Saturday, February 23, 2013

First Revisions of 2013 edition



Tinseltown: The Board Game (TM)
Copyright (2013) Matt Jarrells

rules revised: 2/23/2013

Players: 2 - 6

---------------
THE SETUP
---------------
Welcome to Tinseltown, the entertainment industry board game!
As an up-and-coming star of the silver screen, you compete against your friends to become a legend. In the time it takes to watch your favorite film, your family can play this epic game, filled with drama and laughs. So grab some popcorn and let's head to Tinseltown!

----------------
THE ACTORS
----------------
Each player is an Actor striving for film immortality. As an Actor, there are 3 primary traits that determine your qualifications for scoring an acting Role.

Presence: This is your recognizability and your capacity to hold attention.

Credibility: This is the perception of your talent and personality. Only Credibility may be a negative score.

Chops: This is your actual talent for acting.

Based on the Roles you complete, these points are kept in a Tally on your scorecard. When Tally of either trait reaches the set goal [ex. 50 points], player wins.

----------------------
PIECES AND GAME BOARD
----------------------
Game Pieces: Each player gets one avatar Game Piece


The Calendar
The Calendar has one space for each month of the year. A Calendar timepiece is moved along the Calendar to track game time.


The Schedule
Game pieces are placed in and move around The Schedule. The Schedule has one space for each month of the calendar year. All players begin the game with their game piece in January of the first year.

---------------------------
PLAYING THE HAND YOU'RE DEALT 
----------------------------
Players are dealt 5 Role Cards to their hand to start the game. Role Cards have a set number of months it will take a player to book and complete the role, indicated by the Release Date number beside the Time Piece.

SCHEDULING ROLES AND THE PASSING OF TIME
As a player schedules a Role Card, his or her game piece is advanced in the Schedule. The Role Card's Release Date sets the Schedule in motion; a 6 month job scheduled in January has its Release Date in July.

When every player has completed their turn, the Calendar piece is moved to the next month. If a player can not schedule a role, he loses a turn.

----------------
GAME CARDS
----------------
There are three kinds of game cards that determine how the game unfolds.

=========
Role Cards
=========
Actors may choose to undertake many different Roles; through the successful completion of a Role, the Actor tallies Presence, Credibility and Chops points.

There are two types of Role Cards:
Starred Roles and Projects

Starred Roles are rated 1 to 5 Stars. Starred Roles appear on TV [Network or Cable] or Film [Independent, Documentary, Grindhouse, Short, or Studio].

There are numerous genres of Starred Roles, including Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Horror, Romance, Suspense and Thriller.

Projects have no rating. They are Commercial, Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Voice roles.

Tinseltown 2013 Edition


Tinseltown: The Board Game (TM)
Copyright (2013) Matt Jarrells

rules revised: 2/23/2013

Players: 2 - 6

----------------------------
ABOUT TINSELTOWN
----------------------------
Welcome to Tinseltown, the entertainment industry board game!

As an up-and-coming star of the silver screen, you compete against your friends to become a legend. In the time it takes to watch your favorite film, your family can play this epic game, filled with drama and laughs. So grab some popcorn and let's head to Tinseltown!

----------------
THE ACTORS
----------------
Each player is an Actor striving for film immortality. As an Actor, there are 3 primary traits that determine your qualifications for scoring an acting Role.

Presence: This is your recognizability and your capacity to hold attention.

Credibility: This is the perception of your talent and personality. Only Credibility may be a negative score.

Chops: This is your actual talent for acting.

Based on the Roles you complete, these points are kept in a Tally on your scorecard. When Tally of either trait reaches the set goal [ex. 50 points], player wins.

----------------------
PIECES AND GAME BOARD
----------------------
Game Pieces: Each player gets one avatar Game Piece


The Calendar
The Calendar has one space for each month of the year. A Calendar timepiece is moved along the Calendar to track game time.


The Schedule
Game pieces are placed in and move around The Schedule. The Schedule has one space for each month of the calendar year. All players begin the game with their game piece in January of the first year.

---------------------------
PLAYING THE HAND YOU'RE DEALT 
----------------------------
Players are dealt 5 Role Cards to their hand to start the game. Role Cards have a set number of months it will take a player to book and complete the role, indicated by the Release Date number beside the Time Piece.

