H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 What do people think of a "Themed Shoot." Now, anyone can shoot a "Themed Shoot" according to standard SASS rules. But, if the shoot is advertised as a "Themed Shoot" then shooters have the option of shooting according to the theme, and those that do get bragging rights for doing so. So, what would the themes be? Well, that would up to the discretion of the match director, but it could be just about anything. The idea occurred to me when I saw a shoot advertised as being a Jose Wales shoot, where shooters had the option of shooting it Josey Wales style if they wanted too. That's a "Theme." Or if you make the theme "The 1880's" you would have to shoot at least one gun that was designed in the 1880's. Maybe. This is just a random idea. I am sure creative match directors could actually come up with all kinds of viable ideas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kloehr Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 I wanted to do the dressed in pink shoot. Maybe next year. And I have nothing to wear for it yet. BTW, Otto screwed you... "Jose" Wales? Wait, that could work LOL. I'm getting ideas. Having way too little participation to suggest anything in this sport, but I have had the honor of donating to various causes to participate in a theme in others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 This coming Saturday the Tejas Caballeros have their annual Hawaiian match, known as Paniolo Days, since the Paniolos were the first cowboys (so they say). Hawaiian shirts and dress is the main theme. And a few weeks ago the Green Mountain Regulators had their annual Miami Vice match, where people dressed as they wished and shot whatever guns they wanted (with lead bullets). The starting lines for those matches reflected the themes. Otherwise, a lot of matches have a running theme to their starting lines at regular matches, that's about as much of a theme as we get normally. The Alamo Area Moderators, a former club near San Antone, used to have each month highlighting a particular shooting style. That is, one month people would be encouraged to shoot duelist, the next month FC, the next month frontiersman, etc. - not exactly a theme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 49 minutes ago, John Kloehr said: I wanted to do the dressed in pink shoot. Maybe next year. And I have nothing to wear for it yet. BTW, Otto screwed you... "Jose" Wales? Wait, that could work LOL. I'm getting ideas. Having way too little participation to suggest anything in this sport, but I have had the honor of donating to various causes to participate in a theme in others. Wrangler makes a nice pink button down shirt. Just be sure to use their sizing chart for the shirt you are looking at. Different collections have very different sizing. A 2x in one collection may be a medium in another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329 Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 The November shoot at Tusco is a Josey Wales Charity shoot. The JW theme means that we offer JW categories for everyone. Senior JW, Gunfighter JW, Cowboy JW, etc. It’s a chance for everyone to shoot the JW category if they want to (They don’t have to!) One-handed, two-handed, BP, etc. — We just want everyone to play! All stages have 5 shotgun targets, so that no one has any rounds left in their shotgun-pistol when they are done. In addition, all the money gathered at that shoot is given to our club charity. We donate all the $$ raised from shoot fees and donations to our “shared Christmas” program with the two communities adjacent to our range. The cowboys are always very generous, and the families who benefit from this shoot are very appreciative. So, let your imaginations soar with respect to “themed” shoots! —Dawg 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 The Black Gold Shootout and Comin’AtCha’ are usually themed shoots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 15 Author Share Posted August 15 1 hour ago, John Kloehr said: "Jose" Wales? Ugh... My enemy the typo beast strikes again! Lotsa interesting ideas. I am gonna try to go to the local Josey Wales Shoot, I've always wanted to try it. I even know what guns I'll use... Left pistol, converted Walker. Right Pistol, converted Dragoon. Rifle 1, my "Big Iron" Rifle 2, New Frontier Buntline. Shotgun... If it's a real shotgun, prolly my Parker. If it's a 5th pistol, Uhm... Probably a converted 58 Remington. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Eagle Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 My home club is having their annual "Hawaiian" match this weekend. Wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt. We had a Classic Cowboy match a few months ago. Didn't have to shoot in the category, but were encouraged to dress the part. Most people seem to enjoy it, even the ones that don't actually participate in it. Just another way to have fun. Maybe we'll have a "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" day sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 3 hours ago, John Kloehr said: I wanted to do the dressed in pink shoot. Maybe next year. And I have nothing to wear for it yet. BTW, Otto screwed you... "Jose" Wales? Wait, that could work LOL. I'm getting ideas. Having way too little participation to suggest anything in this sport, but I have had the honor of donating to various causes to participate in a theme in others. Come to The Tennessee State Championship and you can start out with a pink name badge. Every year Thursday is “Are You Tough Enough To Wear Pink” day and we collect money throughout the match for the American Cancer Society. I only have a few pictures but there is always plenty of pink on the range. Randy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creeker, SASS #43022 Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 As a Match Director - I like events to have a cohesive theme that ties all the stages together. It is not a mandatory component - but when theming (stories and props) is done well; I think it adds just a little something to the mood or ambiance - elevating the match to "playing cowboy" versus simply shooting competition stages. But the SHOOTING match is still the primary reason we are here - the Match Director must be cognizant of that fact and use theming as a spice to accentuate the shooting match, not overpower it. To that end - I kept my stories SHORT (my version of "short" was a MAXIMUM of three lines); remembering the story simply exists to provide some broad context for why we are doing what we are doing. A few themes I have used (after a few thousand stages authored - I have themed a couple) : - Clint Eastwood movies. each stage based on a differing movie and the starting line or prop use somehow referencing a certain scene. Example - High Plains Drifter. The "story" might tell you that in preparation for the killers to return - the townspeople are instructed to paint every building red. Shooter begins with brush in hand pressed against building; line is "Welcome to Lagos" At BEEP: discard brush... - Ghosts and Legends of the Old West. each stage covered a story about cowboy myths and "supernatural" events. Example - The Hellhounds of Eldorado Valley. The story tells you that miners would chain wild dogs to their mine entrances to deter claim jumpers - but when the silver played out; the miners left - leaving the dogs behind to die. But some broke free and their crazed and rabid offspring still roam the valley to this day. Shooter begins with dog bone in one hand - other hand on a pistol; line is "Nice doggy" I don't believe that the presence of a theme will make a poor shoot good nor do I believe the absence of a theme will make a good shoot bad. But I do believe that GOOD shoots do benefit from the addition of thoughtful theming additions. Or as Spinal Tap says, "These go up to eleven" 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dapper Dave Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 I like this idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 (edited) Most every match I write has a theme. And I leave links on our website, in case anyone wants to see/use em. This last Saturday was a celebration of the Tazmanian Devil's 70th birthday. (Was June 18th; yes, I'm behind). All of the lines were Taz's lines from cartoons. (Wild Turkey Surprise?) Next month is Blazing Saddles and October is... well, just come out and see! "I'm workin' for Mel Brooks!" Edited August 15 by The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 The clubs I go to always advertise the theme for the stages. It’s almost always a movie with the starting lines from the movie. Firelands. Tusco, Stoney Bottom, to name a few. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackalope Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 The Oak Ridge Outlaws held a Mother-in-Law Mayhem match last Saturday that was fairly entertaining. Jackalope p.s. No mothers-in-law (or sons-in-law) were injured before, during or after this match. Every story had the stamp of approval of my very own dear Mother-in-Law. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kajun Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 13 hours ago, Blackwater 53393 said: The Black Gold Shootout and Comin’AtCha’ are usually themed shoots. It's usually a very "spirited" match as well. 🤪 Kajun 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted August 16 Share Posted August 16 Themes are OK, don't force folks into what you think is cute or funny. Some folks have never seen Blazing Saddles (myself), Lonesome Dove, Josey Wales. Many don't know of Tom Horn, Butch Cassidy, John Wesley Hardin, etc. The younger shooters we're trying to capture have no idea about most themes, except for what they've seen on video games. After 28+ years I go to shoot not think about frivolity. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 16 Author Share Posted August 16 46 minutes ago, Assassin said: Themes are OK, don't force folks into what you think is cute or funny. Some folks have never seen Blazing Saddles (myself), Lonesome Dove, Josey Wales. Many don't know of Tom Horn, Butch Cassidy, John Wesley Hardin, etc. The younger shooters we're trying to capture have no idea about most themes, except for what they've seen on video games. After 28+ years I go to shoot not think about frivolity. Well, that's why when you announce the theme, you say what it is, what can be done to "participate" and emphasize that it is completely optional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 Posted August 16 Share Posted August 16 (edited) For me, without a theme and lines to go along, I might as well shoot IPSC. Just getting up there and saying "shooter ready" leaves something out of it. Yes, I want to shoot. Yes, I want to shoot fast and do well; but I think we should embrace the C in CAS and celebrate the western aspect of what we do; accurate Old West, Silver Screen Old West or some other variety of a Cowboy shoot. I'll keep writing themed matches and I hope all enjoy em, whether they belt out the lines written or just say "ready". Edited August 16 by The Rainmaker, SASS #11631 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creeker, SASS #43022 Posted August 16 Share Posted August 16 (edited) 5 hours ago, Assassin said: Themes are OK, don't force folks into what you think is cute or funny. Some folks have never seen Blazing Saddles (myself), Lonesome Dove, Josey Wales. Many don't know of Tom Horn, Butch Cassidy, John Wesley Hardin, etc. The younger shooters we're trying to capture have no idea about most themes, except for what they've seen on video games. After 28+ years I go to shoot not think about frivolity. And this, in my opinion, (not taking any shot at you, Assassin - I do understand the sentiment to forego the "frivolity" and just shoot) but sadly, this is EXACTLY why our game is dying out. We are NOT nor have we ever been a "serious" shooting discipline. IF someone wanted a significant shooting competition - the one where grown men play Barbie dress up, call each other by made up names and pretend to be cowboys is NOT the one you choose. I am not saying our game does not have serious competitors (I count myself among them); but I am saying our game is and has ALWAYS been about entertainment just as much as measuring a shooters ability. The trend of "minimalism" - minimum props, minimum words on the directions, minimum time spent on the range, minimal stages having zero (or minimal) non shooting components have changed us into just another shooting game; albeit one with obsolete guns - and I believe this direction has deleted a crucial component from our game which made us a viable different option than other shooting sports. Without the game/ frivolity (themes, props, general silliness); shooters might as well play a modern gun sport with much cheaper guns, no costumes and some claimed real world application. And the numbers show that is exactly what is happening. Edited August 16 by Creeker, SASS #43022 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 (edited) On 8/14/2024 at 7:44 PM, Blackwater 53393 said: The Black Gold Shootout and Comin’AtCha’ are usually themed shoots. Pretty much "What do you imbibe & is ok if it's served through a downspout !! Sorry - I couldn't help it. Edited August 17 by Yusta B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 (edited) 55 minutes ago, Yusta B. said: Pretty much "What do you imbibe & is is ok if it's served through a downspout !! Sorry - I couldn't help it. WELLLLL… There’s beer coming out of one of the walls and “lemonade” coming out of spouts on the poles that hold the building up. There’s a barkeep with a FINE selection of adult beverages backed up to a cooler full of more beverages on Friday and Saturday nights and folks are carrying on into the wee hours of the next day at Black Gold. There’s always lots of food and snacks and even an adult beverage, a dessert, and an appetizer contest!! AND!! Numerous World, National, Regional, and State Champions, past and present, make it a point to be there for the event every year!! I shot on a posse one year that had nine current or former World Champions, a couple of National Champions, and all but one other shooter on the posse was a State or higher champion! That one shooter was a first time shooter and he had more fun than anybody! He was coached, advised, showed, and instructed by some of the best players of this game!! Comin’AtCha’ is much the same!! You’re treated like family! They’re glad you came! They make it fun! And you shoot with the best in the world!!! Both of these events offer premium entertainment and great competition!! These are the parties, much like the family reunion you always go to ‘cause ya’ LIKE everybody, that set the best example of what our game is all about, in my opinion. And one heck of a shootin’ match always breaks out while you’re there!! Edited August 17 by Blackwater 53393 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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