Should we call people masters who haven't demonstrated mastery?

I am 100% with Mr R. It shouldn't matter "how many faires" or
how many "workshops" you have taken/done. it should be
a required thing, without all the "title" stuff.
By the same token, Wags....It is not a matter of
taking on titles and the accompanying responsibilities.
Which is why I agree with Mr R. Get rid of the "titles"
and have these workshops, as they were originally intended:
to teach HOW to do the things we do. So that we can "play"
and have a good time doing it. It's not a "burden" nor should
it be forced. But it should, in ALL cases, be required.
Just leave off the "titles" and subsequent "entitlements"
that seem to go with it!

JM2CW

Dino

~grinning~
I'm glad you like that, Wags....*)
~still grinning~

Back to the matter at hand, Bob.
Your points are all valid, I can assure you.
However, you have oversymplified the issue.


While it is true that "a green nubie could equal with
serial apoplectic fits" is sometimes entertaining,
people who work hard to achieve their particular
level of "subtlety of exhertioin" only achieved that
level by practice of their craft. This is what
Workshops are supposed to be all about.

By the same token, one who glides through the
system, who really has no interest in achiving
a level of creativity, should not be assumed to
be so,


The gist, of Mr R's and other's argument is[I believe]
not that "you would drop all participants to the same level
as Master."
It is to do away with "titles' altogether. I don't bellieve
that the idea is to "require everyone to undergo
the same number of workshops as an Apprentice"
I think that would be asinine.
However, I do agree that it is "masters" who don't
know what they are "teaching" because they never
learned it , [or took the time to learn it] but only
achieve the "master" title because they have done
X # of faires. They are skating on "merits" they
have not achieved.
YES, workshops should be "required" but I also
think, going back to a "simpler time", that a few
"basic" workshops should be used.

You will now add "well how do they determine
which workshops are to be used and which
should be "cast aside" as not important?"

They are "requiring all "boothies" [a term I hate, BW]
to take workshops. But they should be limited.
Basic Dress: simple, with examples, and "how to"
Speaking to give the "illusion"..
[That would be BFA [or Basic Faire Accent] and not
"pretending to celebrate"]

That would be all that should really be needed of
someone who does not "entertain" on the streets.

Actors, on the other hand, should be a bit more
refined AND required But not "overburdened".
Along with the above mentioned, I would suggest:

1.Interaction with others. Be they Patrons or Participants.
[that would also include booth workers] so that, while
"celebrating", no one feels awkward or "out of place"
[BTW, it would help with NOT feeling they are "pretending to celebrate"]

2.How to "project" so they can be heard, and even speak
all day, without straining their voices. [you would not
believe the number of "masters" who cannot do
that simple thing...and yes, it is simple]

3. How to "think" like an Elizabethan [I am thinking RPFS
or RPFN, as they are the only examples I know] This would
include "how to be funny or serious". And also, how to get
out of "tight" situations.

Three "basic workshops" that can be "taught" by one or
two folks who know how. Just because they have done
X # of faires, does not mean that "they know how" or that
they are better. They can be a "green nubie" and still be
able to teach something simple. But, by the same token,
ANYONE can go to any of the other workshops, if they
so desire.

All done kind of "round robin" for actors AND booth workers.
The first , given to the booth workers, for the "look"
The last, for those who will, continually engage patrons.
Entertainment value, if you will, if they wish to be on that "level".

RE: Paychecks? I don't think that comes into play, for the
"average" participant.

Again, I say, EVERYONE should take these three "basic" workshops.
The experience is for everyone. Young or old. New or "veteran".
AND, everyone needs a little "brush up" if they are here.
But, not have requirements to double......it is an
"experience" for everyone to take part in.
Not as a "Master Participant"
Those with more than "a few" years at Faire [be it Booth worker
or Actor] should be considered, [for want of better than "title"]
"long time participant".

And, in "closing' [of this long winded "sermon"]
I would take your final sentence, as truth, but alter it a bit:

" But it does leave us something to aspire to"...if we wish.
JM 2 cents

[jumping down, from soap box]
Wanting to be helpful Dinosaur

Gail, I don't think it is quite as bad as you think it is. I certainly don't know anyone personally playing this sort of game(and I do know enough people to make a reasonable random sampling), and while I'd wager they exist, they aren't the majority.

Honestly, I haven't heard any REAL reasons yet to do away with the words. I don't know any of these horrid lazy masters who think they are so awesome. All the masters I know use all the time they don't take classes to build, to teach, to direct, to rehearse, to stage manage, etc. I don't know anyone who thinks that ebing a amster means they are the best actor, the most historical, etc. etc. I do know a few people who are of that sort, but I wouldn't qualify them as thinking so ebcause they are masters; they've always behaved like horses bums.