-  [Home] [WT

[Return]
Posting mode: Reply
Name
Email
Subject   (reply to 1715)
Message
BB Codes
Captcha
File
[]
Embed   Help
Password  (for post and file deletion)
  • Supported file types are: GIF, JPG, PNG, SWF
  • Maximum file size allowed is 2000 KB.
  • Images greater than 200x200 pixels will be thumbnailed.
  • Read the rules and FAQ before posting.
  • Currently 655 unique user posts. View Catalog

  • Blotter updated: 2013-05-24 Show/Hide Show All

File 132016664698.jpg - (569.78KB , 1400x1633 , 1299298019002.jpg )
1715 No. 1715
DEAR TF2CHAN

HOW DO I GET MORE BETTER AT ROLE PLAYING?

Seriously we should have some kind of tutorial or something.

How do I prevent every session I have with my fellow player from becoming an unending exercise in patience? How do I into staying in character? When is breaking character appropriate? How do I juggle multiple characters at the same time?
Expand all images
>> No. 1716
>Seriously we should have some kind of tutorial or something.

this. bump for interest.
>> No. 1717
All I know is to establish with your partner early on how things are. First-person, third, paragraphs vs. script format, past-tense, present tense, etc. And then stick to what you pick, and be consistent.
>> No. 1719
Corvine and I have been RPing together for a couple of years and we just sort of bumbled through it. We talk about plot points in AIM as the story goes on and we argue out the greater picture before we get to it. We were lucky, though- our styles fit.
>> No. 1721
Most of "how to good RP" falls under "how to good human being", which as most folks will tell you falls under the Golden Rule: Do Unto Others as You Would Have Others Do Unto You.

For RP, this means:
- Always be courteous Out of Character. Your character might be the most evil asshole in the universe, but YOU should be polite, listen to what people have to offer up as critique without getting defensive, and follow whatever other rules are in place.
- Keep open lines of communication. It takes two to tango, after all, and if you're going to thread something that involves another player, especially if it involves combat, major character development, or anything else where you think it's probably a good idea to keep the other player in the loop. Not every player likes to fly by the seat of their pants, so if you run into someone who isn't as familiar with your playstyle and/or isn't comfortable with letting someone else play with their darlings, get their permission ahead of time before you do anything drastic. (Sometimes, for example, I'll even have a chat window open with my RP buddy, if only to let them know that I've answered their latest post/comment/whatever.)
- Be prompt when posting. Depending on the RP, most places will have certain minimal requirements, but most players will also have certain expectations for the speed of a certain session. Obviously, play-by-chat will be the fastest, and play-by-post being the slowest. Either way, be sure to schedule the rest of your life so that you're free to engage in pretendy fun times without guilt. This also means that if you are super busy, have to go on vacation, or experiencing technical difficulties, notify your RP buddies so that they're not sitting around waiting for an answer when you're not available.
- Try to stay in character whenever possible. This includes Original Characters. Be consistent to your character's stated motivations, goals, and previous history--if this means you have to take copious notes, then by all means do it. On the other hand, if the flow of the particular moment means you think your character might do something more unusual, don't sweat it too much! Nobody's 100% one way or another--it's your job to "sell" your character's thoughts, feelings, and actions at any given time.
- Take both praise and criticism in stride. You are neither the best nor the worst RPer in existence, and everybody has a different inner measure of what makes for "good RP" anyway. Treasure the people who are willing to give you feedback in detail. All something like "You're awesome" might be good for is feeding your ego, but if someone said "You write awesome dialogue" then you know that's one of your strengths. Same goes for criticism--while you don't have to change just because someone else says so, having another pair of eyes evaluate your character will reveal flaws that you might not have noticed and if enough people point out that you're doing something in a certain way that doesn't do your character justice, it might be time to change course.
- Know your limits. Not everybody can do eleventy billion characters justice. That's fine. Doing one or two characters really well is far superior to trying to juggle too many and failing. Do all of the research into the world that your character belongs to (or, in the case of an OC, putting in the work of building said world), as well as the psychology of people whose backgrounds you may have no experience in. If you are unable to understand how your character ticks, or are uncomfortable putting yourself in a certain mindset, then don't play that character until you feel more ready.
- Keep practicing at it! Even if you have a knack for acting or storytelling, everything improves the more you work on polishing your technique.
- Above all, have fun. Unless you're a writer or actor, you're not getting paid to RP, and even then you're doing this particular "gig" for the hell of it. If you're not enjoying yourself, then it's time to move on.
>> No. 1723
File 132050609180.png - (320.06KB , 640x478 , 1320377863825.png )
1723
>>1721
Thanks, dotchan! I meant more like, the technical aspects rather then etiquette, but this was a good overview.
>> No. 1724
>>1721
thank you for this~
>> No. 1760
File 132165369988.gif - (354.04KB , 250x141 , 1313911639982.gif )
1760
DEAR TF2 CHAN

