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View Full Version : Edit: It's time for the Talent Show again. Pg.3



Firebird21
03-05-2006, 04:33 PM
Here’s the thing…

My church is putting on a talent show in a couple of weeks… (you can see where this is going already, can’t you lol) Well, if the powers that be let it be possible, I want to do a Star Wars duel with my cousin. Aside from the fact that I may not have enough time to pull it off, the problem is I only have the `05 Anakin saber that I got for Xmas. I don’t want to use that one for obvious reasons.

I was wondering what is the best, and possibly cheapest, way to make 2 duel worthy sabers for this skit. I would rather them have sound, but I may just include it in the music and just kind of “Lip sync” it. But that will be even more difficult to choreograph. And I only have till March 25th (I think. It’s that Sat.)

What should I do? What is the strongest blade design? And I was also thinking that is should be a modular blade. Maybe with a quick disconnect.
I’ve looked for broken M.R. sabers on ebay to rebuild, but you guys must have bought them all… lol. So I figured that I’d just do a Home Depot hilt. I’d like it to be fairly good looking because everyone will want to see it afterwards.

Mike

Edit: I was thinking about using the EL blade construction 36” long. That length will be stronger, I think, without looking too small and it will be easier to handle in the small space of the stage.


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xwingband
03-05-2006, 04:39 PM
Modular is the way to go if you don't care about looks. You won't have to worry about parts since they're all available here and it's solid.

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Firebird21
03-05-2006, 05:27 PM
Has anyone here broken any of these blades? I know the MR ones tend to loose LEDs. I would assume that the EL would be more durable and have a more uniform look. However, I have limited funds so the LED blade would be the most cost effective, from what I've read.

The other thing I was worried about was the time it would take to build it. I have yet to attempt this, but I am generally very good at this kind of stuff, but between buying what I need, teaching myself how to do it, (with the help of the tutorials) how much time would I have left to learn how to fight, practice, coordinate, edit the music, ect…

I am very exited about doing this, but reality seems to be crushing my ambition. If I had the $$ to blow, I’d just buy 2 new MR’s and beat on those, then if they brake, fix them afterwards.

I wish I found this site earlier, instead of last week. lol


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nich
03-05-2006, 05:41 PM
where do you live maybe someone hear would help that is close to you. If you live in colorado I know I would help.

xwingband
03-05-2006, 05:43 PM
Scaarmor talked about bending, but not breaking, the PolyC and he had a bunch of guys trying to break it. They eventually were able to bend it over their knee but it took a long time.

EL or LED is something you need worry about for dueling. EL is just wire and there's nothing in the LED blade so don't worry about it.

As for building it with your basic stuff it could easily be done in a day even by a novice. Sound will not be as easy the problem I see though is the price. The basic kit is not going to be significantly lower than an MR. It sound like you're on a budget. Maybe a "Home Depot" saber will be possible on $50 each, but those aren't going to hold up to "gorilla" style dueling or maybe even moderate dueling.

EDIT: Here's an adage that applies:
You can have it cheap, fast or better. Pick two.

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Firebird21
03-05-2006, 06:33 PM
I live in MA, Worcester County.

As I continue reading the posts I am finding more and more answers to my questions.
And, as you said, it looks like it’s all going to cost about the same. I think the best way to go would be to try and score a damaged MR saber(s) and convert them to the one LED version. That way I will still have all the electronics and sound FX I’m looking for and I won’t feel so guilty about tearing apart a perfectly good MR. I don’t want to do anything to the one I have because it was a gift. It would be disrespectful to touch that one.


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Do-Clo
03-05-2006, 08:57 PM
Here is a thought buy two Hasbro lightsabers with sound and glue the joints of the blade together or install pop rivets to hold the blade extended then after your duel you will have your sound boards for your sabers that you want to build.

Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

thestr8metaledge
03-05-2006, 11:33 PM
Firebird, you said you live in Worcester County? I live in Mass, about 45 minutes from Quincy if you know where that is, and I have a converted Anakin w/ a green blade that I'd be willing to lend to you for the show, and take care of at least one of your saber problems. the blade and hilt are a bit scuffed up from the massive death battles my friends and I tend to have lol but it still works perfectly and has sound to boot. let me know if you're interested.

