World Physique

Interviewed by Tammy Renee'

WP: Hey, William! It’s great to have you here today. This is actually our first “Competition” interview. I understand this competition is a male modeling competition. Can you tell me more about your competition?

WL: First let me say, thanks for allowing me the opportunity to appear on your website. Now about Visual Art. It’s a male physique model competition that combines the arts with the art of bodybuilding. The competitors will be judged on their physiques, posing routine, personality and how photogenic they are. In their posing routines, they must incorporate a pose from art history at the beginning or the end. Industry experts will choose the best in each weight class and the audience will select the overall winner by cell phone voting.

Each first place winner in each weight class will win a trophy and a bracelet from Titanium-Jewelry.com. The overall winner will receive a self-portrait painting by fine artist, Charles Casnel, and an opportunity to appear in a future Lee Daniels’ film.

WP: Votes by cell phone? Very interesting! I understand that you donate some proceeds to benefit the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta. Can you tell me more about that?

WL: That’s correct. Five dollars from every ticket sold will go to ARCA. All proceeds from the silent auction hosted by PB&J Gallery will go to ARCA. I wanted a show that not only promoted bodybuilding but also give back to the community. I’ve volunteered with many non-profit organizations for years and I wanted to work with an organization that was making a difference in Atlanta, Georgia, that organization is ARCA. Their mission is to improve the length and quality of life for persons with HIV through treatment research, access to new therapies, patient and provider education. Also, to decrease new HIV infections through prevention research, free HIV and STD testing, counseling and education.

WP: Outstanding! You give back to the community. When was your competition established?

WL: This is it's first year. I had the idea in 2008.

WP: Where is the event held?

WL: Visual Art will take place at the Rialto Center for the arts at Georgia State University, located in downtown Atlanta.

WP: Can you tell me the times and schedule of the events?

WL: The prejudging (closed to the public) is Friday, June 5 at 5 pm. The show will start at 6 pm, on June 6. The ticketed meet-and-greet event will start after the show. Food catered by Everyday Chef.

WP: What are the divisions and weight classes?

WL: The weight classes will be similar to traditional bodybuilding shows. Lightweight is 154 lbs and under. Middleweight is over 154 lbs. - 176 lbs. Light Heavyweight is over 176 lbs – 198 lbs. Heavyweight is over 198 lbs.

WP: What is Model competition?

WL: The competitors will be judge on how photogenic they are.

WP: Do I need to pre-qualify to compete?

WL: Entry into the show is a two-part process. Each competitor must register online and upload a headshot and full-body shot. If approved by two of the three committee members (me, Ed Bowen the head judge and Maurice Gatson, PR) a confirmation email with entry fee instructions will follow. Entry fee is only $100, $75 for college students.

WP: What does pre-judging consist of?

WL: Pre-judging will look much like pre-judging at most bodybuilding shows. Each weight class will participate in side-by-side comparisons with mandatory poses and quarter turns. They will also perform a 30 second presentation of their posing routine, without music. In addition to that they will be interviewed on camera and take part in a photo shoot.

WP: Who runs the show?

WL: My company, World-Class Classic Physiques.

WP: Tell me about your staff.

WL: My former trainer, Ed Bowen, the head judge is the owner of Body By Bowen. Ed has over twenty years of experience in the fitness industry (spending eleven years a General Manager and Personal Trainer at Gold’s Gym in Lilburn, Georgia). He is certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). He is a licensed massage therapist in muscle rehab, NMT, postural deviation and myofacial release. In the 1990’s, Ed competed nationally in the Reebok National Aerobic Championships (mix pairs and team) for three consecutive years landing him on ESPN.

Maurice Gatson, PR Manager, has worked in Sales and the health club industry for more than fifteen years. He currently manages the Gold’s Gym in downtown Atlanta

WP: Wow! Impressive! Tell me about your audience.

WL: The show will appeal to families, health and fitness enthusiasts, and the arts community.

WP: How would someone obtain a booth at your show?

WL: They can download the PDF sponsorship package found on the WorldClassClassicPhysiques.com website under the “About Visual Art” page. Or they can email me: info@worldclassclassicphysiques.com.

WP: Who are your sponsors thus far?

WL: Body By Bowen, Gold’s Gym downtown Atlanta, Life Sketches by Charles Casnel, Sam D. Burston’s Art Creations, PB&J Gallery, Fitness Resource – Snellville, Everyday Chef to name a few.

WP: Will you have a guest poser?

WL: We will have entertainment after intermission, but that’s a surprise.

