Dancer Archive
Thread: The Dancer and the Venue: What Should it Represent?
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PoetDancer
Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:29 pm
#1
There have been many attempts to apply theoretical models to what entertainers should be. And this coincides with some sociological principles.
There is an old Americansaying that states, "don't hang where you work." Why is that the case? Because a place of vocation represents the big things that weigh heavily on our minds, and that define our worth in a given society, be they wealth, esteem, legacy, or professional success. We just cannot drop our guard down, and be relaxed, because places of vocation are the places where weplan our actions with seriousness and care. There are hierarches in place, rules to follow, and roles to fulfill. And even if we go toour places of vocation on our free time, the fact that our associates, customers, employers, and others are there means that we never quite feel comfortable associating the place as a recreational venue.
That doesn't mean we loathe going to our places of vocation. Many people love their jobs, love their coworkers, and love their customers and patrons. But it never quite feels "right" to take aholiday there, or relax there. Its what some call a "second space," or a place of vocation (the "first space" is the home).
One might also say, "don't work where you hang," as well. And why is that the case? Because if someone enjoys the companionship they have at the local pub, or the cafe, the last thing they want is to place themselves in a formal, definedposition within the institution. If one enjoys having tea with someone at the local cafe, it can be a hard thing to not be able to casually have tea with them, and instead, be the one serving the tea to one that was at one time their peer, or even have to order them away if they do not pay the cheque. The fact that there is no real role to fulfill, no real "professional face" we must don, and no real hierarchy in place means that we find these "third spaces" rather relaxing, and enjoyable.
But for these reasons also, it is hard to be treated as anyone really special, important, or prominent. In fact, efforts to distinguish one's person as someone of some note are generally met with the attitude of, "who died and made you Moff?" Efforts to take things seriously, efforts to engage in serious work, and efforts to pursue one's ambition are generally frowned upon, because one "spoils the mood." Third spaces are the places where people go to forget about such things, and they reserve those activities for "second spaces," or places of vocation.
Which brings up an interesting dillema. On the one hand, many of us (myself, Sal'tee, FFW), view theprofession as our "role" and "calling" within the game. The cantina is a place of work, and our "crafting station." It is the place where we pursue our dreams of weath, success, and esteem within the game world. And when we do our craft, we take it with some mesure of care, thought, and prudence. Patrons, of course, may view cantinas as "third spaces," or places of recreation, but for me, and I would argue, many entertainers, the cantina is not the place I let my guard down, and hair down. I do that sort of thing out in the field with my sabre.
On the other hand though, many of us, view the profession as a means of "fun," or "camraderie." The cantina is a place of relaxation, and a place where they just don't wish to be bothered withsuch things as roles and expectations. And whendancers like these dance, they do so without much thought to "is this the proper way to do this," or "will I get tipped?," or "what will others think of me as a professional dancer?" Patrons, of course, may view the cantinas as "second spaces," or places to get work (like getting and receiving buffs) done, and they invariably cause friction. Now I know many of the"third space dancers" have other "jobs" in the game. Javier was (and probably still is) an amazing tailor. Erressa from my server is a pilot and shipwright. But for them, and I would argue, many entertainers, the cantina is the place to relax and have fun.
So if the developers are taking a mind as to what sort of "space" the cantinas and other venues should be for us, it seems to me that thereare some hard decisions that will come about. BecauseI don't think we will all find the sort of space we can agree upon. Some want these professions and the venues to be about playing avocation that is just as valid as Armoursmith, or Pilot. Others want these professions and the venues to be about something they do outside of their true vocation, or as a hobby. And I really don't see any change that favours one that does not equally make the other upset, and unplayable in the manner that they envision.
Message Edited by PoetDancer on 07-10-2005 02:13 AM
Rabenschwinge
Sun Jul 10, 2005 3:02 am
#2
And what would you want to change about cantinas?
Seems to me that the question you asked in the subject is still open...
I can follow your argumentation, and yes, there are some cantinas that are mostly places of "work". Auset would never percieve dancing as something she does for any other reason than enjoying herself, that's why she is hardly ever in Coronet cantina, but very often in the private guild cantina.
Sharven does dance in Coronet Cantina, but usually to earn money and fame (and some other things, such as contacts and a feeling for the current server politics). If she dances just to dance she has different places to go, if she dances to work out things she usually uses abandoned player theaters.
Still any of my characters might come to any place to join a party or whatever. I am not employed or whatever there and there are no structures that I must adhere to. A dancer or any other entertainer may decide to "work" there or anywhere else. But that's a personal decision. It does not really make it your work venue, except the very spot you are dancing at. At least not as it is now...
If there was a game system that may assign jobs and spots within a cantina (such as dance poles, cages, stages, pillars) that could be assigned to dancers, maybe based on their fame rating and just the dancefloor would be free territory this may change... This would require the cantinas turning more into an actual club.
As I see cantinas now they are mostly sleazy, dusty bars, some more (Mos Eisley), some less (Theed). It is a place for all kinds of people to meet. It serves no function for entertainers, it is a good opportunity for them.
PS: I can imagine relatively simple means to redesign player cantinas and add additional functionality to make entertainment on a professional level possible... The problem with public cantinas is, how could a machine measure how good an entertainer is? How could you use a point system that cannot be abused by players, to find out how entertaining an entertainer is. Something like this would be required...
Seems to me that the question you asked in the subject is still open...
I can follow your argumentation, and yes, there are some cantinas that are mostly places of "work". Auset would never percieve dancing as something she does for any other reason than enjoying herself, that's why she is hardly ever in Coronet cantina, but very often in the private guild cantina.
Sharven does dance in Coronet Cantina, but usually to earn money and fame (and some other things, such as contacts and a feeling for the current server politics). If she dances just to dance she has different places to go, if she dances to work out things she usually uses abandoned player theaters.
Still any of my characters might come to any place to join a party or whatever. I am not employed or whatever there and there are no structures that I must adhere to. A dancer or any other entertainer may decide to "work" there or anywhere else. But that's a personal decision. It does not really make it your work venue, except the very spot you are dancing at. At least not as it is now...
If there was a game system that may assign jobs and spots within a cantina (such as dance poles, cages, stages, pillars) that could be assigned to dancers, maybe based on their fame rating and just the dancefloor would be free territory this may change... This would require the cantinas turning more into an actual club.
As I see cantinas now they are mostly sleazy, dusty bars, some more (Mos Eisley), some less (Theed). It is a place for all kinds of people to meet. It serves no function for entertainers, it is a good opportunity for them.
PS: I can imagine relatively simple means to redesign player cantinas and add additional functionality to make entertainment on a professional level possible... The problem with public cantinas is, how could a machine measure how good an entertainer is? How could you use a point system that cannot be abused by players, to find out how entertaining an entertainer is. Something like this would be required...
Message Edited by Rabenschwinge on 07-10-2005 12:29 PM
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