SCHEDULING ROLES AND THE PASSING OF TIME
As a player schedules a Role Card, his or her game piece is advanced in the Schedule. The Role Card's Release Date sets the Schedule in motion; a 6 month job scheduled in January has its Release Date in July.

When every player has completed their turn, the Calendar piece is moved to the next month. If a player can not schedule a role, he loses a turn.

----------------
GAME CARDS
----------------
There are three kinds of game cards that determine how the game unfolds.

=========
Role Cards
=========
Actors may choose to undertake many different Roles; through the successful completion of a Role, the Actor tallies Presence, Credibility and Chops points.

There are two types of Role Cards:
Starred Roles and Projects

Starred Roles are rated 1 to 5 Stars. Starred Roles appear on TV [Network or Cable] or Film [Independent, Documentary, Grindhouse, Short, or Studio].

There are numerous genres of Starred Roles, including Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Horror, Romance, Suspense and Thriller.

Projects have no rating. They are Commercial, Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Voice roles.


BUILDING YOUR RESUME
When Projects and Starred Roles are completed, the Role Card is moved into your Resume.

-----------------------------------------
Now for a sample Starred Role...
-----------------------------------------

========================
Role: ** (2 star) Cable TV Series
Drama

Presence: 1
Credibility: 1
Chops: 2

Release Date: 6 Months

Skill: Chemistry
Audition: Presence 10, Athlete
========================

----------------------------------------------------
Let's take a look at a sample Project .....
----------------------------------------------------

=================
Role: Romantic TV Commercial

Presence: +1
Credibility: -1
Chops: +1

Release Date: 2 Months
Audition: None
===================

What it means:
Any Actor may Schedule this role, as no previous experience is required. If you choose to take this role, you are employed and you place your Game Piece one month ahead in the Schedule, to correspond with the Project's expected Release Date. When the Release Date arrives, player adds corresponding points to their tally: +1P, -1CRED, +1CHOP



-----------------------------------------------
Simple, right? Well, here's where the business side of the entertainment industry can twist your expectations.
-----------------------------------------------

==========
Media Cards
==========
When an Actor schedules a Project Role, actor draws one Media Card. Unless the card instructs otherwise, the Media Card is played on the Project Card and they remain together until such time as it takes effect.

Think of it as media coverage of your project's release.

----------------------
A sample Media Card....
----------------------

Card Name: TV Pilot

Chops: +1

Time: +1 Month

What it means:
In addition to the Project Role you have already decided to take, you have also been cast in a TV Pilot episode. This will give you an additional 1 point of acting Chops. However, one month is added to the Release Date of your Scheduled Project.

============
Industry Cards
============
When an Actor schedules a Resume Role, actor draws one Industry Card. Unless the card instructs otherwise, the Resume Card is played on the Industry Card and, again, these also remain together until such time as it takes effect.

The layout of Industry Cards is much the same as Media cards. You can think of these as reactions from the entertainment industry - critics, ratings, awards and box office sales.

---------------------
RELEASE DATE
---------------------
So! The calendar flips and your Role's Release Date arrives.

The first step to completing the Role is to collect your Game Piece from the Calendar ('piece in hand'). After all these steps are complete, you'll be free to select a new Role and place your Game Piece back on the board.

The second step is tallying points. Only now do you tally all the positive and negative effects of both the Role Card and the Media or Industry Card. I'd write out an example, but you can add and subtract.

It's also very important to know that when a Media or Industry Card delivers a result, the card is moved to the corresponding Media Discard Pile or Industry Discard Pile.

Lastly, the completed Role Card is moved to your Recent Resume. More on your Resume in just moments. Have you visited our concession stand?

------------
RESUME
------------
Each actor maintains a Resume of Roles they have played or are playing.

The Resume area has 5 sections in all:

Schedule
Currently scheduled Role Card lives here. When a card is in your Schedule, your are working and your Role Card is in production.

Schedule Queue
Upcoming scheduled Role Cards are placed here. Upon a Scheduled Role's completion, the first card in the Queue moves to the Schedule and player draws the appropriate Media or Industry card.

Recent Resume
Roles completed in the current year stay here until all players have completed their December turn.

Past Resume
When the Calendar turns to January, past year's completed TV and Film Roles are moved here from Recent Resume. Some card games might call this area 'The Graveyard'.

Options
Certain Media or Industry Cards do not have to be played immediately. Option Cards be kept until such time the actor chooses to play it.