WP: I like suprises! What is the nearest airport?

WL: Anyone flying in will use Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Discounted tickets are available on any AirTran Airways flight. Call 1-866-86EVENT. Code: ATL060509 (Visual Art). They will get a 10% discount on the lowest available one-way fare. Hertz Rental Car discounts available when calling the EventSavers Coordinator.

WP: How would I obtain tickets and how much are they?

WL: Tickets can be purchased online at www.RialtoCenter.org, the Rialto Center box office, or by calling 404-413-9TIX.

WP: Which hotels do you recommend and are there discounts set up there for your show?

WL: Yes, at the Residence Inn Atlanta Downtown. It is next to the venue, the Rialto.

WP: Is there regulation on posing suits?

WL: Standard bodybuilding posing trunks, no thongs.

WP: Is there an age limit to be able to compete in your show?

WL: Anyone 18 years old or older can compete.

WP: Who are the judges?

WL: Scheduled to judge are: Ed Bowen, Female bodybuilder, Monique Hayes, celebrity fitness trainer, Mark Jenkins, Producer/Director Lee Daniels, Author/fitness model/fitness photographer, Rick Schaff, a casting director, and a fitness cover model.

Charles LaSalle, City Gym Boys owner, will personally select a 2011 C.G.B., calendar model.

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. They can also use the downtown Atlanta Gold’s Gym tanning bed.

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! Costumes and props can be used in the evening show posing routine. And this is a show where people can compete and help a worthy cause.

WP: That is so important. Have fun! So many competitors work so hard to get ready for the show that they become stressed. This is your time to shine and show confidence. So, yes! Be sure to have fun! Relax! How would I be judged and scored?

WL: Each category will be based on a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being best. 40 points is most points one person can earn. Details can be found on the website: www.WorldClasscClassicPhysiques.com.

WP: Will you be offering prizes?

WL: Yes. Original paintings by Atlanta’s own Sam Burston will be awarded to the best physique, best poser, best personality, and most photogenic. In addition, the owner of HotBodz.com will select someone to be his next online catalog model.

WP: Hotbodz is an well respected business in this industry! Will you have a Photographer?

WL: Yes. Tyson Horne from The Horne Brothers (T.H.B Films) will be the on-site Photographer.

WP: Tell me a little about you. Who is William Leecan? What accomplishments have you personally had in this industry?

WL: I’m the 2006 NPC (National Physique Committee) Atlanta Novice and Masters Champion. I also placed third in the men’s open middleweight at the NGA (National Gym Association) NOPI World Bodybuilding & Figure Championship. I won overall and my pro card at the SNBF (Supernatural Bodybuilding & Fitness) FAME Nationals. Last year, June 2008, I competed in my first international pro show in Toronto, Canada - FAME World Tour.

My full-time job is managing the Creative Media Services department for the Southeast largest newspaper.

WP: You have accomplished a lot in this industry. It's great that you are opening doors for other competitors. How long have you been in this industry?

WL: I've been working out since 1988. Ha-ha! I've been a competitive bodybuilding since 2006.

WP: Okay, my twin boys were born in 1988...counting on fingers...Ha-ha! That's a long time! What made you want to start a competition?

WL: I like to plan events. Since I successfully managed two NGA shows in 2008, and worked with the SNBF and NGA in 2007. I knew I could do the traditional show with something extra added.

WP: I understand that you own other businesses and also are involved in many other projects. Can you tell me more about those?

WL: I own a bow tie company; unitie.com and I just started my own blogtalkradio.com show called Frugal Fitness Man. I’m helping people stay fit, without spending a fortune. My website is www.ffman.weebly.com and I’m LIVE every Thursday night at 11:30 pm E.S.T. at www.blogtalkradio.com/ffman, callers can phone in during the show too. You can follow me on Twitter and get free downloads of the show at iTunes, just search for Frugal Fitness Man.

WP: You are involved in so much! I will listen to your show. That sounds interesting. I have one more question and I will be ending the interview since I know you have a lot to do. If anyone who would like to make an online donation to the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta, how would they do so?

WL: They can go to the website www.arcatlanta.org and make the online donation to help the fight of AIDS.

WP: William, it's great what you are doing in this industry and it has been a total pleasure interviewing you today. I wish you much success and we will see you at the competition! We urge every male in this industry to get to this competition. It's going to be great! We will see you all out there!

WL: Thank you for your time. It’s a pleasure.

Photos credit: Urban Stylz Photography, Tim Rollans Photography