conversations.from: system
conversations.value: **Hall of Slain Film Studio**
  
  A small Hollywood studio that started as a promising science-fiction company in the early 70s. However, the bigger studios also jumped on the sci-fi bandwagon and Hall of Slain was relegated to cheesy, small budget, schlock films. The studio had a brief revival in the early 90s when teen slasher horror was still in vogue. They created a moderately successful cinema release titled *The Killer Cheerleader*. Critics labelled it 'smut wrapped in gore', nevertheless, it funded the studio's survival into this decade. 
  
  Hall of Slain continues to make films—as their motto says: 'We specialise in straight to DVD release'. They now have a small cult following of B-grade movie fans who relish the cheesy scripts and poorly created props.
  
  You will play an actor, playing a role in a B-movie. Each chapter will be another film. They are meant to be short, funny and craptastic. It this game, it is great when you character is hacked to death in a brutal way!
  
  
  Hall of Slain Studios comprises:
  
  **Boris Hitchcock—Director**
  Hall of Slain's favourite (and only) director. Rumoured to be the bastard son of the Master, Alfred Hitchcock; if it is true, film-making prowess is not genetic. Hitchcock was a promising talent in the late 70s/early 80s however never reached expectations. While his ability to get the best out of actors leaves much to be desired, Hitchcock does have an eye for tack and kitsch. He has won several dubious awards overseas for his work. Boris does have an appeal to many young actors, as he has made over 200 films and will employ relative unknowns. He also has a cult fan base and there is a fan club. He is a large and overweight man in his 50s, bald with a little dark hair above his ears. He has a thin beard that covers his jowls, and moustache.
  
  **Lou Sapphire—Producer**
  The man that started it all as a bet and now only keeps it running to put subliminal messages into the films. Sapphire has been producing film and television for 50 years. One night at the Oscars, which he was producing, he made a bet with Francis Ford Coppola that he could create the worst movie studio of all-time. Sapphire now owns the rights to *Apocalypse Now*. Sapphire is well-know for his inescapable contracts and many actors have 'signed their life away' to him. Many budding actors try working in Hall of Slain on the off chance that they may be seen by Sapphire and he will move them on to bigger and better things. They are all of course wrong. He is of medium height with black hair and browny-red eyes. He has a charming smile and talks with a worn smoker's voice.
  
  **Holly Love—Scriptwriter**
  Some people may remember Holly better in her role as 'Dolce Horrific', a late night B-movie presenter. She rode on the success of this show for a few years until it was axed. Work dried up quickly so she had to remove her Bride of Frankenstein wig and find a new job. After five years of watching horrific movies she though she had the knowledge base to start writing them. She has been writing for Hall of Slain ever since. Holly is very dedicated to her craft and took a 'how to write a screenplay' weekend class this year. She also has a book, called *The Tentacled Sex Alien* that is currently with several big-name publishers. She is a tall woman in her late 50s, with long and straggly blonde hair. She has huge eyelashes and always with mascara around her eyes. She is yet to be seen without a cigarette.
  
  **Terence Marlowe—Star**
  The face of a thousand monsters, a modern Boris Karloff. Starting his early career as a Shakespearean actor in London's best theatres, Marlowe in his 20s decided to give Hollywood a go. Unfortunately his standards were too high and he turned down many roles because they were not Shakespeare. These include *The Godfather, Indiana Jones, Planet of the Apes* (the original) and *Star Wars*. He did however take a substantial role in *The Omega Man*, which was detrimental to his career no end. He was becoming desperate. But, as luck would have it, on this set he met the illustrious Lou Sapphire, whom offered him a life-time contract with his movie studio. Sapphire had just signed a contract to produce Roman Polanski's *MacBeth* so Marlowe jumped at the opportunity. Sapphire however did not mean that he would be working for Paramount, but Hall of Slain. Marlowe has made his own opportunities and has redefined 'acting' in B-grade film. He has won critical acclaim for his performances in the title roles of *The Creature That Would Not Die* and *Sextopiate: The Forgotten Caesar—an erotic journey*. Marlowe is a tall and of medium build. He has grey hair and beard. His claim to fame and the reason he makes such a convincing monster is because of his piercing purple eyes.
  
