Post by Ace Anderson on Jun 23, 2013 15:05:49 GMT -5
Better make a cup of tea or prep your pack of smokes or rip a bowl in your bong or use the bathroom if you're holding it (don't forget to Name That Turd!), because this is a long one. I think I just broke a TL;DR record (a 2,000 word OOC post, so you know what you're in for).
In case you haven't noticed, nobody really posts in the House Show board. As there's no necessity and the posts aren't graded, it's not surprising and nobody is to blame.
After some discussion in The Department (dun dun dun!!), spread over a couple months, we've been working on ways to make it relevant to post there, or at least worth it to do so sometimes.
Understand before I begin: Posts WILL NOT be graded, and may never influence anything that happens on the regular programming, be it Trauma or PPVs.
This does not mean that feuds developed on the House Show will never bleed over into the programming; if it's hot, it's hot, and the fans will wanna see it. The Creative Team will decide if something 'fits' for the worldwide broadcast.
So why bother, you ask? What's going to be different?
Technically, nothing. The intention of this post is to clarify the uses and benefits of the House Show Board, and to establish some working rules for both the handlers and for PCW canon (OOC and IC)
First, the In-Character stuff:
1) As you know, PCW Trauma is a bi-weekly show. This carries over into the IC PCW Universe. That means that during every 'off week', PCW does not broadcast on television, and in fact only does so on Trauma Tuesdays and PPV Sundays. For the most part, the arena is empty aside from various staff (interviewers, managers, maintenance, etc) or wrestlers using the facilities (PCW has a private gym, and every official Superstar has their own locker room which they can use at their discretion).
With this in mind, every Tuesday that Trauma DOESN'T happen, PCW has a non-televised House Show. Superstars are not obligated to attend, but can if they so desire. (They're probably paid for it, though!)
2) Because the show isn't televised, the only way for somebody not present at the show to know what happened is via News or hearsay. So, for example: at a House Show Dollface cuts a promo (a post is made by Kris) challenging Rick Majors to a match at Trauma. Rick Majors no-sells the challenge by not appearing on the show at all (Rick DOES NOT post, though he can surely post to address said challenge). If he's not at the show, the only way Rick Majors can know that this happened at all is via a News & Rumours post, or if somebody tells him about it.
3) Any PCW Superstar can appear on the show and wrestle a match. This is considered a Dark Match, and so will not affect official PCW Win/Loss Records and/or PCW Canon in any direct way. It is understood that when a PCW Superstar isn't wrestling, the matches are inconsequential matches between jobbers and/or faceless, non-existent PCW prospects.
PCW Superstars are also permitted to cut in-ring promos, or appear in backstage segments broadcasted ON THE PCW-TRON ONLY. Remember, there's no television cameras, but there IS a production crew.
4) Though there is a production crew, it is scaled down considerably from Trauma and monumentally from PPVs. There probably isn't pyro, and the cameras aren't going to follow Ace Anderson around backstage for any real length of time. However, if Ace Anderson bumps into Michael Wryght at the House Show (as if Showtime would bother, fucking movie star) and they have a stand-off or a few choice words, then the cameramen can catch it and display it on the Tron for the Faithful to see.
As you'll see, I'm doing my best to make these points correspond. I hope it's not too confusing, or makes posting for House Shows seem a daunting task. I'm simply trying to address as many things as come to mind in one shot. Feel free to ask questions, discuss, or make suggestions!
Now, the OOC Implications:
1) From now on, any post made in the House Show Board between shows is understood to happen on the 'Off-Tuesday' at PCW's House Show, which may or may not be named in the future. If you post in the Board, it's understood that your character is present at the House Show. If you do not post, your character is assumed absent from the show.
2) From an OOC standpoint, you are NOT forced to acknowledge anything that happens at a House Show. Example: There's no guarantee a Superstar reads the News, or gives one sweet damn about the House Show. Even if there's a News post made about a particular no-sold challenge, who says the person challenged reads it at all?
The hope, however, is that the Board will spawn some activity and open up some new possibilities: for example, a play-by-post style wherein Superstars cut promos and respond to each other live and in the ring. As of right now there's no limit to how many House Show posts you can make, but it's obvious you won't have more than one match or cut five or six promos on one House Show. The House Show should NOT become The Non Compos Mentis Show (just using you as an example, Rick) if you catch my drift.
3) House Show Dark Matches open up some more possibilities. Handlers have free reign to write one Dark Match per House Show. You can create your own jobber, and we might even be able to build up a 'squash list' for added effect. Meaning any jobber 'created' by a handler can be used by another in the future, if they so choose.
