I'm considering running some workshops in game in an OOC area. You would attend in a way similar to attending the town hall. These would be purely out of character and meant to develop all of our skills in playing the game and in role-playing.
These would be interactive workshops. Some ideas I have…
- fleshing out a character
- posing and emoting
- scripting
I'm looking for feedback on this idea and suggestions for what you all would find valuable.
-- S
Would definitely love to help and participate from both sides.
Good idea!!
Counter-points…
Panel: how will this not devolve into mass chaos, with everybody posing and emoting and talking over each other? Whispers / asides can be noisy as well, so how to divide up / pair up / effectively ensure everybody gets personal attention?
Participants:Would a character not on the 'teaching panel' be given free reign to pose/emote/test things out? Because that'd be the first expectation I'd have....and if not, then there is a chance of disappointment / feeling of wasted time.
Timeline: If there is a structured sequence that builds upon things and characters are trying to join up 'late' or leave & then return to the forum, repeats of old stuff might be necessary. Or they might just be lost and then have to read the workshop in text later.
Opportunity cost: assuming these would be given during high-traffic time slots, there is an IC opportunity cost in terms of players advancing plots. Maybe worth it, maybe not.
Repeatability: since this need will still be around down the line, how can it be structured so that it is easily repeatable / sustainable at a desired frequency?
Possible solution: isn't this why we have the tutorials? Couldn't there just be a scripted 'workshop' that individuals go through, and then maybe they get spit out at the end into an OOC-area where they can test things out, maybe there is an NPC there or player characters can volunteer their time?
Looking forward to your thoughts. I am probably just overthinking things.
I think Lena made some great points about chaos, repeatability, etc. I will run a few more of these pose workshops and as time goes on, attempt to hone in on the core of what needs to be taught and how to teach it. I think that can lead to a more structured presentation that can be translated into an @tutorial.
There is no real substitute for being in a room with a bunch of other people and trying out a bunch of random and silly poses on each other while getting feedback on those random and silly poses from those same people. I think that aspect of the workshops is what makes them truly valuable as opposed to an @tutorial where it's very one sided.
A lot of great questions were raised during the workshop. I want to attempt to address many of those questions up front next time. We will see how it goes. I will be @shouting about running workshops in game from time to time and anyone who wants to join, can.
This will also give me a chance to better test/utilize some of the moderation tools I've been developing for the Town Hall.
Anyone want to offer any feedback on the posing tutorial that was run?
– S
Thanks for running this for us.
