Plot team - Revision history

Matt at 12:03, 1 February 2017

2017-02-01T12:03:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:03, 1 February 2017
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=MattAndRegan.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Winner of Best Hat: Matt Pennington}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=MattAndRegan.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Winner of Best Hat: Matt Pennington}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	The plot team at Empire consists of everyone who writes plot for Empire. Joining plot team is simply a matter of writing some plot that fits with our [[~~Plot_style_guide\|existing guidelines~~]].		The plot team at Empire consists of everyone who writes plot for Empire. Joining plot team is simply a matter of writing some plot that fits with our [[style guide]].

	Our plot team is actually a group of writers rather than a single team. While it can be fantastically helpful for groups of writers to work together on some projects, we deliberately discourage everyone from trying to work together on everything because of the logistical difficulties in organizing a large group and the creative challenges of trying to create good plot when different writers have different views on what the plot should be. This page is all about how we organize and operate our plot team.		Our plot team is actually a group of writers rather than a single team. While it can be fantastically helpful for groups of writers to work together on some projects, we deliberately discourage everyone from trying to work together on everything because of the logistical difficulties in organizing a large group and the creative challenges of trying to create good plot when different writers have different views on what the plot should be. This page is all about how we organize and operate our plot team.

Matt: /* Radio Calls */

2016-07-04T21:03:46Z

Radio Calls

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:03, 4 July 2016
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	If you can't commit to being available throughout the event then please make sure you have identified a known point of contact for your plots who will be available. This will be someone on the plot team that you are happy for us to go to get an answer about a query about the plot. Ideally it should be someone who knows the plot well.		If you can't commit to being available throughout the event then please make sure you have identified a known point of contact for your plots who will be available. This will be someone on the plot team that you are happy for us to go to get an answer about a query about the plot. Ideally it should be someone who knows the plot well.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Yoda1.jpg\|align=right\|width=~~750px~~}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Yoda1.jpg\|align=right\|width=600px}}

	==Joining the Team==		==Joining the Team==

Matt at 21:03, 4 July 2016

2016-07-04T21:03:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:03, 4 July 2016
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	You don't have to produce a complex piece of detailed plot at first - in fact it's better if you don't. Rather talk to Matt and Andy as early as you can about your idea(s). We'll give you feedback and encourage you to develop the best of them into written plots following the existing guidelines. Once you've written up and run a few plots then we'll give you access to the plot wiki and add you to the Empire plot writers facebook group. But what you absolutely have to do to be a part of the writing team is to write something.		You don't have to produce a complex piece of detailed plot at first - in fact it's better if you don't. Rather talk to Matt and Andy as early as you can about your idea(s). We'll give you feedback and encourage you to develop the best of them into written plots following the existing guidelines. Once you've written up and run a few plots then we'll give you access to the plot wiki and add you to the Empire plot writers facebook group. But what you absolutely have to do to be a part of the writing team is to write something.

	~~==Lead Writers==~~
	* '''The lead writer is the expert on a particular area of plot'''
	In some cases a plot writer will do a lot of work on a tightly defined area of plot - giving them a very solid grounding in that area. When this happens we'll let other writers know that that member of the team is the lead writer for that topic. Being the lead writer does not grant editorial control, your plot still needs to meet the approval of Matt and Andy to run at an event. But it does mean that we think you will find it useful to talk to that member of the team about plot you are thinking of running. They can quickly bring you up to speed with the latest developments in that area and help you ensure that you are not attempting to write plot that conflicts with what has already gone.

	~~Matt or Andy may choose to discuss a plot with the lead writer for that area before they make a final decision on whether to approve it or not.~~

	~~<!--~~
	~~==Current Writers==~~
	~~The following writers are part of the current plot team, having written plot in the past year and indicated that they want to run plot again this year.~~

	* Matt Pennington
	* Andy Rafferty
	* Dave Young
	* John Haynes
	* Thomas Hancocks
	* Sophie Middleton
	* Loz Hensel
	* Matt Pickup
	* Matt Heath
	* Liam Spinage
	* Mark Nichols
	* Leah Tardivel
	* Kat Quatermass
	* Oliver Facey
	* Ian Gannaway
	* Dave Sheridan
	* Michelle Taylor
	* Gerwyn Walters
	* Oliver Busby

	~~Other people have indicated they want to write and run plot at Empire, we'll add them to the list as and when they start running plot at events.~~

	~~<table>~~
	~~<thead><tr><th>Subject</th><th>Writer</th></thead>~~
	~~<tbody>~~
	~~<tr><td>Vyig</td><td>Oliver Busby</td></tr>~~
	~~<tr><td>Basileus Kade</td><td>Sophie Middleton</td></tr>~~
	~~<tr><td>Sadogua</td><td>Andy Rafferty</td></tr>~~
	~~<tr><td>Ephisus</td><td>Matt Pennington</td></tr>~~
	~~<tr><td>Thrace</td><td>Kat Quatermass</td></tr>~~
	~~</tbody>~~
	~~</table>~~
	~~-->~~