Another possibility is that you can use this as an avenue: Dark Matches may also serve as 'extended strategy guides.' Because you're writing your own match for your own character, you get a chance to show how YOU would have your character wrestle a match. Instead of squashing a jobber with move, move, move, finisher, you can actually have them wrestle a match against a 'prospect' who provides a bit of a challenge. This is a great chance to show PCW's Mule Team how you'd like your character to work in the ring. There are no guarantees, of course, but keep in mind that we DO have Official Strat Guides for Trauma which you can use to your heart's content (you can suggest spots, mindsets, moves from your set you'd like to see used, etc.) that will be considered for your graded matches and sent to your Mule if necessary.
Along with matches, you're free to cut an in-ring promo to whatever end you want. You can 'call somebody out' or you can 'run somebody down' or simply 'talk yourself up.' In the case that a handler responds directly to your promo with one of their own, we should leave it open to some more back-and-forth for fun's sake. I'd say it'd be wise to limit it to promo, counter-promo, counter-promo, then one more, though. Or something like that. Anything else might be overkill. Example: High Tide comes down to talk shit about SSP. SSP responds by talking shit about The Freebooters. The Freebooters come down to defend themselves, to which The New Breed has a choice to reply as well. Keep in mind: it's a House Show, it's on a time limit, and so it's doubtful you'll get to come down and cut a 2,000 word promo. It may be wise to put a limit, maybe take an approach gleaned from Greg from SHOOT: 100 words equals one minute of promo time. Something like that. This is certainly open for discussion.
Segments fall along the same lines as the promos, with the only exception being they aren't in the ring. Backstage interviews or confrontations are permitted (to appear on the PCW-Tron), but they ought to be considered in the same class as the promos. As is the Golden Rule in PCW, NEVER write another handler's character without their permission. Collaboration, however, is encouraged. When used properly, feuds can be built up on House Shows by using these methods. For ease of reference, we'll consider Promos and Segments as 'Appearances' and one should limit these accordingly. If Grimm gives an interview segment on the House Show, for example, Gabriel Cross is free to respond with an in-ring promo or segment, and then the two can go from there.
4) Production: keep in mind that a House Show is STILL a show, and it will proceed very similar to Trauma itself. It's probably two-three hours, with matches and segments spaced accordingly. It shouldn't be a Soap Opera or something with twenty-two 10 minute promos, but it should certainly have its dramatic moments and interaction is encouraged.
Because matches require a bit more detail than straight talking, it may be wise to include at the top of the post how long the match runs. I'd even suggest House Show matches run on 15-minute time limits (kinda like Genesis Rules without the other Rules). They can be summary style or move-by-move. Regardless: time is of the essence!! Chances are you're gonna win your House Show matches (
) and you should do so in a timely fashion. 'Jobs' might last 2-5 minutes, whereas a match that provides a challenge might last 10. Use discretion and be considerate of your fellow handlers who may also want time on the show. Because it's a House Show, it's not impossible for a 12 match card, so don't be scared to post a match. 12 matches of 10 minutes each is still only two hours, which still leaves time for promos if the House Show is slated as 3 hours long. Of course there's no 'actual' timeframe right now. This is another matter that may or may not go to discussion; depends if it becomes an issue or not.
As a final note on squashing jobbers: the wrestling's still real. It's understood the PCW Superstars simply outclass the 'House Show Talent', although it might be interesting to make yourself LOSE a House Show match on occasion. Don't have to, of course.
I realize this post is getting huge, so I'll wrap it up now.
The hope is that this opens up some new doors for character development AROUND THE ARENA. Even though we don't forget our characters are pro wrestlers, sometimes we overlook it in development. This is a chance to have your character act like a wrestler in a wrestling setting.
It's even possible to develop characters on the House Show that you're trying to season for Trauma itself without having to commit to competing in graded matches. These might be those 'prospects' I mentioned who mayhap get called up to the Big Show. If somebody decides to do this, make sure to note that your 'prospect' is off-limits as a jobber. NOTE: Luis is adamant that he doesn't want PCW to have a 'Developmental Fed' so I wouldn't suggest that everyone does this on the regular. If you've been thinking of 'play-testing' a new character, though, I can't think of a better way. Hell, I might even bring Rikkashot to the House Show! (And Whitey, I just might be serious)
This is a ton of info and it may be overwhelming. None of this is the final word, as I don't have that kind of authority, but as far as I can tell it's (hopefully) within reason.
