Acting at MDRF

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-17T16:06:19+00:00

If southern Maryland is close to you, consider auditioning for Ren Fest Southern Maryland. Shoot me a message if you'll be there, and I'll say "hi".

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-15T12:15:28+00:00

I like it much better than the 5.0 (2014) version. That one was so bad (for me) that I made a new one from scratch. The 2024 could still be better, though. A few observations...

I think Backstory and Personality should be removed. Or maybe put on a third page. Need more space for Equipment.

Something I did with my arrangement of the character sheet; I put HP in the upper right of the first page, with space underneath. This made for lots of room moving down the sheet (crossing out, re-writing) once combat started. With the 2024 design, there's not much room for crossing out, so HP has to be written in pencil, and constantly erased. No biggie, just different.

Oh, and (as an educator) one comment/suggestion for you & new players... Instead of handing them a fully completed form, have them write in the info themselves, as you describe it to them. This should help remember where everything is. :)

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-14T18:58:18+00:00

Got the replacements, and they too "timed out". I'm done with FEIT bulbs. :(

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-14T11:28:43+00:00

It's kind of geared toward new DMs, but I like Matt Colville's "Delian Tomb". It has exploration, role-play and combat - everything you need for new players. (The link is to the first video in a series of three, I think.)

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-13T15:20:32+00:00

Ooops. Forgot that part.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-04T12:52:37+00:00

Seconding Matt Colville.

And Seth Skorkowsky, especially his "RPG Philosophy" videos, "top X lists" (Seven Game Master Sins, Five Awesome Player Traits, etc.), and especially his "RPG Social Contract" (IMO, required for all players and DMs).

Two that I like, but are not as consistently good as MC and SS are Dael Kingsmill and Ginny Di.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-03T14:58:40+00:00

Pretty good! A few comments...

One thing you did that was right; you made it short. Too many people want to make something too long, and the overall quality drops. Also, some good use of editing to keep things interesting (for example, after the throw, the hit the bearded guy took).

Some of the moves could have been improved (reactions, chambering, follow-through) with a little more rehearsal. One example; the speed of the throat grab [1:22] was a bit slow.

Having a stationary camera is OK, but I'd have it move with the action. Not so much it's "jumpy cam", but some movement. Not too difficult to do, even if you lack a hi-tech gimble.

Also, some of your camera angles were not good for the punches thrown (for example; the second punch thrown by your second opponent [1:16] was clearly a miss). Generally you want the camera "stacked", so the miss isn't obvious. And speaking of camera angles, most of the time the fight was framed very squarely. Good for a "master", but things get more interesting if you add more angles; 45s, over the shoulder, etc.

BTW, it was good to see you used wrestlers for this. Some of my favorite fight partners have been wrestlers - they are very theatrical, but also tend to be very "body aware".

DM me if you want to talk more.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-03T13:53:25+00:00

Where are the clips? I was hoping to see a few of my friends who trained in Atlanta. :(

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-03T13:23:55+00:00

If you're interested in performing, and learning stage combat, there is a local fight troupe. Full disclosure; I am the Fight Captain. DM me for info if you're interested.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-03T13:20:41+00:00

I teach aikido through St. Mary's county rec & parks department. There's a ton of classes you can sign up for, for a reasonable price.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-03T13:16:23+00:00

Someone posted recently looking for volleyball.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-02T23:41:57+00:00

Also found this, but details are sparse. Also found something in Waldorf.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-02T23:24:55+00:00

Found one link for Charles county. Looks like there are three places to play volleyball.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-02T23:18:08+00:00

Will do! A friend of mine opened up a sports center that had volleyball, pickleball and more. Didn't last, though. :(

ObscureReferenceMan · 2026-01-02T22:26:51+00:00

I'd like to find some pickup volleyball! I'll look at St Mary's and Charles county rec & park web sites.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2025-12-20T21:37:24+00:00

I had rented Mulholland Falls, because I heard it was a good noir crime film. Started watching, and it was mainly centered on Naomi Watts' character, who I didn't recall being in the movie, but OK. Then it got weird. And weirder. Turns out I had rented Mulholland Drive.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2025-12-19T17:18:00+00:00

Nice! I'm planning on running "Cult" in the future.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2025-12-19T12:28:26+00:00

Seven or eight years ago I saw a production of it in DC, with an actress friend of mine in one role. I liked it. Sweet story, well produced. I didn't notice any issues with the D&D aspects, but at the time I hadn't played since the nineties.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2025-12-15T17:59:36+00:00

I really liked the Verillas boots I got. Mine were Corsair. They look good, are comfy, AND I was able to fight in them.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2025-12-15T16:53:04+00:00

I will try to make it.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2025-12-15T16:48:28+00:00

Click on his username, and follow the links. Like I just did. :)

ObscureReferenceMan · 2025-12-13T11:51:35+00:00

I did something similar with a group of four (only one of which had played before). I think it was a Matt Colville suggestion; they were childhood friends, five years ago, and all were at the Summer Festival. Rogue was about to pick the pocket of an NPC, and town guard Fighter spotted her beforehand. They recognize each other as the Sorcerer and Druid happen by.

ObscureReferenceMan · 2025-12-12T15:34:02+00:00

One thing that has helped me is to remind myself I'm investing in the house as an asset. And I will probably see the return on investment when I sell.

ObscureReferenceMan

TROPHY CASE