Firebird21
03-06-2006, 10:53 AM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by thestr8metaledge

Firebird, you said you live in Worcester County? I live in Mass, about 45 minutes from Quincy if you know where that is, and I have a converted Anakin w/ a green blade that I'd be willing to lend to you for the show, and take care of at least one of your saber problems. the blade and hilt are a bit scuffed up from the massive death battles my friends and I tend to have lol but it still works perfectly and has sound to boot. let me know if you're interested.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

That would be a big help!

I am trying to come up with the cash to order the parts to start my first one. It's a little hard to justify it to the wifey when we are getting behind on bills... But tax season is here, it's ether upgrade the PC or build a Lightsaber. Decisions decisions...

I was even thinking about going to the local retail stors and asking them if I could buy their damaged MR displays.

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thestr8metaledge
03-06-2006, 01:41 PM
nah stick with getting damaged ones off Ebay if you're trying to save money. most stores that I've been to will try and charge you full price for the displays, even if they're clearly broken (i.e. the vast majority of the lights are out or the blade is cracked). you wouldn't believe this one moron at Borders. I picked up an Anakin ROTS display model and could hear broken bits of whatnot sliding around inside the hilt, not to mention half the blade didn't light up and the diffuser was cracked. what does he say about that? (no lie) "oh it works fine. the little spots in it are just dust inside the blade."
wow. biggest dust spots I've ever seen. and so evenly formed too! lol
well anyways if you'd like the use of my saber, I can meet you in Quincy. I've never actually seen a stage lightsaber duel either, I'd like to watch it.

Nightwing
03-06-2006, 01:48 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Firebird21

Here’s the thing…

My church is putting on a talent show in a couple of weeks… (you can see where this is going already, can’t you lol)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">Cool. I did a duel for a church/school thing once before. It took about four hours to prepare, and it lasted for about a minute total. We used Hasbro sabers. I'm not sure what the audience was expecting, since we just kinda "slipped" the duel into the final scene of Macbeth, for no apparent reason (other than my teacher's really cool [:D]).



BTW, how much are you looking to spend?

Firebird21
03-06-2006, 03:21 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nightwing
how much are you looking to spend?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

As little as possible, at the present time. I really have no $$ to spend on this, but I think I could swallow anything under $100. After doing some adding in this store I think I can get the most basic working saber for just under $90 -S&H. I could then decorate and upgrade it later.

I was thinking that I could get away with just one saber with sound, so if I can get my hands on one with, and build one with out it may work well.


thestr8metaledge, 45min. from Quincy would put you either near the Cape or much nearer to me.

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Firebird21
03-06-2006, 04:51 PM
Well I did it!

I just bought the basics for my Lightsaber. http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_woot.gif
I got the LED Hilt starter kit and the blade.

About how long does shipping take? Days? Weeks?
I can't wait to get started on it.
Now I won't feel like such a http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_newbie.gif. Even though I will be.

The wife won't be happy...http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_bash.gif lol

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xwingband
03-06-2006, 04:57 PM
I get things in a week flat. Tim's in WA and I'm in Florida. Pretty quick for ground shipping.[8D]

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supertrogdor
03-07-2006, 02:15 PM
Firebird, your emoticons are fantastic, where do you get them all
i especially like the newbie one

xwingband
03-07-2006, 02:19 PM
Find a site that has one you like and right click. Go to properties. Copy and paste its URL. It works just like an image.

I've always been fond of the somethingawful smilies.http://forumimages.somethingawful.com/images/smilies/emot-q.gif

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Firebird21
03-07-2006, 03:47 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by xwingband

Find a site that has one you like and right click. Go to properties. Copy and paste its URL. It works just like an image.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

What are you doing?!? http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_chair.gif
You're supposed to let them figure it out on their own!!! How else are they going to learn???

