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Date Posted: 09:15:23 10/15/02 Tue
Author: Mikeal(waiting for the negative flames)
Subject: Accents and charcters...
After reading the complaint sometime back about merchants not staying in accent, I've been wandering the mudhole that is KRF, and It's bloody true! Not Just merchants though...there are prominent actors who don't. Kudos to Booths like Starfire who stay in "period" at all costs. I do my best to keep it up at Fellowship. Remember folks, if it's not as fun as it used to be, the fault is spread around. You, too, can be to blame. 6 years, and I still have fun!
Mikeal
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Replies:
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Andy, 13:41:52 10/15/02 Tue
Blah, try to stay in period dialect and accent while 16 patrons are holding bows upside down, aiming at thier friends or me, climbing on rope gating, poking thier eyes with a bow or arrows, trying to run out on the range ( 2 kids and an adult so far), and insisting food tickets aren't just for food anymore. Just a few distractions we deal with that ocasionaly interfere with "charcters"?? Dang, you pick that as your complaint about period? How bout the food, the mic'd stages or the garb ranging from barbarion to medieval. Stick with "If thou brakest that, thou ownst it" and leave the rest to us.
/rant off
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Rob, 13:58:34 10/15/02 Tue
No flames here! In fact, I agree with you; I see it happen a lot. It does seem to be more of a merchant phenomenon; though, in fairness, they’re there to sell, not to perform. But it’s been my experience that merchants who do go to the trouble to be in character (or just *are* characters!), like the folks at Starfire, Silvermane, and Wren’s Nest, seem to do better business. As for actors who drop out of character, I’ve noticed that it happens mostly when either 1) we run into someone we know and want to talk to for a minute, or 2) we think no one can hear us. The former is no great sin, so long as it’s done quietly and away from the patrons; it’s the latter that can trip you up, because you just never know who’s in earshot. No coincidence, then, that some of the performers I admire most are people like Cliff Allen, Michelle Myers and Jimmy Hester, who can discuss anything from the weather to the World Series without stepping out of character. I confess to being guilty of the occasional anachronism myself, which is probably why every year I seem to get more fights and fewer lines… ;p
Just my impish opinion!
- Rob
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Jo-Jo's personal hearse, 14:36:16 10/15/02 Tue
That's because you can't act Rob.
Sorry, a left over 'Hate' thing.
What about the variety acts? Huh? What about those bastards!!!???
Hey, wait a minute?! Well, since I'm one of them I can attest to fact that either half the stuff we do just won't fly by being anachronistic or half the time the audience has gone flatline when they don't know what the hell you're talking about because of it. That's why I carry my own defibulator paddles. Sometimes the audience needs the connection between the past and reality.
I give great Kudos to the people and performers that can keep within character while they are doing their stuff that's amazing, and that's why I love Rick Webber and Cliff, also because he looks so sliming in black tights and all. <smooches>
But sometimes it gets waaaaaaay out of hand where you get the little eager beaver who can't stop talking in speech even when he/she's in street clothes and you want to knock the crap out of them because you know they're showing off. How can you tell they're showing off? Because they say their words with a smile, followed by a cute little giggle when they apologize.
(What's this? I feel the power of Frank flowing through me)
I can also be put in the category of being one of those that when they're done with the show and CAN'T drop the accent no matter how hard they try and walk up to the clerk at MacDonalds and say "Perchance my lady, could I purchase a Big Mac from your fine establishment this glorious day?"
So just take it as it comes to you. Sometimes you get the accent, sometimes you don't. It's not such an extremely bad thing ya know. I mean, it's not as bad as the guy who comes into a fair wearing full battle armour with a really cool pair of Nikes.
You want authenticity? Go to Plymouth Plantation. They're good!
Sean
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Stephen, 14:43:39 10/15/02 Tue
I have to agree with Rob on most of his post, especially the people he mentions. I would include Mayer Lipman on that list only because it is impossible to shake him out of Rufus, many times even after the day ends!
I would add, however that your point number 2, Rob, suspercedes point number 1. If you talk to folks you know when you think you're out of earshot, you might not be. I'm a big fan for at least keeping the accent. I'll admit that it can be hard not to talk to people you know about modern things, but at least keeping the accent means that a few overheard words won't break the illusion when you turn around and talk to that 6 year old "maedchen".