You also have the option of renewing most TV Series you have completed in the current year.

-------------------------
LASTING EFFECTS
-------------------------
Sometimes as an Actor, you will take on memorable Roles. We've got something for that - Lasting Effects! You'll find Lasting Effects listed on many Role Cards.

Certain Media and Project Cards deliver Lasting Effects, as instructed by the cards. Lasting Effects points are not added to your tally at Release Date. Lasting Effects are points that are only distributed annually, each January.

Every year, people will look back fondly (begrudgingly) on your Roles (your life) and you'll collect or lose points accordingly.

-----------------------------
PLAYING THE GAME
-----------------------------

Starting the Game
Time Piece is placed on January on the Calendar. All players are dealt eight (8) Role Cards.
Eldest player goes first or may defer.

Score Card
Players tally Presence, Credibility, Chops and Projects plus Lasting Effects of Presence, Credibility, Chops and Time Lost to Annual Commitments.

To begin the game, each player tallies 1 Lasting Credibility point. Each January, everyone ages and becomes just a little bit more Credible.

Player's Hand
Actor may only schedule Roles for which they are Qualified. Only one Role from your hand may be Scheduled at a time. When all players have considered their hand, scheduled their Roles
and followed all resulting effects, the Time Piece is moved to the next month.

Release Date
When a Role reaches its Release Date, Actor reclaims game piece from the board. The completed Role Card is placed in Recent Resume.

If there is a Role in your Schedule Queue it is now Scheduled and the appropriate Media or Industry card is drawn. If no Role is queued, Actor chooses next role from hand.

----------------------
UNEMPLOYMENT
----------------------
If an Actor is not qualified for any of the Roles in hand, or chooses not to be cast in any of these Roles, negative effects begin.

For every two months unemployed, player loses one (1) Presence point and (1) Chops point.

Again, Presence and Chops may not drop below zero.

I can't play any of these Roles!
An inexperienced actor may have a hard time finding work. It is not entirely uncommon for a player to be unemployed the entire first year of the game. Chin up: in January you will get all new cards and become more Credible as an actor. Real life actors aren't even guaranteed that much!

-----------------------------------
ENDING AND BEGINNING A YEAR OF GAME PLAY
-----------------------------------
=======
December
=======
December IS a month of Game Play. Players should not neglect any of the steps of their turn in December. However, there are two extra steps that occur after each player has completed their December turn.

=================
Renewing TV Series
=================
At the end of the Calendar year, players must first decide whether to renew any TV Series Role completed this year. Rescheduled TV Series Role Card is placed in actor's Schedule Queue.

If no other Role is currently scheduled, the Series resumes in January.

-------------------------------------------------
Example: A renewed TV Series role with 'Release Date: 4' is rescheduled starting in January. The role's Release Date is April.

More Complicated Example: Player has completed a TV Series Role in current year. In December, Player has piece in hand and a qualifying Role in hand.

Player has three options:
1) Choose not to take qualifying Role; choose not to renew TV Series. Result: Piece in hand in January; Lose 1 Presence point to Unemployment; TV Series moves to Past Resume

2) Choose not to take qualifying Role. Choose to renew TV Series. Result: Renewed TV Series role is rescheduled starting in January (as above).

3) Take qualifying Role and renew TV Series. Result: Player schedules Role according to Release Date; TV Series is moved to player's Schedule Queue.
-----------------------------------

Players may not renew a TV Series if its Release Date will exceed December of the next Year.

-----------------------------------
Example: December of Year 5 arrives and Player is booked for a Film Role through April of Year 6. Player's Recent Resume holds a completed TV Series Role that would take an additional 9 months to Schedule, placing the Release Date in January of Year 7. Player may not renew the TV Series.
-----------------------------------

Players are not given the option of renewing Series Roles that have not yet reached their Release Date.

Players may renew two TV Series from their Recent Resume, Schedule allowing.

==========================
Reshuffling the Role Card Pile
==========================
Next, all of the current year's completed Projects and all Role Cards remaining in player's hands are returned to the Role Card Pile. The Role Card Pile is then reshuffled. This step is really the key to the game.

Discard Piles
Cards remain in the Media or Industry Discard Pile until the last card from the Pile is drawn. That pile is then reshuffled.

=======
JANUARY
=======
When the Calendar turns to January, all Lasting Effects are assumed.

