Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Next revision | Previous revision Next revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
futurist_fieldguide:prehearsal [2015-04-03 14:44] – created maja | futurist_fieldguide:pre-enactment [2015-08-20 18:49] – ↷ Page name changed from futurist_fieldguide:prehearsal to futurist_fieldguide:pre-enactment maja | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
==== Prehearsals / Pre-enactments ==== | ==== Prehearsals / Pre-enactments ==== | ||
- | Prehearsals or pre-enactments are direct experiences where future scenarios, alternative pasts or presents can be explored in an immersive situation. They are meant as prototype experiences or rehearsals for situations that haven’t happened (yet). A pre-enactment is an up-close-and-personal, | + | Prehearsals or pre-enactments are direct experiences where future scenarios, alternative pasts or presents can be explored in an immersive situation. They are meant as prototype experiences or rehearsals for situations that haven’t happened (yet). A pre-enactment is an up-close-and-personal, |
- | At FoAM designing a pre-enactment begins with creating a range of scenarios, each of which we translate into a short backstory. We usually include one or more images to capture | + | At FoAM, designing a pre-enactment begins with creating a range of scenarios, each of which we translate into a short backstory. We usually include one or more images to capture |
- | Once a prehearsal starts, the most important rule is "don’t break the universe", i.e. the participants are encouraged to stay in their role, and to keep all comments and reflections for a debrief session. The stronger the immersion, the more valuable the experience. It is important to note that in contrast to a LARP, the participant’s | + | Once a prehearsal starts, the most important rule is 'don’t break the universe', i.e. the participants are encouraged to stay in their role, and to keep all comments and reflections for a debrief session. The stronger the immersion, the more valuable the experience. It is important to note that in contrast to a LARP, participants |
- | After a pre-enactment, | + | After a pre-enactment, |
- | Creating a pre-enactment can take weeks or months, but can be as short as a few hours or a day. Regardless of the complexity, each prehearsal follows similar steps (steps in italics are optional): | + | Creating a pre-enactment can take weeks or months, but can be as short as a few hours or a day. Regardless of the complexity, each prehearsal follows similar steps (those in italics are optional): |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
+ | === Process === | ||
- | ===Step 1: Create scenarios=== | + | == Step 1: Create scenarios == |
The prehearsal design usually starts with scenario building. You can use one of the scenario building methods in the Fieldguide (e.g. the [[GBN Approach]]) to create one or more scenarios that provide an alternative to the current situation. They can be possible futures or alternative pasts or presents, as long as they are described as dynamic worlds based on existing circumstances. A very speculative far future scenario might not provide most interesting results, while everyday or mundane near-future scenarios can offer valuable insights. | The prehearsal design usually starts with scenario building. You can use one of the scenario building methods in the Fieldguide (e.g. the [[GBN Approach]]) to create one or more scenarios that provide an alternative to the current situation. They can be possible futures or alternative pasts or presents, as long as they are described as dynamic worlds based on existing circumstances. A very speculative far future scenario might not provide most interesting results, while everyday or mundane near-future scenarios can offer valuable insights. | ||
- | You can also opt for using more informal story-creation techniques, or even omit step 1 and 2 and start directly with step 3, by designing a prehearsal question. | + | You can also opt for using more informal story-creation techniques, or even omit step 1 and 2 and start directly with step 3 by designing a prehearsal question. |
- | ===Step 2: Visualise scenarios=== | + | == Step 2: Visualise scenarios == |
- | Invite participants to collect and select images to visualise the scenarios. You can use a single image, a moodboard or a collage. One image can get the atmosphere across, while a moodboard or collage is a visual story, where the relationships between different elements of your scenario can be visualised. We found [[http:// | + | Invite participants to select |
- | ===Step 3: Prehearsal question=== | + | == Step 3: Prehearsal question == |
- | Identify | + | Identify |
- | Formulate what you want to examine in the prehearsal | + | If you have followed |
- | If you have followed the first step, the question might be the same as the question you used as a starting point for scenario building, with a few more details from the scenario itself. For example, if the scenario question was "How will we draw in the future?" | + | == Step 4: Backstory == |
