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an offer that implies a story detail
Oblique offers imply information rather than explicitly stating it. They allow spects to be smart and infer elements of the story without spoon-feeding them every single detail.
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what a character does, that isn’t employment
Exercises
Player A establishes a scene according to a predetermined scenario. After a few minutes of playing along, Player B takes the scene in a different direction than is written in the scenario. Player A follows where Player B leads.
Topics
following spects when they take the story off-script
When playing from an interactive script, hold the scenario lightly. The goal is still to play the spect’s story. When spects take the story in unexpected directions, go with them. This is known as off-roading.
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When the focus of a scene is on something that’s happening elsewhere, that’s offstage action. In most cases, it’s best to focus on what’s going on between you and the spect. Don’t put the primary focus on offstage characters, activities, or locations. Keep the spect at the center of the action by focusing on what’s going on between you.
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A magician climbs the steps to a platform, high above the stage. He is covered with a cloth. There’s no place he can hide. The platform is raised up into the air. At this point, if you try to figure out how the magician is going to disappear, you’re too late. It doesn’t matter how closely you watch. The trick has already been done.
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The more you talk, the less spects contribute. Allow room for others to speak. Say one sentence, maybe two, then be quiet. See what the spect has to say, and respond to that. This tool gets spects verbally activated and produces good give and take. It also keeps you from talking too much.
Exercises
Player B makes an offer. Player A responds with a single sentence, then waits for Player B to respond to that. This pattern continues through the whole scene.
Topics
Some questions invite spects to generate information, some limit their contributions, and some invisibly direct how they answer. Each kind of question can be useful, depending on what you are trying to achieve.
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