feel your vibes, I stand beside you watching with awe, spin on brother …

Well for anyone who bothered to read on till here, I hope you allow me my remarks even though I am not on the Vid myself and actually do not play on this level (yet). But this Col is another motivation booster that makes me go polish my planes – and strive throwing in my hat next time. Let’s see … Thanks to you all for inspiration and for giving me a great time.