Podcast: European festivals versus US conventions, Furries and Monty stuck in the snow

Our first attempt at a podcast I and Montague Jaques Fromage intend to hold. We'll talk about idea's, Steampunk culture and anything related to that. If you want to come on our have a subject you want us to discus please let us know in the comments.

Greasing the gears of the community: The Ideal 'Steampunk Group'

In 2014 I reflected on my thoughts on the difference between Reenactment and Steampunk-groups, and what I liked best about the two. But also what I believed both could learn from each other. Now I have my own projects were I put these idea's to the test.
Recently I had some conversations in responds to my presentation during Emporium Vernesque and again during Plein der Verlichting (Townsquare of Enlightenment) on the subject of Steampunk-groups and their relevance to the community and events.

Groups, or crews as these are often called,  are a good thing. They are like the callingcards of the community. They can communicate like a united front to the outside world of use use their existing groupstructure to organize events and start more ambitious (building)projects. These are also usefull to organizers as acts on events or conventions.
Yet, there are allot of missed opportunities in my opinion and was one of the mayor reasons I started RAG-TAG. My ambition was to make this a  walkingact of five grenadiers  to serve as faceless fodder for the heavily armed Steampunks. This never really caught on, yet we have about fifteen grenadiers now, most from outside the community. Several outstanding requests for photo and videoshoots and several deployments for our stormparcour and other projects. And that within a period of two years, so we are doing something right, right?

RAG-TAG uses a specific formula, and it creators will probably use it for other projects in the future. Not just for groups, but also one-time acts. But what is this formula and how does it help anyone to create the ideal group?


So, few of you may have had a conversations like this.
'I am gonna start a crew!'
'A, that's nice. What's your group about?'
'An Airship Crew?'
'Yeah, but what are you going to do? What are the themes?'
'Steampunk?'
'O-kee, but how are you going to be different for other Steampunk-groups.'
'Oh, everybody will just do their own thing.'


Now, there a lot of groups like this. And that is fine.Maybe they are successful an have done or will do great things. But the overall majority of these groups tend to disappear as swiftly as they are formed. Now reasons vary, but there is one common factor. A lack of direction.
People form theme-groups to do things together, but often tend to forget, what these things are supposed to be. Having your members, do-their-own-thing, sounds nice, but does it lead anywhere? Off course, it is hard to turn away people who want to join your group. First of all, you want your group to be successful. Growing numbers feels like validation on how well you are doing. But will everyone be able to contribute in equal measure? How do members contribute? Some members will realize the majority of their group merely lean on their creations and the name of the group without adding any value to your group. This could also scares off event organizers who have to make room for, and cater to all these people, who might not contribute all that much to the event.
To summarize you want an act that attracts the people who want to participate in this act. My first advise: Don't make it about Steampunk!
 

Create a theme

Most groups start of with a simple question. 'Wouldn't it be cool if  ... ?' This could be start a airship crew, but this is to general an idea. Specify it as narrowly as possible. What kind of ship is it? What does the crew do? In what era and region are they active? 
A theme is a framework of agreements on worldbuilding and symbolism. Basically what you want is a coloringbook you can hand over to new members. They are allowed to color the pictures anyway they want, as long the draw within the lines.... Most of the time.

For example, you could make a English Airsmuggler Crew active in Asia or a family of French explorers traveling in South America. Based of the traits in these descriptions each, of these two groups should have their distinct aesthetics and identity. But before we get into that, let's talk about activities.

Also think about symbolism.A flag could be a start, but symbolism doesn't have to consist out of abstract markings. It could be a uniform. A piece of clothing or the lack there of. For example, I you have a band of common thugs, don't have gentlemen like attributes like high hats (unless it has a purpose). Maybe they all have the same clubs or  wear a colored scarf.

Create a act

Bruce Rosenbaum,
owner of the Steampunk Museum
and organizer of workshop for kids and
'young adults' with autism.

Now the group has a basic jest on the theme's. What kind of activity or act do you want to do. Off course it
could be something as simple as modeling or visiting events together as a cosplaygroup. But for those that want to preform on events, a activity geared towards the audience is required.
This could be a play, circus performances, workshops and what not. Whatever it is, make it so the people want you back. (Passive encampments do not count!) This also means you need to innovate from time to time. And off course, make it so it adds something to your chosen theme. If your group consists of smugglers, make puzzles with creates, or it contents. Make them look for hidden goods. Be creative! If you have a laboratory, make kids mix colored fluids to get the right color, etc. 

