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The Sport of Luddites

Groundsman's notes

(Prepared with Teks in mind)

Also, see Rules for clarification.

TIME: 12.00 MIDDAY. SUNDAY.

It's that simple.

Just as Masquerade requires as many days as possible to build most of their entries, so do we. Whereas Masquerade offers a splendid entertainment for people who are quietly, happily drunk, we offer entertainment for people who want to shout at little robots.

Midday is THE TIME. When they've gotten themselves together enough to move, but not enough to ask themselves why.

Location:

As planned, BC seems to involve large numbers of baying fen, passing folk drawn in by the noise and a good deal of Tek support. The main hall of the Con is best. A disco Pit is better. Commonsense should indicate the best place for a B.C. Contacting us is even better.

Pitch:

Just in case anyone doubts it, BC works best if it's not played on a carpet. It needs a smooth surface that can't be easily damaged. Carpet tends to be otherwise. It also tends to present a problem for some robots wheels.

Boundaries:

A barrier of some sort is vital, if not to protect the robots and audience from each other, at least to stop the robots from wandering off (Yes, they're often that crap).

Boundaries have been manufactured from something as basic as a rolled up carpet, but since BC2, it's been considered worth constructing it from something higher and more solid, like rows of metal boxes and collapsible tables.

The ideal Pitch size has been determined to be: 25 feet by 25 feet.

See 'Sagar and Evans Standard Rule (2000)'.

In fact, research over a seven year period has proved that what we need is rows of chairs to form the 'body' of the barrier, holding up collapsible tables which form the surface of the barricades.

This is absolutely ideal and completely robot proof. Better, this is something we've found to exist in every hotel we've held a B.C.

MORAL:

Now is the time to find out where they store those collapsible tables. We're going to need them!

Lighting:

Something allowing the audience to see the robots is handy.

After that, any lighting the Teks think is amusing is good. The more wacky the better really. Flashing lights and spinning patterns go down well.

Sound:

The audience is there for the robots, yes. However, if they can't hear the presenters, they're going to get a little bemused and, frankly, bored. Working Mikes are essential. More than one is preferable.

There are guaranteed to be two presenters. Sometimes we've had three, in which case we'd prefer three mikes. However, in the real world, we can always share.

In summary: Two mikes please.

Background music:

Has become a standard demand. For BC2, Tek supplied perfectly splendid ambient (ie: Heavy Metal ) sound from their own collection. Since BC3, the organisers have supplied this on tape or CD, but Teks have always been encouraged to put stuff they like on in between 'cos that have such unexpected tastes.

Video Feedback:

Because the robots are, let's face it, pretty small, and a crowd of people is pretty large, (And, whilst we expect those at the front to squatt down,no way do we have ranked seating), it's difficult to see all the action all the time. Accordingly, it's handy if there can be a video camera pointed at the Pitch, with direct feedback to a video screen positioned somewhere near the presenters (The direction all the audience will be facing).

If it's possible to simultaniously record this onto a cassette (Which will be supplied by the Presenters) then so much the better, then we get a second copy of the event which is very useful for editing a finished version together later.

SCHEDULING

(Written with 'Programming' in mind)

THE BEST TIME FOR B.C. IS 12.00 NOON ON SUNDAY.

Because people tend to build most of the robots during the convention, B.C. is now traditionally held on Sunday (Just like the Masquerade). Please check The 1999 Inebriation Rule. This means we'd rather B.C. was held after midday and before tea. Thanks.

BC has traditionally been held at 12.00 Noon on Sunday, lasting a full hour until 1.00. This has been found to be the ideal time. At least a half hour to allow Tek - and presenters -to set up is required. They - and we - have a great deal to do. An hour is more realistic. At least quarter of an hour after BC is required to strip it down and wind down the frenzy. Any earlier in the day and the audience aren't awake - and drunk - enough to enter into the spirit and any earlier in the Con (See: 'BC IV: One We Prepared Earlier' *), and the robot builders won't have had time to build their robots. Any later in the Con (ie: Monday): most of the audience will have gone home, unsatisfied.

It's worth remembering that:

1. BC is a Crowd-Pleasing event which keeps a lot of fans happy in a big room.
2. So does Masquerade. Usually, more people with more taste, but the principle is the same.
3. They tend to involve the same people (People who build stuff or like performing), so it's a good idea that they are not placed close in the timetable to each other.
4. The same applies to the Art Auction. Many robot-builders and presenters are of an Artistic bent and like to buy artwork. Some of them even PAINT the stuff. If BC clashes with the Art Auction, the art Auction (And profits to the Con) tend to suffer.
5. We are gradually realising that what we're doing is offering BC to Conrunners as a full hour of popular 'Event'. All we require is that they liase with us so that we can get this event in place and give us some dosh to do it. In short, if you're organising a Con, just drop us a line. The earlier we communicate, the more we can get sorted sooner and the more peace of mind we all have. We're happy to fit in with your specific requirements and can offer helpful advice you'd never dreamed of. Most of all, we want to talk to the Tek of that specific year Asap, so they can be briefed as early as poss, to make their lives easier.

It's like getting a 'Wedding Planner' really... except, perhaps, more like hiring Military Advisors...

Teks:

Without Teks, BC is nothing (Or, at the most, a BC1 rerun). All praise be to Tek!

See, it really is pretty technical after all isn't it!

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