Post by GO FUCK YOURSELF NICK on Apr 18, 2015 1:34:58 GMT -6
Dear Everyone,
There have been concerns raised by members of this game regarding storyline direction, choices regarding certain angles, and general approach to showrunning. I speak to you now not as Jonathan’s girlfriend, but as a staff member who wants to keep a community she dearly loves thriving.
Firstly, with regard to show running:
Many times on the format board, there are several matches that lay unclaimed, resulting in a last-minute scramble to get everything done so that the show can get up in a timely manner on Monday nights. As many of you know, two of our most prolific and talented match writers, Sean and Allen, have left EXODUS. This leaves us in something of a bind, as not everyone in the game feels comfortable writing full length matches for main roster shows. If you are comfortable writing a match, please let staff know, this way we know who to approach if matches need to be written. If you are not, but would like to begin learning the match writing process, a good place to practice this is on the (r)Evolution shows, which only require summaries for most of the matches. And if you would like to try your hand at writing a full-length match, please let staff know, this way we can work with you on the more technical aspects of match writing.
Another thing that ties into this is staff checking the format board further in advance, that way match writers can be contacted earlier than the day of the show, thereby allowing more time for matches to be written and submitted. Additionally, we can also put backup match writers in place in case of real life getting in the way of working on the show.
Please bear in mind that these are just suggestions, and the goal here is to figure out a way for things to work better.
With regard to show booking:
Going into Year 4, I suggest that as the time for the Autumn Effect and the conclusion of Year 3’s storylines draws near, all handlers get together with staff to discuss general outlines and goals for character development over the course of the coming year. Obviously things are subject to change as time passes, but having an idea of where the handlers would like their characters to go and what story points they’d like to hit and when (approximately) will help immensely with booking shows and ensuring that no one feels as though their character has fallen by the wayside or otherwise does not fit into the overarching plot.
This includes which characters from (r)Evolution are slated for inclusion on the main roster at some point and how that promotion will be made - whether through tournaments (like the Top of the Class leading into Dead in Hollywood) or through graduation achieved in other ways.
I suggest opening a Google Doc in which all storyline notes will be kept - ie, that Vivi is going to make her main roster debut at March’s iPPV show and that her first feud will be with Devan. This way, storylines that get mentioned in Skype calls or in messenger conversations can be noted and staff has a reference point to use for booking cards. Similarly, if a character is going to be retired at any point, we have a note made that Character X’s last match will be against Character Y at EXODUS The Musical II: Electric Boogaloo.
As stated before, the goal here is to make sure that no one feels as though their character is getting left by the wayside, or alternately that they have to write roleplays every other week for a character that has no direction or inspiration. Obviously though, writer’s block happens, as does real life. If you feel that your character needs to be left off the card for one reason or another, please approach a member of staff that way booking can be altered accordingly.
This brings me to another point: the current state of the tag division on the main roster. The decision that was made, from both an out of character an in character standpoint, is one that should have been discussed among all roster members. But unfortunately, we cannot go back and change what has been done. All we can do as a group is move forward. So those of you who would like to establish tag teams (whether with existing characters or with new ones), please speak to a member of staff as soon as possible so that the division can be rebuilt from both an out of character and an in-character standpoint. Many of our tag teams have left the roster, or are pursuing singles competition to further their individual storyline development, thus the rationale behind putting the division on a temporary hiatus.
A suggestion has been made for a face(ish) tag team to challenge UNCENSORED for the tag team titles. Another suggestion is to run a tournament of some kind once we have enough tag teams to revive the division and establish new tag team champions. Staff is also open to other suggestions that will ultimately result in a revival of a very important aspect of this game and of efedding in general.
As a group, we are very invested in the characters that we have and in the stories we want to tell with them through this medium. We are blessed with gifted and dedicated writers who are more than just members of a game - we are a family. And like a family, we will have our disagreements. The most important thing we need to keep in mind is to discuss matters in a calm and respectful manner. If there is an issue and you would like an impartial third party to help moderate the conversation, please let someone on staff know. We want every voice to be heard, therefore creating a more open communication between all of us, and resolving issues sooner rather than later helps to foster a more peaceful environment.
This letter is open for comment and critique. I welcome everyone to weigh in on what has been said here and to add their own points. The one thing I ask is that emphasis be put on being constructive and proactive. This is our home. This is our family. And it’s up to us to focus on making it even better than it has been.
If you would prefer to approach me privately regarding anything that has been said here, please feel free. I’ll be working on cleaning out my new apartment (aka my grandfather’s basement) through most of tomorrow, but I will be logged onto Skype (allisonleigh912) on my phone and will also be reachable via DM on Twitter (@mistressvivi is the primary account I use for OOC DMs).
Thank you for taking the time to read through this and to offer your own perspectives. I appreciate it.
