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futurist_fieldguide:prehearsal [2015-05-20 15:58] – nikfuturist_fieldguide:pre-enactment [2015-08-20 18:49] – ↷ Page name changed from futurist_fieldguide:prehearsal to futurist_fieldguide:pre-enactment maja
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 ==== 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, embodied form of futuring, as it reveals habitual behaviours, surprising intuitions and unconscious collective patterns, which are likely to be overlooked or ignored in predominantly cerebral futuring methods. Prehearsals build on LARPS (live action role playing games), improvisation, experience design, (insight) meditation and disaster drills and could be used in a range of group sizes (from individuals to whole countries). As described below, prehearsals were first developed at FoAM in Brussels in 2008, but there have been similar approaches used in the Manoa School and other futures establishments (see Stuart Candy’s '[[http://www.scribd.com/doc/68901075/Candy-2010-The-Futures-of-Everyday-Life|The Futures of Everyday Life']]). +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, embodied form of futuring, as it reveals habitual behaviours, surprising intuitions and unconscious collective patterns, which are likely to be overlooked or ignored in predominantly cerebral futuring methods. Prehearsals build on LARPS (live action role playing games), improvisation, experience design, (insight) meditation and disaster drills and could be used in a range of group sizes (from individuals to whole countries). As described below, prehearsals were first developed at FoAM in Brussels in 2008, but there have been similar approaches used in the Manoa School and other futures establishments (see Stuart Candy’s [[http://www.scribd.com/doc/68901075/Candy-2010-The-Futures-of-Everyday-Life|The Futures of Everyday Life]]). 
  
 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 their atmospheres. From the back-stories we design a prehearsal script that includes instructions, questions, rules and guidelines for the participants, as well as describing the physical setting. Sometimes we include props or prototypes of technologies and media that can encourage deeper immersion. If the duration and setting of a prehearsal are long and complex, a preparatory phase with the participants is conducted online and in a briefing beforehand. However, a short pre-enactment (e.g. half an hour to an hour) can be improvised on the spot during a futuring workshop with minimal setup as well.  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 their atmospheres. From the back-stories we design a prehearsal script that includes instructions, questions, rules and guidelines for the participants, as well as describing the physical setting. Sometimes we include props or prototypes of technologies and media that can encourage deeper immersion. If the duration and setting of a prehearsal are long and complex, a preparatory phase with the participants is conducted online and in a briefing beforehand. However, a short pre-enactment (e.g. half an hour to an hour) can be improvised on the spot during a futuring workshop with minimal setup as well. 
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 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): 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):
  
-  - //Create Scenarios// +  - //(Create Scenarios)// 
-  - //Visualise scenarios//+  - //(Visualise scenarios)//
   - Design a prehearsal question   - Design a prehearsal question
   - Create a backstory (for the prehearsal and for each individual participant)   - Create a backstory (for the prehearsal and for each individual participant)
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   - Decompress and share stories   - Decompress and share stories
   - Hold a collective debriefing and evaluation session   - Hold a collective debriefing and evaluation session
-  - //Define practical implementations and indicators// +  - //(Define practical implementations and indicators)// 
-  - //Invite individuals and the group to write pledges of what 'will be'//+  - //(Invite individuals and the group to write pledges of what 'will be')//
   - Celebrate!   - Celebrate!
  
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 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's no need to make big investments (unless your scenario demands it and you have the budget). Use a minimum amount of materials and effort for maximum effect. 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's no need to make big investments (unless your scenario demands it and you have the budget). Use a minimum amount of materials and effort for maximum effect.
  
-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, HCI, user-centred design, or improv theatre… See [[design techniques]] including [[physical narrative]] ))))+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, HCI, user-centred design, or improv theatre…
  
 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 'breadcrumbs' for people to follow into the story, such as seemingly forgotten pieces of paper, letters, messages or graffiti that can remind people of key features of the backstory. If you can try prehearsing with a few people to see how the setting works and if any changes are needed. 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 'breadcrumbs' for people to follow into the story, such as seemingly forgotten pieces of paper, letters, messages or graffiti that can remind people of key features of the backstory. If you can try prehearsing with a few people to see how the setting works and if any changes are needed.
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 == 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 into your current situation. +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 into your current situation. 
  
 Write clear minutes and share them with everyone.  Write clear minutes and share them with everyone. 
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 ---- ----
  
-  * A longer text with FoAM’s thinking behind prehearsals can be found in "[[:future_fabulators/prehearsing_the_future]]" +  * A longer text with FoAM’s thinking behind prehearsals can be found in [[:future_fabulators/prehearsing_the_future|Prehearsing the Future]] 
-  * Stuart Candy’s The Futures of Everyday Life: http://www.scribd.com/doc/68901075/Candy-2010-The-Futures-of-Everyday-Life+  * Stuart Candy’s [[http://www.scribd.com/doc/68901075/Candy-2010-The-Futures-of-Everyday-Life|The Futures of Everyday Life]]
   * Improv games: http://improvencyclopedia.org/   * Improv games: http://improvencyclopedia.org/
  • futurist_fieldguide/pre-enactment.txt
  • Last modified: 2015-09-10 09:55
  • by maja