Film and TV Series Roles in Recent Resume are moved to Past Resume.

Role Cards remaining in hand and Project Cards remaining in Recent Resume are reshuffled into the Role Card pile.

All players are dealt seven new cards and play resumes.


Winning the Game
First Player to 100 Presence wins

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Tinseltown: The Board Game! Complete Rules

Tinseltown: The Board Game (TM)
Copyright (2011) Matt Jarrells
rules revised: 11/7/2011

Players:
2 - 4

Game Pieces: Each actor gets one Game Piece

---------------
THE SETUP
---------------
Welcome to Tinseltown, the entertainment industry board game!
As an up-and-coming star of the silver screen, you compete against your friends to become a legend. In the time it takes to watch your favorite film, your family can play this epic game, filled with drama and laughs. So grab some popcorn and let's head to Tinseltown!

----------------
THE ACTORS
----------------
Each player is an Actor striving for film immortality. As an Actor, there are 3 traits that determine your likelihood of scoring an acting Role.

Presence: This is how immediately recognizable you are.

Credibility: This is the perception of your talent and personality.

Chops: This is your actual talent for acting.

Note: Only Credibility may be a negative score.

----------------------
THE GAME BOARD
----------------------
The Schedule
The Schedule has one space for each month of the calendar year. As actors Schedule work, their game pieces are placed in the Schedule.

The Calendar
The Calendar has one space for each month of the year. A time piece is moved on the Calendar to track game time.

----------------------------
THE PASSING OF TIME
----------------------------
When every player has completed their turn, the Calendar turns to the next month.

----------------
GAME CARDS
----------------
There are three categories of game cards that determine how the game unfolds.

=========
Role Cards
=========
Actors may choose to undertake many different Roles; through the successful completion of a Role, the Actor tallies Presence, Credibility and Chops points.

There are two types of Role Cards:
Project
cards
and
Resume
cards

Early in the game, without any acting experience to draw upon, Project roles will help you make your mark. Project triumphs will lead to other Project Roles and, before long, you could get your big break in TV and film!

-----------------------
Let's take a look at a Sample Project Role Card.....
-----------------------

=================
Role:
Commercial TV Role

Presence: +1
Credibility: -1
Chops: +1

Release Date: 2 Months
Qualifications: None
===================

What it means:
Any Actor may Schedule this role, as no previous experience is required. If you choose to take this role, you are employed and you place your Game Piece one month ahead in the Schedule, to correspond with the Project's expected Release Date. When the Release Date arrives, player adds corresponding points to their tally: +1P, -1CRED, +1CHOP

-----------------------------------------
Now for a sample Resume Role Card...
-----------------------------------------

Role: 2 Star (**) TV Series

Presence: 2
Credibility: 1
Chops: 2

Release Date: 4 Months

Qualifications:
Presence 15
Credibility 10
Chops 12

---------------------------------------------------------------
THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROJECT AND ROLE CARDS
---------------------------------------------------------------
Unless otherwise directed, Resume Cards remain with you your entire career. They may never again have an effect on your points but they are in your Resume (more on your Resume later).

Project Cards generally do not. We'll explain how that works in the December section of these rules.

-----------------------------------------------
Simple, right? Well, here's where the business side of the entertainment industry can twist your expectations.
-----------------------------------------------

==========
Media Cards
==========
When an Actor schedules a Project Role, actor draws one Media Card. Unless the card instructs otherwise, the Media Card is played on the Project Card and they remain together until such time as it takes effect.

Think of it as media coverage of your project's release.

----------------------
A sample Media Card....
----------------------

Card Name: TV Pilot

Chops: +1

Time: +1 Month

What it means:
In addition to the Project Role you have already decided to take, you have also been cast in a TV Pilot episode. This will give you an additional 1 point of acting Chops. However, one month is added to the Release Date of your Scheduled Project.

============
Industry Cards
============
When an Actor schedules a Resume Role, actor draws one Industry Card. Unless the card instructs otherwise, the Resume Card is played on the Industry Card and, again, these also remain together until such time as it takes effect.

The layout of Industry Cards is much the same as Media cards. You can think of these as reactions from the entertainment industry - critics, ratings, awards and box office sales.

---------------------
RELEASE DATE
---------------------
So! The calendar flips and your Role's Release Date arrives.

The first step to completing the Role is to collect your Game Piece from the Calendar ('piece in hand'). After all these steps are complete, you'll be free to select a new Role and place your Game Piece back on the board.