- | + | ||
- | === Step 4: Backstory | + | |
Create a short backstory. The backstory describes the history of the macro and micro environments that underlie the situation you’d like to pre-enact. It contextualises the specific prehearsal instance and functions as a scaffolding for its design. | Create a short backstory. The backstory describes the history of the macro and micro environments that underlie the situation you’d like to pre-enact. It contextualises the specific prehearsal instance and functions as a scaffolding for its design. | ||
Line 56: | Line 55: | ||
You can co-create a skeleton of the story with the group, then one person can write it out, with others suggesting comments and edits. Include one or more images in the backstory. | You can co-create a skeleton of the story with the group, then one person can write it out, with others suggesting comments and edits. Include one or more images in the backstory. | ||
- | It might help to use a diary/ | + | It might help to use a diary/ |
+ | ==Step 5: Time and Space == | ||
- | ===Step 5: Time and Space === | + | Define date, duration |
- | Define date, duration and place for the prehearsal | + | Based on your prehearsal question and backstory, discuss how long you would need to prehearse to find satisfying answers. Sometimes an hour is enough, other times no less than a day or a week would be adequate. Assist participants in defining the duration. If the duration is short and doesn’t require a complex setting, the preparation time can be a day or two. For longer and more complex prehearsals, |
- | + | ||
- | Based on your prehearsal question and backstory discuss how long you would need to prehearse to find satisfying answers. Sometimes an hour is enough, other times a day or a week. Assist | + | |
Discuss and decide where the prehearsal will take place. Agree whether the prehearsal should be private or public. If it is public it will necessarily involve people who are not prehearsing. Think about how this will effect the scenario and the participants. | Discuss and decide where the prehearsal will take place. Agree whether the prehearsal should be private or public. If it is public it will necessarily involve people who are not prehearsing. Think about how this will effect the scenario and the participants. | ||
- | + | == Step 6: Create the framework == | |
- | ===Step 6: Create the framework=== | + | |
Translate your prehearsal question and backstory into the framework of the prehearsal. Discuss and design the following: | Translate your prehearsal question and backstory into the framework of the prehearsal. Discuss and design the following: | ||
Line 74: | Line 71: | ||
* //What is the look and feel of this world?// Design the atmosphere (interior/ | * //What is the look and feel of this world?// Design the atmosphere (interior/ | ||
* //What can you find in this world?// Design the physical aspects as the infrastructure, | * //What can you find in this world?// Design the physical aspects as the infrastructure, | ||
- | * //Who are the inhabitants?// | + | * //Who are the inhabitants?// |
- | * //What’s happening?// | + | * //What’s happening?// |
- | === Step 7: Production Crew === | + | == Step 7: Production Crew == |
- | Define the support roles, in-game and behind the scenes, such as a 'game master’, professional actors/ | + | Define the support roles in-game and behind the scenes, such as a 'game master’, professional actors/ |
- | For shorter and simple | + | For shorter and simpler |
- | ===Step 8: Framing=== | + | == Step 8: Framing == |
In a few clear sentences, describe: | In a few clear sentences, describe: | ||
Line 94: | Line 91: | ||
Send this framing to the participants and add something like the following instructions: | Send this framing to the participants and add something like the following instructions: | ||
- | //"During the prehearsal please remain yourself, but try out a specific role/ | + | //'During the prehearsal please remain yourself, but try out a specific role/ |
+ | == Step 9: The setting == | ||
- | ===Step 9: The setting=== | + | Decide on the minimum number of props (such as tools, furniture, costumes) that could be used to give a sense of being immersed in the backstory. Design and create the props: repurpose existing materials, borrow stuff and mock-up prototypes -- there' |
- | Decide on the minimum amount of props (such as tools, furniture, costumes) that could be used give a sense of being immersed in the backstory. Design and create the props: repurpose existing materials, borrow stuff and mock-up prototypes -- there' | + | Depending on the needs of your scenario and the time available, make small [[experience prototypes]]. For example, if it is crucial to have a new technology developed for your world to work, think about how you could sketch or prototype or just allude to the way this technology could be used, what it would look like, etc. Find the simplest possible way to prototype or visualise this technology and its use. There are quite a few techniques you could use in this step to help - from design thinking, rapid prototyping, |
