Difference between revisions of "The Black Vault"

From Austin Improv Community Wiki
m (added 'media' section)
(→‎Media: added videos)
Line 20: Line 20:


==Media==
==Media==
* Sample video of [[Marc Majcher]]'s [http://vimeo.com/49958497 introduction to the show].
* [http://vimeo.com/49647825 Video of the 9/15/2012 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/50914775 Video of the 9/22/2012 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/52598840 Video of the 10/13/2012 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/52585149 Video of the 10/20/2012 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/52665609 Video of the 10/27/2012 performance.]
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.403247626410589.90509.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset of 10/27/12 performance.]
* [http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.403247626410589.90509.118587218209966&type=3 Photoset of 10/27/12 performance.]
* [http://vimeo.com/52659608 Video of the 10/31/2012 performance.]

Revision as of 17:23, 29 March 2013


"The Black Vault" was an improvised longform show, each show consisting of three individual stories linked by a framing narrative, performed in the style of the novels and stories of H.P. Lovecraft.

Format

Each show was divided into three stories. A predetermined group of characters would begin on stage, establishing a framing sequence. Eventually, one of the characters would say a phrase which might constitute the title of a Lovecraftian story, and the title was taken up by one of the show's two predetermined main characters. That character would then narrate a story, stepping into and out of the scene as desired. At the conclusion of the story, the framing sequence would resume, until a second title is announced, at which case the second narrator would begin his or her story. After that, the framing sequence resumed for a final time, at which point the frame itself became the third story and one (non-predetermined) character from the frame became the final narrator.

Style

The Black Vault stories were generally of three main styles:

  • Weird horror -- Tales of unnatural doings moored in such horror tropes as reanimation of the dead, infestation, mind control, or madness.
  • Dreamscape -- Following the style of Lovecraft's "Dream Cycle," these stories focused on the inner life of the dreaming mind, usually with a fantasy or science fiction bent.
  • Cosmic horror -- As in the stories in Lovecraft's "Cthulhu Mythos," these stories focused on unknowable and largely unseen forces from beyond the stars, represented on Earth by mysterious cults and strange ancient artifacts.

Media