FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. So, what’s up with the journal system? Didn’t computers start appearing in the 1980s?
GOOD QUESTION! After much debating, we, the mods, have just decided that the journals are public radio systems (with private channels), so your character’s pretty much just announcing things to the world. Fun, huh?
So yeah, sounds can be heard in the background and stuff, but let’s try to keep this as not complicated as possible? Use brackets or parentheticals for noise.
2. So, what kind of weapon can I give my character?
This kinda depends on their job and what kind of resources they have. If your character is just a simple housewife, then the only weapon they’re going to have access to is something around the house. Guns are actually rather hard to come by in this town and there isn’t a gun store, so you can’t just pick one up. If your character works for the government/police force, they’re likely to have a gun, and if they’re a scientist, then they’re likely to have chemicals and perhaps a weapon or two.
If your character has a weapon in canon and you want to transfer it over here, put it in your app and explain why they would/should have it. However, if the weapon is unrealistic for this setting (ex. keyblade, lightsaber), then we probably won’t give it to you.
3. So, I’m not all that well educated on the 1950s. ...Help?
You’ve come to the right person! There isn’t much technology in the 1950s. There are TVs with only a few stations that go off around ten o’clock (all local stations), a radio with local stations, as well as a few nationwide ones (but those ones have gone off their air since the attack), and record players! There are also jukeboxes, old cameras, video cameras, and, of course, the personal radios. Airplanes, trains and cars, exist as well. There are no CD players, computers, mp3 players, and no lightsabers.
Around this time, rock and roll was becoming quite popular and the Cold War was going on with Russia, so that was happening. It isn't time for Vietnam yet, so don't bring that up. Oh and if your character is Japanese, you might want to consider the fact that a good portion of the Japanese people were put in concentration camps during World War II because of the attack on Pearl Harbor. If you need any more info regarding the times, check out Wikipedia.
An important note to remember are the roles of the family during the 1950's. This was the most "peaceful" era in America, where the father worked a desk job while the mother birthed children and sat in the kitchen (a time before feminism). Since Pleasantville is a suburban town, almost every house looks the same and most of the characters fill their roles as good husband or good mother, unless they're in school.
However, the Beat Generation was also something to come out of the 50's, so your character can be the rebel type who lives for sex and dirty poetry. Heck, they might even be pulling a Jack Kerouac--blowing through Pleasantville on a trip across America.
Oh and since the year's 1955, Disneyland was just completed!
For a look into fashion for the 50s, check this awesme website out!
4. Is it okay if I apply for a character who isn't considered American (aka white)?
Of course you can. America has always been "melting pot" of culture so there existed many people from foreign countries, and people were moving in all the time. You just need to beware of one thing: racism. The 1950s were incredibly racist and sexist, especially since the majority of other cultures were involved in the war. If you're Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, German or Italian, you're probably being picked on constantly and perhaps even refused service at some places.
There is no outward segregation, of course, as in no signs saying certain people can't eat at certain restaurants, but the segregation is almost implied, and the white Americans do believe themselves to be the superior race. Remember, the 1950s was before the completion of the civil rights movement.
Another thing to keep in mind when considering racism is your character's native tongue. At home and in private, they can speak it, but it would probably be a bad idea if they started going on a tangent in whatever language they speak over the radio systems or in public, especially since they're trying to blend in. However, slip ups do happen and we understand that.~
5. What about sexism? How does that exist, even for white women?
The 1950s were very particular about roles for women. Remember, women were only granted the right to vote by the 19th amendment, which was added in 1920--that was only 30 years ago! Besides, in the 1950s, it was ideal that the women sat in the house and cooked/cleaned and were only good for popping out babies. This was the idea behind the picture perfect household in suburban communities like Pleasantville. Remember, the 1950s is also considered the Baby Boom, which meant that women were popping kids out at an exponential rate!
Of course, not all women act like this. However, if you're a female teacher or store owner, expect hesitation in trusting your opinion, especially from your colleagues, who probably won't treat you equally. We're sorry to say, but that's how times were back then, even if some of us don't agree with that notion.
6. What about homosexuality? Is my character allowed to be gay?
Dude, homosexuals have existed since the beginning of time, but we sort of went backwards with that one, starting with acceptance in ancient Rome and then devolving to non-acceptance in the current times. Translation: your characters will know what they're getting into and will have to be very, very quiet about it. If anyone finds out, it's almost complete excommunication from the community. So as long as they keep it on the "down low", your characters should be fine, in a sense.
