PaintballX3 Magazine January 2014 | Page 49

49 the bread and butter of the industry. In the good ‘ol days however, the level of production was WAAAAAAYYYY higher then it is today. More props were used, mid-level celebrities made appearances, the scenario itself was on a more theatrical level. Today’s common scenario is more a lean, bare bones operation in many cases. The level of props are amateur at best vs a more grand scale, theatrical level props of day’s past. Fields are trying to cover their costs and maximize their profits by cutting “actors” from productions. Seeing a fullblown “actor” who is apart of the game from the time you drive on to the property goes a big way with the “feel” and excitement customers get when they show up. The theatrical level of scenarios have gone down too. Players and actors involved of many games just don’t really get into the mindset of their characters. I was recently surprised this past summer at EMR’s Quest for the Holy Grail. Blue and The Crew did an outstanding job having various characters really committed to their roles. Even before the game started, character-players where interacting with patrons in-character and really added a sense of value to the game. I immediately was drawn into the production and got my thinking cap on to try to figure out how best to maneuver through the weekend’s scenario. Coincedentally, my team, the War Hounds took home the MVT. bring back the masses. Trust me! What’s the furthest you or the team has traveled to play ball? Currently, the furthest I have traveled for paintball is Chicago a few times. My first time out there was two years ago. I drove out with two good friends, Noah Harper and Jerry Braun for the UWL., playing with the legendary Master Blasters on their official return to the sport. In the first round we played, it was more of a who’s who of paintball. I was standing next to the likes of Darryl Trent, Chuck Hendsch, Bob Long, Kevin Donaldson, Steve Davidson, Noah Harper, Dan Colby and a few others. Have fun seeing that collection of players ever again on the same team!! The send time out to Chicago was to play with the Master Blasters this past summer at Living Legends. I had a blast playing with a completely new crowd of players and got to see what the midwest has to offer, which is a ton! I will be going to Puerto Rico, early this year and my mask will be going with me.? Todd, thanks for everything! Thank you John and the staff at X3 for giving me the opportunity to share this. I love our sport to the core and will do just about anything to help it keep going long into the future. As much as scenario paintball is a sport, it also has an element of theatrical entertainment. People want to get lost in the scenario for the day or weekend and forget about their worries and stressors of life. That’s why people watch TV, go to F