‘Twas the Night before Christmas … and Designing Worlds will be visiting New Babbage!

Designing Worlds Christmas Special

The Designing Worlds Christmas Special – the Plot to Steal Steam Santa – goes live today, Monday 24th December at 2pm SLT on the Designing Worlds Vimeo channel and on the Designing Worlds channel at SLArtist – and you can join the special Watch Party (also at 2pm SLT) in our studio on Garden of Dreams.

And here’s a trailer …

Miss Widdershins and Mr Merlin are visiting the steampunk city of New Babbage to learn all about the Urchins’ Christmas Ball, where Steam Santa will give presents to the Urchins, while the Boiler Elf adjudicates between those who have been good and bad.

Or at least, that is the plan …

But when Steam Santa disappears, Miss Widdershins and Mr Merlin find themselves caught up in a nefarious plot which they must resolve with the aid of Mr Mornington, the Assistant Maceholder of New Babbage, Miss Heinrichs, the Captain of the New Babbage Militia and, of course, the redoubtable (and hapless) Mr Biggins.

To say nothing of New Babbage’s leading forensic scientist, an expert in tracking and a crowd of urchins …

Join our Watch Party for a fun time, or watch it on the web!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Credits

The Players:
Miss Saffia Widdershins
Mr Elrik Merlin
Miss Bookworm Heinrichs
Mr Victor Mornington
Mr Jedediah Biggins
The Boiler Elf
Miss Avariel Falcon
Miss Beryl Strifeclaw
Steam Santa

And the Urchins:
Tepic Harlequin
Jimmy Branagh
Candance
Aoife Lorefield
Lisa Fargazer
Robert
Leon
Wisp
Taylor Muggins
KrystalKid Nightfire

Written by: Miss Bookworm Heinrichs and Miss Saffia Widdershins
Videography by Mr Elrik Merlin and Miss Saffia Widdershins
Edited by Mr Elrik Merlin
Title Music by Associated Production Music
Incidental Music by Audioblocks
Executive Producer: Miss Saffia Widdershins
Directed by Miss Aisling Sinclair

Special thanks to:
Mr Mosseveno Tenk, Mr Mavromichali Szondi, Miss Honey Heart, Mr Terra Volitant and His Grace the Duke of Argylle & Earl of Primbroke, Mr Edward Pearse
And the Citizens (and Urchins) of New Babbage

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the last episode in our current season. Designing Worlds will return in the New Year. Until then, we wish you all the Compliments of the Season!

Designing Worlds Christmas Card 2018

 

 

 

Advertisements

Read Full Post »

Designing Worlds films for Remembrance

The 1st World War Digital Poetry Archive at Frideswide, photographed by PJ Trenton

November 11th marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that brought the First World War to an end. Signed at the eleven hour of the eleventh day, the Armistice silenced the guns that had killed so many over the four years of the War. On November 11th, 2018, Designing Worlds released a special short film to mark the occasion at 11.10am UK time.

DW384 – Designing Worlds: Remembrance from Richard Elen on Vimeo.

The film was shot on Frideswide, the home in Second Life of the 1st World War Digital Poetry Archive. The special exhibition simulates aspects of life in the trenches on the Western Front during the 1914-1918 war and presents work by the “War Poets” of the period. As visitors explore the simulation, they can listen to the voices of veterans recounting their experiences of the war, view original film footage and photographs from the time, and learn about life on the Western Front, encountering some of the most powerful poetry in English literature by seeing the original manuscripts, and turning the pages of the poets’ war diaries and letters.

The 1st World War Digital Poetry Archive at Frideswide, photographed by PJ Trenton

You can still visit the Archive in Second Life here (for the training camp) or here (for the Western Front). You can obtain a hud at the training camp to help you navigate around the region. It’s a moving and powerful recreation of the horrors of the Western Front – and we would strongly recommend people visit it.

We also showed our original film about the region in Second Life, created in 2009 for the launch of the 1st World War Digital Poetry Archive.

DW064 – Designing Worlds: The Western Front (2009) from Richard Elen on Vimeo.

The song that concludes that episode, Only Remembered, together with the images, is also available as a separate short film. The song was recorded by leading British folk musicians Coope Boyes & Simpson providing the music in their unique and moving acapella style. The song – originally a Horatius Bonar / Ira Sankey hymn from the 19th century, arranged by John Tams – also appears in the play War Horse, adapted by Nick Stafford from the book by Michael Morpurgo.

DW064A – Only Remembered (from Designing Worlds episode 64, The Western Front) from Richard Elen on Vimeo.

