“Pixel-Perfect Chaos: A Runway Director’s Tale in Heels
By Lali Arbizu
Ever watched a flawless Second Life runway show and thought,
Wow, that was seamless!?
Yeah. That’s because you didn’t have a headset on.
Let me tell you what it’s like to direct a fashion show in
Second Life: It’s equal parts fashion, logistics, motivational speaking, crisis
management, and digital exorcism. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried to talk
down a panicked model whose pose HUD stopped working just 30 seconds before her walk,
while someone else is accidentally rezzing a horse backstage.
Step One: Say Yes, Then Question Everything
It starts off so innocently.
“Would you like to direct our upcoming fashion show?”
Sure, I say. That sounds fun!
Cut to: me awake at 2 a.m. color-coding walk orders,
screaming at a script that says things like “Model number One to first stop,
number Two to waiting spot, number Three don’t move!”
Do I know what I’m doing? Not entirely. Do I sound like I do? Absolutely.
Step Two: Organize the Chaos (Or At Least Pretend To)
The cast list comes in. Fifteen models. Three outfit changes.
Three musical cues. A guest DJ. And a theme that requires everyone to wear
“ethereal cyber-fantasy couture” with “a touch of noir.”
Okay. No problem. I just need:
• A detailed walk order
• A backup walk order
• A backup for the backup
• Chocolate
• Possibly a bottle of wine
The week of the show, I host rehearsals like I’m running a
drill camp.
“WALK. STOP. POSE. Again.”
“No, Karen, your wings are on backwards.”
“Please take the mask off your head before final walk.”
“You’re all beautiful, majestic creatures!"
"Walking order line up, NOW!"
Step Three: The Rehearsal Where Time Ceases to Exist
Rehearsal day. Everyone arrives at once, but also late. Some
people can’t rez. Some people can’t hear voice. Some are AFK … oh lord give me
patience!
I’m on voice, typing in chat, and copy-pasting stage directions
like I’m directing Shakespeare in space. Meanwhile, I’ve got four IMs open:
- One from the DJ: “What time is my cue again?”
- One from the chat host: "I don't have the final version of the script"
- One from a model: “OMG Prim Break!
Prim Break! HELP”
- One from myself: just a reminder to breathe
Step Four: Show Day Shenanigans
It’s the big day. I’ve got a coffee IV drip and a headset
that hasn’t left my head since Thursday. I teleport to the venue five hours
early because yes, that’s normal.
Models trickle in. We will be directing on VPC, voice on Discord as Plan B. One model is
wearing the last outfit to the first walk. Another has “gone missing.” There is
a mysterious pair of floating eyes backstage that no one can identify. Someone
still has the wrong VPC password, everything she writes is garbled … sent her
the correct password for the third time … she blames lag … I don’t ask
questions anymore.
It’s almost showtime. We are radio silenced backstage. No
chatting unless there is an emergency. My fingers hover over the walk cue
buttons like I’m launching a space shuttle.
Then—music starts. Spotlights flare. Voice host starts
talking …. And one by one, they walk.
And somehow—it works.
The final pose hits. The finale music plays. The audience
applauds. Models cheer on VPC. Photos have been taken. I finally exhale.
Is everyone dressed? Mostly.
Did anyone fall off the stage? Just one.
Was it me? …No comment.
Afterward, I go home, collapse on my sofa, and whisper to
myself, “Never again.”
Until someone messages me next week and says, “Hey, wanna
direct our next show?”
And I say, “Sure. That sounds fun!”
Final Thoughts: Directing a Runway Show in Second
Life Is Equal Parts Madness and Magic
It’s unpredictable, exhausting, and full of last-minute
surprises—but when the lights go up and your cast walks out like digital
goddesses, it’s all worth it.
Even if someone forgot to wear pants.
Have your own directing nightmares or backstage bloopers?
Drop them in the comments so we can laugh (and cry) together!
XOXO,
Lali
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