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3.10 In-Character Chat (WIMBA): The Restaurant at the end of the Universe

(Due:Sep 19 Status: Not Completed)
1. We’re going to engage in a bit of improvised acting, or “role-playing” as a technique to develop character. The point of this exercise is to take a character you think you know (your protagonist) and putting them in an unfamiliar situation. You will be chatting “in-character” as your protagonist with the rest of your class, each of whom will be role-playing their protagonist.
2. If you want to role-play as someone other than your protagonist, you need to contact me at least 24 hours in advance.
3. The In-Character Chat will be in a silly setting: the improbable and outlandish Restaurant at the End of the Universe (also known as Milliways), from Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series. Milliways is a space station situated at the end of time and the known Universe (in a frozen moment right before everything ends). Eat, drink, and admire the ultimate end of everything, then time-travel back to you own present day and time. If you want more information, you can look here:
4. Even if it would normally be “in character” for your protagonist to threaten or attack another character (short temper, sense of honor, reflexes, flashbacks or any other reason) DON’T. Calahan’s is a “safe” place – troublemakers will be shown the door, or, if need be, kicked through it. Be considerate and stay in character: and, if you have to choose, break character in order to be considerate. Also, NEVER presume to describe another character’s actions or reactions: you can buy another character a drink, but not make them drink it. You can tell them a joke, but it’s up to them whether they laugh or not.
5. A time for the WIMBA session will be determined based on everyone’s availability and posted to the class discussion board. Log on to Wimba using the name of your protagonist as your login name and join the CCR-O discussion room.
a. Use the text chat window for in-character dialogue and actions – everything you type in the chat window is assumed to be in-character. I will be using the chat window to describe the setting and “role-play” minor characters and events (for example: your protagonist is named Jake, and you type “Jake orders a cup of tea.” I might respond “All known cuisines are available at Milliways, except tea. Would you like orange juice or perhaps a Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster instead?”).
b. The audio channel is reserved for “out of character” discussion. I’ll be using it to give instructions and help.
c. If you need my attention, use the “raise hand” button. I’ll call on you (using the audio channel) and then you can use the audio channel to reply.

d. Remember that the goal is to learn more about your character and to help your classmates discover and develop their characters. You may want brainstorm interesting, conversational questions to ask, and possible answers to everyday questions ahead of time. For those of you with quiet or secretive protagonists, presume that they feel unusually comfortable and “open up” to the good folks at Callahan’s.

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