Stephen (who deliberately does more fights and fewer lines ;)
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Re: Accents and characters... -- John, some guy who Gustav knows who lives too far north, 15:04:53 10/15/02 Tue
> I have to agree with Rob on most of his post, especially the
> people he mentions. I would include Mayer Lipman on that list
> only because it is impossible to shake him out of Rufus, many
> times even after the day ends!
You can take the beggar out of the mud, but you can't take the mud out of the beggar (at least not without a power sprayer and lots of soap ;) - especially if he/she has been ingesting the mud! You beggar types seems to be much harder to get out of character ya know.... wonder why... (cause you're always trying to bum a beer off me after gate too! :)
But yes, keeping the accent, even when whispering to the stage manager or the director about something is important as there are ALWAYS people watching.Always. Unless you're in a tent or booth or trailer that's closed up, assume you're being watched. If it's one thing I've learned from my 10 month old - he sees everything. That also is a bummer cause now I can't drink direct out of the soda bottle in the fridge anymore - gotta use a a glass ;)
Guten Tag Gustav! Wie Geht's ?
j
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Re: Accents and characters... -- Gustav, 10:40:27 10/16/02 Wed
I suppose it is the benifit of playing an imbecile (I know, type casting!) that I seldom find myself involved in modern discussions with patrons. I also tend to keep my interactions with "mundane" friends to a minimum unless I can spring a bit on them.
As for GBU on ice, glad you were impressed, though I would love it if you never had to see that again! I am going to make the owners of CTRF pinky swear that there will be sand in the paint on those stages next year. There is a certain amount of excitement in stage combat that I can do without! ;)
Stephen (who hopes that maybe he can actually play with people at Hammond this season!)
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Rob, 16:51:52 10/15/02 Tue
Just so, Stephen. I think a lot of us (not all, but a lot) have once or twice found ourselves stuck in accent after the day is over. Oddly enough, that never happens when I do stage plays - in those, the accent flips off and on like a light switch - but performing in a faire is like leaving the acting-faucet running... :)
The anachronisms I was referring to usually arise out of the spontaneous riffing that happens w/ the patrons. You know, those times when you come up with something wonderful and clever and funny... and 30 seconds later it sinks in that while doing so you used the word "computer" twice... ;p
- Rob, still impressed by "GBU On Ice"
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Brian, 18:09:31 10/16/02 Wed
I will never pinky swear... NEVER HAHAHAHAHA!!
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Mikeal, 18:28:09 10/15/02 Tue
Right. That's why I put "period" in quotes. Fer crying out loud, there ain't nothin period accurate about KRF, and that's not a bad thing. I mean, privies ain't great, but their a damn sight better then an open pit!
Merchants at a Ren Faire ARE actors...no script, but we are part of the show. That was one of the things I fell in love with 10 years ago at SoCal. You actors (characters and villagers)Are the largest part of the "ambeince" (I know, I kan't spel) but It breaks down if everyone don't do it. I hit SoCal this spring, and everyone was in garb...from royalty to trash monkeys...I caught only a couple of Particapents out of accent...and their booths were empty...
Particapants...there's the key word. It's misspelled, but It still is key.
BTW, what I have been saying here comes from Both a Boothie and a Playtrons perspective. I get an hour a day, where I become a playtron...Dammit I want to enjoy that time! I want to forget that there is world besides for faire...escapist.
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- DR Roberts, 13:36:03 10/16/02 Wed
There was a wedding performed at KRF this season. The thing I noticed was that the management directing the particiants were not in garb, they were in shorts and tshirts and not even KRF tshirts (let alone rennapalooza tshirts). How does management expect patrons to experience a "renaissance village" when the 21st century keeps seeping in the cracks, and management has created most of these cracks.
Food vendors used to dress in garb and hawk their wares but not anymore. I guess they figure you are still too stunned by the price you are paying for the food that you do not notice the garb......
