Designing Worlds tells the haunting story of The Monkey’s Paw – now on the web!

This episode of Designing Worlds is our annual Hallowe’en Tale – and we have a great one for you this year – The Monkey’s Paw by WW Jacobs. In the story, three wishes are granted to the owner of The Monkey’s Paw, but the wishes come with an enormous price for interfering with fate.

William Wymark Jacobs (1863 – 1943) was an English author of short fiction and drama, with his best remembered story being “The Monkey’s Paw”. Jacobs was also known for comical tales about sailors, on ship and ashore but “The Monkey’s Paw”, published in 1902, is a classic tale of the macabre – a standout even when MR James and EF Benson were writing some of the best tales in the genre. The Edwardian period was a highpoint for this genre, and perhaps you won’t be surprised to learn that we therefore filmed this episodes in the streets, the homes and the factories of New Babbage.

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Readers:
Saffia Widdershins
Mavromichali Szondi
Fakey Jewell
Corwyn Allen

Locations used in the film:
HorrorAddicts.Net HQ, Babbage Square
Bookhaven, Wheatstone Waterways
MCM Tower, Babbage Canals
Bedrock, Wheatstone Waterways

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A Ghostly Tale for Hallowe’en from Designing Worlds

This episode of Designing Worlds is our annual Hallowe’en Tale – and we have a great one for you this year – The Monkey’s Paw by WW Jacobs. In the story, three wishes are granted to the owner of The Monkey’s Paw, but the wishes come with an enormous price for interfering with fate.

From 2pm SLT today, Monday 31st October, you can see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo channel at: https://vimeo.com/channels/dworlds. Or you can join us for our Watch Party in the beautiful Designing Worlds studios in the Garden of Dreams!

William Wymark Jacobs (1863 – 1943) was an English author of short fiction and drama, with his best remembered story being “The Monkey’s Paw”. Jacobs was also known for comical tales about sailors, on ship and ashore but “The Monkey’s Paw”, published in 1902, is a classic tale of the macabre – a standout even when MR James and EF Benson were writing some of the best tales in the genre. The Edwardian period was a highpoint for this genre, and perhaps you won’t be surprised to learn that we therefore filmed this episodes in the streets, the homes and the factories of New Babbage.

A little sidenote, for the literary minded – on 7 January 1914, in King’s Hall, Covent Garden, Jacobs was a member of the jury in the mock trial of John Jasper for the murder of Edwin Drood. At this all-star event G. K. Chesterton was Judge and George Bernard Shaw appeared as foreman of the jury.

So do come and join us for our Watch Party at 2pm today in the Garden of Dreams – or watch it on the web!

And remember – for many parts of the world, the clocks have gone back and so 2pm SLT will today be an hour earlier in your timezone!

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Readers:
Saffia Widdershins
Mavromichali Szondi
Fakey Jewell
Corwyn Allen

Locations used in the film:
HorrorAddicts.Net HQ, Babbage Square
Bookhaven, Wheatstone Waterways
MCM Tower, Babbage Canals
Bedrock, Wheatstone Waterways

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Halloween Season: Designing Worlds visits Halloween Places in 2022

Images by Wildstar Beaumont, except Haunted Hollow by Saffia Widdershins

Shadowfell

This episode of Designing Worlds is the 2022 version of one of our most popular annual shows, as we visit some of the stunning places created for Halloween in Second Life.

From 2pm SLT today, Monday 24th October, you can see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo channel at: https://vimeo.com/channels/dworlds. Or you can join us for our Watch Party in the beautiful Designing Worlds studios in the Garden of Dreams!

Shadowfell

This year we are going for atmospheric designs (although, if you prefer your Halloween as gory as possible, we do pay a brief visit to the Halloween Haunted Tour, built by the Moles).

And we found three wonderfully atmospheric and haunted designs …

Haunted Hollow

We start at Haunted Hollow, created by Honey Heart of Elite Equestrian, and Sillve, along with others from the Elite Equestrian. It’s a beautiful creation, rich with touches of the pagan and filled with amazing detail – just stop and examine every place you pass!

Shadowfell

Next we take a trip to the beautiful Shadowfell, created by Tymus Tenk and Truck Meredith of Calas Galadhon. This year they have gone for spooky mystery (and a few jokes too!) to create an absolutely lovely environment. Take the boat tour for an initial exploration – and then explore on foot to see the hidden places, such as the caves.

