La Prova

To celebrate its long history, the Giotto TV network has selected one hundred contestants for next edition of the reality show “La Prova.” Set in a castle in Northern Italy, the set is built like the Westworld theme park, inspired by three settings in three different times: a medieval fantasy world, the present of a TV studio, and a cyberpunk dystopia.

But just before the reality show begins, with an announcement echoing through the ancient walls, the loudspeaker reveals that the game will turn into an arena where only the most cunning, the strongest, and the most strategic will survive—a fight to the death, a real-life Hunger Games.

No one can leave the set without risking terrible repercussions from the powerful network, ready to use any means to protect the show. How can such a gruesome show be allowed? The participants were volunteers, but will they really clash in a no-holds-barred battle, or will they find a way to save themselves from the terrifying Squid Game-style challenges imposed by the production?

The mysterious crew—is it working in good faith or allied with the network? The only way to escape is to uncover the truth behind the reality show and find a way out before it’s too late.

In this LARP, “La Prova” is a wildly popular and extreme reality show where contestants are ready to put themselves in danger to satisfy the decadent audience’s thirst for spectacle. But this year will be extraordinary. While survival and combat will be crucial, players will also need to rely on strategy, form alliances, and experience moments of solidarity and cooperation to succeed.

Participants live and compete in three intricately designed worlds, guided by non-player characters who drive the plot. They must navigate complex social dynamics, forming and betraying alliances, while trying to uncover the secrets of the game and the production.

The characters will be written by the organizers, except for the Producer pledge, who receives a custom-written character.

As in any respectable reality show, the home audience watches the broadcast and can vote online on the narrative twists proposed by the directors, becoming protagonists of the story themselves. Between 5 and 8 cameras, depending on the needs, will be placed in strategic points to allow 24-hour streaming so that the audience can follow the reality show live.

Additionally, home viewers will receive an email link to an event page where they can watch a video of the game edited on the spot by the production and two buttons to choose which direction they want the show to take based on the proposed narrative twist. The authors collect the data in real-time and communicate the results to the participants in person. Your vote can change the fate of the protagonists!

An adventure like no other because the TV crew in the narrative is actually a professional film crew following the event to create a documentary with interviews before and after the LARP, capturing the game and the participants’ performances.

Join a unique experience where the magic of LARP blends with cinematic art to create something truly unique. Imagine being at the center of an epic adventure, not just as a player but also as the star of a documentary capturing every moment of the game, every action, glance, or strategy; the interaction between characters in an unprecedented way. Our crew will be with you every step of the way!

The goal is educational: to explain what a LARP is to the general public. Before and after the event, our cameras will interview industry experts to tell the richness and complexity of live-action role-playing games, taking viewers on a journey through the creativity, passion, and stories that animate them.

But it doesn’t end there. After being submitted to the most important film festivals, the docufilm will be distributed on major streaming platforms, allowing people around the world to discover it. Since the game is in Italian, the film will be in Italian, but we would like to subtitle it and possibly dub it entirely in English for wider distribution (see stretch goals).

Join us in this extraordinary adventure and leave your mark on the world of live-action role-playing. Become part of a story that transcends the game, contributing to illuminate the care, ingenuity, and incredible experience that characterizes the LARP community.

If we gather 50 or more international players, we will be happy to organize at least one run in English. Otherwise, no worries! For players who don’t speak Italian, we will provide some characters who will act as TV interpreters, translating in real-time from Italian to English and vice versa. After all, a reality show can have people speaking different languages, right? And if you think you might not fully enjoy the experience, remember that you’ll still be featured in an international documentary!

It doesn’t matter if you play the forest keeper, the dawn warrior, or the secret seer in the heart of medieval fantasy; the jack-of-all-trades hacker, the urban loner, or the wealthy corporate executive in a cyberpunk future… Beyond the period costumes, forged swords, and advanced technological devices, the beating heart of “La Prova” remains the reality show, the container that encapsulates the kitschy essence of TV.

Perhaps it is in this overflowing excess of sets, costumes, and intertwined plots that “La Prova” finds its mainstream madness. “How will you pay homage to a century of TV broadcasts?” journalists asked. And the network’s administrator replied: “We will bring together all the clichés, exaggerations, every moment of triumph and failure in a single, indescribable show.”