Well we couldhttp://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_argue.gif about this all day. And eventualy I'd win! lol http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_noisycricket.gifhttp://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_ek.gif

But since that kind of stuff is http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_nono.gif and http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_jesusico.gif woudn't agree with it, lets go http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_beer.gifhttp://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_drunkard.gif and http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_band.gifhttp://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_party2.gif
And all would be Groovy baby!! http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/1banana.gif

Now that we're totalyhttp://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_offtopic.gif... lol

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xwingband
03-07-2006, 04:27 PM
http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-hurr.gif Trying to keep it on topic by getting it out of the way. http://forumimages.somethingawful.com/images/smilies/emot-q.gif

Not many like the be a http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-sherlock.gif so I go http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-suicide.gif and http://forumimages.somethingawful.com/images/smilies/emot-eng101.gif.

http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-cheers.gif, and these just need a mention:http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-maul.gifhttp://forumimages.somethingawful.com/images/smilies/emot-wookie.gif

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Firebird21
03-07-2006, 04:45 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by xwingband

http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-hurr.gif
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Shouldn't this say "That was easy!" lol

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supertrogdor
03-07-2006, 05:23 PM
unfortunately most of these are blocked at work, ill have another gander when i get home, cheers though, i thought you had to get emoticons special. I did know about the right click property steal, however.
Cheers

Firebird21
03-08-2006, 10:38 AM
thestr8metaledge, I am interested in borrowing your saber, if it isn't too much trouble.

The parts for my saber are in the mail and should be here Tus. So that should work out well.

If you are still willing to lend it to me let me know how you want to do it. The best way I can think of is for you to come to the church that day and watch it. That way it's never out of your sight, and you could get a meal out of it. But you'd have to sit thrue all the other crap! lol (And you may have to hear my brother sing!)
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_explode.gif

Let me know ether way so I can prepare.

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Firebird21
03-08-2006, 01:02 PM
Well I went out and bought some more stuff.

I went to the local Wally-World and found that they had 4 Darth Vader sabers there. I picked one up because it was said that it has the best sound and what not... But after bringing it home I was disappointed to find that it has F.O.C. and the Obi-Wan sounds better, I think. But I like the clash sound better on the Vader saber.

I also picked up a Darth Vader helmet w/ the voice changer. That's very cool for $25. But it's not very comfortable because my head is too big. It's obviously made for kids. But I can still use it for the show. I think it will do just fine.

I think I’m sleeping on the http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_peepsofa.gif tonight… lol


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thestr8metaledge
03-08-2006, 03:34 PM
sure I'd be willing to give that a try. sometimes traffic in that general vicinity makes me prone to stabbing lol so I don't suppose you'd mind if I tried to get one of my friends to drive? the person I have in mind is as equally obsessed with this sort of thing as I am (if not more) so she might want to stay and watch the performance as well. how long is the whole thing expected to last?

Firebird21
03-08-2006, 04:04 PM
The show is the 25th of this month. Dinner is at 5:00 and the show starts at around 6:00 (or whenever everyone is done eating) and last for a couple of hrs. at least. The church is in Dudley. If you know where Nichols Collage is, we are right there, you can’t miss it.

The most traffic you should encounter in the area would be, depending on where you’re coming from, Rt.90, or Rt.290. Other than that it’s all country back roads.

You can email me if you have any Q’s and to iron out the details. firebird21@rocketmail.com

I should note that I am waiting to hear back from the Pastor to be sure it will be OK to “Fight” in church. I don’t think it will be a problem because he’s into Star Wars, but just in case.


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thestr8metaledge
03-08-2006, 08:37 PM
oh man Firebird, I've got some bad news, my friend...starting the 21st of this month I'm going to be in Jersey for 2 weeks, so it looks like I won't be able to make it to the show. I'd still be willing to loan out my saber though, provided I can get a guarantee I'll get it back.[;)] I'd just have to drop it off early is all. the low traffic sounds like a bonus to me lol but I'll probably still have my gf drive. what can I say I'm lazy lol.
a pastor that's into Star Wars? man that's sweet!

Firebird21
03-08-2006, 08:40 PM
Email me and we can iron out the details.

Edit: I sent you an email using this sight. I hope it worked.

