BBC4, Gaming and Image

[Chris_Nightwing]

Dear all,

In a turn of events not all that unusual, the roleplaying group here in Cambridge were approached recently for volunteers to take part in a documentary. Details are currently sketchy, but from what I have gathered second-hand from the person contacted and this website (Games Britannia), it appears to be a BBC4 show in production exploring the roots and and development of gaming. Pretty cool I think, especially given BBC4's record of high quality documentaries on more esoteric subjects.

Anyway, I and a few others have volunteered to help these people out, and so far this seems to consist of going to London, discussing and playing D&D with their presenter whilst they film and such, in the Guildhall of all awesome places. Aside from letting you all know about how awesome this is, I also wanted your opinion on some things. You see, I'm a man who is very concerned about the way that gamers/gaming is presented in the media, and I'm not much of a cliched nerd. I imagine that I will likely present myself reasonably to the general public (he says modestly). Do you think that if say, other volunteers were somewhat more stereotypical, this would be a bad thing? Would it further reinforce the stereotypes associated with us poor souls? Do you care given the demographic for BBC4 is intellectual types anyway? I'm curious to hear others' thoughts, suggestions and such. I've no idea how much I can attempt to present D&D/roleplaying to the producer types as it is, but if I get the opportunity I'd like to do my best!

 

[amysrevenge]

Just make sure there's a lady-type there.

 

[crazy_cat]

To be honest I'm interested to hear that you are part of 'the roleplaying group here in Cambridge' rather than a roleplaying group here in Cambridge.

Does this mean that the rest of us are doing something wrong?

 

[dbm]

I really enjoyed their Comics Britannia series, and it had big names from the industry in it. I would put money on them interviewing Steve Jackson (the UK one) and Ian Livingstone from the Role-Playing scene. I also enjoyed their series on Fantasy novels, which again had some very big names from the industry. I would bet that Matthew Sprange is on their list too.

The big difference between RPGs and other media is that watching people play RPGs is a bit strange, and the people can very easily come across as a bit weird.

Only you know what kind of gamer you are, and whether someone watching your game would be likely to understand what you are aiming for, or would just see a person living out fantasies and talking in a strange voice (no offence intended - we've all used a funny voice from time to time).

Two of my friends was approached by BBC3 to participate in a documentary. The actual subject was infertility (which my friends suffered from) but they met through LRP and the directors were fascinated by this. They came and filmed an event for background information, and the whole thing was presented quite well.

Another of my friends runs Maelstrom LRP in the UK, and he was approached by ITV for their series on 'tough gigs' were they sent stand up comedians to do gigs a strange events / festivals. He decided the risks were too high to participate, but when I watched the show they put the LRPers across reasonably well, with a balanced view. If you can find a copy of that show then I would recommend it as the closest thing you might get to what they might be currently planning.

All in all, it sounds interesting. I'll certainly watch...

Cheers,
Dan

 

[Chris_Nightwing]

Well I could have elaborated on the whole 'university society' thing, but I couldn't be bothered. No offense intended!

 

[Doug McCrae]

I'm a man who is very concerned about the way that gamers/gaming is presented in the media

You have zero control over the way you will be presented. They control the end product. They can edit from hours of footage to present whatever image of gamers they want. If they want you to look like a nerd, then you'll be a nerd.

This sounds like a serious, well researched series that will present an accurate picture of gamers. That pretty much requires they be depicted as the most appalling fatbeards imaginable.

Also, it's TV. That means if, out of a group of six, four of you are normal, one is a fatbeard and one is a pretty girl, they will only use shots of the fatbeard and the pretty girl.

 

[Chris_Nightwing]

You have zero control over the way you will be presented. They control the end product. They can edit from hours of footage to present whatever image of gamers they want. If they want you to look like a nerd, then you'll be a nerd.

This sounds like a serious, well researched series that will present an accurate picture of gamers. That pretty much requires they be depicted as the most appalling fatbeards imaginable.

That's a very good point, I suppose that I'm trying to skew the impression we give against the modal gamer. I hope that if we're friendly and helpful they'll edit us nicely though. One problem might be that if someone does act over-the-top, I'll sit there facepalming, which I do whether I'm in public or a private group

 

[crazy_cat]

Well I could have elaborated on the whole 'university society' thing, but I couldn't be bothered. No offense intended!

None taken - just a little suprised by the use of 'the'

This sounds like a serious, well researched series that will present an accurate picture of gamers. That pretty much requires they be depicted as the most appalling fatbeards imaginable.

The scope for portraying RPGs as the realm of nerdy Cambridge (under)graduates living in ivory towers of academe, wearing formal gowns, eating swans and swigging port, and totally isolated from reality is huge - a risk you'll have to watch out for. Although as Doug says there is little you can actually do about how you and RPGs in general are portrayed once you've done you piece to camera - how it comes out is all in the editing.

As a question, what age range does your group cover - are you all students, which may give as certain view when seen on camera, or are any older players, say in their 30-40's, included in those appearing? Do you know anything about any other groups being asked to contribute in any way?

Good luck anyway, hope it goes well. Let us know here when the finished article is due to show.

 

[Ahnirades]

That's a very good point, I suppose that I'm trying to skew the impression we give against the modal gamer.

I respectfully suggest that you avoid doing this at all costs. Chances are that the mere presence of the camera will modify your behaviour substantially, anything beyond that could well be construed as artificial or contrived by the viewing audience. The best advice I can offer is to try to be yourself as much as circumstances allow. That way you can rest easy in the knowledge that a negative portrayal (should such a thing occur) is a result of the programme-makers agenda, and not your own.

I hope that if we're friendly and helpful they'll edit us nicely though.

It certainly can't hurt.

 

[Silverblade The Ench]

Hey! Us fatbeards are sexy!! at least in some cultures...someplace...in some universe.
And I live (or is that, lair?) near Glasgow, holy crap my reigon proves goblins, kobolds and tinker gnomes exist, so by comparison, I'm "trez chic' " !