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- True, 23:50:00 10/16/02 Wed
Well I guess I should fess up...I'm not terribly good at keeping in accent while vending so I try to keep my mouth shut *chuckles*. Actually the reason why I don't keep in accent is b/c I think I am self-conscious about it. I really don't think my accent is very good at all...I think it all starts to sound like someone threw an Irish person, English person and Scottish person together and pushed puree...I rely on my sultry good looks instead ;)
Cheers,
True
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Sean without Jo-Jo's permission, 10:31:53 10/17/02 Thu
Just do what I do sometimes when I start my show. I tell the audience that I'm fluent in sixteen different languages but since you won't understand anything I'll say I'm going to speak like this. It gets a laugh and it usually works. Also I'm like you. I don't feel comfortable in my speech and since I was a hack at English in high school I'm not going to remember much about Elizabethan. I do refer to everyone as 'Lord and Lady' though.
It also comes from working at the Medieval Manor for so long where it's descibed as a "Hercules/Xena kind of Medieval".
I give big kudos to the people who can keep their speech.
What do you expect from me? I work for a dead guy.
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Queen of Darkness, Accent Challenged, 14:42:39 10/17/02 Thu
It's hard to stay in character all day. Especially at the booth. Working street is just as hard.
I remember dropping character to make a joke, and I still do that. It's easier. Staying in character and making a joke is a lot better. Many kudos to those that do. You are a better man/woman than I.
As for Starfire, Zak says to make fun of the customers. Who am I to argue with a big burly Polish guy who tears off copper wire with his HANDS! Staying in any sort of accent doesn't work. In other booths, the accent does work. It depends on your audience and crowd.
I'm all for what works. Personally, I'm a big loud mouth so I like the lack of accent. But, there are occasions where it is necessary, i.e. when the King arrives, etc. and it's all good there, too.
Forsooth! My witty banter has come to an end. Blah blah blah. Yank Yank Yank.
~Amy, who gives a little oh excellent well with a dash of Yeehaw!
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Tommie, 16:19:12 10/20/02 Sun
As a playtroness, I have at times read Shakespere aloud for a couple of days to try and get the rhythm, but must admit that I failed to find an adequate description of contact lens... I fear me I have cast mine eye upon the ground just doesn't seem to work well...
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Polly Theist, 12:44:10 10/17/02 Thu
i had to laugh when i read that some perceive Starfire as maintaining good renn character during the faire run. tee hee....
since i just started working there, im not real sure how i should word this, but we kinda go out of our way NOT to speak Renn during the day (there are 'scripted' bits we do, but they are an exception.) we just act like our bizarre selves. seems to work.
as long as Zach is happy, thats all that matters :)
-polly
(evil has more fun at the booth of lurve, hot rocks, evil ducks, and lesbian lemmings)
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Sean - Once a Starfire Employee always a Starfire Employee, 15:14:18 10/17/02 Thu
I can say that I did hold back a SNARF when it was said that Starfire kept the accent alive. Amie nailed it on the head about what Zak wanted us to do. I worked the year with Tiny and Tina and Christine, I was the little one in the middle. When I'd look at Tiny and say "I don't think I'm that great at selling swords." Tiny would look at me and say "I didn't hire you to sell swords. I hired you because you're funny."
You had to be there for days when Tiny and myself would go through the whole story of 'What a Claymore was used for.' with accompanying sound effects and visuals. And of course everyone that works for Starfire is the envy of the faire because we're allowed to berate and belittle anyone with a rusty sword!!! If you're not afraid of that just wait until you're being yelled at in front of a full faire ground by a 5'7" Irish man and you're cowering trying to find the nearest hole. Aahhh, those were the days. I'd never leave the booth because it was so much fun there....um...ah...where was I again? Oh...this is the complaint board, oops. What Amie said 'ditto'.
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Rob, 17:16:34 10/17/02 Thu
I don't remember anyone saying that Starfire boothies were notable for their accents. They're notable for being characters! Look at the rogues gallery on this thread alone: Amy, Christa & Sean. With big bushy Zak lurking in the background. If you don't find these folks amusing just for being themselves... well, have another drink and try again.
- Rob, fondly nostalgic for the time he ran into Steven Tyler at the Starfire booth at KRF
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Elena Shanti, 18:30:39 10/17/02 Thu
Okay, somebody mentioned Renniepalooza shirts on this thread, so I gotta throw in. (Yes, they're coming soon!)
