Hello, ladies and secret lover!
Welcome to my world.
It is all well and good that I am selling mystery games, but what if you want to write in - just for your special event?
Where do you start?
The answer is, "right here."
This is a how-to guide for lovers of mystery and creative party planners how to write, and want to host your own personalized interactive mystery game.
If you are a memorable, personalized based on your party guestswill come on for months, then is the guide for you. If you try these secrets in a box and found them to be missing, then the guide for you. If you are bursting at the seams with untapped creativity, then this is really the guide for you.
In this article you will learn how to write, cast and host your own interactive mystery game, and you are the essential elements of learning which make a good detective story plot too.
Happy Reading, Writing &Detective work!
Susan Haley
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Writing it 2 Casting 3rd Guidelines for your main suspects 4th Party Details 5 Plot and character samples
FILL - the recipe for a perfect murder
To facilitate information you get started:
* The setting, characters and events come alive for your guests.
* Tell a story! Have not only a crime, a victim and a detective and give them a reason why they were brought togetherOther than the superficial solve a murder / crime.
* First step to find out: what is the history and how best to tell this story. * Step out: what is the crime, who committed the crime and how the criminals will be caught.
Here's how I my secret game design: They are all in groups of 20 or more aligned. To play the game, you must be 6-8 people are willing to accept the mystery as the main suspect to sacrifice one (s), detective and killer.You must know the Scriptures, that is, they will know criminals. The rest of your guests will take on the role of detective and it is their responsibility to solve the case. Basically, everyone is a vital, interactive part in the secret. Their assessment of the actors do not have a lot of dialogue, but they have a number of events or timeline that should move the mystery through the clues to be known to you, the murder (s) and the solution of the crime. You will have to bearFor some actions (like arguments) and suspicious activities set around themselves as suspects. I like it a lot of action in the secret pack people to become active and in contrast to the mystery-in-a-box involved, where everyone just sits around reading play their part and questions they receive from a brochure.
PLOT. You must come with an action, the cornerstone of the mystery. It is your scene, if you will. Why are the main suspects have gathered? What they doAll have in common that brings them together for this soon-to-be crime scene? The stakes have been high, for all the main suspects to give them a motive for the murder. Most people murder for love, money or revenge. Sometimes the reason is pure madness, but above all for love, money or revenge.
CHARACTERS. Your character, your main suspects. I would recommend at least 6, but not more than 8, because it is suspected to hold enough to have the secret wisha challenge, but you do not want too many to make it confusing. Of the main suspects, 1 or 2 are victims. These characters have quirky and interesting love 'em or hate' em type, and ALL MUST HAVE MOTIVE. You must have your guests a game in the life of the chief suspects. Give them a reason to hate, the villain (usually the 1st sacrifice), to give them a reason to ally with another suspect (maybe he has a pathetic mama's boy? Protect women love this kind of character. Or perhaps is thevulnerable, innocent, but breathtakingly beautiful woman?).
One of your characters should be your "detective" character. He or she really does not have to be a policeman, but he should be with the investigation (and yes, he can) still image. He will be the one who will hold strong and in control of the situation, preferably with questions of your guests. NOTE: If you wish, your first victims are back as detective character, so that they will come, a part of the show. Ifnot, they make great support "backstage". You can use the notes of preparation and the next victim, for example.
Motifs. Choose a victim (s) from the primary suspect list. Why are they being murdered? Give your characters motives. As I said before, all signs motif or otherwise solve the mystery is too easy or too vague for people to follow. I like to make a chart, where I have 2 list of victims at the top of the page and the main suspect on the side of the page. Then I fillin the motifs: unrequited love, jealousy, debts, feuds and rejection are just some examples of the motif. When you have completed this table, you can then continue until the filling into the action. Each character should have a motive for establishing scene with the victims. But more on that later.
THE ACTION. Write your sequence of events that happen with an action of some sort, all of 5 minutes or so. These measures should encourage designs that provide clues as to logicallyMurder (s) and coherently lead guests through the mystery. Be sure to add plenty of physical action (car chases and fights for example). You do not need dialogue, because in my opinion, it will take away from your audience participation, if your primary suspects to recite and memorize dialogue. It is a game and not an INTERACTIVE mystery. Simply set the scene and you can improvise the suspect to the negotiating table as the scene unfolds. They should make secrecy about 1 1 / 2 to 2 hoursBegin (attention of your guests to wander the fields after about 2 hours).
