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 Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » Old News & Rumors
[indy ARG] Maddison Atkins - Ch 1 Summary
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QuinceTheCarpenter
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Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 40

 		[indy ARG] Maddison Atkins - Ch 1 Summary
ARG description, links to IG videos and drops, OOG PM Q & A videos
Recently, the first chapter of a high-quality but small ARG was run alongside the Lonelygirl15 "Breeniverse" by an independent filmmaker and puppet master in Texas, Jeromy Barber. This post is meant to share summary information and links to the key material for reference by the Unfiction community. I am a fan of this ARG, but personally had nothing to do with it's creation. My hope is that this may generate some awareness of a small quality effort, leading to increased support for more work from this producer.

It may be of interest to this community for it's IG videos, drop/puzzle materials, and for the OOG discussions with the puppet master who temporarily came out of hiding to address fan questions after the conclusion of this first chapter. This is a great chance to look at one approach to an ARG and the the thinking behind it.

The story of Maddison Atkins and Adam in Chapter 1 was presented through a series of 12 videos, 3 puzzle drops, with supplemental fan interaction primarily through IRC Chat sessions (including the main character), and forums postings. A pre-existing fan base, consisting of Lonelygirl15 fans and many participants of the earlier LG15 CassieIsWatching and OpAphid ARGS, allowed Maddison Atkins to hit the ground running. However, it should be understood that this story had potential bridges into the Lonelygirl15 world, but that it is an independent story, and appears to be diverging from LG15. At present, it is not an LG15 ARG. One character, a possible* assassin named WarPylol, originated in the OpAphid ARG by Glenn Rubinstein, who allowed use of this character in Jeromy's story, and also contributed by editing and then posting a video under the WarPylol YouTube account (see below).

The two protagonists, Maddison and Adam, played by student actors Faye Austin and Jason Zednick were so popular with fans, that when Chapter 1 came to a sudden and early end, the puppet master, Jeromy Barber, decided to take the unusual step of coming out "from behind the curtain" to respond to players' questions in a number of short OOG videos (see below), in forums postings, and in two chat sessions (links to logs to be posted later).

Plans to continue this ARG with a chapter 2 have been hinted at by the producer, who has also indicated to fans that not all puzzles from chapter 1 have been fully solved in the planned timeframe, resulting in only 3 of 5 possible planned drops occuring so far. The name and timeframe for a continuation have not been announced, and are uncertain due to time/resource limitations. There is also talk of releasing a DVD/CD for Chapter 1.

Jeromy Barber is an independent producer of commercials and a small filmmaker, actor, and musician with limited ARG experience who has done a stellar job in this initial no-budget effort. The quality of the videos, engaging main characters, and well-organized puzzle drops and materials all showed careful planning, responsiveness to the audience, a high degree of interactivity with players that would be prohibitive in a larger ARG, all delivered with a feeling of professionalism unusual for a small ARG. Fans were truely moved by the story, as can be seen in the question and response videos posted below.


ARG Name: "Maddison Atkins" (note that this name may change in later chapters)

ARG Producer/Puppet Master: Jeromy Barber (also played Maddison Atkins in IRC Chat, forums postings), with writing assistance and puzzle checking by his friend Vicki.

Characters: Maddison Atkins (Faye Austin), Adam (Jason Zednick), Assassin* (Jason McRoberts), WarPylol*, Mr. Zipp, Whiskey (a dog), HTMLvis (a pigeon, named by fans)

*it's not certain yet IG whether WarPylol was the Assassin, or was working with the Assassin, so for now, they are listed here as separate characters


Summary Information (Character Pages, Story, IG Videos, Drops & Drop Recovery Videos, Solutions, Discussion):

"Maddison Avenue" Summary Page/Links

Maddison Atkins Summary Forums Post

Maddison Atkins Character Page

Maddison Atkins Discussion Forum (IG and OOG)

ARGdb wiki Listing



Confirmed Canon IG ARG Videos:

Maddison Atkins on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=maddisonatkins
Maddison Atkins on Revver http://one.revver.com/find/user/maddisonatkins/page/1/date/asc

What Happened Today - Part 1 (April 11th)

What Happened Today - Part 2 (April 11th)

Immerse Myself (April 12th)

A little help from Whiskey (April 14th)

Drop Found! (April 15th)

Pigeon Part II (April 17th)

Making My War Nook (April 18th)

Summary (April 20th)

Final Check. Pigeon Launch (April 21st)

Note #3 No Pigeon (April 22nd)

Running (April 25th)

No More (April 29th)

WarPylol on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=warpylol
I Heard Pain, Odd Evil Fiction (WarPylol, April 24)



Drops (Fan drop retrieval videos, and Drop details):

The Rue B
Rue B drop (April 17th, NYC) video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD0bnkzLkbs

The Hurricane
Fountain Town drop video (April 19th, Kansas City) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbPMlBxcic4

Marshal Chapel, Boston U
no video (recovered April 23rd, Boston)



OOG Meta Fan Video Questions and PM Replies:

At the suggestion of PM Jeromy Barber, fans submitted a number of question videos, and he replied in kind. There is also a discussion thread for each of these responses available on the Maddison Atkins Discussion Forums link above.