- | + | ||
- | Depending on the needs of your scenario and the time available, make small [[experience prototypes]]. For example, if it is crucial to have a new technology developed for your world to work, think about how you could sketch or prototype or just allude to the way this technology could be used, what it would look like, etc. Find the simplest possible way to prototype or visualise this technology and its use. There are quite a few techniques you could use in this step to help with this step - from design thinking, rapid prototyping, | + | |
Prepare the space if possible a day in advance. Arrange the props, furniture and anything else you think people might need for the situation to feel realistic. Leave ' | Prepare the space if possible a day in advance. Arrange the props, furniture and anything else you think people might need for the situation to feel realistic. Leave ' | ||
- | ===Step 10: Briefing=== | + | == Step 10: Briefing == |
Describe in simple instructions what the participants should do before, during and after the prehearsal. This should include anything that people might need to bring. Stress that it is crucial that during the prehearsal people remain themselves, but adapted to different circumstances (rather than playing a fictional role). Send a 'how to prepare' | Describe in simple instructions what the participants should do before, during and after the prehearsal. This should include anything that people might need to bring. Stress that it is crucial that during the prehearsal people remain themselves, but adapted to different circumstances (rather than playing a fictional role). Send a 'how to prepare' | ||
- | For long prehearsals hold a preparatory briefing at least one day in advance, for short ones it can be done just before the prehearsal starts. During the briefing, go through everything you think the participants need to know - the purpose of the prehearsal, the backstory, the rules and guidelines, what is expected of them, what to do in emergencies, | + | For long prehearsals hold a preparatory briefing at least one day in advance; for short ones this can be done just before the prehearsal starts. During the briefing, go through everything you think the participants need to know -- the purpose of the prehearsal, the backstory, the rules and guidelines, what is expected of them, what to do in emergencies, |
- | ===Step 11: Prehearsal=== | + | == Step 11: Prehearsal == |
If there are people who perform the support roles but do not prehearse, make sure that they arrive at least an hour beforehand and are appropriately briefed to avoid ' | If there are people who perform the support roles but do not prehearse, make sure that they arrive at least an hour beforehand and are appropriately briefed to avoid ' | ||
- | Once the participants arrive, they should immediately enter into the pre-enacted world, there should be no out-of-character conversations. Whatever they encounter should be consistent with the backstory. It is useful to have a role of a in-world host, who can welcome and guide the pre-enactors, | + | Once the participants arrive, they should immediately enter into the pre-enacted world, there should be no out-of-character conversations. Whatever they encounter should be consistent with the backstory. It is useful to have a role of a in-world host, who can welcome and guide the pre-enactors, |
Your (facilitator’s) role is to pay attention to the overall state of the prehearsal, pre-enactors' | Your (facilitator’s) role is to pay attention to the overall state of the prehearsal, pre-enactors' | ||
Line 123: | Line 119: | ||
In large and long prehearsals it is helpful to involve experienced improvisers and/or LARPers, to help keep the story alive and the universe whole. | In large and long prehearsals it is helpful to involve experienced improvisers and/or LARPers, to help keep the story alive and the universe whole. | ||
- | At the end of the prehearsal, have a clear ' | + | At the end of the prehearsal, have a clear ' |
- | ===Step 12: Individual Reflection=== | + | == Step 12: Individual Reflection == |
- | Write your individual reflection | + | Write your individual reflection. |
- | After the prehearsal instruct the participants to //"take some time to be alone - go for a walk, meditate, have a nap or a drink - do something to let go of your prehearsal character. Before speaking to other participants jot down a few personal reflections:// | + | After the prehearsal instruct the participants to //'take some time to be alone -- go for a walk, meditate, have a nap or a drink -- do something to let go of your prehearsal character. Before speaking to other participants jot down a few personal reflections:// |
* //what are your initial thoughts and reactions?// | * //what are your initial thoughts and reactions?// | ||
