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Getting Started

What is MPTV?

MPTV is a new social TV experience from Theatrics where anyone can create a character and play a part in an ongoing story.

What is Beckinfield?

“Beckinfield” is the world's first Mass Participation TV series, set in a fictional small town where life is anything but ordinary. In the story, the tenth-grade English class has begun a project to get Beckinfield residents to create video diaries.

What is the Ultimate Online Audition Contest?

It’s a national talent competition in which anyone who likes to act can compete before a celebrity judge (Jonathan Frakes) to win $10,000 and a trip for two to Hollywood.

How do I fit into all of this? Am I an actor, a character, or what?

Here’s a little vocab lesson!

You: you, person, who is reading this right now and possibly entering the contest. To win, you must be a legal resident of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and you have to be 13 years or older when you enter. You can’t enter if you work for Theatrics, are one of our consultants, or if or if you’re related to one of us. (Sorry, mom and dad!) You also have to be a Theatrics subscriber (“Actor”) — which is free, so don’t worry — and create a Beckinfield character to enter.

Character: The original character you create in the Mass Participation TV show “Beckinfield,” which is set in the fictional town of (you guessed it!) Beckinfield. We’ll help you create this character after you sign up as an Actor.

Role: One of the six parts up for grabs in The Legends of Beckinfield, the community theater play debuting in Beckinfield. The roles are: Becca Beckin, Bradford Beckin, Charles Beckin, Susanna Beckin-Linding, a Starla Witness (yes, you saw the monster in the lake!), and the Town Historian.

Entering the Contest

When can I enter? What are the deadlines?

The contest is nine weeks long and is divided into three 3-week rounds. All begin at 12:00 AM EST on the start date and end at 11:59 PM EST on the end date.

Round 1: November 20, 2011 to December 10, 2011
Round 2: December 11, 2011 to December 31, 2011
Round 3: January 1, 2012 to January 21, 2012

Do I have to enter in each round? What if I miss Round #1 or Round #2?

You can enter in one, two, or all three rounds; it’s totally up to you. And even if you miss Round #1 or Round #2, you’re still allowed to enter until the final deadline on January 21, 2012.

Is there some kind of elimination between rounds?

Nope!

Which role should I choose?

Whichever role you think your character can rock! Or don’t choose; you can submit separate entry videos for any or all of the six roles in The Legends of Beckinfield.

Do I have to use your scripts?

Your character can either use one of the scripts provided or can improvise a script. If your character decides to improvise, be sure that the improv relates to the context of the script for role you are playing.

We’ll post new scripts for each of the six roles at the beginning of each round. That way, if you enter each round, you’ll have new material to inspire you.

How many videos can I enter in the contest?

You can enter up to three videos per role over the course of the contest(one for each new script, or new script improv, for each role), so you can enter up to 18 videos. Or just one! We’re guessing it will be some number in between.

I just entered a video for a role during Round #1 using a Scene 1 script. Now what?

If you want to submit another entry for the same role, you'll have to wait for another round. You could always create an entry for another role while you wait, or just make other Beckinfield videos.

What am I supposed to say in my entry video(s)?

You must start by introducing yourself as your Beckinfield character and then state his or her occupation. Say what role your character is auditioning for and then start the audition.

Ex: “Hi, I’m Freddy Blinskousky, I work over at Beckinfield Hardware, and I’m auditioning for the role of Bradford Beckin.” Then Freddy would start his Bradford Beckin audition.

What can’t I do in my entry video?

Don’t use any title cards or credits.

Don’t break the fiction of the world of Beckinfield by using your real name or talking about the contest. When you’re on camera, it’s all about your character auditioning for a role in The Legends of Beckinfield.

Don’t let your video go over three minutes in length. If your video runs over, only the first three minutes will be judged.

Can I flash you, drop an F-bomb, sing my favorite band’s hit single, and then threaten to beat you up?

Actually, no.

The site is moderated as if it were produced by Beckinfield High School's "On the Map" Project. The students would unpublish anything the high school would not allow. This includes (but is not limited to):

No nudity or profanity.
No descriptions, depictions, or implications of explicit sexual or violent situations.
No music, video clips or otherwise copyright-protected material.
No harassing, name-calling or otherwise belittling of any site contributors.
No threats of violence against other people, characters or yourself.

You also have to read and then follow all the guidelines outlined in our End User License Agreement and the Official Rules.

Winning the Contest

How do I make it to the finals?

After each round has ended, six Actors will be chosen as finalists. (If you win a round, you are in the finals.) Impress the judges during the first round and you can be one of the 18 Actors who makes it to the finals. If you need another chance to show off your stuff, you’ll still have plenty of time to enter. (But if you want to try again, a new entry video is required to be considered again.)

Finalists will be announced on the following dates:

Round #1: December 19, 2012
Round #2: January 9, 2012
Round #3: January 30, 2012

As of January 30, 2012, we’ll have selected 18 finalists.

If you are named a finalist at any point, you can no longer submit entry videos for other roles.

How can I get people to vote for my video(s)?

If your friends and family want to give your video(s) a Rave or Super Rave review, they have to join Theatrics with a free Fan or free Actor account. (Fan is the easiest, as all we need is an e-mail address.)

How do I win?

After all 18 finalists are chosen, actor/director Jonathan Frakes will watch the finalists’ videos and will award the Grand Prize to the best actor overall.

What can I win?

All 18 finalists will receive a $200 cash prize.

One Grand Prize winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize and a trip for two to Los Angeles, CA, which includes airfare, two nights/three days in a Beverly Hills hotel, and tour for two of a Hollywood movie studio. The Grand Prize winner will also have his or her video edited into a special compilation video with Jonathan Frakes.