	{{Plot Further Reading}}		{{Plot Further Reading}}

Matt at 10:42, 14 November 2015

2015-11-14T10:42:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:42, 14 November 2015
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=AndyRaffertyWiki.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Head of ~~plot~~: Andy Rafferty}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=AndyRaffertyWiki.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Head of Plot Team: Andy Rafferty}}
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=MattAndRegan.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Winner of Best Hat: Matt Pennington}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=MattAndRegan.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Winner of Best Hat: Matt Pennington}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==

Matt: /* Radio Calls */

2015-11-13T13:19:03Z

Radio Calls

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:19, 13 November 2015
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	==Radio Calls==		==Radio Calls==
	* '''Someone ~~- ideally you -~~ needs to answer queries about your plots'''		* '''Someone needs to answer queries about your plots'''

	Throughout every event we get dozens of queries from Refs, GOD, and other crew members about plots. Key members of the plot team strive to be on radio throughout the event, so that they can receive the incoming query. The team will answer simple queries, but for more complex problems they will attempt to contact the writer to get a response. Doing this helps to ensure that the plot runs as intended. Ideally this means that if you are involved in writing and running plot at Empire then we should be able to quickly contact you during the event if we need to. If you have written a significant amount of plot, and we expect a lot of queries, then you may well be assigned a radio so we can contact you quickly.		Throughout every event we get dozens of queries from Refs, GOD, and other crew members about plots. Key members of the plot team strive to be on radio throughout the event, so that they can receive the incoming query. The team will answer simple queries, but for more complex problems they will attempt to contact the writer to get a response. Doing this helps to ensure that the plot runs as intended. Ideally this means that if you are involved in writing and running plot at Empire then we should be able to quickly contact you during the event if we need to. If you have written a significant amount of plot, and we expect a lot of queries, then you may well be assigned a radio so we can contact you quickly.

Matt: /* Running Plot */

2015-11-13T13:18:42Z

Running Plot

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:18, 13 November 2015
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	==Running Plot==		==Running Plot==
	* '''You ~~run~~ out your plot at the event'''		* '''You are responsible for running out your plot at the event'''

	The basic assumption when you write plot is that you will be ~~on hand~~ to run the ~~plot out~~. This means getting everything ready for the plot to go out and then briefing your NPCs and debriefing them again when they come back. ~~Although we have~~ a plot ~~support~~ team on hand to help you with anything you need help with~~, we are close to capacity~~. ~~For this reason we~~ don't ~~accept plot submissions from individuals who simply want~~ to ~~submit the plot and then not~~ be a ~~part~~ of the team ~~that runs~~ the ~~plot out. If you want to join our existing plot team then that includes~~ the ~~responsibility for getting~~ the ~~plot out~~.		The basic assumption when you write plot is that you will be responsible for getting the plot to run at the event. This means getting everything ready for the plot to go out and then briefing your NPCs and debriefing them again when they come back. But it also means talking to the relevant people before the event to check that your plot works with the rules, and that the costumes and props are in place for it. We will help you at every stage of the process but if you want to join our existing plot team then that includes the responsibility for getting the plot out.

			==Support==
			* '''Other members of the team are on hand to help'''
			There is a lot involved in running a plot at a PD Empire event and most of our writers are not familiar with every part of the process. Other members of the plot team are on hand to help you with anything you need help with. We don't expect you to do everything yourself - just be responsible for ensuring it does happen. Very few writers are able to make a plot happen entirely by themselves - by working with other members of the team you can access their knowledge of the setting, the rules, the IT systems or their skills with make-up, costume and props.

	==Radio Calls==		==Radio Calls==

Matt: /* Radio Calls */

2015-11-12T14:16:43Z

Radio Calls

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:16, 12 November 2015
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	==Radio Calls==		==Radio Calls==
	* '''Someone - ideally you - needs to answer queries about your plots''''		* '''Someone - ideally you - needs to answer queries about your plots'''

	Throughout every event we get dozens of queries from Refs, GOD, and other crew members about plots. Key members of the plot team strive to be on radio throughout the event, so that they can receive the incoming query. The team will answer simple queries, but for more complex problems they will attempt to contact the writer to get a response. Doing this helps to ensure that the plot runs as intended. Ideally this means that if you are involved in writing and running plot at Empire then we should be able to quickly contact you during the event if we need to. If you have written a significant amount of plot, and we expect a lot of queries, then you may well be assigned a radio so we can contact you quickly.		Throughout every event we get dozens of queries from Refs, GOD, and other crew members about plots. Key members of the plot team strive to be on radio throughout the event, so that they can receive the incoming query. The team will answer simple queries, but for more complex problems they will attempt to contact the writer to get a response. Doing this helps to ensure that the plot runs as intended. Ideally this means that if you are involved in writing and running plot at Empire then we should be able to quickly contact you during the event if we need to. If you have written a significant amount of plot, and we expect a lot of queries, then you may well be assigned a radio so we can contact you quickly.
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	If you can't commit to being available throughout the event then please make sure you have identified a known point of contact for your plots who will be available. This will be someone on the plot team that you are happy for us to go to get an answer about a query about the plot. Ideally it should be someone who knows the plot well.		If you can't commit to being available throughout the event then please make sure you have identified a known point of contact for your plots who will be available. This will be someone on the plot team that you are happy for us to go to get an answer about a query about the plot. Ideally it should be someone who knows the plot well.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Yoda1.jpg\|align=right\|width=750px}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Yoda1.jpg\|align=right\|width=750px}}

