I think I will do reminders once my summons are sent. I was thinking of doing it in several phases to keep people interested in the murder mystery. (Because I start inviting early so I can develop interest and figure out if I need to invite more people because of the rsvp's.)
Phase 1 the summons
Phase 2 A Newspaper clipping with the lead story up to the party (Where the murder occurred and surrounding activities - It was the annual pumpkin festival)
Phase 3 - maybe a toe tag and if that person has committed to come, their character profile (so they can develop their costume around it)...for example one character (who has already committed to coming) is the town deputy and his name is Stu Pitt!
Phase 4? and maybe as a final reminder...a book mark that will have party details on one side and the Murder mystery name and a Large question mark on the other.
Hey Elza, you might have posted this somewhere and if you did I apologize, But I see you are doing an murder mystery! I've always wanted to do one of those. Can I ask just how you are going about doing this??? You can PM me if you want with the details. I am very interested in learning just how those parties are thrown. Thanks!
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Linus: You've heard about fury and a woman scorned?
Charlie Brown: Yes, I guess I have.
Linus: Well that is nothing compared to the fury of a woman who has been cheated out of tricks or treats!
This is my first time. I've been working on it for a long time. I'd be happy to share it with you. Here's the logistics of what I am doing.
Created a story line that has the ability to change the number of characters involved.
It's based on the idea of a small town pumpkin festival murder. So I created all the towns people characters. I have "must have" characters and I have (late guests) other town characters. So as long as they arrive before the Murder is solved, they can participate.
Once someone has committed to coming to the party, I give them a character profile so that they can dress their part. Example: Town beautician, gardener, Pageant Queen, etc. Those that don't commit are asked to where an orange T-shirt if they do come. The will be the other characters from the town and are wearing the "Annual Pumpkin Festival" T-Shirt. This gives me flexibility.
I will be the ghost of the Victim, and early into the party I can't remember much of my life/who I am. As the party progresses, I gain more memory. Especially as the Party goers are exchanging clues about their characters.
Everyone has to tell the truth if asked a question and if they have they have the answer....except the Murderer, he/she can lie. Each character gets their profile, the list of things (dirt) they know about someone else and a list of things (dirt) someone knows about them. Main rule: No one can ask straight out "Are you the murderer".
Their interchange of information will have clues, the props around them will have clues and if they seem to be at a stand still (this is my first time) I can have a small spark of memory as the ghost and help them back on track.
I will give away two prizes. One to the person who solves the mystery and the second one to the person most in character.
If you would like the whole kit and kaboodle, let me know. I will email it to you. Don't mind sharing as long as I am named as the author of this murder.
Just finished up the first invite for this year. Seeing it's Ghost Town theme, I went with TNT invites, as it'll be part of the decor (TNT, Wells Fargo bags, etc).
The TNT is made of 1 1/2" pvc. I closed up one end, rolled up the invite inside, and closed the other end. The invitee opens the tube by pulling on the red and yellow flame-tipped wick. Inside is a personalized "Wanted" poster.
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