New Orleans

Finally, we visit the wonderful post-apocalyptic vision of New Orleans, complete with zombies and other ghostly happenings -created by the region landscape designer, Kaiden Tray. Realistic details mingle with dark fantasy here – and are not to be missed!

And there’s location film from Bain Finch and wonderful photography from Wildstar Beaumont.

Shadowfell

It all makes for a spookily stunning show – so do join us for our Watch Party in the beautiful Designing Worlds studios in the Garden of Dreams, or watch on the web!

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You can visit all of these locations, at least till the end of October!

Linden Halloween locations:
Halloween Haunted Tour (enter via the Portal): http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Portal%20Park%201/112/50/55
Halloween Shop and Hop (find information as to where stores are here: https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/11782-your-guide-to-the-2022-halloween-shop-hop-including-early-access/
Haunted Bellisseria: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Millbank/218/29/23

Shadowfell

Resident builds:
Haunted Hollow: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chestnut%20Hills/141/155/2529
Shadowfell: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MIST/7/80/24
New Orleans: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/KaidenTray%20Landscapes/211/202/31

Shadowfell

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Halloween Season: Designing Worlds looks back to … Innsmouth!

View of Innsmouth, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

This October, Designing Worlds is planning a special season of Halloween episodes – with two new shows for the end of the month! We’re going to start with an October 2014 show, when we visited one of the moodiest and most sinister regions on the grid — the town of Innsmouth.

Join us at 2pm SLT today, Monday 10th October for Designing Worlds at our studio in Garden of Dreams in Second Life, or watch here on the web.

Innsmouth is a fascinating region – based on the horror stories of HP Lovecraft (whom many call the most influential horror writer of the 20th century), it has plenty of mysterious and hidden places to explore – all in the tradition of Lovecraft’s mysterious New England coastal towns. It was also, of course, an important location in Season 1 of The Blackened Mirror (as we shall learn).

Innsmouth, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

But in 2014, Innsmouth was in danger of being lost. A campaign began to save this wonderful region by its supporters, led by Arik Metzger, who – together with Terra Volitant – joined us on the show.

The campaign was successful – and you can still visit Innsmouth in Second Life today at: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Innsmouth/150/142/47. Why not pop in – and see what has changed?

Innsmouth, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

This is one of the very few shows not to feature Saffia, whose typist was suffering from a badly sprained knee. So you will see Elrik and Aisling Sinclair exploring the spooky town!

Innsmouth, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

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Designing Worlds shares a Halloween Tale – How Fear Departed from the Long Gallery

All images by Wildstar Beaumont

Here at Designing Worlds, it’s a tradition to present a show that’s somewhat different at certain times of year, and Hallowe’en is one of those times.

Thus it is that we are pleased to give you our special Hallowe’en show for 2021: the presentation of a ghost story by Edwardian master of the genre, E F Benson (1867-1940): “How Fear Departed from the Long Gallery”.

The tale first appeared in 1912 in a collection called “The Room in the Tower, and Other Stories”.

Following a tradition arguably established by Charles Dickens with “A Christmas Carol”, many of Benson’s tales are set in the period between Christmas and New Year, at a time when Hallowe’en was not the major event it is now. However, it’s highly suitable for Hallowe’en as we are sure you’ll agree.

As we have often done previously, we present this tale as a reading with multiple voices. Each reader presents a short passage from a suitable location around the Second Life grid. The reading is illustrated with still images by our talented photographer, Wildstar Beaumont. The passages are read by Fakey Jewell of the Jewell Theatre, Saffia Widdershins, Mavromichali Szondi and Elrik Merlin.

We do hope you enjoy our special presentation for Hallowe’en 2021.

The photographs are by Wildstar Beaumont and the set of the Long Gallery was designed by Beryl Strifeclaw.