	==Joining the Team==		==Joining the Team==
	* '''Anyone who has an idea for a plot can discuss it with Matt or Andy'''		* '''Anyone who has an idea for a plot can discuss it with Matt or Andy'''

Matt at 13:06, 12 November 2015

2015-11-12T13:06:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:06, 12 November 2015
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=AndyRaffertyWiki.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Head of plot: Andy Rafferty}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=AndyRaffertyWiki.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Head of plot: Andy Rafferty}}
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=MattAndRegan.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Winner of Best Hat ~~Competition~~: Matt Pennington}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=MattAndRegan.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Winner of Best Hat: Matt Pennington}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	The plot team at Empire consists of everyone who writes plot for Empire. Joining plot team is simply a matter of writing some plot that fits with our [[Plot_style_guide\|existing guidelines]].		The plot team at Empire consists of everyone who writes plot for Empire. Joining plot team is simply a matter of writing some plot that fits with our [[Plot_style_guide\|existing guidelines]].

Matt at 13:06, 12 November 2015

2015-11-12T13:06:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:06, 12 November 2015
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=AndyRaffertyWiki.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Head of plot: Andy Rafferty}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=AndyRaffertyWiki.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Head of plot: Andy Rafferty}}
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=MattAndRegan.jpg\|align=right\|caption=~~Wearer~~ of Best Hat: Matt Pennington}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=MattAndRegan.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Winner of Best Hat Competition: Matt Pennington}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	The plot team at Empire consists of everyone who writes plot for Empire. Joining plot team is simply a matter of writing some plot that fits with our [[Plot_style_guide\|existing guidelines]].		The plot team at Empire consists of everyone who writes plot for Empire. Joining plot team is simply a matter of writing some plot that fits with our [[Plot_style_guide\|existing guidelines]].

Matt at 13:05, 12 November 2015

2015-11-12T13:05:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:05, 12 November 2015
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			{{CaptionedImage\|file=AndyRaffertyWiki.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Head of plot: Andy Rafferty}}
			{{CaptionedImage\|file=MattAndRegan.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Wearer of Best Hat: Matt Pennington}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	The plot team at Empire consists of everyone who writes plot for Empire. Joining plot team is simply a matter of writing some plot that fits with our [[Plot_style_guide\|existing guidelines]].		The plot team at Empire consists of everyone who writes plot for Empire. Joining plot team is simply a matter of writing some plot that fits with our [[Plot_style_guide\|existing guidelines]].
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	Experience has proved that if you can't work with us to develop your plot - then ultimately the whole process of writing plot for Empire will be too painful for everyone involved to make it worth the effort. This is nothing to do with being a good writer or a bad writer - it's purely because me and Andy are the editors for Empire and if you don't enjoy working with the editors to develop a plot then it isn't going to work well being a team together. Good plot writers are always in demand, so if you don't enjoy working with us on your plot ideas then it's better to run your own events, either as Empire player events or in other settings.		Experience has proved that if you can't work with us to develop your plot - then ultimately the whole process of writing plot for Empire will be too painful for everyone involved to make it worth the effort. This is nothing to do with being a good writer or a bad writer - it's purely because me and Andy are the editors for Empire and if you don't enjoy working with the editors to develop a plot then it isn't going to work well being a team together. Good plot writers are always in demand, so if you don't enjoy working with us on your plot ideas then it's better to run your own events, either as Empire player events or in other settings.
	~~{{CaptionedImage\|file=AndyRaffertyWiki.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Head of plot: Andy Rafferty}}~~
	~~{{CaptionedImage\|file=MattAndRegan.jpg\|align=right\|caption=Wearer of Best Hat: Matt Pennington}}~~
	Your plot only needs to be acceptable to Matt and Andy - other writers ''do not'' have any say in what plot you can run. We are very keen to avoid the lowest common denominator problems inherent in any design by committee, so provided Matt and Andy are happy with your plot then they will strongly discourage criticism from other writers.		Your plot only needs to be acceptable to Matt and Andy - other writers ''do not'' have any say in what plot you can run. We are very keen to avoid the lowest common denominator problems inherent in any design by committee, so provided Matt and Andy are happy with your plot then they will strongly discourage criticism from other writers.