Second Life Absorption

Currently Browsing: http://www.pharmacymusic.com/ has an awesome TV static-distortion effect. Watch carefully. #
Well-illustrated, comprehensive documentation for a Second Life product (kewl dragon avatar!): http://tinyurl.com/56fv5f #
Thirdkind. #
Playing with video comments on Seesmic: Seesmic makes it way easy to use your webcam and upload a clip to .. http://tinyurl.com/5ukt3m #
Sheet music for “The Games We Played” video game megamix!: It's been a long road and it's finall.. http://tinyurl.com/59lxfr #
Caledon Library – the Whitehorn Memorial Library in Caledon VC: Torley posted a photo:

The Whitehorn Mem.. http://tinyurl.com/6f38ol #
Whoa, POPURLS changed their header fonts to a bigger, rounded one! Much easier to read! #
What do you get when you cross a self-eating human with unrequited love in the 80s? A canniballad! #
QuotationsBook just added the feature to add your own quotes! Check it out: http://quotationsbook.com #
Sports! http://tinyurl.com/5rcat3 #
Deal-finding is an art. #
Don't blame the tools, blame the fools. #
What do you think of a company that makes guns, butter, stuffed animals, and hummus — ALL at the SAME time? #
Imagination + Knowledge = Imagiknowledge. #
What do you call divine rice wine? God's sake. #
compelling reason to own an island: Torley posted a photo:

custom terrain textures!

Posted by Second Li.. http://tinyurl.com/5k8bwy #
Have you sipped the weirdohol? #
Huzzah for habi-domes with penguins and beavers! http://www.xfire.com/video/37581/ #
BackType makes comment-tracking way easier: Convergence. Aggregation. These aren't just buzzwords, th.. http://tinyurl.com/5ppysp #
@malburns Keep up the great link sharing, I doth like it very much! in reply to malburns #
@rivenhomewood @Hugobiwan Thx for the nom! *makes a note to check out JJ's work closer* in reply to rivenhomewood #
@LauraNicosia I use many batch upload programs for photos, music, etc. What area specifically are you interested in? in reply to LauraNicosia #
@gwenners Well-said! I don't believe in false superlatives, but I also know there are a lot of obscure skills out there waiting to be filled in reply to gwenners #
@jenharvey OHH you let me know about that before too! Thanks, I really appreciate you taking the time to share. =D in reply to jenharvey #
Nifty Polaroid-maker for the Mac! Make yer pics look all old-skool and stuff… http://www.poladroid.net/ #
Irony: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi teaches about flow but has such a challenging name! :O #
I <3 batch uploaders. #
If YOU could be the best at something(s), what would it be?: I hug the Internet because it makes it incess.. http://tinyurl.com/6rypg2 #
Browsing for deals at SlickDeals, one of my fave “save money” sites! http://tinyurl.com/bzgm6 #
The biggest fallacy of “experience”: Empty résumé filler. Let's talk about it.
You've almost cer.. http://tinyurl.com/6z8553 #
What's the best URL shrinker? Vote here: http://tinyurl.com/5n4sqn #
hello and welcome to my office hours!: Torley posted a photo:

and if you haven't yet…

secondlife.com/.. http://tinyurl.com/5tvkow #
Best Heroes power? http://tinyurl.com/6ahpwj #
If you plan to use Buy It Now at eBay, I *highly* recommend using 25% cashback as I did @ http://tinyurl.com/56zzyt #
The very definition of inexperience: writing a travel guide about a country without having actually been there. Yes, it's happened! #
@aliceinwire Ooh thx for the pointer! Nice to see your music up there… in reply to aliceinwire #
@raymondpirouz Kinder, yet… no rhyme. Must have rhyme! in reply to raymondpirouz #
@epredator I had a weird dream once, where MacGyver joined the A-Team. They were pretty resourceful fo sho'. in reply to epredator #
@nancyritchie I've not seen Pirates of the Caribbean (any of them) yet but the music is swashbucklin' awesome! in reply to nancyritchie #
@clarkkaren Awww yeah Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman FTW — two of my fave movie characters! in reply to clarkkaren #
@gwenners Have a link? I can reply directly. in reply to gwenners #
@jenharvey But we have, and I have 100s of examples to show. (I'm not currently involved so much in the Issue Tracker, but see WindLight.) in reply to jenharvey #
@bukisa Intriguing! Thanks, I'll have a closer look. =) in reply to bukisa #
HUGE PRIMS: Torley posted a photo:

you might even say they're… megaprims Posted by Second Life Residen.. http://tinyurl.com/5wfo9o #
Blogging beyond: Torley's advice on screencasts, design, social media, & life!: I'm contributing to b.. http://tinyurl.com/5zbkmy #
A persistent virtual world, as opposed to… you know, one that isn't so motivated. #
It's “inworld”, not “in-world”. http://tinyurl.com/6zbu8 #
WHA? Many prims are turning into pumpkins? For the love of… http://tinyurl.com/6b4lzh #
Dominate followup. Realize that 9/10 times you deliver through, it won't be continued at strength. Leverage this and you'll be well ahead. #
hanging out with Briamelle Quintessa : Torley posted a photo:

Ravi put down this bear… put down in t.. http://tinyurl.com/5zxmw8 #
Thanx to nice people @ these companies for making my day when I needed help: Backtype, Lijit, Dreamhost, Xfire, VodPod. #
There are others like you, and others who like you! #
In case you missed it earlier, Showcase Video Player… now with search! Find video tutorials easier @ http://secondlife.com/showcase/tu … #
Don't just tell me what you got. Tell me the story of why you decided to get it. #
I've got your cliche bypass button right here! #
Torley's weekly Twitter for 2008-10-19:
Trackitdown has an awesome MP3 preview player: Trackitdown is one.. http://tinyurl.com/6nedja #
Allegory Malaprop made this cute elephant: Torley posted a photo:

Posted by Second Life Resident Torle.. http://tinyurl.com/5f4yfd #
Keeping it virtually real. #

addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Ftorley.com%2Ftorleys-weekly-twitter-for-2008-10-26′;
addthis_title = ‘Torley%26%23039%3Bs+weekly+Twitter+for+2008-10-26′;
addthis_pub = ”;

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Night of the Living Dead Film Discussion
October 26 at 12 noon SLT
The Sci-Fi & Fantasy Portal will hold October’s film discussion on Sunday, October 26 at 12 noon. Host is Grizzy Grizwold. Whichever incarnation of this film you’ve seen, you’re welcome to share your ideas and insights. It should be a lively discussion! IM moderators Symmetry Munro or Hawk Lightcloud if you need help getting there on Info Island.

Something Wicked Halloween Pandemonium
November 1 at 4-6 pm SLT
Bradburyville will hold a “Something Wicked Halloween Pandemonium” on
Saturday, Nov. 1, from 4-6pm slt. DJ Lyndzee McMillan will spin
appropriately ghoulish tunes. Halloween costumes are the dress code
for the event. Contact Daisyblue Hefferman for more information.

TX950 – Bloodthirsty Halloween
October 31st at 6 PM SLT

Welcome to the dark side for this month’s TX950 party on Info Island, a motley crew of evil doers will be gathering on Info Island to celebrate Halloween, please join us to dance and discover what surprises the mausoleum holds! Contest for the best male and the best female in costume. Muhahahahahahahaha. Contact Abbey Zenith for more information.

Show Me the Money

November 1st at 6 PM SLT

Join us on Investing Info Island to dance away the economy blues with some rocking tunes! Radio Riel will lead the gang in this money themed party. We may even have a few lindens to throw your way! Please contact Hypatia Dejavu or Abbey Zenith for additional information.

Cypress Grove book discussion

October 29 at 6 PM SLT

Mystery Manor finishes the first season of the Waiting for the Other Gumshoe to Drop discussion series on Wednesday, October 29 with James Sallis’ thoughtful mystery, Cypress Grove. Please join discussion leader Maxito Ricardo at 6:00pm SL in the Gazebo at Mystery Manor. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/181/161/33

After the discussion we will have time to talk about season two which will start in January 2009. Our tentative theme is International Mystery and we would like to know what you think. For more information contact Max Batra.