Really I'm hoping people will start using the House Show Board to be active and have fun without the potential pressure of grading. If you decide to be active on the House Show Board, it might even lead to a push or feud on the main programming based on said activity. No promises, as those aren't mine to make, but PCW has never punished activity.
Thoughts?!?!
In case you haven't noticed, nobody really posts in the House Show board. As there's no necessity and the posts aren't graded, it's not surprising and nobody is to blame.
After some discussion in The Department (dun dun dun!!), spread over a couple months, we've been working on ways to make it relevant to post there, or at least worth it to do so sometimes.
Understand before I begin: Posts WILL NOT be graded, and may never influence anything that happens on the regular programming, be it Trauma or PPVs.
This does not mean that feuds developed on the House Show will never bleed over into the programming; if it's hot, it's hot, and the fans will wanna see it. The Creative Team will decide if something 'fits' for the worldwide broadcast.
So why bother, you ask? What's going to be different?
Technically, nothing. The intention of this post is to clarify the uses and benefits of the House Show Board, and to establish some working rules for both the handlers and for PCW canon (OOC and IC)
First, the In-Character stuff:
1) As you know, PCW Trauma is a bi-weekly show. This carries over into the IC PCW Universe. That means that during every 'off week', PCW does not broadcast on television, and in fact only does so on Trauma Tuesdays and PPV Sundays. For the most part, the arena is empty aside from various staff (interviewers, managers, maintenance, etc) or wrestlers using the facilities (PCW has a private gym, and every official Superstar has their own locker room which they can use at their discretion).
With this in mind, every Tuesday that Trauma DOESN'T happen, PCW has a non-televised House Show. Superstars are not obligated to attend, but can if they so desire. (They're probably paid for it, though!)
2) Because the show isn't televised, the only way for somebody not present at the show to know what happened is via News or hearsay. So, for example: at a House Show Dollface cuts a promo (a post is made by Kris) challenging Rick Majors to a match at Trauma. Rick Majors no-sells the challenge by not appearing on the show at all (Rick DOES NOT post, though he can surely post to address said challenge). If he's not at the show, the only way Rick Majors can know that this happened at all is via a News & Rumours post, or if somebody tells him about it.
3) Any PCW Superstar can appear on the show and wrestle a match. This is considered a Dark Match, and so will not affect official PCW Win/Loss Records and/or PCW Canon in any direct way. It is understood that when a PCW Superstar isn't wrestling, the matches are inconsequential matches between jobbers and/or faceless, non-existent PCW prospects.
PCW Superstars are also permitted to cut in-ring promos, or appear in backstage segments broadcasted ON THE PCW-TRON ONLY. Remember, there's no television cameras, but there IS a production crew.
4) Though there is a production crew, it is scaled down considerably from Trauma and monumentally from PPVs. There probably isn't pyro, and the cameras aren't going to follow Ace Anderson around backstage for any real length of time. However, if Ace Anderson bumps into Michael Wryght at the House Show (as if Showtime would bother, fucking movie star) and they have a stand-off or a few choice words, then the cameramen can catch it and display it on the Tron for the Faithful to see.
As you'll see, I'm doing my best to make these points correspond. I hope it's not too confusing, or makes posting for House Shows seem a daunting task. I'm simply trying to address as many things as come to mind in one shot. Feel free to ask questions, discuss, or make suggestions!
Now, the OOC Implications:
1) From now on, any post made in the House Show Board between shows is understood to happen on the 'Off-Tuesday' at PCW's House Show, which may or may not be named in the future. If you post in the Board, it's understood that your character is present at the House Show. If you do not post, your character is assumed absent from the show.
2) From an OOC standpoint, you are NOT forced to acknowledge anything that happens at a House Show. Example: There's no guarantee a Superstar reads the News, or gives one sweet damn about the House Show. Even if there's a News post made about a particular no-sold challenge, who says the person challenged reads it at all?
The hope, however, is that the Board will spawn some activity and open up some new possibilities: for example, a play-by-post style wherein Superstars cut promos and respond to each other live and in the ring. As of right now there's no limit to how many House Show posts you can make, but it's obvious you won't have more than one match or cut five or six promos on one House Show. The House Show should NOT become The Non Compos Mentis Show (just using you as an example, Rick) if you catch my drift.
3) House Show Dark Matches open up some more possibilities. Handlers have free reign to write one Dark Match per House Show. You can create your own jobber, and we might even be able to build up a 'squash list' for added effect. Meaning any jobber 'created' by a handler can be used by another in the future, if they so choose.