The order of the actions described, which I usually as my template:
0:00 to 0:15 General mingling and introductions. To kill all the main suspect begin to set up their motive for the first victim. Maybe you can create a welcoming speech to the scene of the crime: why it all here.
0:15 Action or physical key is found to motive to establish one of the main suspects. Actions caninclude disputes between the victim and the prime suspect, "private" conversations, where the audience interaction, but can not hear what is being said - it looks closed and mistrustful of physical confrontations: water in the face of a person, a push and push play see make (sure you will practice this ahead of time for security!)
0:20 Action found or physical key to establish any motive for the main suspect.
0:25 Action or physical key is found to motive of another of the bodySuspect.
0:30 action that the keyword for the 1 Death. It could be a nasty issue of the 1st Victim in which she brings more motives against the main suspect, for example, or in which the victim shows that they have a secret that someone does not know want to surrender. This action should solidify why are killed that person.
0:35 1. Death. A non-identifying clue is left behind the lead, finally, the murderer. It could be a partial letter from the killerthe victim: "Shut up or die. They have never listened to the conversation with your father ..." (Later found to be a further indication, perhaps a love letter to the father of the victim said she does not want to harm his young son with their cause. It's about the killer, a male, which narrows the suspects, if people are too eighth.) Normally, you can create a diversion or two, but your notes should lead to their murderers. You can even add a splash of blood on the murderer (hecan always say he did it when he touched the body, but the observant eye, he had blood on him when he entered the room before they found the body). Note: Verbal instructions are easily overlooked, if repeated. Most of the evidence should be physical / visual.
0:40 After the body is removed, your detective arranged a summary of the crime. Each of the main suspects raises another crime, confirming each of their motives.
0:50 Action or physical key is found motive for the creation of2. Victims.
1:00 Action or physical key motif found for the 2 To make sacrifices.
1:10 Action or physical key motif found for the 2 To make sacrifices.
1:15 2. Victims discovered. Clue found that leads to the murderer. Be careful here not to give away the answer.
1:20 Final Summation and motives, let your guests to the main suspect, ask questions (you do not want to show them that nothing gets found out in the pack - or the confession, however). AllComments should be accessible to your guests as they fill their solution sheets (on which they are victims, the causes of death, the clues, motives, and their theory on mystery and why).
1:30 wrap the show. The murderer confessed in some dramatic way, and is either degraded or taken into custody. End of the show with a bang, not a whimper. A murderer to confess, is one thing, but take someone hostage, as they try to escape and is much more exciting forSample. The further action, be better - always!
CAST your Mystery
You need to have players who are role sociable, creative, outgoing and want to choose to trust you (that they will take on the role with enthusiasm and want to show them until the night of the "show".) They with full knowledge the script and the script should get ahead of time and be prepared to rehearse it at least once. I usually write a script based on where I'm going to throw. For example, if youYou know that was a girl who loves playing the sex pot, then you write a character to be taken by a sex pot, to the role with great zeal and enthusiasm.
The rest of your guests will take on the role of detective and it will find its task, crime. As you can see, all the main suspect as a guest detectives will be actively involved in the secret.
Watch my little mystery movie on my site (see below). By the way, that is to play me Savannah Sugarbaker (in the bad promClothing and cowboy) hat.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THEIR Prime Suspects
Add these guidelines with your script:
GUEST INVOLVEMENT: Because it solve the problem of your guests on these criminals, they should include this as much as possible by moving to ask you questions that follow you, check references and do what they need to do to the case to solve. Involve them whenever possible in your arguments and discussions with other suspects. If youaccused of murder, for example, you can create a Guest as your alibi. Mix and chat, as you in a normal social situation, only this time you would do "character". They are no longer "Sue", but "Ingrid" and let the guests have to say anything else! Say, "Sue" perhaps never, a guest who was accused of murder directly into a lake, but go "Ingrid" could.
HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF: First, select your part. Next, go through the script a few times to familiarize yourself with whatTo do, and if you must do. Then you run it with the rest of the main suspects, so you get a feel for the other characters and how the order is to unfold. Can practice all the physical actions (safety first!) Your audience, depending on how much they get involved, to distract you (in a playful way) because they are so enthusiastic a part of the whole and solve the case.
Wear a Watch: Stick with the times. If you do not adhere to the time thenThey are rushing the order, and soon you will have left no action, but the wrap and the guests are still getting used to the idea of participating in a crime novel! Use a "cheat sheet" (small cue card), if you need while mingling with your guests. I do not recommend you to take your entire script in the eyes of your guests. If a guest is a hold of the script is blowing the secret. Do not hesitate to DO, the room at any time to exit your script if you have a websiteAsked what happens next. That is the glory of improv: You can leave the "stage" when you pick up you and only where you need to have stopped at any time!
CHARACTERS: remember, in a good mystery, everyone has to motive, means and opportunity to have a guess. Act as the suspect that you are!
ACCUSATIONS: Everyone should be clear to all other motives, so that you can actually criticize each other, murder.
ONE LASTNOTE: KEEP THE ACTION MOVING through the room so that all guests hear and see what happens. For example, when away YOU ARE ON THE GROUND, STORM, and take the dispute in another part of the room.
Remember have a good time, let go of outrageous, and enjoy playing these parts and your guests will automatically follow your lead.
DETAILS OF THE PARTY
Invitations: When you design your invitations, people can know that they are asked to solve a murder.Set the scene a little. "Big Daddy Sugarbaker, billionaire extraordinary would like to invite to a party in his honor to visit. It may be his last party due to his poor health ..." Encourage them to, a sign that it is for the history and the role of dress. Let them know whether it is a bit of time so that they can find a costume in plenty of time. Be excited about the prospect of participating in and solving a murder mystery. Building plot.
The Detectives' Tools:Will be the evening of the party, you want your guests with a program of some sort, that the main suspects in the crime scene and is providing identified. It is an excellent guide for your detectives. They also provide you with an 'Evidence Record' (and spring), so that the information and evidence that the victims and the cause of death, and who believe they may have a record it and why. I would recommend the survey reveal this solution sheet at the end of the mystery and before your killer. EnterDetective Outstanding Award, the person or persons who solve the case, to recognize them for the work done.
Setting the "Stage": Of course, depending on the theme of your secret, no additional "atmosphere" you create more than props and staging will only add to the mystery. If you already have enough on your plate, do not worry. Their primary suspect, and your story will create the atmosphere. When my professional troupe leads our secrets, 9 of 10Time, we have function room in a boring hotel. I've never had anyone complain about the institution or its absence. You then get to the real secret about it, the only thing they attention to the suspect.
The menu: Another item that you want in preparing your evening is the secret menu. When you do a country and western secret, then it might call for a barbeque, for example. Or if you have a Hawaiian luau to do, then more tropicalCourts would fit the bill. Again, it is only one consideration, but it is not necessary.
The party set-up: I suggest you work the puzzle of the dinner and the prices (and no, you must NOT include a full dinner if you do not want to, but also provide drinks and finger food) to do any kind. It always works best to create the drama and intrigue at once. Your guests come across the mystery of the evening in front of them excited so let them not wait until after dinner(apart from their mental energy level is much less after a meal, and you want it to be ready, willing and able to participate). Upon arrival, Their voices should already be in character, through the scene. Give your sniffer dogs a program (remember that their leaders, the secret), get pen and paper solution, as they do. Wrap the criminals over coffee and dessert. (Note: In order for your guests to enjoy both the food and the secret, you never want anything dramatic events during theactual courses or while your guests are in a buffet.)
SCRIPT samples.
I have script samples of all my puzzle games on my site (see below). Convince inspire you to action and character guidelines and writing.
Thanks for reading! Susan Haley Productions Murder Mystery Games susan@murder-mystery-game.com
Articles are reprinted as with contact info intact.
My name is Susan Haley and I design interactive Murder Mystery Games forlarge groups. It is my business, my career and my passion since 1983.
by Susan Haley © 2009. All rights reserved.
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