* //do you have any answers to the core question?// | * //do you have any answers to the core question?// | ||
* //what worked and what didn't work for you in the prehearsal?// | * //what worked and what didn't work for you in the prehearsal?// | ||
* //do you have any reflections/ | * //do you have any reflections/ | ||
- | * // | + | * //etc.'// |
- | === Step 13: Decompress | + | == Step 13: Decompress == |
- | Invite the participants to celebrate and share their stories. Sometime after they had a chance to decompress and write their individual reflections, | + | Invite the participants to celebrate and share their stories. Sometime after they have a chance to decompress and write their individual reflections, |
- | ===Step 14: Collective debriefing=== | + | == Step 14: Collective debriefing == |
- | A day or two after the prehearsal hold a collective debriefing session, where the participants can share their experiences and reflect on the scenario. You can use the questions from Step 12, or an evaluation framework like [[Adaptive Action]]. Make sure to allow everyone to be heard. You can use a hosting technique such as the [[Listening Circle]]. End with a discussion on how you could integrate the prehearsal findings | + | A day or two after the prehearsal hold a collective debriefing session, where the participants can share their experiences and reflect on the scenario. You can use the questions from Step 12, or an evaluation framework like [[adaptive action cycle]]. Make sure to allow everyone to be heard. You can use a hosting technique such as the [[listening circle]]. End with a discussion on how you could integrate the prehearsal findings |
Write clear minutes and share them with everyone. | Write clear minutes and share them with everyone. | ||
- | ===Step 15: Signals and steps === | + | == Step 15: Signals and steps == |
- | Define practical implementations and scenario indicators | + | Define practical implementations and scenario indicators. |
If you were prehearsing multiple scenarios that began with the same core question, a final debrief is needed to integrate insights from all prehearsals. In this session, discuss what the implications are for the current situation and the plans for the future. Note specifically if there are steps that could be put into practice in real life. | If you were prehearsing multiple scenarios that began with the same core question, a final debrief is needed to integrate insights from all prehearsals. In this session, discuss what the implications are for the current situation and the plans for the future. Note specifically if there are steps that could be put into practice in real life. | ||
Line 156: | Line 152: | ||
Agree on any indicators (patterns, weak signals, trends…) that you should be watching for that show you're heading towards one or another situation. | Agree on any indicators (patterns, weak signals, trends…) that you should be watching for that show you're heading towards one or another situation. | ||
- | Instruct the participants to keep the learning alive: //"When you go back to your daily life, periodically remind yourself of the key question and the various forces acting on your situation. Watch for early indicators of possible futures and adjust your actions accordingly. Remember what you felt like during the prehearsal -- what you did as individuals | + | Instruct the participants to keep the learning alive: //'When you go back to your daily life, periodically remind yourself of the key question and the various forces acting on your situation. Watch for early indicators of possible futures and adjust your actions accordingly. Remember what you felt like during the prehearsal -- what you did as an individual |
- | === Step 16: Pledge | + | == Step 16: Pledge == |
- | Create pledge sheets for the individuals and group(s), and invite the participants to complete sentences like //"I will…" | + | Create pledge sheets for the individuals and group(s), and invite the participants to complete sentences like //'I will…' |
- | Discuss with the group how they will follow-up on the pledges, what will happen if they don’t get fulfilled and how will the pledges | + | Discuss with the group how they will follow up on the pledges, what will happen if they don’t get fulfilled, and how they will be translated and co-ordinated in collective actions. |
- | === Step 17: Celebrate | + | == Step 17: Celebrate == |
An intense participatory process such as a prehearsal is best closed with a celebration or a ritual: good food, drinks, informal conversation, | An intense participatory process such as a prehearsal is best closed with a celebration or a ritual: good food, drinks, informal conversation, | ||
+ | ---- | ||
- | A longer text with FoAM’s thinking behind prehearsals can be found in "[[Prehearsing the Future]]" | + | * A longer text with FoAM’s thinking behind prehearsals can be found in [[: |
- | + | | |
- | Stuart Candy’s | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Improv games: http:// | + |