Events are one of the great things that happen in the SCA, because that's where we get to see lots of good things happening. Many people take photos of these good things and want to show them to other people. News media may be interested in reporting these good things to the world at large. This page is a collection of guidelines:
(here's a printable version of this introduction)
The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international historical research and recreation group which, in over 40 years of operating as a non-profit organisation, has gained some 50,000 members worldwide.
SCA members meet regularly to hold medieval or Renaissance-style tournaments, most commonly fighting in armour with sword and shield, as well as enjoying feasts, dancing and other events and activities that recreate "the better part of the Middle Ages".
Many historical recreation groups specialise in a particular time and place. However, the SCA covers a period from 600 to 1600CE in Europe. As part of this, members dress the part, so you may see Viking warriors rubbing shoulders with Italian knights, Elizabethan ladies embroidering next to Anglo-Saxon maidens.
Members are drawn from a broad range of ages and occupations, and it is not uncommon for them to become recognised experts in their chosen SCA field of endeavour, earning academic credentials, acting as technical advisors to the film industry and becoming published authors.
A number of branches have been established in New Zealand over the past 20 years, including groups in Auckland (known as the Barony of Ildhafn), Hamilton (the Canton of Cluain), Wellington (the Shire of Darton), Christchurch (the Barony of Southron Gaard).
These groups are part of the Kingdom of Lochac, which at present covers Australia and New Zealand. The name "Lochac" comes from a reference in the book of Marco Polo's travels to lands south of Indonesia.
Local groups are typically governed by a Baron and/or Baroness as representatives of the ruling King and Queen, with a Seneschal handling day-to-day operations, and a Chatelaine handling inquiries from the public. Media interviews are likely to be handled by one of these people.
Here are links to web sites of SCA groups in New Zealand.
Please contact the Chatelaine of the local group as the first point of call, to set up an interview or when intending to attend an event. He/she is in charge of handling public inquiries and will be able to speak on behalf of the group or direct you to the designated media spokesperson.
Here are links to the Chateleines for most of our New Zealand groups:
Most of the local groups have an on-line event calendar on their web sites which lists upcoming events, with contact details; some of these events occur weekly, some annually. Check these out to see what opportunities are available.
Please feel free to attend if you hear about such an event. If you haven't made contact beforehand, ask for the Chatelaine when you get there. They will be able to speak on behalf of the group or be able to introduce you to the designated media spokesperson who can provide an interview or organise photo/filming opportunities.
Please contact the Chatelaine beforehand to organise your attendance, and to arrange timing and interviews.
You will be required to wear some form of pre-1600 clothing (it intrudes on an event to have people in modern clothes, and is not considered acceptable for anyone, even the King!).
The Chatelaine can arrange to provide you and any attending crew with suitable temporary garb for your visit, and everyone will appreciate your willingness to honour this requirement.
Other simple ways to blend in better are to wear plain dark trousers/jeans; plain coloured skivvies, collarless shirts, pirate shirts; sandals or boots; a blanket as a cloak (can be used to cover equipment when not in use). Your local SCA contact will be happy to provide ideas and assistance.
You will need to arrange a suitable designated time slot for filming, photography, recording or interviewing, and/or to stay within a designated area if attending a large scale event. This will enable you to get the material you want without unduly impinging on other attendees or causing safety or privacy concerns. The Chatelaine or designated media spokesperson will arrange this with you to best suit everyone's needs.
When contacted by a media representative, remember that how you deal with them affects how the SCA in general - and your part of it in particular - is perceived by them and, eventually, the broader public. So think of a media enquiry as an opportunity, not a threat.
Be positive and helpful as far as you can. Refer them on to the Chatelaine or your media spokesperson for your group; let the SCA folk know that a media contact is likely to come, and pass on any information you might have.
However,
Here is the SCANZ Publication Policy approved in September 2008 (HTML version and PDF version). Our thanks to Vicki Hyde for her work in compiling it.