  **Barry—Sound manager**
  A genius with sound effects for a chainsaw carving into any surface, Barry has been with Hall of Slain since the beginning. He was the only person to apply for the position, as it was an upgrade from his position at the sewerage processing plant and he has never looked back. He won the MTV lifetime achievement award last year from his involvement in *Chainsaw Massacre in the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas*. He is known to have a great sense of humour. He is tall, heavy-set with a furrowing brow and is never clean shaven or wearing a shirt with sleeves.
  
  **Melvedez—Properties mistress**
  Little is known about Mistress Melvedez, as all cast members must call her. She is an enigma. She is noted for having very strange fashion sense and is often seen wearing many of the costumes (especially PVC ones) after the films have been finished. It has been rumoured that many of the costumes have come from her personal wardrobe for the films.
  
  ----
  Would you like to join our illustrious crew? Apply now! We need a few more ladies to even up our cast!
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Big Top Tent: A shelter for the festival goers. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Fourth Act: Hysteria: Everyone reacts to gruesome murders in the same way: anger, fear, uncontrollable crying, running off to a secluded spot... whatever it is, it is over the top and hysterical.  How does your character react?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Fifth Act: Escape In A Car: You try and make your escape in a car.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Fifth Act: Escape Into The Woods: You make a run for it into the woods.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Fifth Act: Hide In The Starwagon: It was brought here for the talent and is a perfect place to hide.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Fifth Act: Fight With Marlowe: If you are going down, may as well do it in a blaze of glory.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Music Festival Grounds: The scene takes place at various places around the grounds.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Bad billing: *'So where's my name on the poster... below Barry... but I'm the main character!'*
  	You always have a poor position on the promotional posters. When you were starting out you could understand... but now you're a movie star and sometimes your name gets cut off by the printers. It may be a conspiracy to hold back your burgeoning career.
  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Actor: You are an actor for *Hall of Slain* Studios.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Survive The Film: This set seems a little dangerous.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Typecast: *'Look, I know I play football guy really well, but this is getting ridiculous.' said the Roman Emperor.*
  	You are always the same character... no matter what. Even if it is completely wrong for the movie. This hurts your creative integrity... not to mention your future possibilities. It may be a conspiracy to hold back your burgeoning career.
  
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Same voice: *'Ack, the wee lass neigh had a chance aginst da big ooogar,' said the Chinese herbalist.*
  	You always have the same voice in every film. Even when the accent or modulation is completely inappropriate, you are still the same.
  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Strange disease: *'Mmm... must have been from that overexposure to all that toxic waste in the last film. Damn Sapphire, he assured me that anthrax wasn't real.'* You are hampered by something you contracted while working for Hall of Slain.
  
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Casa de pepe?: You do not speak English, well not well anyway. You have either the choice of using your own fractured dialogue, or being badly dubbed over.
  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Stupid names: *'Twinkie McDipstick, you've got to be kidding me!'*
  	Oh if only we were, no matter who your character is, they always have the stupidest names. It may be a conspiracy to hold back your burgeoning career.
  
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Overconfident: *'No problem, we'll be able to out run the werewolf and lock ourselves up stairs in the spooky attic. I'll defend you from any nasties up there!'* 
  	If there is something stupidly dangerous to be done, you're the guy. Although, your parts always seem to be pretty short... I wonder what that's about.
  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Kiss of death: *'No way Johhny, I'm not getting romantically involved with you. You've already has three girlfriends die on you in this movie!'*
  	Anyone that your character befriends or become romantically entangled with dies. You have the kiss of death, which really affects your 'intimate scenes'
  
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Over inflated chest: *'This is an awfully stifling bikini, plus I can't breath properly... running, you've got to be kidding!'*
  	Whether you are male or female your chest is an impediment. Running is impossible, plus there is always a shot of your frontal zone in every movie, no matter how inappropriate. Needless to say, your parents have never seen any of your films. 
  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Crap line: *'I'm going to send you demons back to where you came from... err... to hell! Yeah, hardcore nerd slap!'*
  	Your characters always get stuck with the lamest line of the film. Everyone, even Barry the sound guy makes fun of you. It may be a conspiracy to hold back your burgeoning career. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: First victim: *'Hey guys... look I made it onto the third page! Oh wait... that's Jim's character... no I died on page one.'*
  	No matter your role, you are always the first person to die. You may last a while, or go right away... the worst was in the opening credits. It may be a conspiracy to hold back your burgeoning career.
  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Injured: *'Yeah, Sapphire said that we have a medical plan, but falling sound equipment isn't covered.'*
  	You sustained a major injury on the last film which hampers you to this day. 
  
