Murder Mystery....

Hello all...

I was just wandering...

I am a huge fan of murder mysteries and dinner theatre and the like, while farting around with a couple of mates of mine in world I thought about maybe hosting a Murder mystery event...

these usually involve a small amount of role playing, set pieces and improvisation.

Never hosted an event in my life and before I put any more effort and time into planning it out and writing the script, would like to ask how many people would be interested in an event like this? I mean if I'm the only nutbar who wants to do this then there's no point to me continuing.

So who would be interested in attending an event like this?

and also would love any hints or tips on how I can logistically pull it off...

cheers,
Deb

if u build it ... they will come.

sounds fun, go for it!

lol... cheers...

don't know if my 1024 will suffice though...

I'll sort something out.

Maybe if someone has a large property they are trying to sell they would let you host the event there as a means of attracting interested buyers.

Debeenz - what an awesome idea! I think this could be turned into something really neat & fun

I have some spare land at the Shelter on both the Isabel/Wingo sides - if its of any use, you're welcome to experiment there Just send me an IM in world - I'm usually around from 4pm-9pm Game time.

It'd be neat to turn something like this into a fun event!

I would be interested in attending a Murder Party... I conducted two myself when I was younger, with my sister and others. It was a lot of fun, actually... The evening was divided into "acts", where people would get notecards of their general mood, and what they were only supposed to reveal if directly asked, things like that. Before each act, the host would read a small narration (or, with one we had, play part of a cassette tape), to set the scene and explain the common knowlege everyone needed to know to be on the same page.

Sounds interesting. I've seen this done in RL as a dinner theater type thing where a small number of the attendees where playing roles and the object was for everyone to interact (ask questions about all the other guests/get to know them) while trying to decifer, from the answers and the basic premise, who the murderer is. "Cops" bust in at the beginning, set the murder scene and detail some basic clues which would jive with what the planted actors would answer to specific questions.

You may want to check out Foundation for Rich Content:

/110/ab/58103/1.html

Potential for space and/or funding options to help you out. Look for group in SL Find tool or IM me for info.

let me check with some head honchos...and IM me in world sometime...may be we have a spot to do this!!!

wow thanks everyone

this is great stuff, I'll send out some IM's and work on the script...
by the sounds of it I might have to host several of these things,

Will be locked in a caravan next week away from my beloved internet while I do some real life field work, but will use my spare time wisely to nut out a script or two.

cheers
Deb

watch this space for more stuff and stuff... in fact since I can't possibly host one of these for at least 2 weeks, maybe someone else could?

Hello Debeenz
you and i should talk . I have hosted a couple of murder mysteries in SL in the past. It is fun to do, but alot of work. You have only a limited amount of people you can put into the mystery and if you post as an event, you might have the problem of either too many people or not enough. You have to be ready for to have several plots ready usually something within the range of 5 to 10 people. That way you can work with the mystery to where it runs a bit more smoothly. If you like to find out more or need to have someone work with you on these things i can more than help.

This is such a great idea. My hubby and I would love to attend. Please keep us posted on the date. If you need any assistance please feel free to IM me in game.
Thanks and can't wait for the event.

This sounds like an awesome idea, and as soon as you have it available, please let me know! I would also be interested in possible being one of the characters/suspects. *smiles* I've attended a few of these and have always enjoyed them.

~Josette~

*raises hand*

Count me in too if you are keeping a list. Only been an audience member in one in RL and had a blast. This sounds like a great SL event.

Tristan

don't you just hate it when you have an idea and see someone else have it first. I used to run murder mystery weekends and was musing on whether it would work in SL, and lo...

I see this thread.

Well, if you want any help, I can give advice. We used to run events for 50+ in RL under the nane "Whatdunnits" as many of our events were occult or magic based, as well as the usual classic detective stories. We used to hire manor houses... Much easier in SL

Mike

Count me in as well, never done this in rl or seen it in theaters...but I've heard of it and it sounds like fun!

I also have some space I would be happy to allow you to use.

I would also suggest you talk to Kala Vixen...she has a wonderful castle in Ess that she may be willing to loan for one that is more "magic - occult" based.

Well don't let me stop anyone!

I don't see a problem if a bunch of us hosted these events... so if you're thinking of doing it go right ahead I'd love to attend one if anyone wants to organise one first, like I said before, at the moment I'm pretty busy with the rl stuff so can't really give this the full attention it deserves, but if you can then I'm all up for riding on your virtual coat tails.