Enjoy Halloween on Imagination Island

Join us on Imagination Island as we celebrate the special days at the
end of October and beginning of November. Visit the cursed Pyramid,
haunted graveyard, Halloween, Samhain, All Souls, All Saints and Dia
de los Muertos displays at Rachelville. Then teleport over to Mythica
Plaza and walk through the Haunted House on the pond. TPs provided
between both places.

The pyramid and graveyard were set up by library student volunteer, Ka
Castaignede.

The haunted house on Mythica is on the pond next to the Plaza there.
Besides the scary and absurd you’ll find resources on horror films.

SLURL to Rachelville Plaza

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/111/178/25/

SLURL to Mythica Plaza

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/188/153/22/

Be there are be turned into a pumpkin at midnight!

Oh yeah.and don’t forget the trick or treat party at Rachelville on
October 31st at 4:30pm SL time. For more information, contact Rocky Vallejo.

College Fair Coming to Info Island

College Fair coming to InfoIsland! Call for Participating Institutions!

Info Island is hosting a Virtual College Fair! Come take advantage of this opportunity to promote your college or university to visitors from around the world – and no one needs to leave home!

See http://infoisland.org/2008/10/18/college-fair-coming-to-infoisland/ for more information and sign-up form. The fair will be held on November 16, so please sign up soon!

Alexandrian Free Library: Caledon, Winterfell, Steelhead, New Babbage & New Toulouse Library events October 28 – Nov 4

Thu, October 30, 7pm – 8pm
Radio Theatre – War of the Worlds, on Radio Riel
Radio Riel HQ, Caledon Penzance
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Penzance/224/100/24
Or tune in at http://music.radioriel.org
Join Caledon Library collaborator Radio Riel for an historic Halloween event as host Edward Pearse presents “War of the Worlds”. Directed and narrated by Orson Welles this adaptation of H. G. Wells’ novel “The War of the Worlds” was first aired October 30, 1938 over the WABC Radio network, as an episode of the American radio drama anthology series “Mercury Theatre on the Air.” During the original broadcast, its format as a series of news bulletins caused considerable panic as listeners decided that Martians really were landing in West Windsor, New Jersey. For much more information see http://www.war-ofthe-worlds.co.uk/ Come join the party at Radio Riel Headquarters in Caledon Penzance. Greenies welcome.

Steelhead Scary Story Festival
Oct. 25, 26 & 30 2008
Sponsored by the Steelhead Library; please contact Riven Homehood for details
At the Haunted Steelhead Hotel Ballroom

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/75/156/26

Schedule – All times are SLT

Saturday Oct. 25
11:30am – Shalmendo Gleneux reading “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe
12 noon – Iason Hassanov telling ghost stories
1pm – Elder Priestman & Derry McMahon reading “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

Sunday Oct. 26
6pm Professor Rudolfo Woodget will tell two stories
7pm Lludmila Mirrikh

Thursday Oct 30
7pm Hotspur O’Toole
8pm Elegia Underwood

Friday Oct. 31
7pm Haunted Hotel Costume Ball

Read more…

Post from: The Grid Live

Second Life Shakespeare Company Presents One’s a Pawn of Time

Press Release received via email
Date: 09 September 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Maedin Tureaud

Beginning this Friday, September 12, the Second Life Shakespeare Company (SLSC) presents a modern play to open their Autumn 2008 season. The play, One’s a Pawn of Time, is a fast-paced and clever one-act play about relationship drama that may arise through hasty time travel. Written by Mike Dederian, the play is directed by Rob Knop (Prospero Frobozz in SL) and will feature the voice actors of Second Life residents Jeremy Jester, Lorne Harlequin, Kinji Lockjaw, and Maedin Tureaud.