Response #1 (players actions and Maddison's fate)
http://one.revver.com/watch/255307/flv/affiliate/85821
to ignatzmouse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6u4VnjIbpk

Response #2 (continuing the ARG at this quality level)
http://one.revver.com/watch/255370/flv/affiliate/85821
to marlasinger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be98ytUIiLw

Response #3 (Warpylol, OpAphid, and Glenn Rubenstein)
http://one.revver.com/watch/256218/flv/affiliate/85821
to mistabroadway http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwP0cG54FCo

Response #4 (who was chatting as Maddison)
http://one.revver.com/watch/256232/flv/affiliate/85821
to kellylen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAgYHSgY5JE
to Jester http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrVTk6hJ1oQ

Response #5 (about what is coming up next)
http://one.revver.com/watch/256280/flv/affiliate/85821
to S.A.R.A.H. (saraphobia88) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BcNenoOtFU

Response #6 (non-answers to plot/Dr. Seuss question)
http://one.revver.com/watch/256299/flv/affiliate/85821
to Brooklynxman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOkyefOfNVs

Response #7 (actor involvement, improvisation)
http://one.revver.com/watch/256327/flv/affiliate/85821
to krmurr87 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikzww-LyX0

Response #8 (things the PM would have done differently)
http://one.revver.com/watch/256379/flv/affiliate/85821
to voodoo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Xxz2yfoT4

Response #9 (story "discovery" in ARG medium)
http://one.revver.com/watch/256395/flv/affiliate/85821
to immortal1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtrOTGAbrCU

Response #10 (PM's involvement as player in previous ARGs)
http://one.revver.com/watch/256402/flv/affiliate/85821
to Danielle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCeC2cVvw8s

Response #11 (other videos relation to Maddison Atkins)
http://one.revver.com/watch/256411/flv/affiliate/85821
to Haether http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOzyvAhz51U

Response #12 (overall inspiration for the project)
http://one.revver.com/watch/256435/flv/affiliate/85821
to njjkidd5 http://youtube.com/watch?v=sGvJNFUmJFg

Response #13 (PM background, resources/schedule, video making)
http://one.revver.com/watch/256471/flv/affiliate/85821
to QtheC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro1UYC-PIDo

Response from Adam (actor Jason Zednick) #14
http://one.revver.com/watch/258152/flv/affiliate/85821
to selizabeth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOZ_6BgjcI8
& to junkforfashion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AywSlbTrQlo

Response from Maddison (actress Faye Austin) #15
http://one.revver.com/watch/258197/flv/affiliate/85821
to esteed: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JsBfHZYgNLk
to selizabeth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOZ_6BgjcI8

Response #16 (about the assassin's gun)
http://one.revver.com/watch/258233/flv/affiliate/85821
to junkforfashion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AywSlbTrQlo

Response #17 (about how drops were placed)
http://one.revver.com/watch/258354/flv/affiliate/85821
to Emsmu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npsvgi79gxU

Response #18 (Q&A given as musical puzzles)
http://one.revver.com/watch/258902/flv/affiliate/85821
to deagol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvf_EtHVa8o

#18 Question decoded:
What are your ideas and expectations about a viable business model for this new media concept? Or is it just a cool way to promote yourself and your other commercial work?

#18 Response decoded:
A viable business plan is in the making, and this short chapter of our game is part of that process. Similar to the phenomenon of a short film being made into a feature based on its original merits as a short. I am pitching the game and devising a business model with an agency, and I'm keeping those cards close to my chest because it's a competitive world. In the short term, I'm in the process of contacting all the bands who gave us permission to use their music to see if they are interested in letting me sell a soundtrack of Maddison Atkins, Chapter One, and I'm also considering a short run of the DVD of what we've seen thus far. Of course these two methods won't bring in enough money to mount a major production, but it will be good research for potential investors as I explore how to financially support myself as an ARG producer.

Response #19 (about commenting on LG15 with Maddison Atkins)
http://one.revver.com/watch/258935/flv/affiliate/85821
to QtheC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeRsl1vhmZg
to Dejajeva: http://one.revver.com/watch/255477/flv/affiliate/83924

Response #20 (about relation to LG15 plot)
http://one.revver.com/watch/258949/flv/affiliate/85821
to impulse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j8HIfF9k6M

Response #21 (about the word Pigeon)
http://one.revver.com/watch/258958/flv/affiliate/85821
to MissyDanger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjkxCY4CYaA

Response #22 (about choosing drop cities)
http://one.revver.com/watch/258984/flv/affiliate/85821
to Skunkwaffle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1nc1rnTOgE


Maddison Atkins DVD and Soundtrack:

About the Soundtrack:
In the Maddison Atkins videos above, Jeromy Barber used music from people he knows in the music business, and has created a CD available here, profits to be shared with the artists:
"The Music From Maddison Atkins" http://www.jeromy.tv/jeromydir/
(see also Response #18 above)

The DVD includes all the Ch. 1 videos in full resolution as well as the Q&A videos.