I also live in New Zealand, which means that I pretty much operate on a different time zone to most people.

cheers all

Maybe I should start a Murder group, that way we can all contact each other in game to sort out all the bits and bobs and to offer support, as well as being able to contact the people interested in participating.

IM me in game if you're interested in joining

Count me in. Sounds like fun.

Debeenz, this is an exciting way to bring some fun to under-utilized "kewl" builds. Don't confine the idea to "Murder" events though ... the "Mafia Princess Wedding" concept works or the "Shotgun Wedding in Hillbilly Gulch" works ... or ... "The Phantom of the Opera" ... all sorts of concepts could be built around a few "players" and a larger group of "audience" that mingles with the players.

And is there a Thespian Society, for amateur actors? That would make a useful group. The key is to get players who can improvise without hamming it up. There is always that percent that simply will not share the stage or follow a director's concept.

Do we have any makeup artists and costumers? I can see credits to those who help out, and ticket sales to support the players and the host. And each month, a new production in a new venue. A road show, so to speak!

(hums "Another opening, another show ..." )

I would also like to express my interest in helping any/all out with something like this. I have done a couple in RL and think it'd be a blast to do them in SL.

I think anything that leans more towards the creative side is something that is desperately needed in SL to counterbalance a lot of the 'adult' themed events. It gives people more of an option of events to attend, therefore I think something like this would be really welcomed.

A group would be a great way to keep in touch and start building ideas.

Frank: What you're bringing up almost sounds like it could be a completely seperate venue. While I was in TSO I ran a theatre that put on real plays acted out by our avatars. One of them was even synched up to streaming audio of the actor's reading lines. That was a lot of fun as well, and would usually draw a big audience (in TSO it would keep us at capacity). I would also be interested in seeing if pulling off full-fledged productions is possible in SL. =)

Taltos, let's start small ... using the KISS principle: "Keep It Simple, Stupid".

If putting on a participation play draws dwell, those with elaborate builds and few people should be happy to offer their castle/park/dungeon just for the promotional consideration.

If the players turn out to be good and a hit, are you thinking of its own theater? That will require some capital ... ownership ... more transactions costs ... an investor (angel?) would need to see that the concept would draw paying audiences on a regular basis.

The idea of developing "PG" creative work is exciting, but one may wish to keep open the option to have a "Mature" themed production from time to time as well.

So, who will create the Drama Club group? We probably need a stage manager, a wardrobe mistress, a makeup artist, a prop wrangler, a diva fluffer and a few others in the organizational role. I've never done this in a virtual world with avatars, but am willing to take instruction and learn.

I didn't imagine starting off with our own theatre or anything, after all community theatre starts in whatever venue is available. I was involved with a RL production of "Julius Caesar" where we changed the setting to the homeless community and did the show in a warehouse. So, I'm open to anything!

I've also done RL stagemanaging and directing, so I'd be happy to set up the group, but would love to have as many people that are interested jump in and see what we think we can accomplish. Murder Mysteries could certainly be a part of this as well, as anything "live acting".

I wouldn't be opposed to doing something in a "mature" vein as long as it is tastefully done. After all, there are many different types of art, and it is all subjective. =)

Anyone else interested in putting something like this together?

(ADDED)

I went ahead and created a group just to see who all might be interested, it's called Horizon Theatre. I didn't know what else to call it, and while I was thinking of a name I watched the sun set in SL and ta-da! It can always be changed if someone thinks of something different. =)

So, feel free to join up, and we'll get the ball rolling!

wootness

I'm keen as to join and will IM you ingame... I loves me some theatre! I used to stage manage, act and assistant direct when I was doing drahmah irl.

<idea snowball> on top of the drama group with a bit of murder theatre thrown in, how about some improv as well? </idea snowball>

That is what is so great about the group is that it will get all the creative people together and working towards one thing. So if one (or two or a dozen) want to get together for an improv show then it will be that much easier to find people. I had a friend in TSO that used my theatre there for a weekly improv show that was pretty popular, so I know it can be done.

Also, with certain setups of the Murder Mystery a couple great improv actors would be needed. =)

I see some good times coming up in our future!

Imagine doing a scaled-down version of CATS! with furry costumes.

Horizon Theater ... excellent. I am so there.

Ooh, I LOVE the idea, Frank. Haha, CATS.

That is the truly unique thing about SL (as opposed to the other "Life Simulation MMO's) is that it really is wide open. You can dress someone up like a tree if you like. TSO and There don't have those capabilities.

There really isn't anything in SL that can't be done if you know how to use it!

(ADDED)

Here's a quick logo, what do you guys think?