How to Use this Web Log

Illustration by Jason Lee, and found here: http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/magazine/16-07/st_howto

So we're making a show together from virtually nothing.  Plus we all live miles apart and have varied and complicated schedules.  Plus we get a mere 14 official rehearsal days (that time includes tech) to actually get the show in working order.  Plus OH MY GOD WHAT ARE WE DOING AND WHY ARE WE DOING IT?!

Sorry, sorry.  Panic is normal.  'Sgood fuel.  But it can get a bit overwhelming at times, and this weblog offers us a chance to funnel either our enthusiasm or anxiety into the collaboration, even when we can't be in the same town.  So, a (hopefully very) little procedure for its use:

• Posts: When you have a new idea, or a significant addition or modification to an idea someone already posted, these go in as separate Posts.
• Only invited collaborators (actors, designers, etc.) will be able to create Posts.
• Comments: When you want to respond in brief to someone's posted idea, put it in the Comments section of that post.  This helps us compile related ideas.  If you have a lot to say, you can create a new Post, but make sure you include a link to the Post you're responding to.
• ANYONE who reads this 'blog will be able to post comments to Posts; this way the general public can contribute if they so choose.  Public comments will be:
• Largely dependent upon our advertising the 'blog via word-of-mouth.
• Moderated, meaning they'll have to pass inspection for appropriateness and productivity before they'll show up on the 'blog at all.
• Tags: This is "meta-data" that lets us look for only, say, Posts about set design, or economic recession. I've set up some tags based on what we know will be categories of research.  Feel free to add more; be judicious - ten million tags can confuse searches.

Image source.

That's about it for basic functionality.  There's a lot of fancy-schmancy stuff you can do within this framework, including posting images and video, and linking to social networking, but you get the general idea.  One important tip: CREDIT YOUR SOURCES.  If you use an image or quote from elsewhere, be sure to include a citation with a link.  We have, in the past, gotten pull-down notices from folks who felt our use of their material was unhelpful to them.

One other important tip: Subscribe to the RSS feed.  That way you'll be notified whenever someone posts something new, and you can go to the site itself only when you're excited about something, rather than continuously checking it for new bits.  There's a gadget in the left-hand toolbar that will let you subscribe to posts, or comments, or both.

Now that you know how it works, you may or may not be sure why it should work.  A hopefully helpful FAQ: 

1. What sort of thing should I be putting on here?  Where do I begin?
   Anything.  Absolutely anything.  The show will evolve based on our shared interests growing more synchronous and focused, and that starts with compiling research, things we find funny, stuff that inspires us, and even practical considerations.  What's funny to you?  What ideas that are already here do you respond to?
2. Are there rules as to what can be posted?
   You make your own rules, only bound by the laws of our current government.  Just remember that whatever you post will be shared at large so, whether we end up using it in the show or not, it's a matter of public record.  That can be easy to forget in this medium.  Also, Zuppa shows are generally family friendly, so we generally avoid nudity and profanity (commedia dell'arte was practically founded on dick and fart jokes though, so...).
3. What should the writing style be like?Yours.  Practically speaking, of course, you want your idea to be understood, but let's say you have an idea that you can only express as, "Banana peel orgy."  That can be a post.  Nobody cares if your spelling is off or your grammar is strange (or you use too many parenthetical additions).
4. Can I post some dialogue/pictures/poetry/dream recitations?Yes to all, and thensome.
5. If I post an idea, does that mean it's in the show?
   Yes and no.  We can't use every single idea without bloating the production.  We have an expression for ideas that don't make the cut, "That might be a good idea for next year's show...."  However, we never know when something someone wrote months ago might help us out on tech day, for example.  And your idea stands a much better chance of being a visible part of the production the more time we have to play with it, so get it written down!
6. Why are the designers and stage manager a part of this 'blog?  What do they have to do with the story we're making up?
   A lot.  When we say collaborate, we mean it.  Besides the practical consideration of keeping everyone apprised as to our needs for the show, looping in the behind-the-sceners allows them to contribute ideas about their contributions we may not otherwise consider.  Completely open communication is essential in this sort of long-term creative collaboration.  Plus, our stage managers have a tendency to make cameos (planned or otherwise) in our shows...
7. If the show might be largely improvised, why so much planning?
   In the early stages of the collaboration there's no telling whether this show will have a script or just a scenario, with the dialogue largely improvised, but wherever it lands in the spectrum the best ways we can prepare are to 1) have as much relevant information as possible at our disposal, and 2) know the story, however it gets told, inside out.  Learning a story and memorizing a script are two very different things, and we always want to aim for the former, regardless of the latter.
8. So, can I write out a story here?
   Sure!  Just be aware of #5.
9. How does what we put here apply to rehearsal?
   The first effect is that regular writing and reading here will help us establish some common themes and vocabulary, developing sort of short-cuts to in-room collaboration.  Also, if you want to suggest a topic or activity for rehearsal, we'll almost undoubtedly use it in some way.  Otherwise, think of this as a repository for given circumstances for improvisation.  Much of the story we develop will come about through those improvisations.  Many of those improvisations will be a result of exercises developed out of ideas on the 'blog.
10. What role does the director have in all this?
    I'll be contributing ideas and research as well, keeping things going while others may be away, and generally serve as a hub for the idea tossing.  More importantly, however, I'll pose questions and try to make ideas blossom as much as possible.  Once we're in the same room, I'll channel our online collaboration into the work there and use as much of it as possible to focus the notions, inspirations and miscellany into story.  I'm the audience until I'm usurped by an actual audience.

And that, as they say, is that.  You can direct any further questions you may have to my inbox.  Avanti!