The second step is tallying points. Only now do you tally all the positive and negative effects of both the Role Card and the Media or Industry Card. I'd write out an example, but you can add and subtract.

It's also very important to know that when a Media or Industry Card delivers a result, the card is moved to the corresponding Media Discard Pile or Industry Discard Pile.

Lastly, the completed Role Card is moved to your Recent Resume. More on your Resume in just moments. Have you visited our concession stand?

------------
RESUME
------------
Each actor maintains a Resume of Roles they have played or are playing.

The Resume area has 5 sections in all:

ScheduleCurrently scheduled Role Card lives here. When a card is in your Schedule, your are working and your Role Card is in production.

Schedule QueueUpcoming scheduled Role Cards are placed here. Upon a Scheduled Role's completion, the first card in the Queue moves to the Schedule and player draws the appropriate Media or Industry card.

Recent Resume
Roles completed in the current year stay here until all players have completed their December turn.

Past Resume
When the Calendar turns to January, past year's completed TV and Film Roles are moved here from Recent Resume. Some card games might call this area 'The Graveyard'.

Options
Certain Media or Industry Cards do not have to be played immediately. Option Cards be kept until such time the actor chooses to play it.

You also have the option of renewing most TV Series you have completed in the current year.

-------------------------
LASTING EFFECTS
-------------------------
Sometimes as an Actor, you will take on memorable Roles. We've got something for that - Lasting Effects! You'll find Lasting Effects listed on many Role Cards.

Certain Media and Project Cards deliver Lasting Effects, as instructed by the cards. Lasting Effects points are not added to your tally at Release Date. Lasting Effects are points that are only distributed annually, each January.

Every year, people will look back fondly (begrudgingly) on your Roles (your life) and you'll collect or lose points accordingly.


-----------------------------
PLAYING THE GAME
-----------------------------

Starting the Game
Time Piece is placed on January on the Calendar. All players are dealt eight (8) Role Cards.
Eldest player goes first or may defer.

Score Card
Players tally Presence, Credibility, Chops and Projects plus Lasting Effects of Presence, Credibility, Chops and Time Lost to Annual Commitments.

To begin the game, each player tallies 1 Lasting Credibility point. Each January, everyone ages and becomes just a little bit more Credible.

Player's Hand
Actor may only schedule Roles for which they are Qualified. Only one Role from your hand may be Scheduled at a time. When all players have considered their hand, scheduled their Roles
and followed all resulting effects, the Time Piece is moved to the next month.

Release Date
When a Role reaches its Release Date, Actor reclaims game piece from the board. The completed Role Card is placed in Recent Resume.

If there is a Role in your Schedule Queue it is now Scheduled and the appropriate Media or Industry card is drawn. If no Role is queued, Actor chooses next role from hand.

----------------------
UNEMPLOYMENT----------------------
If an Actor is not qualified for any of the Roles in hand, or chooses not to be cast in any of these Roles, negative effects begin.

For every two months unemployed, player loses one (1) Presence point and (1) Chops point.

Again, Presence and Chops may not drop below zero.

I can't play any of these Roles!
An inexperienced actor may have a hard time finding work. It is not entirely uncommon for a player to be unemployed the entire first year of the game. Chin up: in January you will get all new cards and become more Credible as an actor. Real life actors aren't even guaranteed that much!

-----------------------------------
ENDING AND BEGINNING A YEAR OF GAME PLAY
-----------------------------------
=======
December
=======
December IS a month of Game Play. Players should not neglect any of the steps of their turn in December. However, there are two extra steps that occur after each player has completed their December turn.

=================
Renewing TV Series
=================
At the end of the Calendar year, players must first decide whether to renew any TV Series Role completed this year. Rescheduled TV Series Role Card is placed in actor's Schedule Queue.

If no other Role is currently scheduled, the Series resumes in January.

-------------------------------------------------
Example: A renewed TV Series role with 'Release Date: 4' is rescheduled starting in January. The role's Release Date is April.

More Complicated Example: Player has completed a TV Series Role in current year. In December, Player has piece in hand and a qualifying Role in hand.

Player has three options:
1) Choose not to take qualifying Role; choose not to renew TV Series. Result: Piece in hand in January; Lose 1 Presence point to Unemployment; TV Series moves to Past Resume

2) Choose not to take qualifying Role. Choose to renew TV Series. Result: Renewed TV Series role is rescheduled starting in January (as above).