My solution to the "accent and character question" is that my character is a Gypsy, so I am from everywhere, and the accent is a bit undefinable on purpose. Sometimes it leans towards a mix of Spanish, Italian, Romanian -- other times I just can't help meself, and I break into a Scottish or English lilt. But that would make sense too, if the Gypsy wagon stayed long enough in the British Isles I'd eventually speak that way anyway.
All of which is just an excuse to let out some of the 27 personalities fighting for control in my fevered brain.
Getting out of accent and/or character is usually accomplished with a rousing chorus of "Beer Run". Unless it's part of a Lady Fair show, and Gregor of Bedlam chimes in with the mandolin... never mind.
I turn "character" on and off throughout the day, but it's always on when I'm interacting with patrons or onstage. I confess I will break character if a patron gets me alone to ask serious questions. I don't know if this is good or bad, but it feels natural this way, so there it is.
I am not in character when I am backstage. Or in the bathroom. Or at the after-party gettin' jiggy on the dance floor. Aw crap, are there pictures of that last one?
www.drunkbellydancer.com/twobeersandshesnaked.html\
There is not nearly enough hate in this post.
HATE! RAGE! FIRE! FOUL LANGUAGE! THESE FAIRES ALL SUCK! ASSWIPES!
Much better. Out loud voice.
Love, Elena
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Gustav, 15:07:49 10/18/02 Fri
Damn you, Dina, that was a fake link!
Now my afternoon is ruined... :(
I HATE false links to nekkid belly dancers.
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Tom Epstein, 15:59:40 10/18/02 Fri
I was taken in as well. If, like me, you want to register your outrage, check out <a rel=nofollow target=_blank href="http://www.reallyirkedaboutfakewebsitesostensiblyfeaturingnakedbellydancersbutwhichreallydonotexistatall.com">http://www.reallyirkedaboutfakewebsitesostensiblyfeaturingnakedbellydancersbutwhichreallydonotexistatall.com</a>
There's a contest to win a timeshare going on, too.
T.
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Lucretia - CMG, 12:56:48 10/21/02 Mon
I've tried to do an "accent" whilst vending in my booth. Unfortunately, I ran into waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many patrons who reacted to me with a great big "Huh? - what did you say?" I gave up on the accent because found myself repeating everything all over again in American.
BTW, I have to complain about something else. Ten years of putting people in chains, leading the morning "butt" workout in my booth, avoiding seeing The Pepper, being an original judge for MIT and organizing an amazing clothing collection, I'm left out of the list of KRF notable characters?!?!?!?!
Youse all can just freaking bite me.
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Re: Accents and charcters... -- Mikeal, 09:06:08 10/22/02 Tue
Ahh...the morning butt exercises...
Watched them many a year from the front stoop.
Most enjoyable! I never knew the name of the leader...
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Ah, but which accent? -- Lauren, 20:35:22 10/23/02 Wed
You know, I'd far rather hear someone speaking their own accent with the appropriate words thrown in than someone trying to fake an accent. Why is it that the lady in Elizabethan gown is almost universally speaking like a gutter-bred Dublinner, and her consort sounds like he just came down from the highlands? In period, even were they actually from these places, they'd die rather than admit it to the Court.
Forget the stupid accent, get the WORDS right. The difference between thee and thou and you, for starters. Where to add "st" and "th" to the ends of verbs. If you're being polite in Elizabethan-speak, 'you' IS the proper term of address!
It's not hard to add in the occasional touch to make things feel right without going overboard. My husband greets his patrons and does his hawking in his own accent plus several key words. Our patrons are "Saiid" for a man and "Saiida" for a woman. We greet people with Salaam Aleikum. Each cup of coffee is served with "Mashru Bil'hana", or drink with Happiness. Shukran is thank you. If we start off in a slighly different accent (and Arabic is hard to keep from turning into Russian!) and keep up the key words, we usually create a good experience without confusing anyone or gettiong stuff wrong.
I thought about developing more of an accent, and I will be working on it, but I think there are other things more important to keeping the atmosphere going.
Lauren
Qamar Franji Eastern Arts
Henna art and Turkish Coffee
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