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Bad costume: *'Good one Sinead, no only do you look like a giant piece of fairy floss, you've also attracted the alien mother ship!'*
  	You are always left till last in the costuming budgets. You've warn the same hot pink hot-pants in the past three films.
  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Forever: *'There was small print on that contract... oh man that is small. I still can't read it!'*
  	You are a victim of Lou Sapphire's most infamous trick. You have signed an exclusive life-time contract. There is no escape. You are destined to 'star' in Hall of Slain films for the rest of your miserable existence.
  
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Bad luck: *'Wow, that light just went straight for you. It was like it had a mind of its own. Yeah, it missed me, Barry the sound guy, Christopher and that huge prop of the cut out house and hit you right in the eye. How about that?'*
  	If something can go wrong, it will go wrong, especially around you.
  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Some people never learn: *'So what, I'll never need to know how to do a British accent. Nobody does British characters anymore. James Bond is English... aw crap!'*
  	You just have trouble learning how to do things. You always have. The doctors said it was a 'learning disability', the kids at school said you were an 'idiot', your teacher were inclined to agree. No matter how many time people show you how to do things, you just can't seem to get it. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Bad reviews: *'In her role as Bimbo, the naked large breasted nymphette with two lines, Sally Jacobs was spectacular, a true credit to the film industry. However, the performance of Len Star as the professor whose family was slaughtered and descends slowly into madness was very poor and was only highlighted by his death at the hands of Bimbo.'*
  	You give your best, you give your all, but the critics hate you. Even if you starred with Kenneth in a production of *A Midwinter's Tale* and gave a performance worthy of an Oscar and a Tony, they would still give more praise to the scenery than you. It may be a conspiracy to hold back your burgeoning career. 
  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Bad hair: *'Bride of Frankenstein, neat, I didn't know she was in this picture. She's not... oh...'*
  	It doesn't matter when you arrive in make-up, or which hairstylist does your hair, you always look like a perm gone wrong. It may be a conspiracy to hold back your burgeoning career.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Inappropriate music: *'Cut to the entrance of the dark mysterious Victorian killer... cue in porn music... and action!'*
  	Every time you make an entry, there is the most inappropriate music. No matter the character, the music will never match up with the entrance. It may be a conspiracy to hold back your burgeoning career.
  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Bad cologne/perfume: *'We'll hide from the ghouls in here... wait a minute they seem to be following us... ewww, what's that smell?'*
  	What ever you wear, it attracts the creatures of the night. It makes it impossible for you to ever hide.
  
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Athletic: *Yeah I was captain of the football team, all-state athletics and a test subject in the super soldier program.* You are fit and strong.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Attractive: *I just asked Mr Hitcock if I could have a bigger role and he said sure. I think bending over at the time really helped* You are attractive and you used it to your advantage.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Brains: *Running up the stairs might not be the best option. How we would get out from up there?* You have the smarts. If it is a zombie outbreak, you are going to look mighty tasty.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Good Actor: *What the hell is she doing in this piece of garbage? That was believable!* This place is your stepping stone to somewhere better, because you can actually act.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Signature Move: *I call this one* Blue Steel. *Makes them putty in my hands.* Whether it is an eyebrow raise or karate kick, you have a move that people will pay to see.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: To Be The Star: You want to be Hall of Slain's biggest star. Congratulations, you are half way there.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Win A Razzie: John Travolta has one (or two) so why can't you?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: To Get Another Job: There must be somewhere else that wants non-union labour to do horror films. Surely...?
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Launch Your Career: This is a stepping stone to bigger things and these people are just the air beneath your foot.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Meeting Room: The meeting room in the office where the movies are discussed and the roles are given out.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Holly Love: Scriptwriter for all of the Hall of Slain films.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Boris Hitchcock: Hall of Slain’s favourite (and only) director. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Main Stage: The main stage at the Mountain Meltdown Music Festival
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Establishment scene: You need to show your character in the scene and their introduction onto the screen.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The First Act: In the first act, we need to see the normal activity before the civility is ruined by the brutality.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Blood Splattered Port-a-Loo: The site of the first murder. There is a portable toilet, covered in blood and parts of a person sticking out from the bowl.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Second Act: First Murder and Reactions: You need to see the first murder victim and react to the macabre scene. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Third Act: Death of a Named Character: One of the characters wanders off and is killed in a suitably gruesome fashion.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Back of Main Stage: The workings of the main stage at the festival.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Third Act: Find the Victim: You are the one who finds the horrendous scene and raises the alarm.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Game for Anything: Over the years you've worked with REAL stunt men, and learned some tricks to prevent your untimely demise.
  
