Post by evil on Mar 27, 2012 20:24:09 GMT
DISCLAIMER:
[/u][/size]The views expressed in this thread do not reflect those of the staff or administrator here at Innovation:Wrestling. The purpose of these 'lessons' are for me to spread my knowledge of e-fedding over the years. In order to help others out who may be struggling or having a hard time. All views expressed are of my own. I'm doing this for the sole purpose of helping newcomers, and even throwing a few idea's out there for the 'vets'. Because at the end of the day? The learning experience never stops for no one.[/center]
Often times. When I've been asked something that has been e-fed related. Whether it'd be advice, or idea's. I usually say three words: "Learn your Craft". Today, I'd like to elaborate on this. To me. Those three words were important for me to grow, and become the roleplayer I am today after seven years.
Like anyone else. When I started out? I was pretty 'green'. Only thing I had to offer at nineteen was a knowledge of the wrestling business. When I got my start here at what was then "WCW:TNB". This was something I had never done before in my life. I never even knew fantasy leagues/federations like this even existed until I got started.
The most I was doing was like.... a paragraph (laughs). Which I knew wasn't nearly enough to get noticed. While even in 5-7 simple lines. I probably made a slightly better impression then most who would think that doing 1-2 lines at a time was a hard days work.
Well, to make a long story short. I knew that no matter what. I had to get better then what I was. So from that day on? I started to 'learn my craft'.
Those three words, in the most simplest of terms, means: "Know your environment". In other words. I started to watch others around me work and do there thing. I studied the characters. I studied the league's history up to that point. I got to know people on a personal level. I wanted to be like a sponge, and soak up all the knowledge I could gain.
The biggest key here is to learn how to effectively cut a promo. Trust me. This is the most important key in the life of a Roleplayer. If you can't cut a good promo. You will not make it. I don't care if you're in a simulation league like I:W. Or in a written and/or angle ran federation. It doesn't matter the type. If you can't do even that. You will not last long at all.
Biggest help you can have with this? Take notes. Watch others around you roleplay. See how they write there material. Learn there styles. While I don't want to see you become a plagiarizer. It's okay to learn and take from others in a sense of how to cut a good promo.
To me, a good promo usually runs around anywhere from 5-7 paragraphs at best. Some are longer. Others will fall within' this range.
Be a detail, in-depth freak as much as you possibly can. Include actions like, what your character is doing as he/she speaks? Maybe include what they're wearing. Describe there attitude or demeanor heading into this roleplay. If you're working with a character whom your character has a history with? By all means, include a little background information on there history. Sum it up in a paragraph or two if possible. You want your readers to know what's going on and not be clueless as to why "Person A" is feuding with "Person B". Otherwise, what's the point of having a thread if the readers have no clue what you guys are feuding about?
A common thing that I see from roleplayers (not just here at I:W, but in other federations too) is the failure to include some background history. Not everybody can read every thread every single week & keep up with a storyline. Some of us have more time on here then others do for a variety of reasons. So, to make life easier. It wouldn't hurt to take time out in your roleplay to include some history on either your character, the storyline or the character you're feuding with & why.
Speaking of storylines. Lemme just say that Storylines are the key to life in an e-fed. its NOT, about who wins & who loses a match. It's not necessarily always about a championship belt. Those things should be the last thing you think about. Storylines are the building blocks for a character. Both yours, and the people you work with. It's okay to borrow 'elements' from past storylines. Either from reality or something you picked up on in another league. If at all possible. Be as original as you can be. Come up with angles that have never been done before in wrestling. Anything that you believe will catch the readers attention. I know this is hard to do. Considering just about every type of angle has been done. But trust me folks. Everyone is creative enough to come up with something. So I implore everyone to really put your thinking cap on when getting together to come up with a storyline angle. Brainstorm. Exchange idea's. Do whatever it takes.
On the subject of matches.
All matches are in an e-fed, much like they're in real life. Is a vehicle to get you from Point A to Point B in a storyline. The only time I feel matches really have any benefit is to blow-off a feud or to add some drama to a title chase storyline (more on 'title chases' in a future thread). Outside of those situations. Who wins and who loses a match? Shouldn't matter to you.
If you go into an e-fed of any type, and this is the attitude you come to play with? You might as well pack your bags and go do something else with your time. I realize we all love to win, and we hate to lose. Its a part of life & competition. But, it shouldn't be all that you're concerned about every single week. Best advice I can give people with this is real simple: "Stop being a dick!" lol. If you lose? who cares! If you win? so what!? Life goes on either way. I see so many people in the past get riled up over a loss that its simply unbelievable to watch. If its a simmed fed. Blame is often placed on the match simmer. Accusing them of 'rigging' a match. Or if its in a written league. Blame is placed on the writer. No matter the case. It's ridiculous! We've even had members walk out & quit over a loss (Karl can vouch for this too).
At the end of the day. Worry more about the storyline you're working on to produce. Care more about the work you put in. Care less about the outcome of a match. Unless it falls under the two guidelines I mentioned in the above paragraphs.
One other important piece of info to learn? Be respectful. More respectful you're to others? The more you'll get back in return. Trust me... this is more important then you may think.
I've been on the 'bad side' of this end before. Its not fun being in a league where everyone has a bulls-eye on your back & hates your guts. I've had my fair share of this, and its a tough hill to climb to get out of. So best thing you can do, especially if you're new to e-fedding? Be on your best behavior. Make a GOOD impression. You only get one chance at that. If you screw up the first time? There's a good chance you'll never recover.
So with that said. I'd like thank everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to read this over. I'm looking to post a thread once a week going into detail on a variety of fed related topics that I hope will help you in some way, some how (laughs). If it doesn't? That's fine. I don't expect everyone to follow my advice. But I feel that if I can help at least one person out. Then to me. My work here is done, and I'm happy to have made a positive difference in someone's e-fed experience.
- Brandon Ewing (aka, "Genesis")