- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
My guess would be 4th, possibly 3rd if Liza has problems. I don't see her ever beating Gracie or Elena in the future.
Mirai Nagasu's future prospects
- Thread starter flying camel
- Start date
My guess would be 4th, possibly 3rd if Liza has problems. I don't see her ever beating Gracie or Elena in the future.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2014
In general, I don't really care if Mirai or anyone else smiles or shows a lot of facial expressions during a performance because I am usually too busy looking at the jumps, spins or steps to really pay attention and I know some of my favorite performances don't consist of a lot of facial expressions. Sometimes perpetual smiles or overwrought expressions seem insincere or overwrought to me, though I think they can work when they are genuine. I did really like Mirai's expressions in Vancouver, so maybe she should try to get back to that, but it was her skating there that won me over. How I wish she could get back to that level of confidence and intensity, but she did give me hope with her performance at the Japan Open.
Park is also going to be at SA and can definitely beat Nagasu when on. So I would guess 4-5th?
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2013
Mirai need an extra shot of Radionova and DivaWagner along with Red bull. (She need wings)[
Omg, I'm cracking up!!! But no red bull, that stuff makes me nervous. We don't want us a twitchy Mirai
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2014
Well, if Mirai didn't get any "wings" from Red Bull, they owe her $10.
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/red-bull-drinkers-can-claim-10-over-gives-you-wings-n221901
But seriously, I've got my fingers crossed for her -- big time!
Her expression both at nationals and Vancouver were startling because she hadn't had it all season. I think it came from confidence in her program and just been extremely prepared. So, I do think it matters. There's music, there's choreography there are costumes. You have be able to sell your program. It's not as crucial as improving her technique but maybe the two also go hand it hand. She's probably not confident enough in her technique so she just can't get let go. On the other hand, it's early. With Ashley, she has learned how to sell her program and grab your attention. It's crucial because she's not the most delicate of performers. Is it enough to gloss over her own technique issues? Not a chance. But it IS enough to push her PCS scores above where they might otherwise be.
Wagner overdoes it with the facial expressions sometimes.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2014
I have the feeling Gracie is gonna have a fall from grace this year, my money is on Polina (and those are words I never thought I will type)
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2010
Well, if Mirai didn't get any "wings" from Red Bull, they owe her $10.
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/red-bull-drinkers-can-claim-10-over-gives-you-wings-n221901
But seriously, I've got my fingers crossed for her -- big time!
LOL... you have to 'admire' Americans and their law suits! Imagine the rest of the world get to sue
Nike- Just Do it. because 98% clearly can't do it! Haven't done it. Can't be asked to do it. What is 'it' anyway? Nike - Just Buy It, would be a far more honest slogan.
Harley Davidson - American By Birth. Rebel by Choice.... Made in India. (OOooo way to be a rebel for not Made in China! You are certainly more American than Apple.)
Energizer - Keeps going and going and going... but not as long as a Duracell. Should be in Duracell's slogan by add a 4th 'keeps going'.
Kodak - Share moments. Share life ... Missed out the digital revolution. Missed out buying and patent Facebook 'Share it' widget. Just as well it has filed for bankruptcy, but since it is primarily b2b now, it should be Kodak - Share equipment . Share cost.
Walmart - Save Money . Live Better ... Should be renamed be Save Money . Live Fatter.
Disneyland - The happiest place on earth ... should carry a disclaimer: except for those over 12, allergic to mass consumerism and has tasted alcohol.
FedEX - When there is no tomorrow ... because it was suppose to arrive yesterday you doofus! UPS is more reliable in my experience.
McDonads - I am loving it .... Havn't been lovin' it since 2 decades ago! Send in the clown ... and I will think about it. (Better looking, less freaky one preferably.)
Sony - Make believe ... great pity, the rest of the world are keener on 'imagine the possibilities' these days. Ha!
Apple - Think different... uhh....yes? That is why i am using a Note 3 these days. Apple = New Microsoft.
The new slogan for Apple of today should be Apple - Think differently than us, we will sue you.
Although now I get why Coca Cola keeps changing their slogan over the years, maybe to avoid getting sued like Red Bull.
With slogan like these. They deserve to compensate $100 per customer in a world wide class action suit against the Coca cola company.
1988 - You Can't Beat the Feeling
1989 - Official Soft Drink of Summer
1990 - You Can't Beat the Real Thing
1993 - Always Coca-Cola
2000 - Coca-Cola. Enjoy
2001 - Life Tastes Good
2003 - Coca-Cola... Real
2005 - Make It Real
2006 - The Coke Side of Life
2009 - Open Happiness
Yes she totally does but like Radionova they are really sellsy skaters. They are capable of literally wills the judges to believe in their shoddy 'gems' if they skate clean. Especially this 'judging by consent' system rarely provide the necessary conditions to demonstrate arbiter of good taste. It is about satisfying the average competency/experience/preferences panel of judges. So 'agreed mediocrity' can wins over 'special/unique quality' due to consensus marking.
At this point in Mirai's career it is worth risking over medication since she has nothing to lose . She really need to get the crowd on her side and practically bulldoze/hound her way into judges attention into give her Pirate/Carmen like PCS since her federation is clearly not supporting her. Frankly I would not blame her if she even choose Katy Perry's Roar. She 'is' the 2nd youngest US National Champion (aftera Tara) and a 4th place finisher at Vancouver for goodness sake!