  Now, you will do anything for a cool effect - who cares if it's dangerous, reckless, or stupid! 
  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Stunt Double: Jumping into a pit of acid, piece of cake. Falling down a set of stairs, while on fire, with a chainsaw in both hands, easy as pie. No jump to big, no fall too long.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Good Actor: *What the hell is he doing in this piece of garbage? That was believable!* This place is your stepping stone to somewhere better, because you can actually act.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Feed Yourself: Bills need to be paid, and a regular paycheck helps with that and many other things.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Video Game Designer: You are a low budget cult video game designer, who has been asked to guest star (forever) in these hip, kitschy movies!
  
  Your task is multitudinous: your entire creative and technical effort is a shared duty within a small team of friends.
  
  Your consumer audience has years of continued amusement from your intellectual efforts, but they rarely know how much work is involved.
  
  There's alot of slick romance from myspace strangers too.  Most fans rarely know how much slick romance is involved.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Good Attitude: You are a friendly, optimistic guy.  You rake in the cash from paypal purchases of your video-game downloads, and you have thousands of actual fans.
  
  Now, you get to be a horror movie actor!  Hooray!
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Busy Coding New Game: They hired you to be an actor, which is so cool, but you get more money from selling new computer games.  Hey, the producer of the company is a big fan, too!
  
  So, they'll let you code while you're acting, right?  I mean, giant preying mantises do have laptops, am I right?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Code the New Horror Video Game On Time!: You promised your fans a brand new computer game, a turn-based grand strategy game where the world is haunted and you play the ruler of a small nation.
  
  There will be ghouls who recite classical poetry, vampires in bikinis, ghosts that rap, witches proselytizing gender equality, semiologist transgender werewolves, and cute little dancing serial killers!
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Sidekick: You often play the sidekick to the hero in many of the Hall's movies.  Sometimes your character survives, Sometimes he does not and sometimes he is the murderer.... but to be the hero? That would be awesome.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: A Bit of Old Cinematic Art Style, circa 1970s: The blurring view of a camera was prominent in many student art films of the seventies and also came into vogue within a few commercial advertisements and television shows, as well as movies.
  
  As it was overdone and audiences began reporting annoyance with the technique, it was quickly abandoned.
  
  We have rediscovered this technique.  There is no help for us.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Good timing: You can feel the innate pace of things. Your estimates of how long something will take are usually spot on, and even better, you've got rhythm, so even though your voice is a bit gravelly, you can still sell a tune.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Building Tension: You seem to know how to build just the right amount of tension for a scene to keep the audience on the edge of their seat.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: It's Not What It Looks Like: Just because you're sitting behind a loo with your partially visible right arm bouncing up and down, it doesn't mean that you're doing something *with yourself*.  It's just that you have to code this game on time and it's a tension release to type so fast and so smoothly.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Learning the Ropes: You've had only one job up until this point and now, suddenly, you're thrust into a new role hoping you don't stumble too much.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Quick thinking: You're pretty good at improvisation. Or at least you think you are! Either way, you help in the best way you can.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: squeamish: you don't react to gore very well
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Clumsy: Somehow, you're a walking recipe for disaster. You don't even know why!
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Over Acting: sometimes you try so hard that you just try... too hard.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Narcissist: This is ALL HAPPENING TO YOU.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Experiance: you've been acting like a panicked victim for years. This is your acting bread and butter. You do it good.