3) Take qualifying Role and renew TV Series. Result: Player schedules Role according to Release Date; TV Series is moved to player's Schedule Queue.
-----------------------------------

Players may not
renew a TV Series if its Release Date will exceed December of the next Year.

-----------------------------------
Example: December of Year 5 arrives and Player is booked for a Film Role through April of Year 6. Player's Recent Resume holds a completed TV Series Role that would take an additional 9 months to Schedule, placing the Release Date in January of Year 7. Player may not renew the TV Series.
-----------------------------------

Players are not given the option of renewing Series Roles that have not yet reached their Release Date.

Players may renew two TV Series from their Recent Resume, Schedule allowing.

==========================
Reshuffling the Role Card Pile
==========================
Next, all of the current year's completed Projects and all Role Cards remaining in player's hands are returned to the Role Card Pile. The Role Card Pile is then reshuffled. This step is really the key to the game.

Discard Piles
Cards remain in the Media or Industry Discard Pile until the last card from the Pile is drawn. That pile is then reshuffled.

=======
JANUARY
=======
When the Calendar turns to January, all Lasting Effects are assumed.

Film and TV Series Roles in Recent Resume are moved to Past Resume.

Role Cards remaining in hand and Project Cards remaining in Recent Resume are reshuffled into the Role Card pile.

All players are dealt seven new cards and play resumes.


Winning the Game
First Player to 100 Presence wins

Copyright (2011) Matt Jarrells

Saturday, March 12, 2011

House Rules!

Well, we've only got one house rule for now but here it is.

This is a rule that mostly applies to the Genres expansion set:

If a player is able to name an example of a Resume Role combination, and the named film is confirmed by one opponent, player receives 1 Cred point.

Testers and Thanks Page

Thanks so much for busting Tinseltown into shape:

Gerard Adams at Media Rare
Chris Baker
Christian Borg
Pete Bruinsma
Denise Cheng
Nanc Gallardo
Jessica Lila Gladden
Linda Jarrells
Roger Jarrells
Sean Jarrells
James Markham
Kevin Murphy
Lindsay Patton-Carson
Abby Petersen
Mike Sanford
Valarie Sanford
Matthew Sullivan
Revue Magazine
Sharon Tabaczka
Phyllis Tifft
Amy VanderMeer
Gayle White Weber
WYCE Radio

Monday, July 13, 2009

Tinseltown: The Setup

[before we start, it's important to note that this game still only exists in matt's head. if you are the programmer who wants to dedicate yourself to the cause (for no pay, initially) please comment]

Welcome to Tinseltown, the online film and television industry role-playing game!
As an up-and-coming star of the silver screen, you compete with and against other players to create a world of entertainment. You become the star. You create the next blockbuster film or hit TV show. Become a living legend whose legacy influences the future of this bustling metropolis.

PART ONE: YOU
But enough about us, let’s talk about you. After all, that’s what you want everyone to be doing…as long as it doesn’t get out of hand.

CAREER PATH
When you begin your career, you choose one of four career paths –
Actor, Director, Screenwriter or Producer.

Actors – The personalities who show up on the screen. Actors come from all walks of life and appear in all shapes and sizes. Their Presence and Credibility can potentially make or break a project.

Directors – Directors cast the project, pick filming locations, set the tone, manage setbacks, keep the film to schedule and create a finished masterpiece.

Screenwriters – The generators of all the ideas that enter Tinseltown. Screenwriters pen plot outlines and attempt to sell their golden ideas to a visionary who can bring their idea to life. Screenwriters create ideas for Commercials, Television Series, Television Movies or Feature Films.

Producers – Producers have the money. Producers use that money to turn ideas into projects by attaching personnel, funding production and leading the promotion of their finished project. The buck stops here. No decision is made without the final stamp of approval from the Producer.
Note:Producer is a $$$VIP-only character class. In early phases of the game, the creators will be the Producers.

Crossover Stars – You guessed it. All of the above characters have the potential to achieve success in a field outside their primary career.

ATTRIBUTES

To a large degree, these are your natural born characteristics. Over time these attributes may change but usually not quickly. To begin the game you have 250 points to distribute among a number of Physical and Mental attributes. The maximum score for each attribute is 100.