7. What about sex itself? What's up with that?
Well, if you look at the times with happy high schools and perfect families, you wouldn't actually believe that the 1950's-era was the start of the sexual revolution, as started by the Beat generation. However, that doesn't make it socially acceptable or something that everyone would be into doing, of course, especially in suburban town like this. On the flipside, if you're into the rock scene and follow Elvis Presley (/Klavier Gavin ahahaha xD;), or are a part of the Beat movement, or are a greaser, sex might be something that intrigues you. Again, this would probably be something your character would want to keep on the down low, as it wasn't socially acceptable, and social acceptance is something that most people are going to want to seek. Unless you're a beatnik.
8. So where is this Pleasantville place anyway?
Pleasantville is in Ohio, about a fifteen-twenty minute drive away from Dayton. It’s very suburban with every house looking almost exactly the same to the point of being frightening. If you wanna check out what’s around the place, then take a look at the trusty MAP!
9. Does my character have to live in Pleasantville?
No, they don’t. They could’ve been passing by there and had a car failure, or were staying there for one reason or another. For example, if your character was famous, then I don’t see why they would live in Pleasantville. Maybe they’re visiting relatives or happen to be staying at the hotel while on tour or something. You come up with the reason.
10. So what's up with this bulletin board thing? I'm confused.
Basically, the bulletin board is a way for the students and teachers at every school level to communicate. You can post announcements, advertise clubs, rally up students for some going ons around campus. Protest a war together? Put up job openings, lesson plans. Do whatever you want to do with it. Since a majority of the people here are students, we thought it would be a good idea.
Besides, eventually, there will be a few events where the radios will be out of commission or students/other residents are stuck in the school
11. Do you have a code so I can pimp this awesome RP in my journal?
Right here. :D Please pimp away~
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/pink_spider/zombiethingerad.jpg>
12. Zombies?
BRAIIIIIIINS.
Got any other questions? Feel free to comment here and we’ll give you an answer.
1. So, what’s up with the journal system? Didn’t computers start appearing in the 1980s?
GOOD QUESTION! After much debating, we, the mods, have just decided that the journals are public radio systems (with private channels), so your character’s pretty much just announcing things to the world. Fun, huh?
So yeah, sounds can be heard in the background and stuff, but let’s try to keep this as not complicated as possible? Use brackets or parentheticals for noise.
2. So, what kind of weapon can I give my character?
This kinda depends on their job and what kind of resources they have. If your character is just a simple housewife, then the only weapon they’re going to have access to is something around the house. Guns are actually rather hard to come by in this town and there isn’t a gun store, so you can’t just pick one up. If your character works for the government/police force, they’re likely to have a gun, and if they’re a scientist, then they’re likely to have chemicals and perhaps a weapon or two.
If your character has a weapon in canon and you want to transfer it over here, put it in your app and explain why they would/should have it. However, if the weapon is unrealistic for this setting (ex. keyblade, lightsaber), then we probably won’t give it to you.
3. So, I’m not all that well educated on the 1950s. ...Help?
You’ve come to the right person! There isn’t much technology in the 1950s. There are TVs with only a few stations that go off around ten o’clock (all local stations), a radio with local stations, as well as a few nationwide ones (but those ones have gone off their air since the attack), and record players! There are also jukeboxes, old cameras, video cameras, and, of course, the personal radios. Airplanes, trains and cars, exist as well. There are no CD players, computers, mp3 players, and no lightsabers.
Around this time, rock and roll was becoming quite popular and the Cold War was going on with Russia, so that was happening. It isn't time for Vietnam yet, so don't bring that up. Oh and if your character is Japanese, you might want to consider the fact that a good portion of the Japanese people were put in concentration camps during World War II because of the attack on Pearl Harbor. If you need any more info regarding the times, check out Wikipedia.
An important note to remember are the roles of the family during the 1950's. This was the most "peaceful" era in America, where the father worked a desk job while the mother birthed children and sat in the kitchen (a time before feminism). Since Pleasantville is a suburban town, almost every house looks the same and most of the characters fill their roles as good husband or good mother, unless they're in school.
However, the Beat Generation was also something to come out of the 50's, so your character can be the rebel type who lives for sex and dirty poetry. Heck, they might even be pulling a Jack Kerouac--blowing through Pleasantville on a trip across America.
Oh and since the year's 1955, Disneyland was just completed!
For a look into fashion for the 50s, check this awesme website out!
4. Is it okay if I apply for a character who isn't considered American (aka white)?
Of course you can. America has always been "melting pot" of culture so there existed many people from foreign countries, and people were moving in all the time. You just need to beware of one thing: racism. The 1950s were incredibly racist and sexist, especially since the majority of other cultures were involved in the war. If you're Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, German or Italian, you're probably being picked on constantly and perhaps even refused service at some places.
