Basic Premise / Notes File

A roleplaying game idea.. more than a game, more like a series of games with characters that are interrelated and stuff.

The premise:
The mod/GM is called The Director. The characters are called Actors. The players are called Agents, representing their Actor. Tired of the terrible selections on television, an empowered being called The Director has decided to create his own programming. There is a Studio (community) in which auditions take place (auditions will be held IC) - after actors audition, they become part of a concept that is akin to repertoire theater, with a bit of Survivor thrown in. Cancellation isn't unheard of if your ratings are low... and cancellation, well... can be a bit messy.

Each actor will have a electronic journal which is connected to the journals of other characters, so they can communicate with each other. There is also an Actor's Lounge, for between show action. Current Programming is the list of shows that are currently 'on the network' - they are in a variety of genres and settings that test the actor's skills. Drama, comedy, sit-coms, even game shows have been known to appear. As ratings for these shows (we'll vote) go up or down, their position on the network goes up or down. Unpopular shows may be cancelled. New shows may be added at a moment's notice (whim of Director) or at the end of the season.

A lot of show ideas contain elements of the supernatural, as the Director is currently fond of this theme. From the hellacious comedy I Married A Demon to the game show Who Wants To Be A Vampire? to the far less obvious uses of this theme, it's sure to be a bit surprising to actors as they discover that these worlds are a bit-less-than-fake, but not quite real.

Gameplay:
The actor's lounge, the character's journals, and other 'meta' settings are always open for play. Each week (maybe every two weeks?), a live-by-chat 'filming' session will be held for one of the shows, advancing the plot of that game if it is an ongoing serial. In the case of sitcoms, the adventure is self-inclusive and will wrap up with a usually happy ending. In the case of game shows, actors can occasionally win prizes that carry over into their 'meta' existence. There may even be an occasional made-for-tv-movie (a special short game). Actors will gain 'popularity' (this world's version of experience points) and possibly unlock certain 'meta' abilities when they reach star power level whatever.


Communities:
The casting couch - auditions , questions for the Director, so forth
The agent's lounge - for players, ooc
The actor's lounge - for 'meta' actor activities
The network - current lineup of shows, make suggestions for shows, vote on show ratings , episode summaries
The tabloids - a 'random events' sort of community - can drive a show's ratings up or down, or effect an actor's popularity

Individual shows will also have their own communities.

Actors:
The actor (or actress, of course - we use actor throughout as a gender neutral description) always starts play as a human being. Actors should have a biography including who they are, how they got this point and so on. Obviously, in-real-life actors are right out here - we're talking about a made up original character creation of your brain. The character's human-ness might change as he interacts with various supernatural worlds; this will have a variety of benefits and drawbacks. The director will let you know if something's up...

Actors may also change as a result of random events in the Tabloid community. Star power can go up or down, a crazy fan might start stalking him, he could be asked to lend his image to some product or commercial service, he could develop a habit... Remember, if bad things happen to good stars - it's not because The Director hates you. Triumph in your adversity and try to find a way to turn a bad situation to your advantage! It's worked in Hollywood for years.

The application for this game will be your very first roleplay experience in this game. The application includes an in-character audition - you post your application to the Casting Couch, and the Director comments directly to your actor. Accepted? Great, he'll let you know what to do. Denied? Them's the breaks, kid. Feel free to try again with another actor!

Once accepted, an actor gains access to the actor's lounge, and his agent gets access to the agent's lounge. Your actor can communicate with the other actors through their journals. But you're not a star yet.... go out there, and get yourself some screen time.

Agents (players) may have up to THREE actors. No more, unless you have proven you can effectively manage their careers. Each actor must undergo an in-character audition. It's part of the fun!


The Shows:
Not all actors will want to participate in all shows. You can choose to appear in as many or as few shows as you like. Naturally, the more shows you appear in, the more opportunities to earn star power. But one stellar performance is certainly better than five mediocre spots... isn't it?

Some shows have pre-set roles. Actors can voice their preferences for roles, but the ultimate decision lies with the director. Your star power will help influence what role you are given, as will the characteristics you have chosen for your actor. Unlike real life, the director cannot be bribed with money or sexual favors - as a supernatural being, The Director is above such human needs! Because you didn't get a role you wanted, it doesn't mean The Director hates you. Suck it up, princess - or tell the tabloids or other actors how cheated you were!

Other shows are wide open - there is a general setting concept in place, but actors must improvise their parts (ie: come up with a character for that world).

In the case of game shows, your actor will usually play himself (think Match Game) , occasionally working with a non-celebrity contestant (and what fun that can be!)