The following locations were used for the readers:
Elrik Merlin – The Library (A Dreamscene created by Kayle Matzerath – viewable in the Garden of Dreams store): maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Garden%20of%20Dreams/200/41/36

Saffia Widdershins – The Looking Glass: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Horizon%20Dream/35/198/103

Fakey Jewell – The Ballroom (A Dreamscene created by Kayle Matzerath – viewable in the Garden of Dreams store): maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Garden%20of%20Dreams/200/41/36

Mavromichali Szondi – Jitters Court, Home of the Bigginses in Port Babbage: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Port%20Babbage/135/232/110

Locations for How Fear Departed from the Long Gallery:
The Long Gallery itself was built on privately owned land.
The house used for Church Peveril is by Koshari Mahana. You can see it on the Marketplace here: marketplace.secondlife.com/p/The-Victorian-Estate-House/13652165
The Blue Lady was seen at Calas Galadhon Park: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Calas%20Galadhon/137/233/23

You can read How Fear Departed from the Long Gallery here: en.wikisource.org/wiki/How_Fear_Departed_from_the_Long_Gallery
(and lots of others by EF Benson too – Saffia and Elrik recommend The Bus Conductor: en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Bus-Conductor

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Designing Worlds explores Hallowe’en sites – now on the web!

Halloween in Darkwood, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Have you seen our Designing Worlds exploration of Halloween sites on the grid?

Here it is … for your Halloween pleasure …

DW424 Hallowe’en 2020 from Richard Elen on Vimeo.

We kick off with a visit to Linden Lab’s Portal Park, from where you can join the special Linden Tour – with new extensions this year.

Then it’s on to Bellisseria, to visit a strange new region that’s appeared there – and to meet the inmates of the Millbank Asylum with our guide – Prudence Anton.

Halloween in Bellisseria, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Our next port of call is an extraordinarily detailed experience inspired by the country song, “The Legend of Wooley Swamp” telling the eerie tale of Lucius Clay. We’re joined by the creators, Aleriah and Mathias Laurent, who help us explore the beautifully detailed swamp and its mysterious inhabitants – and they share a few secrets with us too!

Halloween in Rosehaven, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Next we visit Haunted Hollow in the company of one of its creator, Honey Heart, which features skeletal horse-riding, Russian folk-tales, the odd Headless Horseman who may lob a pumpkin at you, readings under the Hallowe’en Tree and a rather whimsical tower that’s full of fairytale left-overs under the auspices of its skeleton crew.

The episode ends with a visit to Frightened Pink – a region that combines scariness with fund-raising to fight breast cancer.

Halloween in Rosehaven, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Places we visit on the show:
Portal Park – Halloween entrance: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Portal%20Park%202/119/77/53
Millbank: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Millbank/173/71/23
“The Legend of Wooley Swamp”: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fairytale/237/237/21
Haunted Hollow: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Island%20Of%20Joy/241/12/97
Frightened Pink: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Westone/116/147/2201

Plus, of course, there’s a slideshow of fabulous images of Hallowe’en across the Grid created by Wildstar Beaumont.

Halloween Portal Park, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Wildstar visited the Linden Halloween Tour (accessed via the Portal Park) and explored beautifully decorated Halloween Homes in Bellisseria. In addition, he visited:

Rosehaven starting point: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rosehaven%20Laudanum/64/164/23
Darkwood: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Enchanted%20Rock/22/13/22

Halloween in Darkwood, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

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Designing Worlds explores Hallowe’en in 2020!

Halloween in Darkwood, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

In our new episode of Designing Worlds, we visit some of the scary regions you can visit around the Second Life Grid for Hallowe’en 2020.

Join us at 2pm today Monday 26th October for our special Hallowe’en edition when you can see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo channel at: https://vimeo.com/channels/dworlds. Or join us for our Watch Party in the Designing Worlds studios at 2pm SLT.

Halloween Portal Park, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

We kick off with a visit to Linden Lab’s Portal Park, from where you can join the special Linden Tour – with new extensions this year.

Then it’s on to Bellisseria, to visit a strange new region that’s appeared there – and to meet the inmates of the Millbank Asylum with our guide – Prudence Anton.

Our next port of call is an extraordinarily detailed experience inspired by the country song, “The Legend of Wooley Swamp” telling the eerie tale of Lucius Clay. We’re joined by the creators, Aleriah and Mathias Laurent, who help us explore the beautifully detailed swamp and its mysterious inhabitants – and they share a few secrets with us too!

Halloween in Rosehaven, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Next we visit Haunted Hollow in the company of one of its creator, Honey Heart, which features skeletal horse-riding, Russian folk-tales, the odd Headless Horseman who may lob a pumpkin at you, readings under the Hallowe’en Tree and a rather whimsical tower that’s full of fairytale left-overs under the auspices of its skeleton crew.

The episode ends with a visit to Frightened Pink – a region that combines scariness with fund-raising to fight breast cancer.

