The Clan Lord Sentinel

I would like to produce or co-produce a talk show or variety show as a recurring, if not regular, event in Puddleby.

This show would take place in the (sadly underused) Theatre. The content would be very broad. Think University of Puddleby classes, except shorter, less academic, more informal, or any type of performance that isn't large enough to be a full event by itself. Some possibilities/examples:

• an interview with an exile with interesting opinions, along the lines of those in Fishwrap Magazine:
  http://gamesource.groups.yahoo.com/grou ... pmagazine/
• an interview with a clan representative about the history and goals of their clan
• stories of the life or deeds of legendary or historical exiles who have left the lands, by a friend
• retellings of historical events
• a comedy monologue
• a dance routine (possibly coordinated dancing by a duo or troupe, possibly in costume)
• a new song by a Bard
• a sketch or short play
• a pun contest
• improvisational theatre
• a reading of a poem or short story
• a phantasm show
• a fashion show of fine clothes
• introduction to (or playtesting of) a new dice or drakedol game

Not everything has to be a big event: a major hunt or contest or even an activity that has to be big enough to stand on its own. This show would be a place for small things: two or three of them put together into a short, entertaining show, perhaps just two Puddleby hours long, and no longer than four. Showtimes and guest lineups would be scheduled and announced in advance. Visionstoning a show for others who could not attend is encouraged.

Minimum staff: one host or MC to book and introduce the guests. More would be welcome: a sidekick to exchange banter with, a bard to provide incidental music, a comedian to warm-up the audience, etc., but not strictly necessary.

Are there any who would like to be the host or interviewer for such a show, or the supporting staff (sidekick, music director, warm-up comedian, etc.), or have something to contribute as a guest? Is the plan for such a show viable in the first place?

I've concidered doing this before. I've got a few ideas for it too 8D i'd be interested. talk to me if ya see me in teh lands!

Id be happy to give an interview on my Clan, the Winds of Dawn, who we are and what our mission is and what we do. Also, if youd like to interview me about the life of the unprofessioned, Ill gladly do it. Just let me know the schedule.

Bob the Archer wrote:Id be happy to give an interview on my Clan, the Winds of Dawn, who we are and what our mission is and what we do. Also, if youd like to interview me about the life of the unprofessioned, Ill gladly do it. Just let me know the schedule.

There is no schedule; rather, the schedule is set entirely by the participants of any particular show.

Think University of Puddleby classes. The time of classes is set by the availability of the instructor and the instructor has free rein over the content.

My goal is to produce a few shows to get the idea to take root, then walk away and hope the idea of recurring talk and variety shows survives. It should not depend on me or any particular group of exiles producing them; that is how good ideas or projects collapse and fade away, when their founders eventually step down. Even if a show is obvious self promotion--a bard playing their own songs, a dance troupe performing their routines, a poet reading their own poems, a clan promoting itself (e.g. an 'interview' where 'host', 'sidekick', and 'guests' are all from the same clan and every word is flattering to it)--would those not still be entertaining events, and at the very least, a change of pace and scenery from the usual activity of hunting, hunting, hunting? I'd like such shows to happen on their own, rather than a producer needing to continually seek out and book guests. The schedule, such as it is, is up to you--that's general "you".

For Bob: might I suggest [ooc] Sat, Sep 3, 2005 at 05:30 PM PDT. This is two Puddleby hours before your scheduled clan meeting--perfect for an interview that can't drag on for too long (because you'll have to leave before it does), and a great opportunity to invite the audience to the clan meeting that follows. (Alternatively, your clan might choose to simply have the clan meeting right there in the Theatre, following the formal end of the interview, though that's up to them, of course.)

You should record the shows and put the archives somewhere we can find them. Being able to see the re-runs should help build interest in future shows.

Aprender wrote:My goal is to produce a few shows to get the idea to take root, then walk away and hope the idea of recurring talk and variety shows survives. It should not depend on me or any particular group of exiles producing them; that is how good ideas or projects collapse and fade away, when their founders eventually step down.

An admirable goal, but many projects also only succeed on the energy and commitment of an individual. The other side of the coin I suppose. A project either runs on passion or money, and oftentimes you can only find one person with sufficient passion to sustain a project.

But the show sounds like fun. The more storytelling in the world the merrier.

Aprender wrote:
For Bob: might I suggest [ooc] Sat, Sep 3, 2005 at 05:30 PM PDT.

I'll be there.

As I recall the old Teioh show on the sunstone network was quite popular in its day...

Small wrote:An admirable goal, but many projects also only succeed on the energy and commitment of an individual.

The islands have reminders of many such projects, now mostly just historical sites. Still, a few projects do survive the departure of their founders; the Bards Guild for one.

The interview with Bob the Archer will be happening as a first show. Saturday 3 September 2005, 05:30 pm PDT, Theatre in West Puddleby.

The Theatre Manager has let me know that special requests for costumes can be submitted. So, anyone thinking of writing a play or sketch, or doing improv theatre need not feel constrained by the current selection of costumes. (The identity of the Theatre Manager isn't particularly a secret; however, ask me if you aren't sure and I can pass on any requests.)

As I mentioned earlier, visionstoning or transcribing the shows are encouraged, for the benefit of exiles unable to attend. But remember that there is really nothing quite like attending a live show; transcripts or recordings can't compare.

Bob has asked me to send his apologies - he will not be able to make the interview tonight as HWC's 'Boss' has decided that his services are urgently required elsewhere - and there is no internet 'elsewhere'

Small wrote:

Aprender wrote:My goal is to produce a few shows to get the idea to take root, then walk away and hope the idea of recurring talk and variety shows survives. It should not depend on me or any particular group of exiles producing them; that is how good ideas or projects collapse and fade away, when their founders eventually step down.

An admirable goal, but many projects also only succeed on the energy and commitment of an individual. The other side of the coin I suppose. A project either runs on passion or money, and oftentimes you can only find one person with sufficient passion to sustain a project.

But the show sounds like fun. The more storytelling in the world the merrier.

Yar a goal like this will depend on how the audience reacts. I"ll be there to support the show! GO Aprender go!

dani diuberr wrote:Bob has asked me to send his apologies - he will not be able to make the interview tonight...

A future show then. I did see this message in time, fortunately.

The first show went ahead with "mystery guest" Connie Crete. It was a bit of a scramble, a little rough round the edges, but it wasn't a disaster (at least, I don't think so), and in the doing, a lot was learned that should benefit the pace and entertainment value of future shows. (Nothing like actually doing something to spot shortcomings and work out bugs.)

I was cheered by the words of thanks and encouragement I received. Some audience members discussed possibilities for future shows, so I don't think this will be the last show. They won't all be interviews--I hope the next show will be something different, for a change of scenery--a skit, bard music, comedy monologue, phantasm display, dance routine, poetry reading, or something else besides just talking.

Thanks to Connie for filling in at very short notice and to all who came.

Aprender wrote:The first show went ahead with "mystery guest" Connie Crete.

As promised, the show was visionstoned and a copy of it (warts and all) has been placed in the Puddleby Visionstone Repository. http://movies.puddleby.info/

The recording continues well after the formal end of the show--I was unable to get the editing tool Revisionstone to work for me--but no matter; some may find the audience's post-mortem of the first show and discussion of future possible shows interesting.

I hope if nothing else, it inspires others to put on their own shows too. They do not have to be lengthy and elaborate productions requiring lots of preparation. "The more storytelling in the world the merrier."