Once a week (or maybe every two weeks) filming will take place for a show. An episode will usually have a live chat kick off - if your actor can't make it to this, the Director will work around that absence. The remaining gameplay will take place in the community for that show - with that episode wrapping up in time for the filming of the next show. If things aren't to a logical conclusion by the end of that one-two week period, the Director can either choose to extend filming for that episode, or summarize how the episode ends.

While an actor is participating in a show... something happens. For a short period of time, he becomes the character he is portraying. Though he can still comment in a 'meta' fashion in his journal, the actor's lounge, and the journals of other actors, within the confines of that particular show, he is essentially the character he is playing. That means no 'meta' knowledge can seep into the show. This also has an interesting side effect... occasionally, an actor will be affected by the role he plays - particularly if this a reoccurring role, or if he has a very-bad or very-good experience in a show.

Extras:
Extras are usually the NPCs of a world, usually controlled by the director. However, if agents would like to control an extra, they can apply for one. Extras are one trick ponies,however - they only exist in a particular show or setting, and can not cross over to other shows.

If your audition for an actor has been denied, or if you are only interested in a particular show - you can apply to be an Extra. Less full game play experience, more casual fun.

Extras could be upgraded to Actors at the discretion of The Director (and if the Agent desires). Agents of extras are able to access the Agent's Lounge, but not the Actor's Lounge.

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<L> We need to come up with a list of traits
<nikandjim> I know :( But, it's exciting
<L> quirks and such
<L> and I need to come up with an agent bio
<L> and an actor bio form
<nikandjim> Charisma, range, reclusiveness
<L> and we need rules
<nikandjim> eccentricity
<nikandjim> drama rating (some actors like a lot more personal drama than others)
<L> hehe
<L> well we can have drama queen be one of the traits
<L> or quirks
<Aus> Probably a Bad Habit.
<nikandjim> quirks are good
<nikandjim> hehe... yeah, a bad habit
<nikandjim> addiction
<L> antisocial
<L> OCD
<Aus> Conniving?
<L> Good one
<L> superstitious
<nikandjim> amorous
<nikandjim> [Nica] Oh, yeah. Good one.
<nikandjim> Jim came up with a primetime show
<nikandjim> Doctors, lawyers, and cops
<nikandjim> It's been around for 15 years; the cast has turned over many times
<nikandjim> So, it's a law and order/er hybrid, right? No helicopters please, Jim
<L> hehe
<nikandjim> Genre: Drama
<nikandjim> CRA rating: M
<nikandjim> Regular physics, occasional drug use, adult language & situations
<L> What should the title be?
<nikandjim> Doctors, Lawyers and Cops (hehe)
<L> OH, hehe
<L> Neat

<nikandjim> Synopsis: The intense world of ER doctors, police detectives and district attorneys in Washington, DC
<nikandjim> Other Notes: Even though the show has a high turnover rate for its actors, it has been a staple of the network for a decade and a half.
<nikandjim> Title : The Blue Playhouse
<nikandjim> Genre : Educational kids programming
<nikandjim> CRA: K
<nikandjim> Constraints: Cartoon physics, no adult situations, no adult language, no drugs, no adult situations, no gambling
<nikandjim> Synopsis: The blue playhouse was built last summer by Billy and Susie's parents. They've been playing in it everyday- then they met The Googlies. The Googlies are a race of cheerful, plushy, slightly humanoid creatures.
<nikandjim> They have a series of wacky, yet educational adventures on a daily basis. What will Billy and Susie do next?
<nikandjim> Other Notes: The show is cheerful, and happy on the outside... but what's really going on backstage?
<nikandjim> Who are the 'Googlies'? Why is Sharon (Billy and Susie's older sister), a twenty five year old actress playing a teenager
<nikandjim> ?
<nikandjim> hehehe
<L> Damn old actresses
<L> hehe
<nikandjim> hehe
<nikandjim> She's a teenager, really
<nikandjim> Ok, is Dr.Tran going to be a character?
<nikandjim> He needs to be
<nikandjim> Maybe if a player screws up a lot... he can show up
<nikandjim> I don't know if you guys ever watched Showtime at the Apollo
<nikandjim> They had a clown that would come out when people screwed up
<nikandjim> Dr.Tran can be our clown
<L> hehe
<L> To avoid copyright though, he'd have to be Dr. Chan
<L> And working for ALT
<L> He is real american actor!
<L> From America!
<nikandjim> hehe
<nikandjim> Yeah. Dr.Chan