It may seem unusual, but my greatest understanding of software development comes not from computer courses or books but from my background in Theatre. In a performance many separate parts (acting, lighting, sound, costumes) must be developed independently, but still form a cohesive whole to express a director’s vision. The same is true of software development. Design, code, databases, testing, etc. must all connect seamlessly to form an illusion for your audience. This talk will show you how to coordinate these disparate elements and create an extraordinary experience. This talk will include information on assembling your cast and crew, dealing with divas, knowing how to say no to impossible requests, rehearsals, maintaining your sanity when receiving reviews, and much more.

1. Behind the Curtain
@nellshamrell
Saturday, September 1, 12

2. An Experience
Saturday, September 1, 12

3. Illusion
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4. Saturday, September 1, 12

5. Saturday, September 1, 12

6. Vision
“The Arabian Nights”
University of Puget Sound
Photo by Nick Kiest
Saturday, September 1, 12

7. What experience do
I want to give my
audience?
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8. What experience do
I want to give my
users?
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9. Know thyself
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10. To thine own self be true
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11. To your vision be true
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12. Saturday, September 1, 12

13. Limits
“The Arabian Nights”
University of Puget Sound
Photo by Saraneth Elizabeth
Saturday, September 1, 12

14. “I need 18 spotlights”
Saturday, September 1, 12

15. Part 1: No
Part 2: Why
Part 3: Instead
Saturday, September 1, 12

16. Part 1: No
Part 2: Why
Part 3: Instead
Saturday, September 1, 12

17. Part 1: No
Part 2: Why
Part 3: Instead
Saturday, September 1, 12

18. “I need the login page
done tomorrow”
Example from “The Clean Coder”
by Robert C. Martin
Saturday, September 1, 12

19. Part 1: No
Part 2: Why
Part 3: Instead
Saturday, September 1, 12

20. Part 1: No
Part 2: Why
Part 3: Instead
Saturday, September 1, 12

21. Part 1: No
Part 2: Why
Part 3: Instead
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22. Find intent
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23. Saturday, September 1, 12

24. Casting
“Amalgamation”
University of Puget Sound
Saturday, September 1, 12

25. Right for the part
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26. Right for the team
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27. Divas
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28. Ninjas and Rockstars
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29. When would you
work with a diva?
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30. When would you NOT
work with a diva?
Saturday, September 1, 12

31. No amount of talent is
worth:
Abuse
Harassment
Lower Morale
Saturday, September 1, 12

32. Saturday, September 1, 12

33. Rehearsal
Stage Combat Workshop
Willamette University
Saturday, September 1, 12

34. Rehearsing
individual scenes
Saturday, September 1, 12

35. Unit tests
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36. Rehearsing
entire show
Saturday, September 1, 12

37. Costume One Costume Two
“The Arabian Nights”
University of Puget Sound
Photos by Saraneth Elizabeth
Saturday, September 1, 12

38. Integration tests
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39. Saturday, September 1, 12

40. Reviews
“The Arabian Nights”
University of Puget Sound
Photo by Nick Kiest
Saturday, September 1, 12

41. Constructive reviews
tear you down, but
also build you back up
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42. Unconstructive
reviews only tear
you down
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43. Don’t feed the trolls
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44. Keep it constructive
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45. Incorporate reviews
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46. Revisit your vision
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47. Saturday, September 1, 12

48. Epilogue
“The Arabian Nights”
University of Puget Sound
Photo by Nick Kiest
Saturday, September 1, 12

49. End
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50. Acknowledgements
Devchix
Bluebox team
Friends
For Kelsey, with all my love
Saturday, September 1, 12

51. Nell Shamrell
Software Development
Engineer with
Blue Box Group
@nellshamrell
Saturday, September 1, 12