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Firebird21
03-10-2006, 02:26 PM
Well, yesterday my cousin and I started to try and choreograph our skit…

We found out just how much skill is needed to do this right! We have a couple of moves down, but it’s going to be hard to fill in the estimated 2min. skit.

I’m trying to edit the music, but the good program is not usable at this time (Adobe Premier) I’ll figure something out… I can always use my 4-track recorder that I bought and have hardly gotten my use out of. But it’s cassette quality, and I’m picky.

I will video tape this and post it here when it’s done. We just remodeled the hall and we painted the stage black, so the sabers will look AWESOME.

We have a new light set-up that can be programmed, so I was thinking about using the “Force” to damage the lights and make them flash like you’d see in the movies.

Also, we have an awesome new sound system (Lights and sound were designed and installed by my father and I) so I was planning on using the lapel mics (the really small mics you see clipped to people’s clothes) and tape them to the speakers of the sabers… That way you hear the saber clashes, NOT the blades smacking!

What I have thought of so far, as far as a “show” is concerned, I am going to have the good guy walk onto the stage to about 30sec. of the Star Wars intro music. This will then fade into the “Imperial March”, at which time the bad guy will walk in (possibly Vader depending on how well the Hasbro helmet works). Once we are on stage the music will cut to the “Duel of the Fates” music, at which time we will commence our duel.

It will be cool. And a lot of fun!


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Nightwing
03-10-2006, 02:41 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Firebird21

Well, yesterday my cousin and I started to try and choreograph our skit…

We found out just how much skill is needed to do this right! We have a couple of moves down, but it’s going to be hard to fill in the estimated 2min. skit.

I’m trying to edit the music, but the good program is not usable at this time (Adobe Premier) I’ll figure something out… I can always use my 4-track recorder that I bought and have hardly gotten my use out of. But it’s cassette quality, and I’m picky.

I will video tape this and post it here when it’s done. We just remodeled the hall and we painted the stage black, so the sabers will look AWESOME.

We have a new light set-up that can be programmed, so I was thinking about using the “Force” to damage the lights and make them flash like you’d see in the movies.

Also, we have an awesome new sound system (Lights and sound were designed and installed by my father and I) so I was planning on using the lapel mics (the really small mics you see clipped to people’s clothes) and tape them to the speakers of the sabers… That way you hear the saber clashes, NOT the blades smacking!

What I have thought of so far, as far as a “show” is concerned, I am going to have the good guy walk onto the stage to about 30sec. of the Star Wars intro music. This will then fade into the “Imperial March”, at which time the bad guy will walk in (possibly Vader depending on how well the Hasbro helmet works). Once we are on stage the music will cut to the “Duel of the Fates” music, at which time we will commence our duel.

It will be cool. And a lot of fun!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">What I would suggest is that you get all the MP3s and cut them together using a program like Wavepad. That way it's all pre-coreographed, musically at least. Oh, and don't limit yourself to Duel of the Fates, because it's got parts where it gets real quiet and soft, and that won't be good for fighting. Try to intercut some of it with Anakin vs. Obi-Wan off the ROTS soundtrack. I actually just played that track for the entire duel scene, and it worked pretty great.

Vader may be hard to do, as he requires a lot of costuming to look right.

And one more thing: PRACTICE YOUR MOVES.
I can't stress that enough. And don't do anything with too many fast spins at close range, or you'll get whacked in the nose in front of the entire audience. AS cool as it is to imitate that part in the Mustafar duel where they spin their sabers for like five seconds, it's very dangerous.

And make sure you have variety in the duel, otherwise it'll get boring. Try multiple styles of fighting, like upside-down and stuff like that.


WATCH RYAN VS. DORKMAN!!!!!
That's a ridiculously awesome lightsaber choreography video you can get off theforce.net. Watch it and learn.


That's all! Enjoy your duel!

Firebird21
03-10-2006, 03:00 PM
Awesome video! Thanks for the tip…

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Firebird21
03-24-2006, 11:35 AM
Well the show is tomorrow...

There's a dress rehersal tonight at 7:00 and we still meed a lot of practice!

Wish us luck! We are going to need it.

