Difference between revisions of "The Nightmare Video Project"

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|Cast= Varied
|Cast= Varied
|Director = [[Marc Majcher]]
|Director = [[Marc Majcher]]
|Run = Sep 2010-Jan 2012
|Run = Sep 2010-Dec 2012
}}
}}


'''''The Nightmare Video Project''''' was a shortform show at [[The Hideout Theater]] that was directed by pre-recorded footage. It was part of ''[[The Wheel]]''.
'''''The Nightmare Video Project''''' was a shortform show at [[The Hideout Theater]] that was directed by pre-recorded footage.
 
It was part of ''[[The Wheel]]''.


== Summary ==
== Summary ==
''The Nightmare Video Project'' featured [[Marc Majcher]] as "the Gate Keeper", a hideous, cackling, [wikipedia:Tales from the Crypt (TV series)#Episodes Crypt-Keeper]-like improv director.  The conceit of the show was that all the performers had landed in hell, and had to perform according to the Gate Keeper's whims if they wanted the privilege of avoiding painful death.
''The Nightmare Video Project'' featured [[Marc Majcher]] as "the Gate Keeper", a hideous, cackling, [[wikipedia:Tales from the Crypt (TV series)#Episodes|Crypt-Keeper]]-like improv director.  The conceit of the show was that all the performers had landed in hell, and had to perform according to the Gate Keeper's whims if they wanted the privilege of avoiding painful death.


The Gate Keeper only appeared onscreen, as the entire performance was a pre-recorded DVD prepared by Mr. Majcher and projected, during the show, and the video screen.  This meant that everything -- setups, suggestion-taking, even calling the end of scenes (which he usually did with a shouted, "SCENE IS OVER!") -- was recorded ahead of time, and the players had to contend with it as best as they could.
The Gate Keeper only appeared onscreen, as the entire performance was a pre-recorded DVD prepared by Mr. Majcher and projected, during the show, on the theater's video screen.  This meant that everything -- setups, suggestion-taking, even calling the end of scenes (which he usually did with a shouted, "SCENE IS OVER!") -- was recorded ahead of time, and the players had to contend with it as best as they could.


Towards the end of the ''Nightmare'' run, Mr. Majcher began experimenting with the multimedia format, including, for example, a setup where, in the scene, the characters' inner thoughts were represented as floating text onscreen.  For another episode, he brought in his four-year-old daughter as an Assistant Gate Keeper.
Towards the end of the ''Nightmare'' run, Mr. Majcher began experimenting with the multimedia format, including, for example, a setup where, in the scene, the characters' inner thoughts were represented as floating text onscreen.  For another episode, he brought in his four-year-old daughter as an Assistant Gate Keeper.
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The show was included in ''[[The Hideout Improv Marathon]]'' several times before debuting as part of ''[[The Wheel]]''.
The show was included in ''[[The Hideout Improv Marathon]]'' several times before debuting as part of ''[[The Wheel]]''.


Unfortunately, the video production required for ''The Nightmare Video Project'' became untenable, and [[Roy Janik]] retired the format in January of 2012.
Unfortunately, the video production schedule required for ''The Nightmare Video Project'' became untenable, and [[Roy Janik]] retired the format.  The show closed on 12/16/11.


== Media ==
== Media ==
=== Videos ===
* 5/20/11: [http://vimeo.com/24094909 Video.]
* 5/20/11: [http://vimeo.com/24094909 Video.]
* 6/7/11: [http://vimeo.com/25373377 Video.]
* 6/7/11: [http://vimeo.com/25373377 Video.]
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* 9/23/11: [http://vimeo.com/29569007 Video.]
* 9/23/11: [http://vimeo.com/29569007 Video.]
* 10/21/11: [http://vimeo.com/30999738 Video.]
* 10/21/11: [http://vimeo.com/30999738 Video.]
=== Photos ===
* [http://www.facebook.com/michael.yew/media_set?set=a.1294236478748.36180.1315383518&type=3 Photoset] by [[Michael Yew]] that includes its 6/4/10 performance at [[The 41-Hour Improv Marathon]].
* [http://www.facebook.com/hujhax/media_set?set=a.10150343191312265.394416.588952264&type=3 Photoset] by [[Peter Rogers]] of the 7/29/11 performance.
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.562200417176812.1073741895.221927764537414&type=3 Photoset] by [[Steve Rogers]] of its 6/4/11 performance in [[The 42-Hour Improv Marathon]].
=== Publicity ===
* [http://youtu.be/_CoDebTOMu4 Promo Video.]


== More Information ==  
== More Information ==  
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/shows/nightmarevideoproject The show's web page.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/shows/nightmarevideoproject The show's web page.]
* [http://www.hideouttheatre.com/in-praise-of-marc-majcher A Hideout blogpost about the show, commemorating its closing night.]
[[Category:Shows|Nightmare Video Project]]
[[Category:The Hideout Theatre]]

Latest revision as of 16:08, 6 April 2015


The Nightmare Video Project

The Nightmare Video Project.jpg

Theater The Hideout Theatre
Directed by Marc Majcher
Cast Varied
Run Sep 2010-Dec 2012

The Nightmare Video Project was a shortform show at The Hideout Theater that was directed by pre-recorded footage.

It was part of The Wheel.

Summary

The Nightmare Video Project featured Marc Majcher as "the Gate Keeper", a hideous, cackling, Crypt-Keeper-like improv director. The conceit of the show was that all the performers had landed in hell, and had to perform according to the Gate Keeper's whims if they wanted the privilege of avoiding painful death.

The Gate Keeper only appeared onscreen, as the entire performance was a pre-recorded DVD prepared by Mr. Majcher and projected, during the show, on the theater's video screen. This meant that everything -- setups, suggestion-taking, even calling the end of scenes (which he usually did with a shouted, "SCENE IS OVER!") -- was recorded ahead of time, and the players had to contend with it as best as they could.

Towards the end of the Nightmare run, Mr. Majcher began experimenting with the multimedia format, including, for example, a setup where, in the scene, the characters' inner thoughts were represented as floating text onscreen. For another episode, he brought in his four-year-old daughter as an Assistant Gate Keeper.

History

The Nightmare Video Project drew inspiration from 80s VHS-multimedia board games like Atmosfear, which used prerecorded video material to time out the game and to provide instructions. Most directly, it lifted its format from Sean Tabares, who performed an identical show in Toronto.

The show was included in The Hideout Improv Marathon several times before debuting as part of The Wheel.

Unfortunately, the video production schedule required for The Nightmare Video Project became untenable, and Roy Janik retired the format. The show closed on 12/16/11.

Media

Videos

Photos

Publicity

More Information