Only Remembered (Bonar/Sankey/Tams Voice Publishing) is used by permission and is taken from the album “Private Peaceful – The Concert” (No Masters NMCD24, nomasters.co.uk) by Coope Boyes & Simpson (coopeboyesandsimpson.co.uk).

 

Read Full Post »

Designing Worlds commemorates the Armistice with a two-part show

The 1st World War Digital Poetry Archive at Frideswide

November 11th marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that brought the First World War to an end. Signed at the eleven hour of the eleventh day, the Armistice silenced the guns that had killed so many over the four years of the War. On November 11th, 2018, Designing Worlds released a special short film to mark the occasion at 11.10am UK time. This film is still available.

Please join us at our usual showtime of 2pm SLT on Monday 12th November, when we will be hosting a showing of the film Remembrance: 1918-2018 in the Designing Worlds studio on Garden of Dreams, followed by the show we made for the opening of the 1st World War Digital Poetry Archive at Frideswide in 2009.

The exhibition simulates aspects of life in the trenches on the Western Front during the 1914-1918 war and presents work by the “War Poets” of the period. As visitors explore the simulation, they can listen to the voices of veterans recounting their experiences of the war, view original film footage and photographs from the time, and learn about life on the Western Front, encountering some of the most powerful poetry in English literature by seeing the original manuscripts, and turning the pages of the poets’ war diaries and letters.

This is a combination of deeply moving films – don’t miss our special viewing party.

If you can’t attend in person – tune in to the web at 2pm SLT on Monday for a showing on SLartist – or catch it later in the week on the SLArtist.com channel – or on the Prim Perfect or Designing Worlds blogs.

You can still visit the Archive in Second Life here (for the training camp) or here (for the Western Front). You can obtain a hud at the training camp to help you navigate around the region. It’s a moving and powerful recreation of the horrors of the Western Front – and we would strongly recommend people visit it.

You can also see the special film of the song that concludes the show – “Only Remembered”, recorded by leading British folk musicians Coope Boyes & Simpson providing the music in their unique and moving acapella style, as we view aspects of the unique exhibition by the University of Oxford’s First World War Poetry Digital Archive.

DW064A – Only Remembered (from Designing Worlds episode 64, The Western Front) from Richard Elen on Vimeo.

“Only Remembered” (Bonar/Sankey/Tams Voice Publishing) is used by permission and is taken from the album “Private Peaceful – The Concert” (No Masters NMCD24, nomasters.co.uk) by Coope Boyes & Simpson (coopeboyesandsimpson.co.uk) The song – originally a Horatius Bonar / Ira Sankey hymn from the 19th century, arranged by John Tams – also appears in the play “War Horse”, adapted by Nick Stafford from the book by Michael Morpurgo.

If you can’t attend in person – tune in to the web at 2pm SLT on Monday for a showing on Vimeo – or catch it later in the week on the SLArtist.com channel – or on the Prim Perfect or Designing Worlds blogs.

 

 

Read Full Post »

Designing Worlds’ explosive Fireworks episode is now on the web!

Fireworks, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

To celebrate the British November 5th being celebrated with bonfires, fireworks and the traditional burning of the guy, we have a special show all about fireworks, now on the web!

DW383 – Fireworks in Second Life from Richard Elen on Vimeo.

In Part 1, Saffia and Elrik look at the history behind the Gunpowder Plot – and find some modern resonances in a tale of religious fanaticism and repression, as well as a triumph for (partial) democracy.

Then, in Part 2, the intrepid Toady Nakamura, co-janitor of the wonderful Grendel’s endeavours to teach Saffia to make a firework. Brave toad!

If you’d like to make a firework of your own, you can collect the kit and instructions from the Designing Worlds Studio until Monday 12th November.

Fireworks at The Old Primgraph Press, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

And finally, in Part 3, we talk to the amazing Racer X Gullwing who shows us some of his amazing fireworks (in addition to telling us about the Giant Snail Races).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can visit Grendel’s at: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Avaria%20Tor/133/134/302
You can find out about Toady’s classes here on the Grendel’s website: https://grendelschildren.wordpress.com/author/toadynakamura/

You can visit the Giant Snails at: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gullwing%20Coast%20Racers/128/133/2386
You can watch Giant Snail Races on their YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIzUNyz8RHrBc–NIXwEAEg or on SLArtist: https://www.slartist.com/user/RacerXGullwing/

Fireworks, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Read Full Post »

Designing Worlds commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice with a special new film – Remembrance: 1918-2018

The 1st World War Digital Poetry Archive at Frideswide

November 11th marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that brought the First World War to an end. Signed at the eleven hour of the eleventh day, the Armistice silenced the guns that had killed so many over the four years of the War.

