Second Life was made for this.

Live streaming across the Atlantic from The Chelsea Hotel, New York. Catcher in their Eye, Pilot Theatre's Spring 2009 production looks destined to be a delight of technology at its most artistically innovating. For those not lucky enough to experience this in the UK a treat may be in store for those with second Life residency. This is what Pilot Theatre's Second Life hub exists for. Stay tuned to PCM creative for news and updates.

Richard Hurford writes with Marcus Romer directing a new production.

A man obsessed with Holden Caulfield, the fictional protagonist of J.D. Salinger's novel Catcher in the Rye... This is the story of Mark Chapman - the man who shot John Lennon - on his last night of anonymity.

PCM's Second Life confession

This media player has 5 edited segments from the footage taken throughout the evening.

1. Welcome to Axis Community - The opening Story
2. The Second Life world.
3. Stepping in to Second Life, Interactivity - continuing the tour Pilot Theatre, PCM creative, Media City - Macanix
4. Questions and Inquiries
5. Summary - Virtual futures

I was invited to present at a monthly Axis Community gathering several months ago not long after my first Axis Community encounter. The Axis Community is the social network emerging from courses and workshops run at the Axis Centre based within the Chilwell campus of Beeston College and accredited by DeMontfort University focusing of the practical application of IT for business.

Its members range from the Uber geek to the IT curious. We all have one thing in common. We like an excuse to get together and have a drink in the name of business!

I presented, it was recorded, it was edited and Uploaded to YouTube in its hi-lighted glory. Anyone having read "I, Avatar. The Culture and Consequences of having a Second Life" will recognise Mark Stephen Meadows "The strange Migration", his opening to a fascinating read looking at the cultural landscape of Second Life. The first story I chose to open this presentation with.

This Second Life presentation is a first look and introduction to the concept of virtual worlds, it's application for business and an opportunity to ask question about this new phenomenon. It was a show and tell! A commentary and illustration of how I am using Second Life and advising clients about the value of a virtual world presence along side a traditional web site embracing the evolution of social networking communities. Focusing on how business can benefit.

Many people who came had not heard of Second Life or if they had it was through a negative news stories. Some had given it a go but not got very far. There were academics viewing Second Life with great interest leaving with a great understanding of what Second Life can offer. Business people inquiring about this new online world of opportunity. Anyone deeply involved with second Life will see this presentation looks at absolute basics. Re watching it myself I know it's gloriously simplified but for me thats what I needed to know when I first started. Its also tries to give a bit of background to give it a business foundation. The brief I was set was to make in fun and informative.

I answered the questions asked an the end of the session as best I could. If anyone thinks there is a better answer please add your comments after reading and watching. So please correct me if I am wrong.

Stage is set for a brave new world

Article from the Nottingham Evening Post - Monday 17 March - and its all about me!

NBV: HELP FOR SNEINTON WEB FIRM

RICHARD BAKER  BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT
17 March 2008

While some computer experts talk in techno-babble, Caron-Jane Lyon knows how to explain things simply. She has combined her life  in the theatre with new IT skills to help boost the arts online. After a degree in theatre design and technology, Caron, 35, started work as a stage manager, where she sourced props for productions. She regularly found herself using computer techniques like Photoshop for paper-based props.

Whenever money's needed on stage, for example, you need to design notes that look realistic but couldn't get you into trouble if an audience member picked one up and tried to spend it."I loved the creativity and ingenuity in this part of the job, but the further up the ladder you go in most industries, the bulk of your work ends up being admin." Having moved around the country as a freelancer, Caron was about to accept a role with the Royal Shakespeare Company - that would entail more travelling - when she decided to put down roots.

Caron's partner was based in Nottingham, so she moved to the city and started temping. Working for Boots, Caron realised she had unsung talents. "I had this wealth of IT knowledge that I didn't know I had. I arrived as an admin temp and within a week I realised my photoshop skills were pretty good, and I thought, 'Maybe I'm on to something here'," she said.

Caron took a course in web design in Newark and it set her thinking about how she could help people in her former profession. "In the theatre you often have no contact with IT, some clients I deal with don't even have e-mail addresses. It's 'IT shy' people in the arts that need IT direction and I realised I could offer that."

PCM Creative has existed in name since 1995, but with help from Nottinghamshire Business Venture, Caron launched the firm as a full-time concern last October. She embarked on the New Entrepreneur Scholarship (NES) with NBV. The NES programme was set up to support successful and sustainable businesses.

Based at her home in Sneinton, Caron creates online presences for organisations - in the form of websites, Facebook groups, blogs, MySpace pages and YouTube clips - helping them use social networking tools to find new customers.

Caron has worked with Pilot Theatre company, holding conferences in online world Second Life - making Caron the first virtual stage manager.

Liz Yeatman, NES project manager for NBV said: "Caron is making a fantastic success of her business. The NES programme enables people like Caron to acquire the skills they need to start a business venture."