Look Mommy, they can act!

SHOOFtv's hunt for a star drew to a close on 12th May, 2008. The talent hunt, held on 11th and 12th May, provided a platform for students to showcase their most creative side and many performers showed much promise. The auditions attracted a variety of talent from guitarists and singers to beat-boxers and dancers.

Students sign up for the SHOOFtv talent hunt. Photo: Karen Ann Monsy

The judges in discussion. From left: Belhul, Karen Monteiro, Supriya Dominica. Photo: Karen Ann Monsy

They were judged by Supriya Dominica, Karen Monteiro and Belhul. Each entrant was judged on the basis of talent, skill and confidence. The response to the talent hunt was quite positive. The first day saw around 18 participants while about 25 more registered on the second day.

One of the first SHOOFtv hopefuls performs for judges on Day one. Photo: Karen Ann Monsy

Speaking after the auditions, Supriya Dominica (one of the judges) said, "We saw a whole lot of talented people take part in these past two days. Some of them were really good and showed much potential to be a star. We found students who were great at singing, dancing, beat-boxing and even stand-up comedy!"

The talent hunt was started as an initiative by a group of SHOOF Troopers in the University, (namely, Karen M. John, Aakanksha Singh, Melissa Khan, Uzma Atcha and Ayesha Fahim) as part of a competition hosted by SHOOFtv. Posters were put up on every floor, prior to the dates, keeping all students informed. This event will be the last of a number of other initiatives undertaken by the team to win the intensive two-month competition - which incidentally, caters to students participating from other schools and universities as well. If nothing else, the turnout at the 'Look Mommy, they can act!" talent hunt alone proved that these guys sure have the talent for attracting talent!

SHOOFtv's hunt for talent continues!

A second hunt for talent was conducted today between 9am - 12pm by another team of SHOOF Troopers, who constituted the second of only two teams from Manipal University, Dubai Campus, still in the race to the top. For as other teams from the University gradually dropped out for reasons of their own, these two teams have still persevered to stay in the game. That said, their initiative for this talent hunt comes only a day after Team 1 saw their own hunt for a star draw to a close.

Contrary to the American Idol approach adopted by their competing counterparts, this team instead decided to set their participants with 60 seconds - during which time they were expected to showcase their respective talents. And as far as statistics go, the students rose very well to the challenge, with a total of 15 students enrolling themselves for the talent hunt.

A noteworthy observation is that this second team's attempt seems to have drawn in quite a varied talent bag of sorts. Besides the typical stream of singing and dancing hopefuls one is accustomed to seeing on such ocassions, there were others who truly made the show a lot more lively. While one student brought back memories of school days with her excellent administration of an elocution piece, another wowed the audience with a juggling and acrobatic act and at the same time, proved her flexibility through body contortions of weird degrees. Not to be outdone, a 1st year went on to impress all present with his impersonation of the late Steve Irwin and received rave reviews for the same. The range of demonstrations sure made for quite an interesting afternoon.

Having almost reached the end of this competitive journey, the team consisting of Nikita Kandath, Natasha Raphael, Aarti Saundalkar, Nandini Jose and Pooja Udaikumar, agree on one thing - they learnt a lot on the way together. "We learnt a lot in terms of editing and operating different softwares that we didn't even bother to explore before. This was our very first time and we didn't even have a professor teach or guide us along the way. And then of course, two of the most important things we learnt were responsibility and organization!" says 2nd year Media student Nikita Kandath of the experience, in a tone that suggested these were lessons they weren't about to forget anytime soon.

With the awards ceremony fast-approaching and due to be held on the 29th of this month, both teams are almost done battling each other for the top spot. Time will tell and of course, you can pick up all the scoop right here.
May the best Trooper win!

Your chance to be a STAR

SHOOFtv is hosting SHOOF Wannabe: the biggest talent hunt ever to hit MAHE. If you have talent or style, you're just the person for them. SHOOFtv is looking for you - so, jump to it! This may be your chance to be a STAR!

Date: 11th & 12th May, 2008
Venue: Auditorium
Time: 9:30am

Details on the people - correction, the students behind this hunt to be posted soon...