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Post by troyo on Jan 12, 2016 14:31:13 GMT -5
I was pondering creating an "Experience" for my wife, being that the one most suiting her temperament was currently unavailable. (Tempus Fugit.) I had seen on the MPC forum where one had created a free experience they shared with other users. How very generous! I think for most though, it's not terrible feasible for many to provide the time or monetary dedication that would take.
Enter the "Open Source Experience" wherein one follows a online guide and creates the elements of an "Experience" with one own hands.
Start with a story, and a list of components to create each "mailing" and what it should contain. Throw in a puzzle or two and shake well.
A lot of the source content could be made available electronically in various media... photos, letters, ticket stubs and other "Crinkle-ware" could be posted and made available online. Along with a materials list and a treatise on printing/reproducing, weathering, aging techniques and other various methods of adding realism to paper props. I'm not sure how relevant, but I can also provide some CAD drawing and CNC G-Code files, if someone wanted to say 3D print something?
The "Climax" could be a prop created from hardware store/readily available items and designed so that it can be assembled with basic hand tools and reasonable patience. A step by step guide, including making a crate (Or where one could purchase something similar ready made) could also be a part of it. Templates/Dimensions, materials and methods, etc.
You could even have "Levels" within any given "OSE"... from "Just print this stuff with a color printer and use the printed parchment background" to "Advanced users: 3D print this and age it with hand rubbed gilded finish..."?
Taking stock on my own abilities, I am more a technician than a weaver of tales. My wife claims my workshop is stocked with every tool ever made. (I informed her she was mistaken, but that I do accept the challenge...) I have a history of making props and costumes, and at least some experience with a wide range of media. I am skilled at finding ways to do things that shouldn't be done, with things that you shouldn't do it with.
My personal interest would be in a non-horror based mystery, especially as that seems to be a current gap in the offerings. The cool thing is, as many could be made as there are people willing to work on them.
It actually sounds like a lot of fun to me. You could get your hands dirty and customize the content and level of finish to match your fancy and really, who doesn't like hot glue burns and peeling supergl..... ummm, I mean creating a custom, bespoke hand made experience for a loved one?
Anyone else game?
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Post by troyo on Jan 12, 2016 18:24:30 GMT -5
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Post by troyo on Jan 13, 2016 16:07:05 GMT -5
I'm just plugging along myself... even if no one jumps in, I'm having fun, LOL.
Next is the "Hook" letter... modern, plain format laser printed.
I can't seem to paste the content, so I am attaching the Word files.
Attachments:DearVictim.docx (16.66 KB)
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Post by helenahandbasket on Jan 14, 2016 10:52:51 GMT -5
I kept meaning to reply to this -- I have some ideas, but no time to make them sensible at the moment. Let me see what I can do.
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Post by troyo on Jan 14, 2016 19:21:09 GMT -5
Awesome! In gist so far, this is the "story" I have been working on... Man inherits estate from father, including some land from great-great Grandfather. An inventory of the land revealed a trunk with items the family is pretty sure didn't belong to him and may have been ill-gotten gains. Turns out Granddad was a Titanic survivor but kept his name out of the public eye with some well placed bribes (as it's quite possible the police were after him.)and it looks like not all the items he was rescued with actually belonged to him.
So, the family is returning the items to the family with whom they belong, in hope to make amends (and there's a mention of returning the goods stopping some bad dreams but I really wasn't sure if/how to continue that "cursed by ill-gotten-object theme.)
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Post by troyo on Jan 18, 2016 20:17:44 GMT -5
In the first mailing, I want to include an early 1900's post card. Bonus if the card features a location you know your recipient's family would have been in 1910ish. I am waffling here.... I found that actual period postcards are pretty readily available and not too spendy. I'm debating just buying vs making. The authenticity would be nice, but in terms of "Open Source" is just saying go buy one OK? I guess I could buy and make some high Rez scans for folks who want to make them? The handwritten note would read: Off to America with you, then? I can't believe you are doing it! Thanks for agreeing To bring these packages to Aunt Effie when you get there. Tell Effie I am glad she is doing well and let her know about Uncle Phil. I am jealous, cousin! On a more serious note, I wish you were not traveling with Jacob. He seems like such a scoundrel. Watch your back, friend.