Halloween in Bellisseria, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Plus, of course, there’s a slideshow of fabulous images of Hallowe’en across the Grid created by Wildstar Beaumont.

It all makes for a great scary show – so do tune in or join us at 2pm SLT at the Watch Party in Garden of Dreams!

Halloween Haunted Tour, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

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Places we visit on the show:
Portal Park – Halloween entrance: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Portal%20Park%202/119/77/53
Millbank: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Millbank/173/71/23
“The Legend of Wooley Swamp”: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fairytale/237/237/21
Haunted Hollow: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Island%20Of%20Joy/241/12/97

Halloween in Darkwood, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

 

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Have a Happy Halloween – with Gifts in the Library from Designing Worlds

Inside the Library, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Designing Worlds have recorded a special show for Halloween – Gifts in the Library – and it’s available on the web!

DW407 – Gifts in the Library – A Hallowe’en Tale from Richard Elen on Vimeo.

You can also see the show on YouTube or on SLArtist.

Tak’s a thief – one of the best pickpockets in Old Bart’s gang in Top Town. It’s All Hallow’s Eve, and young Tak is on the look out for what she can steal. But is she wise to visit the mysterious library? And what will be her her own special experience of Trick Or Treat?

Tak meets the Professor inside the Library, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Gifts in the Library, a special tale for Halloween, written by Saffia Widdershins.

Readers, in order of appearance:
Saffia Widdershins
Corwyn Allen
Aisling Sinclair
Elrik Merlin

Performers:
Tak was played by Alethea Denimore
Mikey was played by Arvid
Old Bart and the Professor were played by Lambda Actor

Tak and Old Bart, the fence, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Extras:
The Second Life Cheerleaders Squad
The Urchins of New Babbage
Wildstar Beaumoont

Lambda Actor appears courtesy of the Faireland Players

Old Bart’s Den, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Locations:
The Looking Glass, Horizon Dreams – this link takes you to Tak’s Top Town – but don’t forget to visit the store as well!
Street-Rat Den, Jadida Mondrago – this link takes you to Old Bart’s lair, created by Beryl Strifeclaw.
Pandemonium – Aged Dungeon (privately owned) – this link will take you to the rezzer at Pandemonium where you can see – and buy – the dungeon

Many thanks to:
Sharni Azalee
Beryl Strifeclaw
Aisling Sinclair
…and the very patient Extras!

Tak spies on the Trick or Treaters, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Still Photography:
Wildstar Beaumont

Videography & Editing:
Elrik Merlin

Music:
Moonlight Liaison by Paul Mottram
Courtesy of Audio Network

Mikey, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Produced and directed by
Saffia Widdershins

 

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Gifts in the Library – a Halloween Tale from Designing Worlds – showing today!

Note for non-US viewers – as the European clocks have gone back, the show will be an hour earlier for non-US viewers (still at 2pm SLT)

Tak makes a dangerous journey, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Tak’s a thief – one of the best pickpockets in Old Bart’s gang in Top Town. It’s All Hallow’s Eve, and young Tak is on the look out for what she can steal. But is she wise to visit the mysterious library?

Tak, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Designing Worlds presents Gifts in the Library, a special tale for Halloween, written by Saffia Widdershins.

The show goes live on Monday 28th October 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.

Tak spies on the Trick or Treaters, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

The tale was filmed largely amongst the mysterious streets and hidden rooms high above The Looking Glass (Horizon Dreams region) – and in other locations in the region too. Additional scenes were shot at Street-Rat Den (Jadida Mondrago) and Pandemonium – Aged Dungeon (privately owned).

The Tale is as mysterious as its setting … join us to discover Tak’s story among the rooftops of The Looking Glass – and learn the secrets of the Gifts in the Library!

Tak looks inside the Library, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

The show was recorded with the readers Saffia Widdershins, Corwyn Allen, Aisling Sinclair and Elrik Merlin, and features stunning illustrative photographs by Wildstar Beaumont.

Make sure you don’t miss this … ah … spellbinding story by tuning in or joining us at 2pm SLT.

The Mysterious Library, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

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Designing Worlds explores some s-s-s-scary Halloween places!

Octoberville, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Join us at 2pm SLT today, Monday 15th October for Designing Worlds at our studio in Garden of Dreams, for an all-new episode as we visit some popular Halloween locations – and learn about a popular Halloween event!

Linden Portal Park, decorated for Halloween, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

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

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

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

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/

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