Performed in Second Life, most of the shows will be free to attend, and audience members will be required to turn on the voice feature in order to hear the dialogue, though microphones must be strictly turned off. Two of the shows, promoted as “very low-lag”, will require a ticket fee to limit the audience size. Set in the confluence of 4 island simulators, the SL Globe theatre is ideally situated to accommodate large audiences and stage performances that are as low-lag as possible. In keeping with SLSC convention, the set, costumes, and avatars are custom-made for the play. Ina Centaur, artistic director at SLSC, confirms the tailoring of details: “The set for the production continues the RL tradition of preserving the structure of the Globe stage in set design and also our SL tradition ofe xtravagance in visuals.”

The custom features of the set continues with innovative on-stage advertising. As this isthe first non-Shakespearean play produced by the SLSC, it has provided them a unique opportunity to experiment with interactive and dynamic advertising. Centaur also says, “The set is filled with details and interactive ‘incognito’ advertisements blended into the stage in the form of fake movie and rock band posters, newspapers, books, photos, and magazines, to amuse and inform those who zoom around and explore as only a virtual audience might.” To arrange in-set advertising, contact Ina Centaur directly.

Director Rob Knop has directed in RL, but this will be his directorial debut in Second Life. He has been active in the Hamlet and Twelfth Night productions and got a taste for thepossibilites available. He’s also very keen on his choice of play, too: “This play bears some philosophical similarities to Second Life. Second Life combines game-like elements with social interaction and potential for serious creative discourse of real life. The play is light entertainment, with humorous dialog and a somewhat absurd situation, but being about time travel it challenges our assumptions about the linearity of reality… just as having our lives partly in Second Life challenges traditional assumptions about the single-threaded nature of our real-life identities.”

Knop has more than just the actors to prepare; he will also be responsible for immersing the audience in the play. For audience members who choose to participate, he will be able to dynamically direct and move their cameras, real time, following the action as it unfolds. This allows the audience a “hands-free” experience, their view zooming around the stage and focusing on actors and events as necessary. Knop is encouraged by all of the innovative ways in which theatre in SL is expanding and becoming viable entertainment.

Maedin Tureaud, who will play Lucy for several performances, is excited by the prospect of seeing theatre in SL become prominent and well-attended events, and is enthusiastic about the possibilities available. “Theatre in SL is a unique and exciting opportunity to simultaneously reach audiences all over the world, specifically those people who are unwilling or unable to attend real life productions. The virtual stage presents engaging challenges, and this new platform for cultural and artistic events is bound to capture imagination and harness talent in the future as the virtual universe becomes ubiquitous.”

Kinji Lockjaw, who also plays Lucy, is happy to admit that the biggest challenge for her is the fact that it’s her first SL play. She remains positive though, and states, “I’m very excited about […] getting to work under the direction of Prospero and working with such great actors,” a sentiment expressed by the other three actors, as well. The fast-paced dialogue in the play ensures that the actors have achieved a good rapport with each other and will be able to generate energy on the SL stage, a crucial aspect of the real world stage,too. Opening night performance of One’s a Pawn of Time begins at 7pm SLT on Friday,September 12. Subsequent performances are: Saturday, Sept 13 at 11am, Sunday, Sept 14 at 3pm, Tuesday, Sept 16, at 1pm, Fri, Sept 19, at 7pm, Sat, Sept 20 at 11am, Sun, Sept 21 at 3pm. Ticket fee assessed. For more information on this and future productions, join the SL Shakespeare Companygroup in-world.

Second Life URL: Second Life Shakespeare Company

Read more…

One of the readers of this blog passed on a tip about some bots hovering above a dance club. While the the tip was nice, I think that she (and someone else I met checking out the bots) were more concerned that the bot building was festooned with the logo of a different club, from [...]
Read more…

The woman with the appalling fashion sense is actually a virtual mannequin experiencing a drug overdose outside a nightclub; it’s part of a paramedic simulation course recently created by the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, developed by St…
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I’m happy to report that we have some great things ahead for the Linden Lab Blog. We are on track with a multi-stage process of upgrading our Web presence, including both the Blog and the Forums. Our goal? To improve the information you get about Second Life and enhance our dialogue with you.

