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Not with a whimper, but with a bang.








Jul. 14th, 2008 04:13 am (UTC)

Out of curiosity, how long have you been into RP? How much had you done before you got into Second Life? I've no idea if you were a D&D type growing up, for instance.

I've been into rp, of one sort or another, since high school (D&D, etc.), though I'd say that the "pretend" of childhood is the true beginning of all rp (and theatre). So, lots, of one sort or another (and some acting), before SL.
Jul. 14th, 2008 01:49 pm (UTC)
Ah, childhood; that was when I would playact, and also when I was vaguely headed towards this writing thing. (I know I'm, at best so far, at the stage J. Michael Straczynski was when he called Harlan Ellison out of the blue asking for his words of wisdom for fledgling fiction writers. Harlan just said Your writing sucks. When it no longer sucks, it will sell. Straczynski took that in the spirit it was meant and endeavored to have his fiction Not Suck.)

I've sometimes felt I'm a "behind-the-scenes" performer, kind of like Howard Ashman when he'd record his interesting demos for his songs, as opposed to someone who'd feel comfortable on a stage or in a roleplaying environment. I don't have the in-the-moment ability to become someone different in those environments; I'd be a stiff actor. (Writing, of course, gives you more time to think Now if I were a completely different person than myself, how would I behave here?)

What sort of acting have you done? Stage stuff? Filmed stuff? And any of it worth sharing? :-)
Jul. 14th, 2008 02:40 pm (UTC)

Here's the thing (and I think this goes for writing and for rp): You do not think, What would this person say? or What would this person do?. Rather, like method acting, you so completely immerse yourself in the mind of the character that their actions become your second nature, almost your first. Then there are no questions to be asked, no deliberations to be made, no hesitation (unless they hesitate). You can't be stiff, because you are the character in question, and you know how hesheit will react to any given situation, or better still, knowledge is replaced by instinct, and you are free to simply act.


Oh, all of it was high school and college. Yes, it's true. I was a drama-club nerd.

Edited at 2008-07-14 02:41 pm (UTC)
Jul. 14th, 2008 02:53 pm (UTC)
*reads Cait's performing advice*

I definitely can see you as the method-actor type. I don't see myself as that type, at least not yet, but I find it an interesting type to see.


I wasn't, but happily I was friends with the drama-club nerds. At a remove, but with an interesting perspective. I was much more involved in my high school newspaper; a good place for me, and I'm glad I eventually did professional newspaper work, too. (Reminder To Myself: I have been paid for writing! I can do that again!)