I wonder how many of the old fogies are going to have a problem with "Fighting" in the church...

We arn't going to have a death seen, rather it will be more like the Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker ending were the bad guy (me) gives up, gives in, realizes his evil ways, however you want to sugar coat it.

Both light sabers are working well (I hope) so I prey to God that everything works out.


Edit: 212 post??? Damn! I missed 200!!!! http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_whore.gif

Oh well, there's always 3,4,5,6,7,8,900 and the big 1k!


Have you read your Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577) today?
FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552)
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Mi Gin Gonn
03-24-2006, 05:21 PM
good luck with the performance, let us know how it goes over.

"Chaka, call off Dawson, will ya?!"

the_steve
03-24-2006, 08:15 PM
ooh, i would love to see the taped performance. Good luck! Fight well!

thestr8metaledge
03-24-2006, 09:33 PM
good luck!

Do-Clo
03-25-2006, 08:46 AM
May the force be with you in you performance today.

Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

Firebird21
03-26-2006, 07:00 PM
Well, the show went well.

It was the talk of the show, abut we messed it up a couple of times. No one noticed, but it wasn't as spectacular as it sould have been.

That being said, it was very cool!!! It was awsome playing in front of about 200 people!

I will post the video as soon as I get it loaded and resized for the internet.


Edit:
THANK YOU thestr8metaledge for letting me borrow your Anakin saber!!!! You're the best!!! I hope you enjoy the new blade.

Have you read your Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577) today?
FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552)
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Firebird21
03-26-2006, 08:01 PM
Here it is!


Just remember, it's a Talent Show, at a Church...

They had no idea it was coming, most of them...

I'm the one in black, the other one is my brother.

The video (http://www.yankeetoys.org/lee/TalentShow.wmv)

I kind of want to go back and do it right... Maybe even post it on the sight's Homepage...

Or not... lol

Have you read your Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577) today?
FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552)
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james3
03-26-2006, 08:51 PM
Good show Firebird, you put a smile on my face and I know my boy will enjoy it too.

"Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must." - Obi-Wan Kenobi

thestr8metaledge
03-26-2006, 10:17 PM
nice job man! my friend Vlad and I were watching it and we enjoyed it thoroughly. I can't wait to see the new blade...that is much appreciated by the way. did you save the old one?

Firebird21
03-26-2006, 10:23 PM
Yes I did.

I still have to buff the new one.

I hade to sand it down quite a bit to get it to fit.

Have you read your Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577) today?
FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552)
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Neymore
03-27-2006, 04:19 PM
hey that was prety cool. props on the duleing choreography .[8D]

this is neymore, formorley marty123

Zhi-don
03-29-2006, 08:40 AM
That was very nicely done!

Our Fan Force group here in Orange County put on a show at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life a couple of years ago. 6 Jedi vs 6 Sith...it was well recieved.

We have put on demos at various functions since then. This type of show looks really well if put on just at dusk. We used EL sabers, since the MR ones break too easily and at the time no one knew about putting LED's in the hilts. Some of us are already building, buying or having built LED sabers.

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS

LAN-ED-TUL
03-30-2006, 12:00 AM
i seen a listing on ebay for photonalterations again. they have a lux graflex with sound, but say the big thing here on this saber thats ets it apart from regular led lux sabers is a optical blade. i asked if she would share a bit more on this. no word till i get home and check the email.

You dont know the POWER, of the dark side...

Firebird21
03-05-2007, 09:12 PM
Well the Talent Show is coming up again.

This year I was thinking about doing a skit from Monty Python.


Here's the short and skinny...

Black knight=Darth Vader
King Arthur=Luke Skywalker

hehehe...


This isn't final, but I think that it would be hilarious if done right.

I’ll let you know what comes of it. I don’t want to do the same old thing again. I think adding some comedy to it would be a good thing. I’m just afraid the younglings won’t find it quite so funny.

What do you think?

Jedi-Loreen
03-06-2007, 01:18 AM
Do you really want to do that for kids? With the quadruple dismemberment?

And it wouldn't be the same without all the blood spurting out. Would you do that, and if so, how?

