Video Transcript for Giants Wizards Elves
presented by Mark Collard
It is the standard Giants Wizards Elves. But can I invite you, if you’re in a space where you’re going “well I have no idea what that is.” Then step a little bit closer. So stay in your groups but come a little bit closer.
Creating a story of perhaps how this area was first established, it’s very easy to see the main character of the story, because they’re so big. And they are the giants. The giants were easy to pick because they’re so big. Put their hands above their heads and they made a very large guttural sound. So can I ask you to copy this as you go “Blarrrrrggghhh”
(Groups roars)
Now do it to they other team. Do it towards the other.
(Roars)
Alright got it. If you looked a little bit closer. Often sometimes hiding between the legs of the giants were the wizards. They were the folks, while smaller were very crafty and could actually wend spells on the group. And they would look possibly with one foot in front of the other with their hands going. Very good. Let’s see giants again.
(Blaaargh)
Wizards
(Zzzzzzzz)
Alright there’s one left. These are the sneakiest of the forest. Often the most difficult to find because they are so small. So they often have to bend their knees. But they’re rather unique. If you have ever watched the trilogy of Lord of the Rings. These little elfish little characters have such big ears their lobes drag on the ground. They need to be carried by their hands so they don’t drag on the ground.
And at this point they make a little impish sound that goes “Elf elf elf elf elf elf.” Try that, they are our elves. Go.
(Elf elf elf elf elf elf)
Brilliant. Let’s just do all three again. Giants!
(Blarrrrrggghhh)
Wizards!
(Zzzzzzzz)
Elves!
(Elf elf elf elf elf elf)
Alright. Here’s how it’s going to happen.
In a moment I’m going to ask each of you to move off to your sides of the field. Let’s say that’s that side and there’s this side over here. In a moment. And when you get there, bunch up together and identify which one of the three characters all of your group is going to be.
For example this group might get together and say (whispers) “Okay, we’re all going to be giants.” Okay and this group, these folk might choose to be Elves, for example. Neither of you will know what the other is going to do until you come in. You’ll form two very straight lines all facing each other. About a meter apart. Which the subtitle would say “about three to four feet.”
When you get to that point I will then call the standard one, two, three. And when I get to three each of your teams will portray your characters. So, actually it’s a bit like rock, paper, scissors. One always beats another.
Think of it in terms of height. If you are a giant, you chase wizards. Wizards chase elves. And because we need to have a full circle, elves chase giants.
Alright so think of it in terms of height. Giants chase wizards. Wizards chase elves. Elves chase giants. So if it was giants over here, and elves over here. Elves are going to chase giants, back to their safe area.
Again, I’m not going to use boundaries, but it’s somewhere over there. Probably a bit short of the actual trees. And see where that noodle is over there? I might set up noodles so it’s a bit clearer where the boundary is going to be.
You’ve got the basic idea, I’m going to give you about ten to fifteen seconds on each of your groups before I invite you back. Off you go.
Alright, spread yourselves out, you’re about a meter or so apart from each other in two straight lines. Somewhere between me and that water bottle is about the halfway point.
Alright, first of all just cross against the divide and just shake hands with those people. Say “good luck.”
(Good luck)
Alright, to remind you. All this team on my right will all do the same character. All the team on this side will do the same character. When you see it.
Giants will chase wizards. Wizards will chase elves. Elves will chase giants. Got the basic idea?
A tag is simply, look a bit like that or on the back of their back. It’s not a rugby tackle drag to the ground. Simple tag. If they happen to tag you, you are won for that team.
Let me just step back. Ready for the count. One. Two. Three!
(Teams makes their noise playing Giants Wizards Elves)
Everyone’s a giant. So, on that occasion when you return now; You’re going to have a plan A, and a plan B. When you come back I’ll go through plan A. It’ll be one ,two, three. If what we just saw occurs, I’m going to give you the second count and you will do the second character, whatever that might be.
So off go and chats. I need a plan A and a plan B now. Go. Take ten or fifteen seconds.
Alright lets try it. Spread yourselves out. No double parking. Everyone’s on plan. Alright step forward. Shake the hands of the opposing team.
Alright. Will we see a break?
Remember it’s plan A then plan B. Wait for the count for each of them. Plan A, one two three!
(Teams make their characters noise in Giants Wizards Elves…)
If you got tagged you are now on this team.
First up, identify two ‘safe’ areas approximately 30 metres apart, and a line which represents the mid-point between the two areas. Then divide your group randomly into roughly two even teams using a fun method described in Getting Into Teams.
With both teams gathered around you, share any story you care to spin about three shadowy figures called the Giants Wizards Elves. For each character, demonstrate three distinct physical representations, for example:
- Giants: Arms held high above your head, you give a loud scary ‘ROOOAAARRR.’
- Wizards: One foot in front of the other and arms extended forward with fingers held in spell-like twitches, you say “ZZZZZZZ” as if casting a hex.
- Elves: Bend your knees slightly and hold the lobes of your floppy ears with your fingers while squeaking “ELF, ELF ELF.”
As you perform these actions, it’s a good idea to invite your group to mimic your actions – not only will it foster enthusiasm, but you’ll look pretty silly doing them on your own.
Now, explain the order of things – much like Rock-Paper-Scissors – every character is ranked higher than one but lower than another. If you describe the ranking in terms of the relative size of the characters – giants chase wizards, wizards chase elves and elves are sneaky enough to chase giants – the ol’ grey matter will appreciate it.
Each group is then instructed to huddle in their respective safe areas, and agree on which one character their team would like to ‘be’ in the first round. This will be Plan A, and for the just-in-case, ask them to also agree on a Plan B, ie if their first chosen character is the same as the other team.
Okay, now we’re getting to the exciting part.
After 30 seconds of huddle-time, each team gathers (often spread out side by side) to face the other team about half-a-metre back from the mid-point line. On your count of “1, 2, 3” each team simultaneously reveals their character.
Unless both teams chose the same character (in which case, you quell the anxious giggles, and call for Plan B,) one team will quickly discover to their horror that they are about to be chased.
Each member of the chasing team attempts to tag a retreating team member, before the latter enters their safe area. If a successful tag is made, the tagee is obliged to switch teams.
The object is to win as many members of the other team as possible.
Play continues through the cycle of huddle-reveal-chase for as many rounds as you choose, or until one team ‘wins.’
Variation – play in pairs, however you don’t need to tag your partner if you win. Instead, just count who wins the most out of 3 or 5.
When playing in pairs, stand back to back before each round, then call out “Giants, wizards, elves”. On “Elves”, take one step away from your partner, then turn around and do your action.