Interview with Mitch Redmon

by Dominick Ciraco 1/02

I've managed to hunt down Mitch Redmon, Storyteller of a Werewolf LARP in New York City. Mitch has been running his game for almost a year now and he was kind enough to sit down and answer some questions.

1. At what age did you start role-playing and what system was it?

     I started with, as everyone just about does, with Dungeons and Dragons.  I was, I think, 8 years old.  My older brother was playing it and I remember sitting close to them, listening to their exploits.  When I got a little older, I joined their game.

2. When did you become interested in White Wolf and the Werewolf game line?

     I jumped on the Werewolf ship about 4 years ago.  I started playing White Wolf with Vampire and my group slowly migrated to Werewolf due to the pack mentality.  It's alot easier playing with the group when your not out to diab each other.

3. Did you always have a like or interest in the vampire genre?

    I've always been pretty much into the Vampire scene, though lately its gotten kind of boring.  There aren't alot of good books out there anymore and even the game itself has gotten stale.  But I do like reading about them.

4. What did you think of your first live action experience?  And what prompted
you to try it in the first place?

     My first live action experience is quite humorous actually.  I had gone to a convention to play in a vampire game and was hoping to play a Brujah.  When I showed up, they only had Nosferatu door characters.  I was at first totally bummed.  But I hung in there and Obfuscated my way around.  I ended up following some Toreador into their hotel room and actually watched them have sex.  So I would say my first experience was good.

5. At what point did you think to put together your own live action events?

    Not too long ago.  Theres a lack of Werewolf games and I managed to pull together 15 people to start with.  From there its been word of mouth. Speaking of which, when are you gonna come to my game!

6. As a fellow gamer/storyteller I love hearing first event story's.  What is
the one thing that stands out from your first event?

     Having to run my first mass combat scene.  Oi.  Mayhem broke out and my assistant ST had gone to grab something to drink, so there I am with 15 garou snarling wanting blood.  Needless to say it worked out and if I do say so myself, rather well.

7.  There are two gaming systems for live actions games, Minds Eye and using
the tabletop version.  You use the tabletop version, what prompted you to use
this?  And do you find it successful in handling challenges quickly?  How do
you get around not using dice or do you use them?

     I use the tabletop rules and character sheets.  I found the MET ones to be too vanilla.  I also had a problem with the rock, paper, scissors.  By using a dice device we get around the challenge hardships.

8. One of the downsides I see for live actions games is the absence of
atmosphere.  How do you get around this?

     Location is everything.  We try to use free public places, like parks.  This adds to the game feel.  In the colder months its alot harder to get the feel and we're currently looking into renting spaces.  When renting, you can decorate as you like, giving the game alot of feel.



9.  The last question leads to this one, whats the future hold for you as far
as events?

     We're hoping to run atleast 12 events this year - one game a month atleast.  There might be some side games - perhaps playing the otherside or even some other creatures in the WoD world.  It will depend upon the staff I can put together and interest by the players.