HOW DO I ROLE PLAY THE GAY AFTER A DECADE OF HETERO SHENANIGANS?

THANKS.
>> No. 1761
>>1760
LUBE AND PREP.

DON'T FORGET LUBE AND PREP
>> No. 1762
File 132166889616.gif - (148.30KB , 425x417 , 1319381732837.gif )
1762
>>1761
IS THAT ALL REALLY?
>> No. 1763
>>1762
DON'T FORGET THE PENISES.

THOSE ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
>> No. 1765
KEEP THEM IN CHARACTER

THESE ARE ADULT MEN

IN MANLY SOCIETIES, WITH MANLY GENDER ROLES OF THE 1960'S

HOORAH MACHISMO
>> No. 1774
File 132199156097.png - (294.05KB , 666x354 , Untitled2.png )
1774
Dear TF2Chan

How do I roleplay the hetero after only ever roleplaying gay? (as a sort of vice versa version of >>1760)

Seriously, I'd like to know. Picture's not relevant, just silly.
>> No. 1776
In general, I feel more comfortable roleplaying as a male, because then I (as a female) can be more removed from myself--I have the bad habit of projecting too much of my own personality into my characters, so the more that someone I play is like me the harder this is, so you're free to take what I have to say with a grain of salt.

Anyway, in general:
- Do your research. Obviously, men and women have fairly different physiological differences. Additionally, most people will have period-appropriate gender roles and perceptions--hell, some people will even be more conservative than the social mores of the time.
- But don't just go with stereotypes. Most of the time gender not even something we think about consciously all the time. Yeah, being a certain gender may affect how you carry yourself, how you interact with other people, and how you interpret body language, but don't let it be the only thing that defines your character.
- Every relationship dynamic is different. You know all of those so-called tropes over on tvtropes.org? They're not present in every relationship. You don't have to go out of your way to adhere to or avoid the usual way a relationship is portrayed in a romantic comedy, but if you're going too far in one direction or another it's time to take a hard look at what you're doing.
- This is hard, but you the player really shouldn't get too emotionally invested in the relationship. Sure, we all like our little murder-dolls and want them to be happy, but try your best to keep player motivations on the meta level. This holds whether or not you ship a particular pairing.
- Listen and respect your RP partner's opinions. It's pretty much guaranteed that they are not going to think like you do, even if you agree on most things. Not everybody is into RPing sex (het or gay) or even dating. Some people like to play relationships just so they can wreck them later and watch the drama unfold. Some people like to plan out every step. And so on.

As for how to RP the actual act of sex, you'd have to ask someone else. I don't really like writing about the details myself--I think it's a lot more erotic to dwell on feelings.
>> No. 1786
>>1763

...Ohhh... so THAT'S what I was missing... I did think the gay RP sounded a little weird lately.
>> No. 1807
Dear tf2chan,

how does one begin rp-ing? I have roleplayed before and I'm afraid to ask more experienced people to be my rp partner.
My writing and characterization are so-so imo so
rp-ing the canon classes is difficult for me. Tips? First time experiences? Examples anyone?
>> No. 1808
whoops. It's "I have neverroleplayed before"


Delete Post []
Password  
Report Post
Reason