Glenn Reynold's book "An Army of Davids," focuses on the implications of modern technology allowing amateurs to create work that rivals professional efforts, without having to spend a lot of money. Rather than going into a long essay about it, I'm going to offer 3 very entertaining video clips that drive the point home in a different way. Welcome to the future:
- Ace of Spades links to a fantastic lightsaber duel, and wonders why the director of the recent Batman movie couldn't do as well with his action scenes. Ryan vs. "Dorkman" at Carco Electronics in Menlo Park, CA - with a surprise ending. Great fun, actually done a couple years ago.
- One of his commenters points to "Art of the Saber," which takes the lightsaber duel concept and elevates it. The tools required for this excellent short? A mini-DV camera, a couple MP3s, Adobe software, some martial arts skills, and some imagination. Remarkable.
- And here's one that tops 'em both. Continuing the Star Wars theme, Kevin Rubio's "Troops" offers a take on the life of an Imperial Storm Trooper that's a note-perfect parody of the "Cops" reality TV show. This was done in 1997; the professionalism in all aspects in jaw-dropping, the theme is actually thought-provoking, and the script's combination of perfect deadpan humour and perfect integration with the Star Wars IV story is masterful. Better than any of Lucas' last 3 movies, and here's a word from the director.
This light saber thing has got me confused. Is it a dance or something? It certainly isn't combat. Why are the blows aimed where the parry is expected instead of at the opponent? The sabers, being light, should have low angular momentum and require very little strength to wield. Since they cut with light they should not require any strength for hacking. Therefore they should be controled with the wrist. It the time it takes one saber dancer to twirl 360 degrees his partner, merely by moving his wrist, could slice and dice him into pate.
Fellow fencer, repeat after me:
"Suspension of disbelief."
Sheesh... and we thought the kids with the light sabres were geeky. :)
(have done several fight choreographies for an educational t.v. show in Hungary. Stage combat != actual fighting...)
Russ is right. Real weapon fights aren't all that photogenic. And aiming the blows where people expect them greatly reduces personnel and insurance premium costs :-)