Chat Transcripts with the PM:
May 6 IRC Session including Jeromy Barber and the cast


To come:
links to one more edited chat transcript with the PM (if/when it is available)

PostPosted: Thu May 10, 2007 1:44 pm
Last edited by QuinceTheCarpenter on Wed Jun 06, 2007 3:57 pm; edited 6 times in total
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Esteed
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Joined: 25 Jul 2006
Posts: 1147
Location: Delaware

 		Er...this is a little bit more than a rumor...
_________________
"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout "Save us!"... and I'll look down and whisper "No."" -Rorschach

PostPosted: Fri May 11, 2007 8:04 am
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catherwood-offline
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Esteed wrote:
Er...this is a little bit more than a rumor...

Welcome to NEWS and Rumors. This post was out of place in the Potentials arena. No one on Unfiction had played chapter one -- at least no one has posted about it -- so it is NEWS to us. I have the impression that games first have to be actively played in a thread on the unforums before it qualifies for promotion to a separate subforum. We serve our members, not the gaming world at large.

(btw, I was the mod who moved this thread out of Potentials, and gave it the 'indy' tag; i could be wrong.)

PostPosted: Fri May 11, 2007 11:56 am
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Esteed
Entrenched


Joined: 25 Jul 2006
Posts: 1147
Location: Delaware

 		Ah, I see. I don't know if any other members of UF played it, but let it be known that I did, so at least one UF member was involved. One member certainly isn't enough to qualify a post in Potentials, though, I understand.

That said, I'll be sure to post about chapter two when it starts up, to avoid this little mix-up.
_________________
"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout "Save us!"... and I'll look down and whisper "No."" -Rorschach

PostPosted: Fri May 11, 2007 12:53 pm
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QuinceTheCarpenter
Boot


Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 40
catherwood-offline wrote:
Esteed wrote:
Er...this is a little bit more than a rumor...

Welcome to NEWS and Rumors. This post was out of place in the Potentials arena. No one on Unfiction had played chapter one -- at least no one has posted about it -- so it is NEWS to us. I have the impression that games first have to be actively played in a thread on the unforums before it qualifies for promotion to a separate subforum. We serve our members, not the gaming world at large.

(btw, I was the mod who moved this thread out of Potentials, and gave it the 'indy' tag; i could be wrong.)
Thanks catherwood - I am an infrequent visitor here (joined last summer during the LOST Experience), but I think Unfiction does a great job keeping things organized. I was a little unsure where to post the original summary, and made my best guess based on reading the posting guidelines. After that, Redhatty was nice about explaining that usually local mods/admins make the call as to when things should move into the "ARGS with Potential" section.

If "Indy" means Independent Producer, that sounds right.

I hope if/when this ARG continues, it will pick up some interest from some folks here on Unfiction, and if active enough, will make the move - we could use the Unfiction puzzle solving experts... Then this thread will serve as a place to catch up with what has gone before.

Meanwhile, enjoy the videos! Some of the PM responses to questions are classic. Cool

PostPosted: Fri May 11, 2007 2:10 pm
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QuinceTheCarpenter
Boot


Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 40

 		Along with some other updates and added links to the original post, at the suggestion of Rekidk, I have added a listing for Maddison Atkins on the ARGdb wiki here:

http://wiki.argdb.com/index.php?title=Game_List:_M#Maddison_Atkins

PostPosted: Mon May 21, 2007 12:53 pm
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Rekidk
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Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 992
Location: Indiana, USA

 		Thanks so much, Quince! Smile
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PostPosted: Mon May 21, 2007 4:41 pm
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QuinceTheCarpenter
Boot


Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 40

 		Just a small update...

The Maddison Atkins PM, Jeromy, came out of hiding briefly to post on a thread on the Lonelygirl15.com forums here:

http://www.lonelygirl15.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=376548#376548

Quote:
I'm not laughing, but I am hurrying. I hope that makes you all feel sort-of better. Your work helps me work faster, harder, and a little bit crazier since I know you all are counting on me to continue.

At this point, without characters and plot to interact with, I think it is a safe conclusion that solves cannot be confirmed or denied. I'm sorry. What little respect for protocol between a PM and the audience will be exhibited here

I miss you all. You have no idea how much.

so


Jeromy


so that's a pretty good indication that a Ch 2 may appear some time fairly soon.

PostPosted: Thu May 31, 2007 2:08 am
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QuinceTheCarpenter
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Joined: 09 Jul 2006
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 		The Maddison Atkins sequel appears to be starting now...

See this thread for news updates on Maddison Atkins - Ch 2:

http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20100

PostPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:09 am
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