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Hi Guys,
I've been doing a lot of thinking over the last several weeks, and one thing I'd like to do is find a good event to attend where I can try my hand at something different, third person. Before everyone gasps and thinks I'm leaving first person behind, never fear, I'm not. :tounge_sm Howver, after attending a local event as a spectator, I've been wanting to try it out and see how difficult it really is.
It doesn't matter what event I'm refering to, they're all pretty much alike around here, but... the ladies were all sitting under a tent fly in a circle talking to one another and sewing. Their topic of conversation wasn't about the war, but about their own 21st century lives. As a spectator looking in, I found the group of ladies to be uninviting {closed off to the public, if you will}, the soldiers were all running about doing this or that, but even when the battle wasn't going on, they were difficult at best to find, and impossible to approach. The only person I found who was really inviting was the blacksmith, who was plying his trade and talking to people.
We also have a small completely farby Rev War event about 20 miles from my house. But every year there is a group of VA Militiamen who come and do third person interpretation. They are amongst the best third person interpreters I've ever met. They are always so inviting in their body language and in their topics of discussion. They are ready to answer questions with intelligent, well thought out answers. I look forward to this event annually, as a spectator to watch them present to the public.
I know a lot of people have gotten hooked on saying they prefer to do third person interpretation cause it's easier for the public to understand. But I have come to the firm belief that there is good and bad third person, just like there's good and bad first person.
I've been thinking about this, and came up with a few ideas based on stuff I learned about third person interpretation at Conner Prairie, plus my own experience of traveling around to events.
1. Third person interpreters {like first person} should not congregate in large numbers. The public finds it difficult to break through the barriers to talk to them.
2. Based on some excellent third person I've seen done, interpreters should stand at angles to each other rather than face to face, so their backs are never toward their intended audience. This leaves a wedge-like shape between the interpreters that Joe Public can step into and become involved in a presentation.
3. The presenter should "break the ice" by saying, "Good afternoon," or some such to passing spectators, and try to reel in the spectator with something quick and catchy. Almost like trying to sell your wares. The more we try to act interested in what we have to talk about, the better the more interested the spectator, and the better the questions become.
4. The presenter should have their information on the tip of their tongue, but not memorized, and should only share a short presentation with their audience. Enough to "spark" the visitor's interest and curiosity." Visitors like to ask questions.
I was wondering what other tricks of the trade my fellow c/p/h comrades have found that works well with being inviting and sparking that interest in the visitor that will leave the same kind of fond memories as the blacksmith, and the VA militia, did with me.
Thanks,
Linda Trent
lindatrent@zoomnet.net
I've been doing a lot of thinking over the last several weeks, and one thing I'd like to do is find a good event to attend where I can try my hand at something different, third person. Before everyone gasps and thinks I'm leaving first person behind, never fear, I'm not. :tounge_sm Howver, after attending a local event as a spectator, I've been wanting to try it out and see how difficult it really is.
It doesn't matter what event I'm refering to, they're all pretty much alike around here, but... the ladies were all sitting under a tent fly in a circle talking to one another and sewing. Their topic of conversation wasn't about the war, but about their own 21st century lives. As a spectator looking in, I found the group of ladies to be uninviting {closed off to the public, if you will}, the soldiers were all running about doing this or that, but even when the battle wasn't going on, they were difficult at best to find, and impossible to approach. The only person I found who was really inviting was the blacksmith, who was plying his trade and talking to people.
We also have a small completely farby Rev War event about 20 miles from my house. But every year there is a group of VA Militiamen who come and do third person interpretation. They are amongst the best third person interpreters I've ever met. They are always so inviting in their body language and in their topics of discussion. They are ready to answer questions with intelligent, well thought out answers. I look forward to this event annually, as a spectator to watch them present to the public.
I know a lot of people have gotten hooked on saying they prefer to do third person interpretation cause it's easier for the public to understand. But I have come to the firm belief that there is good and bad third person, just like there's good and bad first person.
I've been thinking about this, and came up with a few ideas based on stuff I learned about third person interpretation at Conner Prairie, plus my own experience of traveling around to events.
1. Third person interpreters {like first person} should not congregate in large numbers. The public finds it difficult to break through the barriers to talk to them.
2. Based on some excellent third person I've seen done, interpreters should stand at angles to each other rather than face to face, so their backs are never toward their intended audience. This leaves a wedge-like shape between the interpreters that Joe Public can step into and become involved in a presentation.
3. The presenter should "break the ice" by saying, "Good afternoon," or some such to passing spectators, and try to reel in the spectator with something quick and catchy. Almost like trying to sell your wares. The more we try to act interested in what we have to talk about, the better the more interested the spectator, and the better the questions become.
4. The presenter should have their information on the tip of their tongue, but not memorized, and should only share a short presentation with their audience. Enough to "spark" the visitor's interest and curiosity." Visitors like to ask questions.
I was wondering what other tricks of the trade my fellow c/p/h comrades have found that works well with being inviting and sparking that interest in the visitor that will leave the same kind of fond memories as the blacksmith, and the VA militia, did with me.
Thanks,
Linda Trent
lindatrent@zoomnet.net
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