We’ve put a lot of thought into how best to expand the usefulness of the blog and forums without slowing down the efforts of those working on grid stability and reliability.  And, we’re making great progress with the project. One foundational change we are making
5a8
is adding in authentication so it’s there for the blog as well as forums. This is valuable because it adds better security and uses Second Life names in a consistent way.

One major goal is to implement single-sign-on (SSO.) This means Second Life Residents who log in with their avatar (account) names, for instance to comment on blog posts, would also be logged into the Second Life Forums. This seemingly small but fundamental change will, over time, allow us to greatly expand the convenience and utility of the blog (and in the next phase, the forums).

The work to match up and perfect authentication and passwords for SSO to the blogs and forums has added time and complexity to the process, but when it goes live it will enable us to acknowledge and showcase active participants, including those across key international language groups.

We aren’t announcing a specific timeframe for the completion of each phase of the project right now, but we will keep you updated.

Here’s some security (and other) benefits of the new system:

• Linden Lab employees won’t need to set up or maintain the blog servers or software, so we can stay focused on our core priorities. Instead, the blog project will be managed by a company whose strength is that kind of work, and thus, the system will be secure, robust and fully scalable.

• The new blog will feature a
b50
uthentication systems, a plug-in architecture, clustering and multiple database options.

• The backend will also feature everything you would expect, including regular vulnerability assessments, intrusion detection, and fast response times in the event of any type of problem. And because it’s a hosted solution, it will also offer managed monitoring, proactive software upgrades and daily backups to our secure storage area network, as well as full redundancy.

As we have said before, the Official Second Life blog will continue to be Linden Lab’s public face, for policy and other important announcements, and updates from our executive team members.

The goal here will be to keep you informed about our major efforts. We will also introduce a set of community-facing Linden-authored blogs. These will cover topics of interest to specific groups, for instance, activities and information for new residents, builders and scripters, solution providers, educators, business owners and so on.

They will be less formal, and will allow Linden topic experts to talk about their areas of expertise, and hear your feedback and ideas. You’ll find familiar Lindens as well as meet new Lindens in these blogs. We will also continue to invite conversations into the forums, as we’ve done recently, to allow Residents from all time zones to participate in much more involved conversation threads with Lindens and other Residents than is possible in blog comments.

“Main Events Week” at the Autumn Writer’s Exhibition begins October 26 on the Cookie sim. Sponsor Written Word plans to expand by offering aspiring writers a place to sell their work on the Web.
Read more…

Seesmic makes it way easy to use your webcam and upload a clip to the world. The quality is blocky, but for a few clicks and almost insta-upload, it's nearly painless.

The site is mostly Flash, so the first time you record, it asks to take camera permissions. Grant them and you'll be on your way. The downside of Flash is it can be harder to get direct links to content, but below each video are link and embed fields. You can add a “video profile” too, like I did.

SAY HI SUSHI!

addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Ftorley.com%2Fplaying-with-video-comments-on-seesmic’;
addthis_title = ‘Playing+with+video+comments+on+Seesmic’;
addthis_pub = ”;

Read more…

Night of the Living Dead Film Discussion
October 26 at 12 noon SLT
The Sci-Fi & Fantasy Portal will hold October’s film discussion on Sunday, October 26 at 12 noon. Host is Grizzy Grizwold. Whichever incarnation of this film you’ve seen, you’re welcome to share your ideas and insights. It should be a lively discussion! IM moderators Symmetry Munro or Hawk Lightcloud if you need help getting there on Info Island.

Something Wicked Halloween Pandemonium
November 1 at 4-6 pm SLT
Bradburyville will hold a “Something Wicked Halloween Pandemonium” on
Saturday, Nov. 1, from 4-6pm slt. DJ Lyndzee McMillan will spin
appropriately ghoulish tunes. Halloween costumes are the dress code
for the event. Contact Daisyblue Hefferman for more information.

TX950 – Bloodthirsty Halloween
October 31st at 6 PM SLT

Welcome to the dark side for this month’s TX950 party on Info Island, a motley crew of evil doers will be gathering on Info Island to celebrate Halloween, please join us to dance and discover what surprises the mausoleum holds! Contest for the best male and the best female in costume. Muhahahahahahahaha. Contact Abbey Zenith for more information.

