Interview With Visual Art Competition
Competition Feature - April 2010
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
Photo by: UrbanStylz Photography
World-Class Classic Physiques is proud to present Visual Art - a physique model competition with a portion of the proceeds (five dollars from every ticket sold) to benefit the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta (ARCA). ARCA, founded in 1988, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) center for treatment and prevention research, education, and free HIV/STD testing services. They are located at 131 Ponce deLeon Ave., in Atlanta.
Established in the Fall of 2008, World-Class Classic Physiques’ goal is to present physique competitions in a non-traditional format. All experience levels are welcome. From novice to professional, from lightweight to heavyweight. Visual Art will combine The Arts with the art of bodybuilding. It is bodybuilding meets popular reality T.V. talent and model shows. After a posing routine from the competitors, industry experts and celebrity judges will choose the top winner in each weight class, the audience will select the overall winner by cell phone voting.
“CBS' Big Brother 10 & 11 houseguest Jessie "Mr. PEC-Tacular" Godderz is scheduled to co-emcee the evening show. Mr. Godderz is a bodybuilder who’s not shy in front of people, he knows the industry, and he was so excited about being a part of the show.”
WP: William, it was great being a guest on your radio show and now it's an honor to be holding this interview with you. This is actually our second “Competition” interview together. Can you tell me more about your competition?
WL: Yes, can you believe it? Last year, I was your first competition World Physique interview and this is year two.
Everyone enjoyed the 2009 Visual Art Physique Model Competition and this year I’ve added the women. The show combines the arts with the art of men’s bodybuilding and fashion with the fit female physique.
WP: You were the first competition interview with World Physique! You just reminded me of that! I understand that you donate some proceeds to benefit the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta. Can you tell me more about that?
WL: $5 from each Visual Art ticket sold will go to ARCA. Read more about them at www.arcAtlanta.org.
WP: It's great that you support such a great cause. When was your competition established?
WL: My company, World-Class Classic Physiques, was established in the fall of 2008 with the goal of producing non-traditional physique competitions. Visual Art was established at the same time.
WP: You have a special guest appearance this time. Who is it and why did you decide to have him?
WL: CBS’ Big Brother 10 & 11 house guest, Jessie “Mr. Pectacular” Godderz, is scheduled to co-emcee the evening show. Mr. Godderz is a bodybuilder who’s not shy in front of people, he knows the industry, and he was so excited about being a part of the show.
WP: We also interviewed him about being at your show. Everyone can read his interview by clicking here. Where is the event held?
WL: We have a new venue this year, the new Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center located in Decatur (Metro Atlanta), Georgia, USA.
WP: Can you tell me the times and schedule of the events?
WL: Our morning preview show starts at 10 am. This is what many people know as the pre-judging, it will also be the time for the judges to interview the competitors and to do a mini photo shoot. The audience will also see the rehearsal for the 6 pm evening show. It’s a sneak peak into what will happen later.
WP: What are the divisions and weight classes?
WL: The women have a short and tall class. 5’ 4” and under is short. The men have lightweight (154 lbs and below), middleweight (over 154 lbs. - 176 lbs.), light heavy (over 176 lbs. - 198 lbs.) and heavyweight (over 198 lbs.).
WP: Is the bodybuilding drug tested?
WL: No, since physique is only 25% of the total score. Drugs can do little to help your posing, your personality and how photogenic you are.
WP: What is Model competition?
WL: I use the term “model” because the competitors do a mock photo shoot. The women will also participate in a fashion show.
WP: Do I need to pre-qualify to compete?
WL: Yes. Everyone should pre-register online at www.WorldClassClassicPhysiques.com. A maximum of 20 men and 20 women will be selected from all entries to compete.
WP: What does pre-judging consist of?
WL: The morning preview show will consist of mandatory posing, side-by-side comparisons, a one-on-one interview, a mini-photo shoot and rehearsal for the evening show.
WP: Who runs the show?
WL: I’m producing the show and my head judge is Ed Bowen.
WP: Tell me about your staff.
WL: My staff includes celebrity personal trainer and licensed massage therapist, Ed Bowen, Maurice Gatson, Gold’s Gym Downtown Atlanta Manager, and Jacqueline Petty, JPpr Marketing and Public Relations.
WP: Tell me about your audience.
WL: Our audience is the health and fitness community, artists, fashion enthusiasts and families who support the athletes.
WP: How would someone obtain a booth at your show?
WL: Anyone interested in a booth can contact me at William@worldclassclassicphysiques.com. The sponsorship package is located at the bottom of the “About Visual Art” page on my website.
WP: Who are your sponsors thus far?