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
At some point Polina too will have a dip in form, probably this year or next year. I'm not sure how to feel about Gracie though; her artistry hasn't gotten better but her jumps have gotten worse. I don't think she can rely on PCS to save her if she doesn't hit the technical elements so she may indeed be passed by Polina.
The face of a skater is seen by any viewer what percentage of their time on the ice? A lot less, I think, than most people believe. And those times you don't see the face you have no ideas what they are doing. Mirai is over criticized for this imo. There is entirely too much of this angst-I'm-feeling-the- music look from skaters and often when it is used it doesn't seem appropriate.
- Joined
- May 19, 2011
I don't think it's necessary for skaters to give face the whole time they're skating. For some people it enhances the performance but it really depends on what kind of performer the skater is.
When some people perform you can just see the enthusiasm/joy in their face while they're skating; Elena and Akiko come to mind. It's not putting on a face just to put on a face, there's something about the music, the movement, the feeling, etc. that pulls that expression out of them. To me, those expressions are genuine and not rehearsed. Then there are skaters who are told to smile...just smile. Gracie comes to mind. It's a bit forced and hollow b/c you can tell they don't really feel like smiling; they're just doing it b/c they were told to. Then there are skaters who don't really give a lot of face while performing but give the movements and choreography feeling or emotion. Satoko is a good example of this.
Mirai is a skater whose emotions play out on her face while she's skating. When she's happy she'll smile and really give the program personality. More often than not however, she's nervous or focused and, unfortunately, her face is an expressionless mask that gives her skating a detached feel. She's doing a better job of giving her movements more life but she still needs to improve in that area. When she really feels her choreography and performs, it elevates her skating to a different level. That's what she'll need (in addition to fully rotated jumps) in order to move up in the standings.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2014
You read my mind because that's exactly what bothers me about some skaters is the cheesy, sultry or flirtatious smile or the the contrived tragic, downcast, or titian expression meant to entice the judging panel with a perpetual state of feigned pain. I just watched Mirai's program again and thought the main thing she needed was more speed, deeper edges and more intricate and snappy foot and arm movements like she had in Vancouver. She gave a wonderful, beaming smile at the end of the program, but when comparing her expressions to those in Vancouver they did seem a bit lackluster. Overall though, I didn't really notice her face and think it is a minor issue and that her expression will improve anyway with more attack and confidence.
However, I do think well-placed facial expressions can be highly effective if they are used sparingly which to me heightens the dramatic effect. I know that in my 2nd favorite ever program, Bells of Moscow, Mao does this desperate open-mouthed expression after completing her 3A / 2T combination while lifting her arms to showcase her unique achievement. Also, in my all-time favorite program, Mao's Roch 2 at Sochi, she has two contrasting expressions. In the first, she sweeps her cupped hands under her neck and lifts an innocent, angelic smile to the sky, while in the second she flashes a wild Samurai smile as she leaps into the air in the middle of her step sequence. I also love her playful smile when she straddles the ice and does a shoulder shake in Czardas 2007. She uses these expressions sparingly but highly effectively, which is the way I like best.
For me, a genuinely expressive face does a lot to sell a program. I think Michelle Kwan and Akiko Suzuki were good examples - you felt their emotions while they skated and many of their best programs have brought me to tears at the end (thinking East of Eden for MK and POTO for Akiko).
Being blank faced and detached, as Mirai often does when she's concentrating hard on completing her technical elements, puts distance between me as a viewer and her performance.
That said, of all things she needs to work on, I would put facial expressions on the last of her current list of issues to get her back in peak form. As gotoschool mentioned, speed, edging and snappier, sharper movements would help sell the programs too.
Being blank faced and detached, as Mirai often does when she's concentrating hard on completing her technical elements, puts distance between me as a viewer and her performance.
That said, of all things she needs to work on, I would put facial expressions on the last of her current list of issues to get her back in peak form. As gotoschool mentioned, speed, edging and snappier, sharper movements would help sell the programs too.
You saw these expressions either because they were captured on video or you were fortunate enough to have a seat at the actual event that allowed you to see them; however, many in the audience and maybe even some of the judges would necessarily miss them. That is not to say I think skaters shouldn't do appropriate facial expressions, but a large part of the attendees at the competition are going to miss them, as everyone cannot see their faces when expressions are occurring. OK, ENOUGH!!!!!!!
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
Better off to sue diet cola manufacturers than Red Bull.
http://www.kidney.org/news/kidneyCare/spring10/DietSoda
http://www.kidney.org/news/kidneyCare/spring10/DietSoda
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2006
I agree. I'm instantly disconnected to a performance if it is contrived. For example, Jenny Kirk had a steely look on her face except when she skated by the judges and had this big Miss America smile on. People notice inauthenticity. I understand we are not dealing with professional actors, and I kind of thought Kwan's faces were sometimes overwrought but she was playing a character, Salome for example. But it seemed like Kwan was in the moment and being dramatic. I don't just want a big smile in front of the judges. I prefer more to expressing happiness through their movement. And yes, a stone face doesn't really help, but with Mirai it's not just the stone face, it's the lack of movement and energy. My favorite program of Mirai's will always be the 2010 Nationals which hands down she should have won. She moved well, she was into it and smiled. That's what I would love to see from her again.
I find Asada's facial expressions really forced and contrived. There was this moment in Rach 2 in which she goes from being somber and dramatic to suddenly looking upwards at the sky and plastering a gigantic, cheesy grin over her face. It was such an abrupt, bizarre change of facial expressions that it completely took me out of the program and killed the mood for me. Every time I watch the program I'm
at that moment.
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