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BEHIND THE CURTAIN:
THE WIZARD OF DEBUT

FIDM’s prestigious annual showcase extravaganza, Debut, is looming on the horizon and we sat down with the event’s producer Jim Watterson, to get the inside scoop of what to expect along with some of the most memorable highlights in the show’s history.
 
1. How will this year’s Debut differ from the previous years?
 
 

WATTERSON: The show this year is quite different in that we have a totally new set design that’s being done by the same people who do the Oscars. We have a new lighting director and new audio director so it’s sort of a new production.

 
 
2. What can you tell us about what to expect from Debut 2007?
 
 

WATTERSON: Fender [Guitars] came to FIDM about five months ago because they are expanding into clothing, and our graphic design students took ten different guitars and did ten different designs on them. The fashion design students then used those guitars to do garments so the show opens with a rock and roll theme.

  
 
3. Any other intriguing surprises?
 
 

WATTERSON: The theater costume design has a circus theme with a ringmaster, clowns, a bearded lady, a strongman, a ballerina on a tightrope, and we open the scene with the Arcadia High School Pep Band with the drum major and the color guard. It will be a spectacle.

 
 
4. So what are your exact responsibilities as producer?
 
 

WATTERSON: My responsibilities are the entire show. From the design of the set to the design of the music, to the lighting, to the choreography, which designer comes out in which order, which model wears what closes, the video production, everything. That’s why it definitely takes a few months to put together and this is the 21st year I’ve done the show.

 
 
5. How much preparation goes into the show from the production standpoint?
 
 

WATTERSON: It took a little longer this year because we had to turn over a new crew, but realistically about six months. For example, a fitting can last over twelve hours.

  
 
6. What is the highlight of the show for you?
 
 

WATTERSON: Getting the all the right pieces, the right choreography, the right music, the right attitude, and then keep perfecting it and making it all work.

  
 
7. What is the most memorable moment from Debuts of year’s past?
 
 

WATTERSON: When we used to show the Academy Award costumes, one of the models wore the Nicole Kidman pink feather costume from Moulin Rouge and one of the male models actually picked the model up on his shoulder and walked out with her. Then she did a whole cancan routine, and we used to laugh because the whole show could have been about her because she was such a big star.

  
 
8. How do you handle a situation if things don’t go according to plan?
 
 

WATTERSON: When things don’t go according to plan you shift gears. You have to keep things flexible. If something doesn’t work you change it on the spot. [laughs] But hopefully you can change it during the rehearsal.

  
 
9. What’s the stress level like backstage?
 
 

WATTERSON: The stress level backstage can get pretty high. People get pretty excitable and the students can get a little wound up because it’s their big moment. But with 50 models and an audience of 2,500 it’s one of the biggest shows in the United States.

  
 
10. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve ever seen at a Debut?
 
 

WATTERSON: A couple of years ago, the set designer put the screen vertical instead of horizontal and they had to take all night and reconstruct the set, which they did.

  
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