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October 30, 2004 PirateGold: "Just doing my civic duty, sir!" |
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Success was an understatement. When I entered the theatre where the
pirates and wrenches were gathered, all with huge smiles on their faces, the
program director walked up to me with a grin.
"Fiona, this is going to be sooooo cool!" I grinned in reply and we slowly made our way to the room where the interactive would be held. My eyes got huge with amazement, as nearly every seat was filled! I sat down with the program director to discuss a few points before the movie started. She went up to the stage, told me to come up also, and asked me a few questions. As I answered them and gazed at the audience, everyone was staring at me and had little smiles on their faces. Suddenly, someone came up from backstage. It was Captain Jack! Well, it was someone else in the Captain's costume, but the audience screamed with delight all the same. We made our way back to our seats and the movie started. Everyone yelled the interactive lines with delight and some were making up lines as they went. At other times, the entire audience was listening with rapt attention, hanging on to every word uttered on the screen. I will never forget the feeling when the crowd rose as one and saluted Captain Jack Sparrow. We all felt like we were in the movie and we were all so proud to be part of this spectacular event. As everybody started to leave, they all congratulated me and asked me if we could do it again, because it was so much fun. Finally, the program director walked up to me and said, "That was so awesome, can we make this an annual event??" I nodded happily, and now I can't wait until October 30th, 2005, when Jack, Will, Elizabeth, and the rest will once again be shown on the big screen in our small town. 
raid upon the HMS Hollywood. October 23rd, 2004 Commodore Lorien Fiona Stormfeather |
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Months of plottin' and plannin', coercing and finagling finally paid off for
the faithful Port-Land crew! About 450 swashbucklers mustered fer the launch
of the Pirates of the Caribbean, Curse of the Black Pearl Interactive
Benefit for FEAT of Oregon. A lovely time was indeed had by all. I must say
that speakin' of it now 'twas a bit like yer own weddin'... The pictures
prove ye were there, and I remember a religious experience and a really good
party, and then nothin' till the morning after, but I'll do me best to share
what I can recall... I picked up me crew in Tigardia, consisting of First Mate Quatre, Sue Nommi and Kyle the Incredible. We loaded up the Silver Salmon with neccessary supplies and the really big gun Dell. The Master, Richard the Black was to be followin' later in the jolly boat with the Black Jackal as they had some early sport and deeds to tend to themselves. We high tailed into port just as scheduled with a fair wind and a following sea. First job was unloading the gear, which many hands made light of the work. Lynnigin and the FEAT crew were already ashore carefully placin' treasure prop bags on the red velvet seats awaitin' the delighted squeals of our guests. Captain Morrigan Quicksilver, Quartermaster Splinter Zatara, and our allies at sea and on-shore, the crew of the Rose, the Brotherhood of Oceanic Mercenaries (B.O.O.M), the MacKay, The Talk like a Pirate Guys, Broadside Bookkeeper Brian, Conscious Pirate, and jolly Spinnaker seemed to materialize like specters out of the mists and stood at the ready as Floggin Molly played on the sound system. In the lobby, there was much festooning of Black Flags and swag by Sadie the Goat and helpers. Captain Jack's Pirate Hats, Pirate Pots, Spinnaker CD's and the holy of all holies, fresh stacks of "The Guy's Guide to Talking Like a Pirate" were a feast fer the deadlights and a pull on the purse. After a quick conference with Dan "the wizard man", film was threaded, spot lights set, band at the ready, slide show up and sub-title cue technology in place, ushers at their stations, Lynnigin and Stormfeather, newly made Commodores, arm-in-arm granted admission to the patron hordes. The FEAT (Families for Effective Autism Treatment) crew headed by Cutthroat Carl, hustled the crowd and many a raffle ticket were sold that hour to add to the day's take. The MacKay himself, offered up his services and posed with many a comely lass and hale laddie for portraits. I came to me senses just in time to great the guests, recognize me cousin, and me husband and proceeded to offer up a sparrow tattoo to all takers waitin' in the victuals line. I hear my name being called out and it be none other than the young Mrs. CJS from the forum! Her 'ole dad intrusting her to me care. 'Twas our first meetin', we being a virtual crew, I tatooed the old Sea Dog and sent him on his way, promising that no harm would come to the lass on my watch. Chumbucket and Cap'n Slappy came to attention on stage, and let loose the Spinnaker who wailed some salty sea tunes including Captain Jack and the Mermaid and Haul-Away for Rosie-o (which is so stirrin' that it makes the hair on the back of me neck stand up- past life experience, me thinks). On the really big screen, images of other POTC and pub raids, our sail aboard the Interceptor and black powder encampments gone by flickered in the darkness, illuminating the crowd just how far off the map this crew is willing to go! All too soon the hearty musicians retreated to the CD signin' table and it 'twas time fer "The World Famous Talk Like a Pirate Guys" to do their thing. They did what they do best, charmin' the crowd and whippin' it into a frenzy. They even invited Powdermonkeys on stage fer a sing-song, bless their black hearts! Without notice or warning the ladies and gentlemen of B.O.O.M., lead by the notorious Quarter Master Splinter, commandeered the stage, and proceeded to commence with the raffling! Much plunder was distributed, including Pirate stamps from Rubber Stamp Ave dot com, a bit 'o crockery from Pirate Pots dot com, tickets to Pirate Adventure Theatre, a swank hostelry night on the Oregon coast, Courtesy of Hallmark Hotels, a great pouffy shirt from Dress Like a Pirate dot com and the "piece of no resistance" a hand crafted, Captain Jack's Pirate hat awarded by the Master Hatter MacKay himself and more. Oh yes, there was more to come, on to the movie! Conscious Pirate then took stage right and the spotlight and did his best to instruct the now primed crowd in the usage of the articles contained in their treasure bags for the Interactive! Much rattling of keys, holding up of eyeballs and green apples, swinging of cursed gold necklaces, the wearon' of crowns -- and the hit of the evening -- skeleton bone rattles, made from a recycled 35 mm film canister with a lucky penny inside (makes a lovely, boney racket) , ensued! Having assured the captive audience that they were a lovely bunch of coconuts, and that interactive cues and props, were more like guidelines. It was on with the show..... A hush fell upon the crowd as the lights dimmed and soon Elizabeth stood on the foredeck singing. Stationed at the big Dell I launched our first missive, a subtitled cue, and the crowd roared in unison "Sing out Louise!". One down, many more to go! After about 20 minutes, I handed over the launching to first mate Quatre who had been prompting and pinching me. She did a fine job the rest of the way through! I had trained her well. The audience of course, chimed in with their own broadsides, including in answer to Barbossa's, "Do we have an accord?" ... "No but we do have a Civic" and many more that I dare not repeat in this mixed company! Being no longer needed at the gunning station I was free to mingle and take it all in. Soon, a summons came from the Quarter Master Splinter; I rose in fear and headed toward the back door of the theatre (SHIP!). I stood in the dark, in the shadow of the fierce man's presence wondering what blunder I had performed now. Instead, I earned his kiss and many kudos, for puttin' on such a fine and fancy to-do! My heart swelled, tears came to mine eyes and a blush of satisfaction rose to my cheeks! I finally realized we pulled it off! We made the impossible happen and we had a full house and the Quarter Master's admiration to boot! |
Disclaimer: this is not an official site. The POTC Interactive Project is in no way connected with the film, The Walt Disney Company, etc. The POTCIP is just a fan site.