Universal name for "IE style event"

[Agent Todd]

Hey everybody. I think it might be helpful to come up with a term that means "an improv everywhere style event." We use "mission" on our site of course, but this would be a more universal term that would stand for what we do. "Prank" is not right. "Flash Mob" is definitely not right.

A guy from Kansas City put up a Wikipedia entry last year defining what we do as Guerrilla Improv: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerrilla_improv

It's an ok term, but I don't think it's right either. Honestly I would want a term that doesn't have the word "improv" in it, because I am so sick of reading internet comments on blogs that cover our missions crying, "this is not improv! it's planned!"

So what term can we coin that means, "a prank that somehow alters reality in a public space that is not mean-spirited."

Thoughts?

[Chris]

Well, thanks in part to the combination of a few other posts here and the title of the new site, "Urbantics" ("Urban + Antics") seemed like a nice, obvious word that came to me. (The singular being an "urbantic" of course)

[brigid rasins]

how about a new word? like ' jawsheim'? or 'topnen'? it may be an awesome idea! or a lousy one! lol, we could even use an acranem (sorry for the spelling!) like P. A. R. P. S.? pranks altering reality (in) public spaces? or even calling it P. E. O. P. L. E. Pranks Ending On People's Laughter and Enjoyment? although i know we dont do this just for them, but for us too!
what r ur thoughts?

[Matthew Demore]

I like making up words so heres a term :)

Public Improvent - A publicly displayed event consisting of improvisation.

[Agent Wang]

Pubfun is better. I think try not to include Improv there as said above. But no offense I still like it! :)!

[brigid rasins]

but lets not do anything that sounds like a bar! =D

[Cal]

I'm bringing my top favorites back up again:
--Reality Shift (are YOU ready for the shift?)
--Absurban (the only problem being that not all the events are absurd. It's still a cool word).
--Reality Improvement (I like these two words together, but I think they could be shortened/changed somehow. I'm not sure how, though, so I'll just put them back into play and hope someone comes up with something clever).

Brainstorming: interpretation, like "interpreality" (just as a side note, "interp" was defined by one source as "interpretation of players movements due to network latency." That sound pretty darn close to what we do).

So far I'm really leaning towards some sort of word with "reality" in it. I also really like "interpretation" or "shift/change/etc." to define reality. So someone think of something that sounds absolutely cool and covers that.

[Agent Kwanzy]

Been watching over this thread--so far, I really like Reality Shift, and it's been met with approval multiple times. Theality is also a favorite of mine, as well as spontacle. :) right now it just seems like we're talking in circles, so I think Agent Todd should hold some sort of vote with his personal favorites so we can settle on one thing. :P

[Cal]

Agreed. That's the main reason I brought these back up, because I really liked them (and think they're the best, really). I want them to have a fighting chance.

We are just talking in circles, though, so Todd should pick his favorite or make some sort of poll.

[Agent Wang]

Yup, those are really one of the best of the kind! :)!

[Agent Wang]

I like these too! :)!

[Rick]

I don't know if you're looking for an exclusive IE event word, but Disney has a pretty good one for what they call their in-character street performers who interact with guests (which is, on a more subtle level, the IE approach). It's called streetmosphere, the combination of street and atmosphere.

You obviously need a user-friendly term that won't rub the media the wrong way (like the guerilla marketing and inaccurate flash mob tags). Streetmosphere is at least kid-tested and mom approved a la edutainment.

Since everyone is bringing something original to the table I'll toss out some others:
-- Subscene (creating subliminal or subtle or subdued scenes, as a play on obscene)
-- Entertainvent (entertainment + event, though the "vent" can also be seen as occasional messages within the fun)
-- Take Two (a second shot at interpreting a real world scenario, if only because "Second life" is obviously taken)
-- Twist Art
-- Performstance
-- Mind Candy
-- Honus Wagner (because these are rare events)

[Agent Wang]

I absolutely love these names! I say go for it IE! :)!