Physical

These attributes apply to every class of character.
Beauty – What’s on the outside
Conditioning – Strength and Endurance
Agility – Gracefulness
Timing – Timing… is everything!
Voice – Vocal strength – booming or timid

Mental
Actor Attributes
Intelligence – Book Smarts
Intuition – Going with your instincts
Improvisation – Making stuff up as you go
Diction – How well you use that Voice
Wit! – Cleverosity!

Director Attributes
Cinematography – Artistic Direction
Management – Directing Personnel (& Resources)
Technical – Technological Innovation
Wit! – Comedic Direction
Gravitas! – Serious Direction - Bringing Tension to a Scene

Screenwriter Attributes

Action –The ability to create compelling situations
Dialogue – The ability to create compelling character interaction
Imagination – Creating flights of fancy
Realism – Remaining within your audience’s suspension of disbelief
Wit!


Aura

A character’s aura, or professional reputation, is graded from light to dark.
Lightest is a player whose work is geared strictly toward the kiddies. (Big Bird)
Darkest is attached only to the most graphically violent pictures. (Rob Zombie)

You can imagine this attribute as being measured by a meter that resembles an odometer.

Age Range
An actor’s Age Range is the age for which he may reasonably pass. A character’s Age Range is presented as Primary, Secondary and so forth. The Producer will attach an Age Range to each available Project role.

----------------------------------------------

SUCCESS AND/OR FAILURE

How does one measure success in this business?
Fame? Fortune? Accolades?
In Tinseltown, you decide how you wish to be perceived, though a fickle audience may make up their own minds.

Presence – This attribute indicates how instantly recognizable your character’s face or name is. Presence points are gained through your performances, appearances or box office accomplishments. Savvy or unwise off-screen decisions may also have a great effect on your character’s Presence. A high Presence often means more people are drawn to your films, though it may just mean you chew up the scenes in which you appear. A low Presence may mean that your character has an everyman quality that blends well into a film or it may just indicate he’s boring.

Credibility – Ah, the struggle for respect. Wise career choices and hard work can help you gain the esteem of your audience, though a single poor review can do irreversible damage to your Credibility. Over-the-top characters may pile on the Presence points – at the expense of their Credibility. Highly Credible dramatic actors may have a tough time convincing audiences they are the world’s deadliest martial artist.

Discipline – How well your character is able to keep to a schedule.

Developer’s Note: Characters with poor discipline will burn up money quickly

Chops – (Actor Attribute) - How well your character can hit their marks. Chops are gained and maintained through practice. Too much time away from the business and your character may begin to lose their Chops. Characters with low Chops may put a project behind schedule because of the extra time it takes needed to finish a scene.

Vision - (Director Attribute) – How well your director brings all the elements together to create a unique film going experience.

Money - Without it, you’re likely to end up taking up a new career. With too much of it, you’re likely to end up in the tabloids. Balance your project choices and your checkbook.

Become a fan on Facebook to be notified of updates regarding Tinseltown.
Click on the ads to subsidize this project!
(c) Matt Jarrells

Part Two: Getting a Job

PART TWO: GETTING A JOB!

YOUR AGENT
Every game week your agent will present you with a number of Offers for roles for which you may wish to Audition.

Some of these events are randomly generated, others are authentic player-controlled Projects for which you fit the bill. These roles are presented to you based on your age, background, attributes, availability, salary requirements, etc. At first you have low Presence and an unfamiliar name, so it’s not likely you’ll have your pick of plum roles. Listen or not, the more roles you take, the better your agent can determine which roles suit your personality.

PARTS
Lead Male/Lead Female: The personalities driving the plot and drawing the crowds
Supporting Male/Female: A major part of the plot whose Presence will put butts in chairs
Supporting Cast: Involved in the subplots of the Leads but probably not on the poster. These are speaking roles with a moderate amount of screen time.
Cameo: A star who appears in a small but notable speaking role
Bit: A small speaking role
Extra: Appear on screen without speaking

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Sample Offer Sheet Sample

Message from Agent Bernie Hughley[click here for agent sheet]

Here's what I've got for you this week:

OFFERS
Film - None

TV - "Crime Show"[click for notes]
Budget: $100,000
Episodes: Pilot
Role: Supporting Cast(Semi-Weekly), Supporting Female (Semi-Weekly), Extra (One-shot)

Commercial:"Spirit Soap" Budget: $500

AUDITIONS
An Audition is the act of submitting your resume to the Producer and Director of a project. When your name is submitted, the Producer and Director are given an interpretation of your Audition performance and a quick evaluation of your Chemistry with other personnel of the project. How accurate the interpretation is to some extent determined by the extent of their talents as much as your own.