And so, while the heroes and heroines of “La Prova” fight, love, betray, and overcome survival challenges, we viewers find ourselves laughing, cheering, and perhaps recognizing a reflection of our own lives in this exuberant spectacle.

In line with our commitment to inclusivity and diversity, every participant in our event is welcome and strongly encouraged to express themselves authentically and respectfully. We recognize and celebrate the variety of human identities, including but not limited to age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical characteristics, religion, and cultural background.

We are committed to providing an environment where everyone can feel valued, respected, and free to choose any character to play, regardless of their physical characteristics. We encourage all participants to freely explore the wide range of available roles, choosing those closest to their hearts.

Our priority is to create a safe and welcoming experience for everyone. We promote a climate of mutual respect where differences are seen as strengths, and every voice has the power to enrich the fabric of our shared story. Be yourself and, most importantly… have fun!

Last but not least, all physical activities and combat will be conducted in a safe and controlled environment, ensuring that no one gets hurt.

La Prova is a 3-day LARP that will take place at the Castle of Belgioioso, Italy, with the first run from March 21 to 23, 2025. Any changes due to force majeure will be promptly communicated. The location will remain in Northern Italy.

Each run is tentatively scheduled for weekends, for about 100 players. The organization provides a nearby gym for overnight stays included in the price, with sleeping bags to be brought by each player. Alternatively, there will be the option to stay in partnered bed & breakfasts at a reduced price at the player’s expense.

Meals are included in the price, starting with dinner on the first day and ending with lunch on the third, including breakfasts. They will be served buffet-style and will include simple, easy-to-eat dishes during the game, along with water, coffee, and soft drinks. Meals will be consumed in-game in the reality show’s dining area set up in one wing of the castle with tables and chairs; breakfasts and nights will be out-of-game. You will be asked to report any allergies or intolerances. Vegetarian options are available for each meal.

“La Prova” is a collaboration between the independent film company Giotto Produzioni and the LARP association Terre Spezzate, which will oversee the artistic quality and success of the event.

Terre Spezzate
Terre Spezzate was born from the union of passionate dreamers and LARP organizers who, since 2006, have been dedicated to creating unique immersive experiences, mixing fun, art, creativity, and emotions. Initially focused on fantasy campaigns, it has explored various settings, from science fiction to historical dramas, becoming a reference point for LARP event organization in Italy. After a period of intense activity and growth, in 2019, it tried to transform into a company, only to return to its essence as an artistic collective in 2020. Terre Spezzate represents an open and collaborative community committed to spreading the passion for LARP and welcoming both veterans and new enthusiasts in unforgettable adventures.

Giotto Produzioni
Giotto is an independent Italian company specializing in film and audiovisual production. It was founded with the aim of producing feature films, short films, documentaries, and commercials through collaborations and co-productions worldwide.

The Director
Matteo Balsamo began his career as an actor for theater, short films, and feature films, including “Cado Dalle Nubi” by Gennaro Nunziante, “Vallanzasca – Gli Angeli del Male” by Michele Placido, and “Solo per un weekend” by Gianfranco Gaioni. After specializing in directing, he has directed commercials, short films, music videos, web series, and his first docufilms “In prima linea” and “Nei Giardini Della Mente,” awarded worldwide. He co-founded Giotto Produzioni with Paolo Fosso, aiming to create 360° films.

The Executive Producer
Paolo Fosso, Executive Producer, composer, and IT specialist, director of international contemporary music events highSCORE Festival and Screen Music Program. He was president of the Pavia Conservatory from 2010 to 2013 and official consultant for the MEDIA and Culture programs for the European Commission. He works in cinema, music, and technology, composing soundtracks for films and video games. He works for Keywords Studios Plc in dubbing and localization of video games. He studied Composition at the “G. Verdi” Conservatory in Milan and Computer Science at the University of Milan. He has won the “Ivano Becchi” Professionalism Award from the Banca del Monte di Lombardia and the “Il Talento delle Idee” Award from Unicredit. He has been collaborating with Matteo Balsamo for 8 years, with whom he founded Giotto Produzioni.