Show Me the Money

November 1st at 6 PM SLT

Join us on Investing Info Island to dance away the economy blues with some rocking tunes! Radio Riel will lead the gang in this money themed party. We may even have a few lindens to throw your way! Please contact Hypatia Dejavu or Abbey Zenith for additional information.

Cypress Grove book discussion

October 29 at 6 PM SLT

Mystery Manor finishes the first season of the Waiting for the Other Gumshoe to Drop discussion series on Wednesday, October 29 with James Sallis’ thoughtful mystery, Cypress Grove. Please join discussion leader Maxito Ricardo at 6:00pm SL in the Gazebo at Mystery Manor. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/181/161/33

After the discussion we will have time to talk about season two which will start in January 2009. Our tentative theme is International Mystery and we would like to know what you think. For more information contact Max Batra.

Enjoy Halloween on Imagination Island

Join us on Imagination Island as we celebrate the special days at the
end of October and beginning of November. Visit the cursed Pyramid,
haunted graveyard, Halloween, Samhain, All Souls, All Saints and Dia
de los Muertos displays at Rachelville. Then teleport over to Mythica
Plaza and walk through the Haunted House on the pond. TPs provided
between both places.

The pyramid and graveyard were set up by library student volunteer, Ka
Castaignede.

The haunted house on Mythica is on the pond next to the Plaza there.
Besides the scary and absurd you’ll find resources on horror films.

SLURL to Rachelville Plaza

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/111/178/25/

SLURL to Mythica Plaza

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/188/153/22/

Be there are be turned into a pumpkin at midnight!

Oh yeah.and don’t forget the trick or treat party at Rachelville on
October 31st at 4:30pm SL time. For more information, contact Rocky Vallejo.

College Fair Coming to Info Island

College Fair coming to InfoIsland! Call for Participating Institutions!

Info Island is hosting a Virtual College Fair! Come take advantage of this opportunity to promote your college or university to visitors from around the world – and no one needs to leave home!

See http://infoisland.org/2008/10/18/college-fair-coming-to-infoisland/ for more information and sign-up form. The fair will be held on November 16, so please sign up soon!

Alexandrian Free Library: Caledon, Winterfell, Steelhead, New Babbage & New Toulouse Library events October 28 – Nov 4

Thu, October 30, 7pm – 8pm
Radio Theatre – War of the Worlds, on Radio Riel
Radio Riel HQ, Caledon Penzance
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Penzance/224/100/24
Or tune in at http://music.radioriel.org
Join Caledon Library collaborator Radio Riel for an historic Halloween event as host Edward Pearse presents “War of the Worlds”. Directed and narrated by Orson Welles this adaptation of H. G. Wells’ novel “The War of the Worlds” was first aired October 30, 1938 over the WABC Radio network, as an episode of the American radio drama anthology series “Mercury Theatre on the Air.” During the original broadcast, its format as a series of news bulletins caused considerable panic as listeners decided that Martians really were landing in West Windsor, New Jersey. For much more information see http://www.war-ofthe-worlds.co.uk/ Come join the party at Radio Riel Headquarters in Caledon Penzance. Greenies welcome.

Steelhead Scary Story Festival
Oct. 25, 26 & 30 2008
Sponsored by the Steelhead Library; please contact Riven Homehood for details
At the Haunted Steelhead Hotel Ballroom

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/75/156/26

Schedule – All times are SLT

Saturday Oct. 25
11:30am – Shalmendo Gleneux reading “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe
12 noon – Iason Hassanov telling ghost stories
1pm – Elder Priestman & Derry McMahon reading “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

Sunday Oct. 26
6pm Professor Rudolfo Woodget will tell two stories
7pm Lludmila Mirrikh

Thursday Oct 30
7pm Hotspur O’Toole
8pm Elegia Underwood

Friday Oct. 31
7pm Haunted Hotel Costume Ball

Read more…

Post from: The Grid Live

Second Life Shakespeare Company Presents One’s a Pawn of Time

Press Release received via email
Date: 09 September 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Maedin Tureaud

Beginning this Friday, September 12, the Second Life Shakespeare Company (SLSC) presents a modern play to open their Autumn 2008 season. The play, One’s a Pawn of Time, is a fast-paced and clever one-act play about relationship drama that may arise through hasty time travel. Written by Mike Dederian, the play is directed by Rob Knop (Prospero Frobozz in SL) and will feature the voice actors of Second Life residents Jeremy Jester, Lorne Harlequin, Kinji Lockjaw, and Maedin Tureaud.