Make sure potential members are aware your group has a central activity they have to participate in or contribute to, if they wish to join. A matter a fact, promote it if you are looking for new members. Potential candidates may not be looking for a steampunk group. But they might be interested in joining a circus or educational-act aimed at a specific audience. 

RAG-TAG's Stormcourse for kids

Make a Manual

Having a written manual is a good way to communicate to new member. A list of houserules and agreements could be enough. If you group has a 'uniform' make pictures for reference and give tips on how to make or get these things. It also saves you time and energy having to explain this over and over again. 
It could also include things like fictional stories, character bio's etc.

No need to get draconian. Just make sure you write down! a clear framework with obvious boundaries. Your manual need to be like a coloringbook. Use any colors you want, but draw within the lines. 
Explain potential members what they can do. Not what they can't. If a potential member can't except these terms, accept they are not suitable for your group. But don't worry, members that are drawn to you group often know people with similar interests. Even though the have no real interest in Steampunk, they might be very interested in the activities instead.

Don't make it about big stories

Unless you intend to do live-plays or actually want to be a storyteller, don't waste your time on in-depth stories before your first events. Let role's or characters develop naturally. If your group participates in more events and gathering, injoke are inevitable. I've been in a themegroup for fourteen years. Then you create your own little universe were certain phrases or symbols only make sense to the initiated. 
If you want, make short bio's (not A4, just five lines) so you can explain in one sentence what your character is about and make note of things that happens during events instead. Make officerslogs, describe your encounters or write anecdotes to go with photo's taken. These are more entertaining and useful for our audience.

Be representative, be diverse

Don't post random pictures on your groups social media. Separate it in theme's, like horror, decorative, comedy. Facebook or Printest Albums are a very useful tool. You can use this to convince photographers, organizers etc. where your group is useful for. It also visualizes in what directions your themes could diverse. But always realize there are boundaries. A group of soldiers could never be civil aristocrats.

Other things

Unless you have a reason to have a large number members, keep you numbers down. Don't grow for the sake growing.
Groups like RAG-TAG (well, I guess it is unique at the moment) represents the 'Military Underclass'. Their supposed to be a lot of them and they are all expendable. In other words, not one is essential to this act. Themes like this work well for large attractions like their stormparcour. Having reserves even becomes essential. Because they have a 'uniform' these volunteers can easily be dressed to fit in the group. And more importantly, they have a specific function to forefill.
The larger you make your group, the larger or more numerous your attractions need to be. For the sake of group dynamics you can't have two people doing any work at a given time while the rest does what ever they feel like. This might work for a while, but after a number of events this is will bit the group in the ass. Not only is it bad for morale (it's to complicated to explain here), it doesn't look good to your audience, and will certainly not to event-organizers.


So, this is my formula for making a relevant group with staying power. Sure, it's not foolproof. Maybe some of you have betters idea's. If so, please let me know in the comments.



Please give this article a like if you found it helpful, or leave a comment.If you have questions, leave them below. Share it with your friends. Join our Facebook group if you haven't already and want to read more in the future. I also take suggestions for future articles. And if you have subjects of your own, I am also looking for people who would like to write their own articles or add other content. 

Grinding Gears: Steampunk's Branding problem

You know what really grinds my gears!

So, someone suggested to me that RAG-TAG should participate in a certain filmrecording, right? It was a Post Apocalyptic themed music video, and the person that recommended it thought that RAG-TAG. But the whole thing was on realy short notice, right? And off course none of the organisers was online. Damn annoying! So I am waiting for a replay off these guy.
Waiting... Waiting... And finaly I get a responds.

So, I explain that RAG-TAG is a Steampunk themed, right? And as a respons I get, 'Well it is a Post Apocalyptic shoot. So no Victorian clothes, or tophats with goggles.'

W... Wh... What!

Anyone who is aware RAG-TAG even excists could tell that have none of those things... Well, militairy style monogoggles perhaps. Fortunatly RAG-TAG has seperate photogalleries in diffrent styles and themes to present themselves and the situation was quickly resolved.
But damn, it's annoying that this stereotype is so prevelant that appearantly creators don't even consider Steampunk-themed groups for themes other then Victorian.

But then again, who can blame um, right? 

Ramble-Au-Matic 01: Why steampunk is so important to me

As announced I want to do more video's because they have a greater reach. So, here is my first attempted at a Vlog. I'm aware of the more obvious flaws like it lighting and sound quality.

Any feedback is very welcome. If you have questions or suggestions for new topics, please ask them.

Here is the original article if you can't stand my Ramblings

New articles in the works. Next one, The Ideal Steampunk Group.