Reality TV D&D!! (Ever videotape a D&D session?)

[el-remmen]

I was just curious. I have often thought that an "intructional video" would be a great asset to people who are learning D&D from scratch - a guide of what it is kind of like wouldn't be a bad idea

But then I got to thinking which group would be used and what their style of play might be - and began to think of how many different groups there are out there and all the nuances (style/house-rules-wise) we run into when we begin playing with new people.

Suddenly, I was very curious to see examples of different groups and what they play like and what their make-up is like (player-wise) and how much chatter they really have, how excited they get, etc. . .

Perhaps this would actually be boring to watch - but then I began to think it could be edited, perhaps with a voice-over to help bridge between sections and that was when the best idea of all hit me - what if it were done in "reality TV" style?

What I mean, is there could be "confessional video sessions" afterwards and during game breaks - and then edited back into the action (so to speak) to help explain and expound on certain scenes and encounters.

For example: Imagine on you TV screen a little title that says "Voice of Sally Kimball aka Greenblade the Elf, and you then hear the woman's voice, "I was really scared when that Pittack Cultist rolled that critical hit on my character, but lucky for me the damage roll was so low. Maybe the DM fudged for me, but if he did I don't mind - I don't mind dying, but would rather have it happen in a more important combat for the story."

And of course, the DM would have "confessionals" as well: "They had no idea that the murders had been caused by the demon possessed animals from the King's Menagerie. I knew they'd follow the false lead that led them to the Princess' affair with the street urchin."


Etc. . .

Heck, I might buy a whole campaign's worth of videos in a boxed set if were for a game like Sagiro's or Sepulcrave's.

Anyway, that pipe-dream aside - has anyone actually ever taken the time/effort to just plain video-tape their session? For what? And how did it come out? Was it ever vaguely interesting afterwards?


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Oh, and. . .

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!

 

[Crothian]

Anyway, that pipe-dream aide - has anyone actually ever taken the time/effort to just plain video-tape their session? For what? And how did it come out? Was it ever vaguely interesting afterwards?

Not with them knowing about it. I did it once, a hidden camera job becasue I knew the people would not be natural in front of a camera. I even upped the emotional value of the adventure in hopes to make the session more interesting. While it worked, it was not very exciting. There were some funny parts, but not worth the sitting through the six hour session.

 

[demon_jr]

Anyway, that pipe-dream aside - has anyone actually ever taken the time/effort to just plain video-tape their session? For what? And how did it come out? Was it ever vaguely interesting afterwards?

Yeah, they did.

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilm/product/film_info/0,3699,220487,00.html?cch=8

 

[Buccaneer]

I've never video taped a session, but I have secretly voice recorded a few. I was hoping to use it as a tool to help me with my DM'ing, but like Crothian said it's not worth sitting through 6-8 hours of tape.

 

[demiurge1138]

No, I've never videotaped a session. But my players occasionally record choice bits the old way (ie pencil and paper).
However, on a similar line, I've always thought that DnD would be a good performance art, done live on stage.

Demiurge out.

 

[arwink]

These threads always remind me of a 2e thing they started, a beginners version of AdnD. First Quest, maybe? I'm sure I have the title confused with something else.

Anyway, it came with an audio CD that gave a sneak peak at what a game may sound like -shudder- It was...not good. Had my group in hysterics when we first listened to it after years of gaming, but not-good all the same...

Have had a game audio taped for a research project as well. It was interesting, but probably only to me as the DM and the person doing research that had to listen to it.

 

[Darrin Drader]

This sounds like a good way to get blackmail material on people in your gaming group.

 

[caudor]

Rather than taping sessions, perhaps someone might stream a session live over the internet (via Quicktime or RealAudio)...so that players they can't play at that time can at least watch some others play.

I bet that certains campaigns would soon get popular with some. I'd admit, on some nights it would sure beat the programs that are on TV.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

He, he.... Get (contact) and me to handle the video production end of things... It just might be cool. To be utterly serious, some of the better DM's and groups here wold be pretty cool to "sit in" on, but I'm not so certain that the average game would be thrilling to watch.

I think it would be neat to have a "reality TV" style video... The cut-aways would add a lot to the background... I better stop thinking about this, I'm getting ideas...

 

[s/LaSH]

Just so long as you edit it afterwards. I'd never watch my campaign in real-time, mostly because watching some guy sitting on the couch going, "... and if I get three attacks this round if I do this, but if you're standing over there, and... what is this on my sheet? Netherit? What's Netherit?" is rather dull. To an observer, at any rate. Edited highlights only - then I'd be more interested.