Spotlight on Small Scenario Producers
by Rachel Mork on Jan 29, 2009
Since the scenario games put on by major producers get a lot of publicity, we figured it was about time the smaller local producers of games got some attention and kudos. These event producers put in their time, energy and creativity to put on events catered to smaller groups of players who crave new challenges and games in the spirit of pursuing paintball for the love of the game. But how do these ambitious producers do it? How do they create the scenarios, build the props, find the fields, and score prizes for the players? How do they go from participating in the games to producing events? Most importantly, what tips do these successful local scenario producers have for those who want to put on an event for the first time?
Who Did We Interview?
We interviewed three local scenario producers to get the skinny on the challenges and rewards of producing your own event. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to finally write and produce the scenario game of your dreams once you hear about their experiences.
Dean “CUDA” Allen
Dean Allen of Freedom, Pennsylvania began producing his own games in 2004 because he wanted to make exciting paintball events available to everyone regardless of financial constraints, experience levels, or time availability. He recognizes the fact that many people who love paintball may not have the time or resources to commit to practicing with an organized team at the level needed to participate in some of the bigger events. He started his production company--named Mission Masters--as an alternative option to the big events.
Cameron “Cambo” Byrd
Cameron Byrd of Team Spin in Johnson City, Tennessee is a youth minister for The Oaks Fellowship. He started his paintball scenario games two years ago as a way to bring the youth of his community together for some good, clean fun and to get a sense of working as a team. He discovered the local scenario games appealed to more than just his youth group. Now he’s putting on events that draw everything from heart surgeons to teenagers, all in search of a fun game of paintball.
Don “Badger” Jarrett
Don Jarrett of Loveland, Colorado started producing events with the support of his team, Shadow Company, six years ago. Known for their “Border Wars” between Wyoming and Colorado players, they’ve had up to 115 players come out to their games. Jarrett prides himself on providing a safe and affordable environment for players who otherwise might be just shooting it up out in the woods.
How Do You Come Up With a Scenario Theme?
Perhaps one of the most fun aspects of producing your own scenario game is coming up with the theme, props, and missions. You can make your scenario as complex or simple as you wish, but the key to creating a fresh scenario that will draw players is to reach into your creative well and develop missions you’d enjoy accomplishing. Allen tells us, “I grew up in an age of action movies and video games. Sprinkle that with some mad creativity and you’ve got the recipe for success! Many of our themes are generated from popular video games, movies and historical events.” Some of the themes they’ve used are: Resident Evil, Invasion of Aliens, Black Hawk Down, and Armageddon. You can check out a more complete listing of the events they’ve sponsored at http://www.missionmasters.com.
What Will Make Your Scenario Special?
You’ll want to think through what makes a game of paintball particularly thrilling to you and find ways to incorporate that into the game. Byrd says he likes to “use a video game style of play where the person who steals the flag becomes the biggest target on the field.” He accomplishes this by requiring each team to have 10” by 16” flags mounted on five foot tall poles, so the person who steals the other team’s flag instantly becomes a visible target as they try to make it back to base. Players get to enjoy the rush of knowing everyone is gunning at them at once.
How Can You Incorporate Inexpensive Props?
Finding props that will inspire your players to complete their missions with zeal can be challenging, especially if you’re working with a limited budget. You’ll want to look for ways to use average things in extraordinary ways. Jarrett decided to use trucks on the field to add a new level of challenge. The trucks are used to transport troops (players) to different spots on the field. He also places fun props such as computers (just use an old monitor) or fake satellite dishes on the field and makes it a mission to find the designated item and make it back to base with the item. Use your imagination and you can come up with a variety of missions based on the use of inexpensive, easily available props.
How Can You Increase the Fun on a Shoestring Budget?
If you add costumes, props, and use the natural lay of the land, location of bunkers, and the imaginations of your fellow teammates, you can create scenarios that are both unique and hilarious. Allen tells the story of how he placed a swamp monster in the middle of a pond in the field he uses for his games. “We set the rules such that each team had to tag the swamp monster twice with a harpoon attached to a rope. One time a player actually swam out into the pond with the harpoon and tagged the monster twice.” He works with two other players, fantasy novelist Brandon Robertson and paintball enthusiast Carl Kolak, to come up with story lines, missions, and prop ideas. The three men work together to build the props and write the missions for all Mission Masters games.
