tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post8582560596386440300..comments2023-10-14T03:58:59.333-06:00Comments on The Tao of D&D: The Visceral ReactionAlexis Smolenskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-51057011391986571322014-08-15T16:57:25.938-06:002014-08-15T16:57:25.938-06:00Ha, you're absolutely right Thiles! It is in t...Ha, you're absolutely right Thiles! It is in the default mode for G+ chat. The GM just doesn't let *anyone* get a word in edgewise for the first 12 minutes...... Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649420272387984400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-27959705510645494602014-08-14T21:08:12.189-06:002014-08-14T21:08:12.189-06:00The big center image is whoever is talking, it doe...The big center image is whoever is talking, it does not stay on him.Thiles Targonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02928790313150694394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-25774725826643097172014-08-13T13:01:50.568-06:002014-08-13T13:01:50.568-06:00Research. I sat through a Shechita once for a cow...Research. I sat through a Shechita once for a cow - which, I'll admit, was <i>marginally</i> better.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-34111570144351798752014-08-13T12:54:33.700-06:002014-08-13T12:54:33.700-06:00I'm just surprised you can sit through an epis...I'm just surprised you can sit through an episode of "Axe." I can't.JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08532311924539491087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-83584353720552356302014-08-13T06:16:14.742-06:002014-08-13T06:16:14.742-06:00I do think I have to act the part, Verona, for a n...I do think I have to act the part, Verona, for a number of reasons. I just don't think the camera needs to bathe me in the light of the sacred. As far as direction, I've done it, I'm not - and this will make some people laugh - cruel enough. I can make myself work like a horse, but I have trouble forcing others to stay one more run through.<br /><br />Besides, I've been out of that game for many years. I'm digging a bit to see who I can find; getting advice, etc. It's on the back burner right now.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-85524981585097545532014-08-13T05:57:33.588-06:002014-08-13T05:57:33.588-06:00Just to throw out an idea here, Alexis- I understa...Just to throw out an idea here, Alexis- I understand why you would be hesitant to film yourself running a game (too many tenth grade girls out there to not-impress and all). But, what if you were to direct the film rather than starring in it? I gather that you are fairly well-connected with a group of acting friends- why not direct them in a scripted running of your design? Then you could focus your efforts on the difficult bits you mention, such as camera angles, creating tension, etc. without having to be behind the camera.VeronaKidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15468008554680895487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-65786159429912743032014-08-12T22:07:31.487-06:002014-08-12T22:07:31.487-06:00"Seeing games on the internet should give you..."Seeing games on the internet should give you an idea why your girlfriend in Grade 10 was not that impressed."<br /><br />Spot-on.Maxwell Joslynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02309867478186083339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-67687800925913793682014-08-12T19:01:27.731-06:002014-08-12T19:01:27.731-06:00The fact that the DM COULD HAVE reduced his footpr...The fact that the DM COULD HAVE reduced his footprint in the video only shows that he is a douche.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-25175831475562459242014-08-12T17:03:27.924-06:002014-08-12T17:03:27.924-06:00It being a G+ hangout doesn't change anything ...It being a G+ hangout doesn't change anything for this particular video because they chose to change the settings to focus on the DM, but it does present an easy solution to your dilemma of how to film a session. The default G+ mode of focusing on whichever screen is making the most noise is perfect for a turn based game like D&D. It is not quite the same as having a dedicated camera on each participant because you don't get the up close reactions to what other people are saying, but at least you always have a good view of the person talking. No profiles or back shots when a PC is taking a turn. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07648499022366444265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-63705590030652140252014-08-12T15:34:40.204-06:002014-08-12T15:34:40.204-06:00That's one of the things I like about I Hit It...That's one of the things I like about I Hit It With My Axe is that the camera is very seldom on Zak. You are right, the emotions and the action come from the players. Shaky cam does suck, does nothing for tension as it might in a horror film. Jomo Risinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13552294536240059611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-15277275104341161772014-08-12T14:18:52.676-06:002014-08-12T14:18:52.676-06:00Eric, you have to learn to let people be wrong abo...Eric, you have to learn to let people be wrong about things on the internet (heh heh, me too!).<br /><br />Fine. G+ hangout. Changes nothing.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-80346221220574142612014-08-12T14:03:49.579-06:002014-08-12T14:03:49.579-06:00This is a G+ hangout video, not Skype; I've ha...This is a G+ hangout video, not Skype; I've had much better luck with the former. The "focus on one guy" isn't the default for G+ hangouts. Unless you click on one screen to focus on that person, it'll show the video stream for whoever's loudest at any given point in time. In my opinion, this works surprisingly well for RPGs and I don't know why they opted to do otherwise here. Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649420272387984400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-47870884670203529782014-08-12T13:36:19.263-06:002014-08-12T13:36:19.263-06:00Verona,
You can find my visceral reaction to Chri...Verona,<br /><br />You can find my visceral reaction to Chris Perkins and other 'celebrities' (term used VERY loosely) <a href="http://tao-dnd.blogspot.ca/2013/12/the-distraction.html" rel="nofollow">on this linked post here</a>.<br /><br />The problem with depiction is that SO much of the game is the chemical cocktail I speak about in chapter seven. Seeing games on the internet should give you an idea why your girlfriend in Grade 10 was not that impressed.Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-88151482835621698192014-08-12T13:26:37.658-06:002014-08-12T13:26:37.658-06:00This post very adequately summarizes one of the bi...This post very adequately summarizes one of the biggest issues I have had with the hobby since re-discovering it a few years ago. Namely, that as good as the internet is at providing ample ideas for RPG's in general, and lots of ground for debate, no one seems to be able to provide a single good example of what a good game should look and sound like. The video you've linked here, as bad as it is (and I agree, Alexis, this is definitely not a good game) pales in comparison to other videos you find on YouTube featuring supposed "celebrity" DMs. I have spent hours trying to find examples of a good game, or even just some sound advice on the specific techniques to use while DMing. I have always come up empty handed.<br /><br />"How to Run" is a first step in the right direction, and I honestly appreciate your work on the book. Now, let's figure out a way to get it properly illustrated. In color, with movies and stuff.VeronaKidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15468008554680895487noreply@blogger.com