Performed in Second Life, most of the shows will be free to attend, and audience members will be required to turn on the voice feature in order to hear the dialogue, though microphones must be strictly turned off. Two of the shows, promoted as “very low-lag”, will require a ticket fee to limit the audience size. Set in the confluence of 4 island simulators, the SL Globe theatre is ideally situated to accommodate large audiences and stage performances that are as low-lag as possible. In keeping with SLSC convention, the set, costumes, and avatars are custom-made for the play. Ina Centaur, artistic director at SLSC, confirms the tailoring of details: “The set for the production continues the RL tradition of preserving the structure of the Globe stage in set design and also our SL tradition ofe xtravagance in visuals.”

The custom features of the set continues with innovative on-stage advertising. As this isthe first non-Shakespearean play produced by the SLSC, it has provided them a unique opportunity to experiment with interactive and dynamic advertising. Centaur also says, “The set is filled with details and interactive ‘incognito’ advertisements blended into the stage in the form of fake movie and rock band posters, newspapers, books, photos, and magazines, to amuse and inform those who zoom around and explore as only a virtual audience might.” To arrange in-set advertising, contact Ina Centaur directly.

Director Rob Knop has directed in RL, but this will be his directorial debut in Second Life. He has been active in the Hamlet and Twelfth Night productions and got a taste for thepossibilites available. He’s also very keen on his choice of play, too: “This play bears some philosophical similarities to Second Life. Second Life combines game-like elements with social interaction and potential for serious creative discourse of real life. The play is light entertainment, with humorous dialog and a somewhat absurd situation, but being about time travel it challenges our assumptions about the linearity of reality… just as having our lives partly in Second Life challenges traditional assumptions about the single-threaded nature of our real-life identities.”

Knop has more than just the actors to prepare; he will also be responsible for immersing the audience in the play. For audience members who choose to participate, he will be able to dynamically direct and move their cameras, real time, following the action as it unfolds. This allows the audience a “hands-free” experience, their view zooming around the stage and focusing on actors and events as necessary. Knop is encouraged by all of the innovative ways in which theatre in SL is expanding and becoming viable entertainment.

Maedin Tureaud, who will play Lucy for several performances, is excited by the prospect of seeing theatre in SL become prominent and well-attended events, and is enthusiastic about the possibilities available. “Theatre in SL is a unique and exciting opportunity to simultaneously reach audiences all over the world, specifically those people who are unwilling or unable to attend real life productions. The virtual stage presents engaging challenges, and this new platform for cultural and artistic events is bound to capture imagination and harness talent in the future as the virtual universe becomes ubiquitous.”

Kinji Lockjaw, who also plays Lucy, is happy to admit that the biggest challenge for her is the fact that it’s her first SL play. She remains positive though, and states, “I’m very excited about […] getting to work under the direction of Prospero and working with such great actors,” a sentiment expressed by the other three actors, as well. The fast-paced dialogue in the play ensures that the actors have achieved a good rapport with each other and will be able to generate energy on the SL stage, a crucial aspect of the real world stage,too. Opening night performance of One’s a Pawn of Time begins at 7pm SLT on Friday,September 12. Subsequent performances are: Saturday, Sept 13 at 11am, Sunday, Sept 14 at 3pm, Tuesday, Sept 16, at 1pm, Fri, Sept 19, at 7pm, Sat, Sept 20 at 11am, Sun, Sept 21 at 3pm. Ticket fee assessed. For more information on this and future productions, join the SL Shakespeare Companygroup in-world.

Second Life URL: Second Life Shakespeare Company

Read more…