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Post by miskatonicmadman on Jan 18, 2016 20:20:56 GMT -5
Quite the interesting idea, to be sure. And as far as open source goes, I guess buying them isn't out of the question for the postcards, as long as there is a free option. But I like the idea. 1910, almost Cthulhu era. Lol.
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Post by Andrews on Jan 18, 2016 20:58:39 GMT -5
Sounds great! Be sure to keep us updated
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Post by troyo on Jan 18, 2016 22:24:08 GMT -5
I am thinking this..... high res scans will be taken when I get it.
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Post by thecharmingtw on Jan 19, 2016 8:34:38 GMT -5
I don't have any ideas to add, but I do want to comment that I love the letters. I read them putting myself in the shoes of someone who might receive them, and I think they're the perfect amount of intrigue and curiosity. I didn't get the feeling that anyone would think they were being scammed or taken advantage of. Good work!
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Post by helenahandbasket on Jan 19, 2016 9:10:09 GMT -5
The other thing that might be useful to have in your hip pocket is the humble aerogramme. Vintage blanks are available on ebay, but you have to paw thru a lot of used ones (stamp collectors like them). They're not too pricey and it would be easy enough to scan one and print onto very very light stock. It was the least expensive way to send international mail for a long time. Depending on where the story goes, it could be a useful detail. Or the aerogramme could be someone forwarding your target a long lost letter.
Still a little bit harried, but I haven't forgotten that I promised to organize my thoughts and post them.
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Post by troyo on Jan 19, 2016 17:04:11 GMT -5
Doing a little Google-Fu, it looks like that would be pre-ballpoint so I may be best off using a fountain pen for the writing.
All I need to do now is use a pen I don't have, and in whose use I am unskilled to write legibly, a talent I don't posses.
No problem! ;P
On the plus side, the fountainey-ness may make it easier to screw with the ink to make it look old.
Thanks all for the input, and encouragement. It means a lot to hear the story is usable, at least in foundation. I totally want some folks to jump in with ideas and keep this moving on and/or adding twists and flavor.. in the end, whether it lives "here" or just as a PDF guidebook or something it could be a cool thing.
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Post by troyo on Jan 19, 2016 19:16:57 GMT -5
Sometimes, we find assistance is closer than we could even have hoped. Asking about at the office, I discovered there is a coworker who collects pens. He claims no grand handwriting but believes he can pen a passably legible note, with a period correct device. (Actually he brought out several and espoused the virtues of each.)
He is even going to poke around at his favorite pen store for sepia toned ink.
And so I left his office with a new accomplice and a little wiser on the subject of pens.
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Post by helenahandbasket on Jan 19, 2016 21:02:07 GMT -5
For people who might or might not have an accomplice (or might or might not want to adjust to writing with a fountain pen), consider a pigment pen with a stylus/ball hybrid tip. I use a Pentel Hybrid Technica and I love it (and I'm an ink snob). I tend to use the medium tip most of the time (.8mm tip for a .4mm line weight, which is medium/heavy), but they range down to very very fine. Beautiful, clean, consistent lines. Stylus pens got a bad rap for being too annoying to be usable by the average human being, the tip would clog if left uncapped for even a couple minutes. The newer versions don't do that, you can leave them uncapped for, mmm, 15 minutes before they seize up. The hybrid technicas are disposables vs. paying up for one that's refillable, but it's a really good pigment pen. It's more of a suggestion for other people looking for a really nice ink finish that will stand up to a variety of aging techniques and isn't as difficult to negotiate as a fountain pen. Which reminds me, Troyo, depending on what you're planning to do with whatever is being written on wrt aging or distressing, be careful about the kind of ink that is used in the fountain pen. The newer inks and the traditional inks both have their virtues and pitfalls. If you're planning on distressing the paper, maybe make sure you know what the ink will do because it's not a sure thing or known quantity, unless your friend has distressed letters and such and knows how the ink will perform. I confess, the crafty end of this is pretty fun for me
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Post by troyo on Jan 19, 2016 23:10:21 GMT -5
Great observation and tip there! I will have him pen a couple of samples or see if he will let me drive around one of his starter pens. Then I can preview my aging methods and verify the results before going live on the postcard.
I plan to scan the unaltered card and the completed aged version with script for those who may wish a simple complete version they can just print.
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