25th January - 29th January
Group F: Ula Rodakowska, Sanjana Mehta, Kate Chernysheva
Group F: Ula Rodakowska, Sanjana Mehta, Kate Chernysheva
exploration and research
We began our exploration by rereading the brief, doing some preliminary research and exploring LARP from a more technical point of view through a recommended presentation by Bjarke Pedersen that explored the mechanics of LARP. This brief seemed very different from what we did before and we felt very confused yet positive.
A screenshot of our first meeting where we brainstormed and shared useful resources on the topic. Taken by Kate.
Nevertheless, we still had lots of questions which we had an opportunity to ask at the tutorial with Susan and John.
Screenshot from the meetings with Susan and John. Screenshot by Kate.
Notes from the meetings. Notes taken by Kate.
Upon discussion, we felt less restricted and were inspired to create and experiment as we were given an option to create a new world. The most important piece of feedback we have taken on board was to try and create a frame within which participants could feel free to create. This was very new to me as designers usually aim to achieve a setting that is controlled and allows for smoothest interaction possible.
BRAINSTORM
We followed Susan’s advice to use the principle of “Yes, and…” and we tried to incorporate all of the ideas that came to our mind. Bearing in mind the amount of time we were given for the brief we thought of taking the existing idea we have explored during our workshop with Susan as a base. From there we started elaborating. We are aliens in a bunker and we are trying to conquer this planet, but we need a base and a weapon.
A brief sketch of our very first idea developed from the initial bunker concept. We were trying to come up with a LARP where aliens want to conquer the world and get rid of humanity. Sketch by Kate.
Our next step: finding ways of communication. We experimented with sounds, movements and poses as a way of maintaining contact but we kept going back to the question: how do we make it less limiting and give participants freedom?
Finally we used the replacement concept and substituted some elements of the story with regular objects such as a spoon - a powerful weapon that provides energy for the aliens, a fort (bunker) made out of spare tools chosen by the participants and also added outdoor jackets as in-game battle costumes.
Our next step: finding ways of communication. We experimented with sounds, movements and poses as a way of maintaining contact but we kept going back to the question: how do we make it less limiting and give participants freedom?
Screenshots from our testing sessions. Top left taken by Sanjana, bottom left taken by Ula, top and bottom right taken by Kate.
A mood board we created together from images found online.
TESTING 1
After this testing session we realised that it is important that we create a script to avoid uncertainties and create a structure before the next round of testing with another group.
Some screenshots from our script writing meeting. Left screenshot taken by Kate. Right screenshot taken by Ula.
TESTING 2
Our next test was with another group. They pointed out that some of the parts of the LARP were too long and some weren’t giving them enough clues as to what to do or say. Furthermore, our classmate mentioned that he didn’t enjoy the soundtrack we played during the fort-building activity. However, we thought it was very fitting and decided to go with it anyway as it helped us set the right mood for the LARP as exciting yet light-hearted.
A time-lapse of our testing session with another group. Screenrecorded by Ula. Edited by Kate.
After this testing session we have also created a guide for our LARP where we outlined everything that would help the participants and made some minor adjustments in the script..
The progression of our cover page for the guide developed by Sanjana.
Our final guide for the LARP. Developed by Sanjana with some contribution from Kate and Ula.
PRESENTATION
The gif representing the final scenario of our LARP. Made by Kate.
REFLECTION
We thought our final presentation went very well and we saw people smiling through our LARP. However, there was still lack of engagement from some people, perhaps because it was very unusual to have such an experience that seemed to be not as academic and serious, yet extremely useful and eye-opening. The "Yes, and..." method we used was particularly helpful as it made everyone's ideas heard and implemented which created a perfectly balanced outcome. Doing more testing also helped us achieve a smooth experience. If I we were to improve the project, we would elaborate on the context of this LARP and the story behind alien attack.
REFERENCES
Cronodon.com. (n.d.). Aliens in Popular Sci-Fi. [online] Available at: https://cronodon.com/SpaceTech/Dalek.html [Accessed 1 Mar. 2021].
Larpwriter Summer School (2016). Mechanics - Fader talk by Bjarke Pedersen. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfqkMnPiubo.
LARPING.ORG. (2014). What’s the big deal about Nordic larp? [online] Available at: https://larping.org/whats-the-big-deal-about-nordic-larp/ [Accessed 1 Mar. 2021].
Nordic Larp. (2018). Group Improvisation of Larp Rituals. [online] Available at: https://nordiclarp.org/2018/02/27/group-improvisation-larp-rituals/.
susanploetz.com. (n.d.). susan ploetz. [online] Available at: https://susanploetz.com/ [Accessed 1 Mar. 2021].
Candy Paull. (n.d.). Simple Sensory Rituals. [online] Available at: http://www.candypaull.com/blog/2014/5/28/simple-sensory-rituals [Accessed 1 Mar. 2021].