What Makes a Successful Small Event Work?
To pull off an event like this, you’ll need to do a lot of planning in advance. You can’t wait until the night before the event to write your missions or make your props or book your referees. Here are a few suggestions for a successful first event:
Plan out several 20-minute missions. Make sure the objectives are clear.
Pre-register all players. Have them sign waivers.
Work with a field owner or local paintball team to find referees.
Collaborate with other players to make the props.
Play in the game for part of the time so you find out how it felt to be on the ground. This will help you know what worked and didn’t work for next time.
How Can You Find the Support You Will Need?
Again, it seems creativity and networking are the keys to success. When Byrd decided he wanted to start producing paintball games, he wasn’t sure where he’d hold the games, but a member of his congregation offered the use of his land. Byrd also approached a local sports shop called Alternative Sports. Now Byrd uses those 26 acres to put on scenarios several times a year, and receives assistance from Alternative Sports. Jarrett works out deals with local fields, offering the field owners a percentage of the profits or a certain amount per player who attends the events. Allen shared his vision for the games with Three Rivers Paintball Field, and they supported him as he launched the first of his well-attended games. Now Three Rivers even helps Allen find sponsors for prizes. By developing relationship with field owners, local sports shops, and members of the community, you can find support.
Can This be Done on a Shoestring Budget?
You certainly shouldn’t expect to make money on your first few local scenario games, but you should be able to recoup your basic costs if you charge per player and you work to get donations and support from local shops and fields. Byrd befriended some players from the local SPPL team Rebel Force Pirates, and now several of the players volunteer their time to referee Byrd’s games. Allen gets donations from local merchants thanks to connections provided by the local paintball field owner. Jarrett calculates out how much the games will cost him, then charges enough per player to try to break even. All three men said that this was more of an act of charity spurred on by love for the game and was definitely not done with the intention of actually making money.
What Can Go Wrong?
Aside from the obvious--bad weather--the main issues to worry about are safety and player conduct. You’ll need to invest in getting referees and delineating clear rules about player conduct. Don’t assume players know the basic safety rules, especially if you’re welcoming walk on players who may be novices. Write out the rules and make sure every player pre-registers, signs a waiver releasing you and the field owner from liability, and knows what the expectations are. Paintball players are notorious for being competitive, so have safety measures in place so you know you’ll handle it if a couple players let their tempers get out of control. Always insist on the use of safety precautions such as masks and the use of safeties when in no-fire zones.
How Should You Promote the Game?
Byrd, Jarrett and Allen all suggest you make use of free paintball forums, online social networking sites (such as facebook and myspace) and word of mouth to promote your games. You can also print up flyers for local paintball shops and ask local SPPL teams to promote your events. When Byrd started out, he was mostly concerned that the kids in his youth group would have a safe, fun, and affordable place to enjoy the sport, so he gathered donated guns, masks, and hoppers. His congregation supplemented the original cost so he was able to offer free games to anyone who would bring their own paintballs. As a result of participating in the free games, other people were inspired to make donations, and soon Team Spin had a large stockpile of equipment--and a bunch of devoted paintball players.
Some Final Advice From Those Who Have Produced Local Scenario Games
Listen to the wisdom of these three veterans:
Dean Allen
“Surround yourself with people who are passionate about the sport. Keep pricing reasonable. Pay attention to the details and make the experience memorable for all.”
Don Jarrett
“Make sure everyone is on the same page before the games begin, especially in regards to prop-related missions where the rules might be open to interpretation.”
Cameron Byrd
“Play for the love of paintball, with two goals in mind: 1. Be safe, and 2. Have fun, always in that order.”
May your first local game be a success!
Rachel Mork is a freelance writer and total newbie to paintball. This article would not be possible without the wisdom of Dean “CUDA” Allen, Don “Badger” Jarrett, and Cameron “Cambo” Byrd. Thanks, guys!