On November 11th, 2018, Designing Worlds will release a special short film to mark the occasion. This film will be released on the Designing Worlds Vimeo channel at 11.10am UK time (3.10am SLT). You can find it here: https://vimeo.com/299871599

At our usual showtime of 2pm SLT on Monday 12th November, we will be hosting a showing of the film Remembrance: 1918-2018 in the Designing Worlds studio on Garden of Dreams, followed by the show we made for the opening of the 1st World War Digital Poetry Archive at Frideswide in 2009.

You can still visit the Archive in Second Life here (for the training camp) or here (for the Western Front). You can obtain a hud at the training camp to help you navigate around the region.

 

Read Full Post »

Designing Worlds explores Halloween places in Second Life – now on the web!

Calas Galadhon Maze, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

The latest episode of this season of Designing Worlds, as we visit some popular Halloween locations – and learn about a popular Halloween event, is now on the web!

DW380 – Halloween Places SL 2018 from Richard Elen on Vimeo.

Firstly we visit the Linden Portal Park, all decked out for Halloween, to take a look at the always popular Halloween ride created by Linden Lab. And Saffia met Vee Tammas, one of the 2018-2019 Team Diabetes Coordinators, to talk about their special Scare Me Silly event, running from 19th till 27th October.

Octoberville, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Then it’s off to the fantastic Octoberville, which has a very special introduction this year, and loads of scary stuff to explore – and an amazing hunt to learn about.

And finally, we visit the beautiful and very scary Maze which is this year’s Halloween location at Calas Galadhon.

Calas Galadhon Maze, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

To travel to the Linden Halloween Ride, visit the Linden Portal Park and find the right door!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Portal%20Park%202/118/75/53

Octoberville, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

To visit Octoberville, go to: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pixeltrix/188/7/3816
and visit their website to learn more: http://octoberville.com/

Calas Galadhon Maze, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

To visit the Maze at Calas Galadhon, go to: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ERIADOR/221/76/1
And visit their website to learn more: https://calasgaladhon.com/
https://calasgaladhon.com/maze-2018-calas-halloween-sims/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scare me Silly!

The 3rd Annual Scare Me Silly event returns in support of Team Diabetes of Second Life! This event is the first fundraising event for Team Diabetes of Second Life 2018 and features two hunts, live performers, dj’s, an art show, shopping, and lots of tricks and treats!

Team Diabetes of Second Life is an official and authorized team of The American Diabetes Association. The mission of Team Diabetes of Second Life is to raise awareness, tolerance, and funds for diabetes in the virtual world of Second Life. According to the World Health Organization (2016): 422 million adults in the world have diabetes and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year.

Scare Me Silly event

About The American Diabetes Association:
The American Diabetes Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The American Diabetes Association leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fights for those affected by diabetes by funding research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association delivers services to hundreds of communities and provides objective and credible information and resources about diabetes.

Free resources are available in English and Spanish at http://www.diabetes.org and 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2382).

For more information on Scare Me Silly and Team Diabetes, visit their website: https://www.teamdiabetessl.org/home and
https://www.teamdiabetessl.org/scare-me-silly

Read Full Post »

Designing Worlds returns to Fantasy Faire – and learns about its fascinating project to build a Hope Lodge in Africa

Ardessa, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Join us at 2pm SLT today, Monday 23 July for Designing Worlds at our studio in Garden of Dreams in Second Life, for the final episode of our summer season, when we take a second look back to Fantasy Faire 2018, the leading mega-event held in Second Life to raise funds for Relay for Life of Second Life in aid of the American Cancer Society.

The Halls of Story, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

This year, all the funds raised went to support the construction of a Hope Lodge in Nairobi, Kenya, allowing cancer sufferers coming to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment to have somewhere to stay. We talk in detail with Zander Greene about the project and see some of the work that is being carried out there.

In addition, we talk to Aisling Sinclair about the fabulous Quest, and Elayne Diavolo about the One Team initiative. And we also visit some of the regions we didn’t see last time including Astrid’s Nematon, Ardessa, and Fairelands Junction!

Astrid’s Nemeton, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

It all makes for a stunning and beautiful show – so do join us at 2pm SLT.

Or – if you can’t attend in person – tune in to the web at 2pm SLT on Monday for a showing on SLartist – or catch it later in the week on the SLArtist.com channel, the Aview TV Designing Worlds channel – or on the Prim Perfect or Designing Worlds blogs.

Fairelands Junction, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Read Full Post »