Becoming a member of a fictional tv fraternity

“This is the most important point in your life. The point where you can leave your so far wretched life behind. Whoever you are and whatever you do, if you enter here you are nobody. Which does not mean that you can’t become somebody. Your goal is to make your tabula rasa a full book with dignity. A book with H.S.C. Mercurius on the cover.”

The hazing process on the Facebook page of H.S.C. Mercurius starts with these impressive words. For the second season of the BNN drama series Feuten the (gender inclusive) fraternity was founded in real life. It opens up the secretive world of the Dutch equivalent of “the Greek Life” to a wider audience. A sneak peek for anyone who has never been a member, but has always been curious.

A “hell week” while sitting safely behind your computer, we can not make it any easier. And it’s also fun. You must prove you have it in you to be pledged. Do you have the right vocabulary? A wrong answer causes the members to yell at you in anger.

And do you know you how to behave yourself properly? Under the Mores of the association. “Those are the unwritten rules, rushee! Now we will see if you are really as uncivilized as your hairstyle suggests. An example of the rules they teach you: applauding is a no go. “Clapping is for artists and for seals!” said Noordzij.

As a final test, you must show your dignity by singing the “Io Vivat” in front of the webcam. It’s the international anthem of students. Don’t even try to skip it: “Do you think your face is too ugly for the web, or are you just too cheap to buy a webcam? Then write a letter of apology, and give us a reason why we should still let you join.” And then you wait. Will you be accepted as a member?

If you’ll get the great pleasure of being officially accepted as a member of H.S.C. Mercurius, don’t dare posting “I’m finally a member!” on your Facebook and then like your own post. Noordzij: “That’s like masturbating in the mirror to see how good looking you are. And you’re ugly! ”

As a worthy member of the most beautiful association of the country you’re obviously expected to come to their bar in Amsterdam. The actors from the series are there “in character” and drink with their new brothers and sisters until the wee hours. Playing preps for an evening. I think it’s a bit like larping, live action roleplaying. But this time we’ll swap the castles and knights for fraternity houses and freshmen.

Saturday, April 7 is the grand H.S.C. Mercurius Party in the Westerunie in Amsterdam. I was told that there are some special things about to happen and it promises to be a true spectacle. A grand entrance, performances, the national thong-throwing championship and lots of beer. Who would want to miss that? However, I can recommend that you just become a member. Not-members are welcome, but not wholeheartedly.

This transmedia pilot was created by Spektor Storytelling. For the third season of Feuten we took this project to the next level. Read more about it in my new blogpost: Fictional tv fraternity has 40.000 real members.