WL: So far, we have Genr8, Body By Bowen, Gold's Gym Downtown Atlanta, JPpr, Titanium-Jewelry.com, Charles Casnel Life Sketches, Creative Studios of Atlanta, Sam D. Burston Art Creations, Made2Measure4u, Health and Inspiration, Body By Fadi, Holistic Strategies, Champs Sports, Hot Bodz Clothing Company, PB& J Art Gallery, Every Man Jack, Fitness Resource, VPX, Big Back Grips, Frugal Fitness Man, Unitie.com, Catherine J. Alston Photography, Upscale Magazine, Bronner Bros., High-Tech Pharmaceuticals, and Diamonds and Pearls Show Team.
WP: Sounds like a great line up! Will you have a guest poser?
WL: No guest poser. Last year I had a poet do a live reading. The poem, “The Male Physique - God’s Masterpiece” painted a mental picture of our “guest poser”. The poem, along with original images painted by Sam D. Burston was converted to a poster. The poster will be available for sale at the show and online.
WP: What is the nearest airport?
WL: Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
WP: How would I obtain tickets and how much are they?
WL: People can buy tickets on my website, or at the Gold’s Gym Downtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street, next to the Hard Rock Café. Morning show tickets are $15. Evening show is $15 selected seats for students with ID, $30 general seating and $45 VIP seats. Tickets will also be available the day of the show.
WP: Which hotels do you recommend and are there discounts set up there for your show?
WL: We have a $89 per night special World-Class Classic Physiques rate at the Residence Inn Marriott Downtown Atlanta (www.ResidenceInnAtlanta.com)
WP: Is there regulation on posing suits?
WL: No thongs or g-strings.
WP: Is there an age limit to be able to compete in your show?
WL: No maximum, but an 18 years old minimum.
WP: Who are the judges?
WL: Head Judge, Ed Bowen, Female Bodybuilder Champion, Monique (Hayes) Jackson, Female Figure Champion Sabina Moise, Rick Schaff, Author/Photographer/ Former Physique Model, Ken Feinberg, Creative Studios of Atlanta Owner and Rhavynn, Assistant to Casting Director Alpha Tyler.
WP: If I wanted to have a spray tan before I competed, do you have a tanning sponsor I could contact?
WL: BodyByBowen.com is the official spray tanner.
WP: If I was a first timer in competitions, what would you recommend? Do you have any helpful hints to ease my tension?
WL: Have fun. Head Judge, Ed Bowen, is offering free posing help, in person or by web cam at www.BodyByBowwen.com.
WP: How would I be judged and scored?
WL: Each category is 25% of the total score. Categories are physique, posing, personality and how photogenic you are.
WP: Will you be offering prizes?
WL: Yes. Every competitor will get a gift bag filled with sponsor items. Top three receive supplements from VPX and High-Tech and Big Back Grips. The top winner in each weight/height class will win a bracelet from Titanium-Jewelry.com. The winner in each category (Physique, Posing, and Personality) will get an original painting/print by Sam D. Burston Art Creations. The overall male and female will get a self-portrait painting by Charles Casnel Life Sketches, a custom posing suit from Made2Measure4u, and training at Creative Studios of Atlanta. Hot Bodz Clothing will select the 2010 Hot Bodz catalog model.
WP: Will you have a Photographer?
WL: Yes. Catherine J. Alston returns to take photos in the morning. Rick Schaff will take some photos for the morning judging portion of the show. More photographers will be added to the evening show.
WP: Are there any rules I should understand and know about that would help me to understand your competition better?
WL: The men must incorporate one of the four select poses from art history in their posing routine. The women must wear a garment in the fashion show segment inspired by a famous fashion designer. The judges select the top males and females in each weight/height class. The audience will choose the overall winner by cell phone voting.
WP: William, tell me a little about you. What accomplishments have you personally had in this industry?
WL: In brief, I oversee the creative media department for the Southeast?s largest newspaper by day. My other projects include my own bow tie business, Unitie.com and hosting a weekly Thursday night podcast called Frugal Fitness Man (free on iTunes). I do guest speaking events at metro Atlanta schools. I speak to teens about what I do, setting goals and how to reach them.
WP: How long have you been in this industry?
WL: I competed in 2006. I’ve worked and volunteered for many NGA and SNBF shows since 2007.
WP: What made you want to start a competition?
WL: Having been in the audience, working behind the scenes and competing on stage I felt I could bring some fresh ideas to the scene.
WP: This interview is coming to a close, is there anything you feel I might have left out that you would like to mention?
WL: I want people reading this to come out and support the 2010 Visual Art Physique Model Competition - June 12! And thank you for being so supportive.
Finally, I want to encourage everyone to get tested for HIV and other STIs.
WP: Thank you for your time. It’s a pleasure.
