Tue, 07/10/2008 - 20:23
As discussed during the lats membership meeting; here my rough idea for a first movie:
The topic would be "due process", account bannings, the banning process, information regarding a ban, etc.
Maybe we could start with a few "headlines" on the forums, topics from confused people who have no idea what just hit them and why the yare banned/suspended, or even that they have been sanctioned, perhaps foussing on the word "why?". Then perhaps asmall introductory text, among the lines of "why? because the decision process approximates the following". Then cut to some avatars having a small discussion,which ends with both people deciding to file an ar. Then we see "a linden" receive both complaints, and grab some dice. The rolling of the dice will decide the outcome, after which the lossing av is hit by "the ban hammer"..... The squashed avatar sould then somehow seek help or whatever at sldm, or someone tells him to contact sldm, whatever...
I realize the above is very rough, so all ideas/critique are welcome, though constructive one the most 
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Tue, 14/10/2008 - 10:49
#1
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As I said at the meeting last week I kind of like this idea...
What I miss though is the lack of an appeal process, something that the avatar will try to do after being banned...knocking on huge closed doors, yelling in a vast, empty landscape, whatever.
The acknowledgement of no possibility for help/due process would eventually then be the reason for the avatar to find SLDM and join the revolution....
One thing with the above...when the avatar is banned, he is not *in* SL anymore ...how could we show this?
Tue, 14/10/2008 - 16:51
#2
Variant on the dice-rolling .... the linden sitting in his office getting all the complaints/ARs at his desk just acts without checking the context, by hitting a big red button or something banning *both* arguing avatars
Wed, 15/10/2008 - 14:23
#3
The narrative pointed out by Triss is very imaginative, and it would depict a story of what 'may' happen, the social imaginings of the brass from a grass roots level... it's quite compelling. I've seen that this is however the one only plot, there is no other. May i suggest an alternative?
I do come from a visual anthropology background; hard evidence is presented according to a structured narrative, so that the viewer feels compelled to reflect on the images seen, and the message received. No speculation from the producer; if anything else, it will be the spectator who will have to decide.
The big red button, the squashing... all are very entertaining, but not quite realistic. On the Other hand, if the line would open in such a way as to immediately create a connection with the viewer, say a small anecdote, a laugh [initial days, some humorous adventure], then taking a walk around SL... visiting places, 'ex'-places.... giving hints... allowing the story to unfold, and making the audience identify with the character/s. In the end, the bang - what happened, introducing also multiple voices from other ppl who've had the same fate. Also describing HOW this thing happens [a few words re inventory].
Remember, you want ppl to identify to this cause, and to learn about what is going on. Leave the big red buttons for brief moments, second long images in the crescendo of the loss. Not too much emphasis; ppl are not babies, they know how to think, and the audience targeted is not just yr ordinary joe, but also, and especially, the budding businessman - whose money he/she will be investing. They must take into account the risks.
This approach will, i believe, also give more credibility to SLDM, and be more feared from LL. Why? Big red buttons give the message immediately, and usually these are not really taken as seriously... especially seeing a crushed avatar. I fully understand the metaphor behind it, mind u, please don't get me wrong. But, it's not threatening. More dangerous to LL's security is teaching the pl to reason for themselves. That is the ultimate drive for a revolution. History is a good teacher.
*** For reasons of anonimity, until new regulations are issued, my SL identity will not be disclosed, except to the real few trusted people ***
Wed, 15/10/2008 - 18:54
#4
So we have another Visual Anthropologist in our midst! Hey there Bird, our field is so small I wonder if I know you in RL?!! Anyway, I missed the meeting and in RL am hectic, however just wanted to offer my edit facility.
In relation to camera and edit work I would be happy to help out smoke, just im me! I like your sentiment re Vis Anth, and would love to go along with it even thou perhaps the point here is not to be too \specific, rather sell the concept of the issue. We can move beyond sterile lense perhaps being in Virtual World. Certainly it would be useful to establish a database with visuals past and present.
I would expect much processing time.
Is the idea to develop a 'promo'?
Also worth considering MAchinima Doc produced last year, although I have seen very little of this other than n article in EDN's Dox magazine, (Nov 2007 My secondlife by Douglas Gayeton) http://www.molotovalva.com/
Sun, 19/10/2008 - 00:33
#5
hehe, all the above are nice ideas, I'm far from a specialist on this :-) As I said, it was just a basic idea I had, that also didn't sound too difficult technically to pull off....afaik, we are mostly newbies in the movie making field :-) The big red button could also be a stamp the linden puts on the form :-)
I'm happy some people are starting to chime in with this whole movie thing!
Sun, 19/10/2008 - 22:10
#6
We decided on last meeting that the first video, focussing on one issue/goal, will be around ToS article 2.6:
"2.6 Linden Lab may suspend or terminate your account at any time, without refund or obligation to you.
Linden Lab has the right at any time for any reason or no reason to suspend or terminate your Account, terminate this Agreement, and/or refuse any and all current or future use of the Service without notice or liability to you. In the event that Linden Lab suspends or terminates your Account or this Agreement, you understand and agree that you shall receive no refund or exchange for any unused time on a subscription, any license or subscription fees, any content or data associated with your Account, or for anything else. " (from the Terms of Service)
So, we just have the topic .. now we need to get a script around it. Looking forward to your ideas....and to make things clear, I created a new forum thread with the topic being article 2.6, and not due process. Lets continue the 2.6-one there and lets keep this thread in mind for that and we might want to use it for a follow up vid.