Another possibility is that you can use this as an avenue: Dark Matches may also serve as 'extended strategy guides.' Because you're writing your own match for your own character, you get a chance to show how YOU would have your character wrestle a match. Instead of squashing a jobber with move, move, move, finisher, you can actually have them wrestle a match against a 'prospect' who provides a bit of a challenge. This is a great chance to show PCW's Mule Team how you'd like your character to work in the ring. There are no guarantees, of course, but keep in mind that we DO have Official Strat Guides for Trauma which you can use to your heart's content (you can suggest spots, mindsets, moves from your set you'd like to see used, etc.) that will be considered for your graded matches and sent to your Mule if necessary.
Along with matches, you're free to cut an in-ring promo to whatever end you want. You can 'call somebody out' or you can 'run somebody down' or simply 'talk yourself up.' In the case that a handler responds directly to your promo with one of their own, we should leave it open to some more back-and-forth for fun's sake. I'd say it'd be wise to limit it to promo, counter-promo, counter-promo, then one more, though. Or something like that. Anything else might be overkill. Example: High Tide comes down to talk shit about SSP. SSP responds by talking shit about The Freebooters. The Freebooters come down to defend themselves, to which The New Breed has a choice to reply as well. Keep in mind: it's a House Show, it's on a time limit, and so it's doubtful you'll get to come down and cut a 2,000 word promo. It may be wise to put a limit, maybe take an approach gleaned from Greg from SHOOT: 100 words equals one minute of promo time. Something like that. This is certainly open for discussion.
Segments fall along the same lines as the promos, with the only exception being they aren't in the ring. Backstage interviews or confrontations are permitted (to appear on the PCW-Tron), but they ought to be considered in the same class as the promos. As is the Golden Rule in PCW, NEVER write another handler's character without their permission. Collaboration, however, is encouraged. When used properly, feuds can be built up on House Shows by using these methods. For ease of reference, we'll consider Promos and Segments as 'Appearances' and one should limit these accordingly. If Grimm gives an interview segment on the House Show, for example, Gabriel Cross is free to respond with an in-ring promo or segment, and then the two can go from there.
4) Production: keep in mind that a House Show is STILL a show, and it will proceed very similar to Trauma itself. It's probably two-three hours, with matches and segments spaced accordingly. It shouldn't be a Soap Opera or something with twenty-two 10 minute promos, but it should certainly have its dramatic moments and interaction is encouraged.
Because matches require a bit more detail than straight talking, it may be wise to include at the top of the post how long the match runs. I'd even suggest House Show matches run on 15-minute time limits (kinda like Genesis Rules without the other Rules). They can be summary style or move-by-move. Regardless: time is of the essence!! Chances are you're gonna win your House Show matches (
) and you should do so in a timely fashion. 'Jobs' might last 2-5 minutes, whereas a match that provides a challenge might last 10. Use discretion and be considerate of your fellow handlers who may also want time on the show. Because it's a House Show, it's not impossible for a 12 match card, so don't be scared to post a match. 12 matches of 10 minutes each is still only two hours, which still leaves time for promos if the House Show is slated as 3 hours long. Of course there's no 'actual' timeframe right now. This is another matter that may or may not go to discussion; depends if it becomes an issue or not.As a final note on squashing jobbers: the wrestling's still real. It's understood the PCW Superstars simply outclass the 'House Show Talent', although it might be interesting to make yourself LOSE a House Show match on occasion. Don't have to, of course.
I realize this post is getting huge, so I'll wrap it up now.
The hope is that this opens up some new doors for character development AROUND THE ARENA. Even though we don't forget our characters are pro wrestlers, sometimes we overlook it in development. This is a chance to have your character act like a wrestler in a wrestling setting.
It's even possible to develop characters on the House Show that you're trying to season for Trauma itself without having to commit to competing in graded matches. These might be those 'prospects' I mentioned who mayhap get called up to the Big Show. If somebody decides to do this, make sure to note that your 'prospect' is off-limits as a jobber. NOTE: Luis is adamant that he doesn't want PCW to have a 'Developmental Fed' so I wouldn't suggest that everyone does this on the regular. If you've been thinking of 'play-testing' a new character, though, I can't think of a better way. Hell, I might even bring Rikkashot to the House Show! (And Whitey, I just might be serious)
This is a ton of info and it may be overwhelming. None of this is the final word, as I don't have that kind of authority, but as far as I can tell it's (hopefully) within reason.
Really I'm hoping people will start using the House Show Board to be active and have fun without the potential pressure of grading. If you decide to be active on the House Show Board, it might even lead to a push or feud on the main programming based on said activity. No promises, as those aren't mine to make, but PCW has never punished activity.
Thoughts?!?!
