User:Orian57/UnProvise/aboutup

UnProvise - About

UnProvise - About

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UnProvise is… very hard to describe. The term “UnProvise” is a molested version of the term “improvise” as in improvisational comedy. Devising a scenario and then running with it. Initially the idea came from a couple of days vandalising a certain talk page and then we thought “Why not open this up for everyone? Why not turn some of this random humour into actual articles?”.

Basically we wanted to have something like a content free chat-room. Essentially UnProvise is a place where you can start up a random "situation" and others can join and go along with your comedy. Each person taking it on new twists and turns. You’re probably thinking that this is somewhat similar to the forums and in a sense you’re right but there are differences between them and us.

Differences Between UnProvise and the Forums

For a start UnProvises are articles and therefore can be eligible for feature. During creation each bit you add should be prefixed by your character's name, but afterwards all the characters' names will be removed to create a fully flowing story. Also UnProvise competitions can be held with two or more teams trying to write the funniest UnProvise. And unlike the forums you can get recognition for the funny stuff you write with features and merits (see here). Depending on how many people start to use UnProvise there may be UnProvise of the Week and UnProvise of the Month awards to be won.

Teams

All UnProvises are written in "teams". By team we really mean the group of people involved in any one scenario. You set up your team at the very start of the UnProvise. Whoever decides to join your UnProvise also joins your "team" and shares all awards/merits/features you might get. In competitions, however, teams are usually decided beforehand. We think that it would be wise to have no more than 5 per team. This will help avoid too many edit conflicts and mean that for anyone reading it, it isn't made too complicated.

Formatting

Rules concerning formatting:

1. Firstly we want no custom sigs. They’re messy and distracting. Put your character's name before what you want to say. The name should be absolutely plain, except in bold but not in italics or linked. When you have finished what you want to say put a <br />. For an example format please go and have a look at this.
2. Pictures are not forbidden but we would wish that you don’t use captions. And try to keep them at a reasonable size (no more than 200px). If something happens someone can introduce a picture for example and then people can talk about it or bring it into the plot. Once an UnProvise has been deemed finished and branded with a "THE END" template one or more users who were involved in the UnProvise may add two or three relevant pictures with captions. They may also remove all name-tag prefixes (this is especially if you want to VFH the UnProvise).
3. You should not double post, that is, once you've said something/done something you can't then go and post a second time.
4. Once an UnProvise is considered finished (that is it has either come to a natural end and people have agreed that it's finished or people haven't edited it for a week) then all the usernames that prefixed the different paragraphs/sentences should be removed.
5. UnProvises should always be written in the third person (that cat jumped off the building), past tense. They should be written like a book, fully describing everything that happens. Stage directions (or similar) should NOT be used! You should try and keep in mind that the UnProvise should make sense even if all the name-tags were removed.
6. If you're still unsure about anything check out the demo UnProvise, here.

Setting Up An UnProvise

If you wish to start an UnProvise of your own go to the UnProvise homepage and type a name for your UnProvise in the text box underneath a list of all current UnProvises and then click "Create UnProvise!". You will be presented with an edit intro and the editing box which will have the following code in it:

{{User:Orian57/UnProvise/menu|UnProvise - {{subst:SUBPAGENAME}}}}

{{User:Orian57/UnProvise/unprovbegin2
|Description=
<!--REPLACE EVERYTHING IN THE < > WITH:  A DESCRIPTION OF YOUR UNPROVISATION-->
|Contributors=
<!--REPLACE EVERYTHING IN THE < > WITH:  ALL CONTRIBUTORS' USERNAMES, NO CUSTOM SIGNATURES-->
|WhoIsWho=
<!--REPLACE EVERYTHING IN THE < > WITH:  WHICH USER PLAYS WHICH DIFFERENT PART - I.E. YTTE PLAYS A CAT-->
}}

ENTER FIRST PARAGRAPH - DO NOT SIGN.
WRITE IN THE PAST TENSE.
REMEMBER IT SHOULD MAKE SENSE EVEN IF THE NAME TAGS WERE TAKEN AWAY.

----
[[Category:UnProvises]][[Category:UnProvise Pages]]

This essentially means:

{{User:Orian57/UnProvise/menu|UnProvise - <THE NAME OF YOUR UNPROVISE AUTOMAITCALLY INSERTED HERE>}}

{{User:Orian57/UnProvise/unprovbegin2         (THE OPENING TEMPLATE)
|Description=
<!--REPLACE EVERYTHING IN THE < > WITH:  A DESCRIPTION OF YOUR UNPROVISATION-->        (FOR YOU TO FILL OUT)
|Contributors=
<!--REPLACE EVERYTHING IN THE < > WITH:  ALL CONTRIBUTORS' USERNAMES, NO CUSTOM SIGNATURES-->        (FOR YOU TO FILL OUT)
|WhoIsWho=
<!--REPLACE EVERYTHING IN THE < > WITH:  WHICH USER PLAYS WHICH DIFFERENT PART - I.E. YTTE PLAYS A CAT-->        (FOR YOU TO FILL OUT)
}}

(AREA TO ADD YOUR FIRST UNPROVISE - DELETING THE TEXT ALREADY THERE)
ENTER FIRST PARAGRAPH - DO NOT SIGN.
WRITE IN THE PAST TENSE.
REMEMBER IT SHOULD MAKE SENSE EVEN IF THE NAME TAGS WERE TAKEN AWAY.

(DO NOT EDIT PAST THIS POINT)
----
[[Category:UnProvises]][[Category:UnProvise Pages]]

You just need to fill out all the different bits. For the participants bit only ever enter your own name, even if you know others will be joining. Orian and YTTE will be monitoring all the UnProvises to make sure all the formatting is right, so don't worry to much about that. Just try and fill out each section correctly, as asked to.

Joining An UnProvise

When joining an UnProvise all you need to do is add your name to the list of people involved and add what character you will be playing, in the correct section of the UnProvise description template.

General Rules

1. Never go back to change something you or anyone else has written unelss you're correcting grammar or a typo.
2. Don't be a dick and do something retarded. If you're getting shot at, don't suddenly decide to pull out a super protection shield to bounce the bullets away.
3. Don't let it turn into a battle between two or more users, who are just trying to kill each other and are constantly inventing new ways that allow them to dodge ten heat seeking missiles etc. While fighting and stuff is allowed, remember what it's for: a bit of fun and some a bit of laughter.
4. Be funny and not just stupid.
5. Act like you would on the rest of Uncyclopedia, don't go to crazy.

UnProvises That Aren't Very Good

UnProvises that aren't that good may be placed on Votes For Deletion, have an ICU tag put on them or be simply "shutdown" by Orian or YTTE. Don't let your UnProvise go down this route! Remember to read this seven times a day and remember to pray to Sophia regularly to help make your UnProvise great.