What's What in Shooting Stars

Just as there are many terms for people in Shooting Stars, there are terms for other things that need to be known:

Show. A Show consists of a series of Roles, an overlying Plot, and a particular Genre. Within those constraints, Actors are meant to act out their Roles, have fun, and keep the Show as entertaining as possible. More entertaining Shows mean higher Ratings, and higher Ratings mean more Star Power, Renown, and other Perks. (A long-running Show is also referred to as a Series.)

Episode. An Episode is a single segment of a Show, filmed over the course of two weeks with the intention of appearing on television as one discrete unit. Depending on the Genre, the time boundaries of an Episode may have effects on other aspects - for example, most sitcom problems must be resolved at the end of the Episode.

Genre. A Genre is the category of entertainment a particular Show fits in, and helps to warn people in advance of what might be called upon should they accept a Role within a Show of that Genre. For instance, Reality Genres tend to be full of exploitative tricks and troubles; Sitcom Genres tend to be full of wacky situations and problems; and so forth.

Plot. While most television shows use a script, The Director prefers his Actors to work with the lesser confines of a Plot. A Plot is a short summary of what the Director wants to see in the next Episode -- for example, "On the next Episode of Dinosaur Island, a flock of Pteradactyls threatens the tribe and must be dissuaded before disaster strikes." In situations where Actors are responsible for playing Villians, they are also responsible for handling their fair share of the Plot; otherwise, the Director is generally responsible for controlling the problems, whereas the Actors are responsible for figuring out how to deal with them.

Scene. A single Scene can take as little or as long as the Actors choose, and is one consecutive filming session. A single Scene is filmed on one Stage; a Scene ends (and a new one begins) when the Actors change Stages (or choose to end the Scene in another manner.)

Scene Break. A Scene Break occurs when Actors decide to 'break' a Scene in order to film another Scene; this is most common during soap operas and other Shows where viewing  multiple locations more or less at the same time is crucial to understanding the Plot. As a rule, Actors are in charge of 'breaking' a Scene, although a Director may call for a Scene Break if he feels the Scene has run down, or in certain special circumstances.

Fade to Black. A type of Scene Break most commonly used during romantic interludes. The Fade to Black can also be used to end an Episode immediately, instead of giving the Actors time to wrap things up during the credits.

Cue Credits. A special type of Scene Break that signifies the end of an Episode. As a general rule, while 'the credits are rolling' (once Cue Credits has been called), the Actors have a few moments to get in some last words (a last joke, in sitcoms, for example), unless a Fade to Black has also been called.

To Be Continued. Certain types of Plots (through accident or design) are continued across multiple Episodes; if such is the case, this special type of Scene Break is used to denote the closure of one Episode within the overarching Plot.

Stage. The Stage is the area in which a particular Show is filmed and performed. Depending on the Show, this may be anything from an apartment building interior to a mountaintop. Scenes are always shot on a single Stage area, although multiple consecutive Scenes can be filmed at one Stage. (For example, one Scene might be shot in a bar, and the next might be the same bar - and the same characters - several hours later.)

Props. Props are specific pieces of equipment that are available to those playing certain Roles within a particular Plot, available above and beyond the normal equipment one might otherwise find 'on stage'. In some cases, Actors are generally alerted to the existence of Props either at the beginning of a Plot, or whenever the Director chooses to add one in. Props fall into three basic categories: Deus ex Machina, MacGuffin, and Shiny Objects. Deus ex Machina Props are usually required to complete the goals of a particular Plot; MacGuffin Props are generally sought after by everyone (often as part of the Plot); and Shiny Objects are just useful or spiffy things that might be helpful. Most importantly, the mention or use of a Prop is usually worth bonus Points, so use Props whenever you get the opportunity!

Star Power. Most roleplaying games have levels of competency and superiority - Shooting Stars has Star Power. Star Power represents the degree of awesomeitude that a particular Actor brings to a Show, and their overall level of success and experience. Star Power is measured in Stars, with 'zero stars' representing a complete unknown, and 'ten stars' representing a worldwide celebrity. Your Star Power tends to increase by increments of 1/2 star - can you make it to World Class Superstar?

Points. During an Episode, all Actors earn Points based on their skill and entertainment value. In Shooting Stars, these Points matter -- they, combined with your Ratings, help determine how much Renown your Actors earn for their performance, as well as determining which actors should expect a nomination as Star Performers.

Renown. Most roleplaying games give you experience points. Shooting Stars give you Renown. Renown is generally used to increase your Star Power, but may also have other uses. Renown is most commonly earned through Episodes, but may also be earned (or lost!) as a result of other events. Watch out for Glib Beat!

Perks. Star Power comes and goes. Renown rises with success and falls with misfortune. Perks, on the other hand, are somewhat more lasting. If you are particularly successful (or entertaining) over the course of a Show, your Actor may earn a Perk which carries over to other Shows and performances. Perhaps your Actor has Their Own Fan Club, or they've managed to gain a reputation as a Sarcastic Wit. Perks influence how much Renown you earn from particular Roles and have other odd little effects.

Ratings. While Renown is great for Actors, Ratings are vital for Shows. If a Show loses its Ratings and becomes unpopular, it may be cancelled - which is generally bad for the careers of the people involved, from Directors down to Actors. (Agents, fortunately, aren't generally affected in the failures of their Actors - just the successes.)

Roster. The Roster is the list of talented people an Agent currently serves on the payroll of. An Agent can have a Roster of up to three Actors or Extras at first; once their current Actors have achieved a certain amount of Star Power, they can expand and develop even more talent!

Awards. Every so often, the various powers that be gather together to determine the finest in entertainments -- and if your Actors give a stellar performance, they or their Shows might end up being nominated for an Award! Even being nominated is enough to give a kickstart to an Actor's Renown, whereas winning is good for Renown and Perks (particularly if you accumulate more than one!)