The Alphaville Herald

interview with david pierce

by Alphaville Herald on 18/07/04 at 5:43 pm

- by montserrat tovar llewlyn

david pierce, alphaville’s answer to lord richard attenborough, took some time out of his hectic schedule to discuss recent changes to the diamond theatre. he also shared some of his ideas about the future of the arts in alphaville.

montserrat: i am here today with mr. david pierce of pierce entertainment. mr pierce’s company recently performed “waiting for godot” in the diamond theatre to much acclaim. good afternoon, mr pierce.

davidpiercealpha: Good afternoon.

montserrat: i want to say how much i enjoyed the play. it was outstanding.

davidpiercealpha: Thank you, it took quite a lot of hard work.

montserrat: yes. it was so interesting the way you were able to make use of the limited behaviors available to sims in order to pull the play off.

davidpiercealpha: Yes, it does take a bit of creativity to overcome those limitations.

montserrat: yes. now i recently heard that you will be leaving pierce entertainment. can you tell us about that?

davidpiercealpha: Sure. Last Monday the company released a press release regarding my retirement from Pierce Entertainment, LTD.
The retirement went into effect last Wednesday, so Pierce Entertainment, LTD. is officially no longer in service.

montserrat: can you tell us why you decided to go into retirement?

davidpiercealpha: Well, I have personally overseen every Pierce Entertainment mainstage and workshop studio performance in production, direction, and casting. Since the company began last June, I have personally produced 2 mainstage shows, 2 galas, 1 workshop studio production and 1 special show, along with countless events.
After Godot, I decided that it was time to put my efforts and energies elsewhere to more effectively contribute to the artistic growth of Alphaville.

montserrat: can you describe the form that those efforts might take?

davidpiercealpha: Well, as mentioned in the Press Release, I will be taking over as Alphaville United Arts Council Chairperson, a non-profit organization designed to contribute to the growth of the Alphaville artistic community. In addition, the council will work in other cities to increase artistic growth TSO-wide. Also, I will be taking over the reigns of Pierce Architecture, formerly operated by Craig Pierce. Our first project will be announced shortly…But it will be a collaboration between Pierce Architecture and the Alphaville United Arts Council that should be very, very exciting.

montserrat: it does sound that way. can you tell us how financing is procured for the arts activities in alphaville. is a grants system in place?

davidpiercealpha: Well, Pierce Entertainment was a for profit company, so their financing came directly through ticket sales and sponsorship packages. Because the UAC operates as a non-profit company, UAC will receive money through grants, donations, fundraisers and programs designed to create income for the Council. The Council will then return this money to the community in the form of grants, sponsored properties, sponsored events, webpages, and other miscellaneous services to the city of Alphaville.

montserrat: your press release says that Eliza Collins will be taking over the memorial theatre. how is that working out?

davidpiercealpha: Yes, she is actually taking over the Diamond Memorial Company, which oversees operations at all Diamond Memorial properties, including Diamond Memorial Theatre, Diamond Memorial Cinemas and Diamond Memorial Weddings. Currently, I am remaining at DMT to complete a fourth redesign layout under Pierce Architecture. The project is set to be completed within the next week or so…Following this redesign, Eliza will officially take over Diamond Memorial Theatre.

montserrat: if you could say anything you wanted to the alphaville community about arts in alphaville, what would you say? where do you think that arts in alphaville will be in a year? And what do you think the arts community will look like then?

davidpiercealpha: Alphaville by far has one of the best artistic communities in multi-player gaming history. With the founding of the SimArts community in Eastern Alphaville, arts continue to thrive in the city and have become a mainstay of Alphaville culture. I would encourage all citisims to take advantage of the many artistic offerings available to them in game- they are plentiful. See a show, visit an art exhibit or museum, or join the conversation at a coffee house, a literary lounge, or even a catholic chapel. It depends on the direction that Sims take in the future. If 1) Citisims take advantage of the artistic offerings available to them, and 2) they work to effectively contribute to the artistic community, it will most definately flourish.

montserrat: what can citisims do NOW to help the arts in alphaville?

davidpiercealpha: Citisims need to take definitive action today to ensure the arts in their city remains a beacon in multiplayer gaming. Again, they need to support the artistic community in their city by visiting and appreciating the artistic offerings served to them by countless individuals around the world. Also, we will in the coming months have countless employment opportunities available at the Alphaville United Arts Council, and we encourage all interested Sims to volunteer their services to this new company.

montserrat: its good to know that there will be employment for sims other than waiting tables and the robot factories.

davidpiercealpha: Absolutely. Taking an active role in defining this new multiplayer space is a far cry from Maxis operated employment offering no return to the community.

montserrat: you’re absolutely right. is there anything you’d like to say in closing?

davidpiercealpha: The city of Alphaville is heading into a phase of its culture that surpasses all other multiplayer games. I am delighted to be at the forefront of that development, and I urge all citisims of the city to assist in the development of our culture… again, as a beacon of artistic creativity in online gaming.

montserrat: thanks, David, for your insight. it’s good to know that you are in alphaville.

davidpiercealpha: Alphaville will always be my first home. Thank you for your interview.

montserrat: thanks, David. see you soon.