There is no outward segregation, of course, as in no signs saying certain people can't eat at certain restaurants, but the segregation is almost implied, and the white Americans do believe themselves to be the superior race. Remember, the 1950s was before the completion of the civil rights movement.
Another thing to keep in mind when considering racism is your character's native tongue. At home and in private, they can speak it, but it would probably be a bad idea if they started going on a tangent in whatever language they speak over the radio systems or in public, especially since they're trying to blend in. However, slip ups do happen and we understand that.~
5. What about sexism? How does that exist, even for white women?
The 1950s were very particular about roles for women. Remember, women were only granted the right to vote by the 19th amendment, which was added in 1920--that was only 30 years ago! Besides, in the 1950s, it was ideal that the women sat in the house and cooked/cleaned and were only good for popping out babies. This was the idea behind the picture perfect household in suburban communities like Pleasantville. Remember, the 1950s is also considered the Baby Boom, which meant that women were popping kids out at an exponential rate!
Of course, not all women act like this. However, if you're a female teacher or store owner, expect hesitation in trusting your opinion, especially from your colleagues, who probably won't treat you equally. We're sorry to say, but that's how times were back then, even if some of us don't agree with that notion.
6. What about homosexuality? Is my character allowed to be gay?
Dude, homosexuals have existed since the beginning of time, but we sort of went backwards with that one, starting with acceptance in ancient Rome and then devolving to non-acceptance in the current times. Translation: your characters will know what they're getting into and will have to be very, very quiet about it. If anyone finds out, it's almost complete excommunication from the community. So as long as they keep it on the "down low", your characters should be fine, in a sense.
7. What about sex itself? What's up with that?
Well, if you look at the times with happy high schools and perfect families, you wouldn't actually believe that the 1950's-era was the start of the sexual revolution, as started by the Beat generation. However, that doesn't make it socially acceptable or something that everyone would be into doing, of course, especially in suburban town like this. On the flipside, if you're into the rock scene and follow Elvis Presley (/Klavier Gavin ahahaha xD;), or are a part of the Beat movement, or are a greaser, sex might be something that intrigues you. Again, this would probably be something your character would want to keep on the down low, as it wasn't socially acceptable, and social acceptance is something that most people are going to want to seek. Unless you're a beatnik.
8. So where is this Pleasantville place anyway?
Pleasantville is in Ohio, about a fifteen-twenty minute drive away from Dayton. It’s very suburban with every house looking almost exactly the same to the point of being frightening. If you wanna check out what’s around the place, then take a look at the trusty MAP!
9. Does my character have to live in Pleasantville?
No, they don’t. They could’ve been passing by there and had a car failure, or were staying there for one reason or another. For example, if your character was famous, then I don’t see why they would live in Pleasantville. Maybe they’re visiting relatives or happen to be staying at the hotel while on tour or something. You come up with the reason.
10. So what's up with this bulletin board thing? I'm confused.
Basically, the bulletin board is a way for the students and teachers at every school level to communicate. You can post announcements, advertise clubs, rally up students for some going ons around campus. Protest a war together? Put up job openings, lesson plans. Do whatever you want to do with it. Since a majority of the people here are students, we thought it would be a good idea.
Besides, eventually, there will be a few events where the radios will be out of commission or students/other residents are stuck in the school
11. Do you have a code so I can pimp this awesome RP in my journal?
Right here. :D Please pimp away~
February, 1955-American scientists work diligently at competing with Russia’s technological advances. Rocket ships, cars and airplanes are being created by the dozens (not to mention the nuclear weapons being developed underground). This is the Cold War, after all. However, nuclear weaponry just isn’t the same without Albert Einstein... With one incredibly powerful nuclear bomb gone wrong, problems arise. An entire town winds up dead because the bomb was dropped too close, and the worst part is, they came back to life. With the thirst for blood and cravings for fresh flesh, they spread, turning more cities and towns into some freakish form of zombie-something that was just a myth of stories and movies. Pleasantville, Ohio-this the beautiful suburbia where you are, be it living there or passing through. Word of this zombie apocalypse as reached your town, but many of you don’t believe it actually poses any kind of threat, or even exists for that matter (you learned your lesson after H. G. Wells’s air broadcast of War of the Worlds). After all, you’re safe in your town, far away from the origin of this freakish hell. But, like cancer, they continue to spread across the country until they reach you. Slowly, but surely, they will. Say hello to the oncoming storm, and remember kids, playing with bombs can lead to all kinds of destruction! ♥ |
12. Zombies?
BRAIIIIIIINS.
Got any other questions? Feel free to comment here and we’ll give you an answer.