Very sincerely,
Allison
There have been concerns raised by members of this game regarding storyline direction, choices regarding certain angles, and general approach to showrunning. I speak to you now not as Jonathan’s girlfriend, but as a staff member who wants to keep a community she dearly loves thriving.
Firstly, with regard to show running:
Many times on the format board, there are several matches that lay unclaimed, resulting in a last-minute scramble to get everything done so that the show can get up in a timely manner on Monday nights. As many of you know, two of our most prolific and talented match writers, Sean and Allen, have left EXODUS. This leaves us in something of a bind, as not everyone in the game feels comfortable writing full length matches for main roster shows. If you are comfortable writing a match, please let staff know, this way we know who to approach if matches need to be written. If you are not, but would like to begin learning the match writing process, a good place to practice this is on the (r)Evolution shows, which only require summaries for most of the matches. And if you would like to try your hand at writing a full-length match, please let staff know, this way we can work with you on the more technical aspects of match writing.
Another thing that ties into this is staff checking the format board further in advance, that way match writers can be contacted earlier than the day of the show, thereby allowing more time for matches to be written and submitted. Additionally, we can also put backup match writers in place in case of real life getting in the way of working on the show.
Please bear in mind that these are just suggestions, and the goal here is to figure out a way for things to work better.
With regard to show booking:
Going into Year 4, I suggest that as the time for the Autumn Effect and the conclusion of Year 3’s storylines draws near, all handlers get together with staff to discuss general outlines and goals for character development over the course of the coming year. Obviously things are subject to change as time passes, but having an idea of where the handlers would like their characters to go and what story points they’d like to hit and when (approximately) will help immensely with booking shows and ensuring that no one feels as though their character has fallen by the wayside or otherwise does not fit into the overarching plot.
This includes which characters from (r)Evolution are slated for inclusion on the main roster at some point and how that promotion will be made - whether through tournaments (like the Top of the Class leading into Dead in Hollywood) or through graduation achieved in other ways.
I suggest opening a Google Doc in which all storyline notes will be kept - ie, that Vivi is going to make her main roster debut at March’s iPPV show and that her first feud will be with Devan. This way, storylines that get mentioned in Skype calls or in messenger conversations can be noted and staff has a reference point to use for booking cards. Similarly, if a character is going to be retired at any point, we have a note made that Character X’s last match will be against Character Y at EXODUS The Musical II: Electric Boogaloo.
As stated before, the goal here is to make sure that no one feels as though their character is getting left by the wayside, or alternately that they have to write roleplays every other week for a character that has no direction or inspiration. Obviously though, writer’s block happens, as does real life. If you feel that your character needs to be left off the card for one reason or another, please approach a member of staff that way booking can be altered accordingly.
This brings me to another point: the current state of the tag division on the main roster. The decision that was made, from both an out of character an in character standpoint, is one that should have been discussed among all roster members. But unfortunately, we cannot go back and change what has been done. All we can do as a group is move forward. So those of you who would like to establish tag teams (whether with existing characters or with new ones), please speak to a member of staff as soon as possible so that the division can be rebuilt from both an out of character and an in-character standpoint. Many of our tag teams have left the roster, or are pursuing singles competition to further their individual storyline development, thus the rationale behind putting the division on a temporary hiatus.
A suggestion has been made for a face(ish) tag team to challenge UNCENSORED for the tag team titles. Another suggestion is to run a tournament of some kind once we have enough tag teams to revive the division and establish new tag team champions. Staff is also open to other suggestions that will ultimately result in a revival of a very important aspect of this game and of efedding in general.
As a group, we are very invested in the characters that we have and in the stories we want to tell with them through this medium. We are blessed with gifted and dedicated writers who are more than just members of a game - we are a family. And like a family, we will have our disagreements. The most important thing we need to keep in mind is to discuss matters in a calm and respectful manner. If there is an issue and you would like an impartial third party to help moderate the conversation, please let someone on staff know. We want every voice to be heard, therefore creating a more open communication between all of us, and resolving issues sooner rather than later helps to foster a more peaceful environment.
This letter is open for comment and critique. I welcome everyone to weigh in on what has been said here and to add their own points. The one thing I ask is that emphasis be put on being constructive and proactive. This is our home. This is our family. And it’s up to us to focus on making it even better than it has been.
If you would prefer to approach me privately regarding anything that has been said here, please feel free. I’ll be working on cleaning out my new apartment (aka my grandfather’s basement) through most of tomorrow, but I will be logged onto Skype (allisonleigh912) on my phone and will also be reachable via DM on Twitter (@mistressvivi is the primary account I use for OOC DMs).
Thank you for taking the time to read through this and to offer your own perspectives. I appreciate it.
Very sincerely,
Allison