It takes one game day to Audition, as it takes one game day to hold an Audition.

SAMPLE UPCOMING AUDITIONS SHEET SAMPLE

Film

Beardcore: The Movie [click for description, cast and production notes]
Budget $1.3m
Auditions: Buddy, Reality, Extra

A Walk Under Rainbows
Budget $40,000
Auditions: Supporting Female, Bit, Extra

TV
"Republicrats"[click for production notes, including genre and primary attributes]
Season: 22 Episodes
Network: Premium Film Television [click for Network schedule and production history]
Medium: Cable
Auditions: Presenter, Reality
Frequency: One-Off (single appearance)


Commercials

Open Audition: Yes or No [set your preference]

Production Notes:
[If yes:Character auditions up to 5 times that week]

[Working actors will audition less. Disciplined actors will work more. More competition; less success]


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DIRECTING AND PRODUCING AUDITIONS
When actors show up to audition for your show, you get to wade through a bunch of these submissions:

A sample Audition Interpretation sheet would look like this:
Name : Johnny Dipp
Age: 24
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 170
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue

Country of Origin: USA
Paternal Origin: Caucasian
Maternal Origin: Native Hawaiian

Primary Language: English
Secondary Language: None

Presence: 0
Credibility: 0
Discipline: -5
Chops: 0
Salary Requirement: $1000/week

PERFORMANCE
Beauty – 45
Conditioning – 37
Agility – 40
Timing – 5
Voice – 8

Intelligence – 35
Intuition – 30
Improvisation - 30
Diction – 15
Wit! - 5

AURA: Medium

AGE RANGE
Primary: 20-29
Secondary: 17-19
Tertiary: 30-34

CHEMISTRY
Lead Actor - Awful
Lead 2 – Poor
Supporting – Rubbish
Supporting 2 - Good
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ROLES AND TYPECASTING
Taking on roles that are similar to those you have played before can make you more and more proficient. Doing this can earn you bonuses but taking on the same part too many times will make you typecast. Typecasting can bring on penalties when attempting roles that are too much of a stretch. Typecasting happens to most people, though, and can be very hard to break.

Some roles/typecasts you may acquire include:
The Hero
The Villain
The Victim
Buddy
Boyfriend/Girlfriend
Presenter
Reality
Starlet
Scientist
Cop
Alien
Cowboy…(you get the point)

Or even…
Film Actor
TV Actor
Commercial Actor

TALENTS
Tinseltown characters have thousands of hidden talents. Find the few that appeal to you to begin the game. They may come in handy. Some film roles that you take will help you acquire new Talents or enhance the ones you have. The more you work, the more well rounded you will become as an individual.

Just a few…
Horseback Riding
Leaping
Bellydancing
Drumming
Fishing
Juggling
Dolphin Training
Whitewater Rafting
Tai Chi
Opera
Knitting


CHEMISTRY
As an up-and-coming player in the industry you must find your niche. You may have great personal relationships with other player characters but this may not translate well onto the screen. This is because of Chemistry, the mysterious friction between two characters which can either set off artistic sparks or dreadful dullness (or even abject hatred).

Chemistry between characters is not determined until they meet on the set, so audition in many different settings and with a wide variety of character types to find your homeys.

Once Chemistry is determined it can be brought around to the positive but what they say is true: you never get a second chance to make a first impression.



HELP WANTED
But Tinseltown is not a place where mere numbers determine whether you land a role.

Tinseltown’s message board also allows you to contact the Production staff of a project, make friends, create enemies and otherwise represent yourself in the public eye. Represent yourself well and you may win a role against an equally-matched opponent.

As Producer or Director of a project, you may use the message boards to hype your production and attract interested talents.

$$$VIP$$$
Your personal resume is a key tool in capturing the eye of a prospective employer. The Resume is available to VIP donors to the site.

Blog your character's happenings to the world as a VIP of Tinseltown.

THE THING ABOUT NUDITY
Yes, you will be offered roles in which you may appear in various states of undress.
Choose wisely. It will affect the way you are viewed…literally.