If you do, you might scar the children for life! :shock:

Firebird21
03-06-2007, 07:42 AM
If you do, you might scar the children for life! :shock:

Red huh?




You think TV hasn't desensitized them enough yet?


Besides, it's teaching them not to play with dangerous weapons. :wink:

I'm going to run it by the Pastor and see what he thinks anyways.

And no blood, no screaming bloody murder, nothing gruesome... Just a tap on the shoulder and dropping the fake arm. Hugely fake and hopefully funny.

Remember, "It's just a flesh wound!" lol

And don't forget that they've already seen Star Wars and all the dismemberment in it.

jjshumpert
03-06-2007, 10:11 AM
im in northwest AR and i get parts from tim usually in 4 days

Jedi-Loreen
03-06-2007, 10:53 AM
"im in northwest AR and i get parts from tim usually in 4 days"

Did you post in the wrong thread? That is totally out of context for the topic. :?


Yes, FB, I suppose it would be funny with the limbs dropping off.

I forget about how desensitized kids are today. I'm a child of the 60's and 70's when things were very different.

Ryma Mara
03-06-2007, 11:07 AM
A friend of mine went to a Jesus type school and in there history class they showed that movie. so I think it should be ok for the kiddies

Angelus Lupus
03-06-2007, 12:24 PM
what in the world is a "christing type school" :?:

Firebird21
03-06-2007, 01:03 PM
im in northwest AR and i get parts from tim usually in 4 days


jj, I think you might be confused... This topic was started a year ago. I just resurrected it because the talent show has come around again and I wanted to pick your brains. :wink:



Funny thing happened yesterday while practicing... I was using my MHS Luke and my friend was using my MR Vader (converted but still sporting the MR blade)...

So we're beating the crap out of each other when all of a sudden his blade starts getting longer... :shock:

We managed to inadvertently break loose the glue holding the diffuser in and he almost whacked me with it from across the room!


Then shortly after that they all started to run out of battery life, so we called it quits. It's just not the same if they don't light up and make noise. :roll:

Lord Maul
03-06-2007, 03:50 PM
that would of been hilarious FB
you getting smacked in the face with a polyC blade from across the room :lol:
perfect material for the lightsaber injuries thread :twisted:

Jedi-Loreen
03-06-2007, 05:26 PM
Why do guys think getting injured is funny? :roll:


I'm surprised that a stock MR blade could even hold up to a 1/8" blade. I've seen a lot of MR blades get bent and creased by the thicker blades.

Angelus Lupus
03-06-2007, 06:01 PM
Why do guys think getting injured is funny?
Not sure.... schadenfreude maybe?

Lord Maul
03-06-2007, 06:06 PM
[size=16]Why do guys think getting injured is funny? :roll:


remember JLo, we're boys, we find weird stuff funny.

vortextwist
03-06-2007, 06:12 PM
[size=16]Why do guys think getting injured is funny? :roll:


remember JLo, we're boys, we find weird stuff funny.

especially other peoples pain :lol:

Firebird21
03-06-2007, 07:34 PM
2 words...

Jack A**

They make millions inflicting pain on each other. I don't get it, but when it's on I can't stop watching it.

987654321a
03-06-2007, 07:39 PM
i make jackass videos with my friends, its just funny to see others do stupid things and get hurt. :lol:

Jedi-Loreen
03-06-2007, 07:43 PM
Must be a "guy thing". :roll: I don't get it. :shock: :?

Ambo
03-06-2007, 07:47 PM
Get it right, it is a "YOUNG" guy thing.....

Edit: getting hurt that is.....i still think it is funny when a guy gets kicked in the whoo whoos......as long as it isnt me....lol

Firebird21
03-06-2007, 07:58 PM
Get it right, it is a "YOUNG" guy thing.....


Ditto...

jjshumpert
03-06-2007, 08:44 PM
i dont know where i was with that last post... lol i was shure i had just seen a recent post as to someone in fl saying it was a week average for shipping from tim

ive had several times that ive dueled with students that the glue in the tip of mr blades would be broken loose and the diffusor and tip would fly across the dojo, other than that a mr blade can stand up for a short amount of time against a 8th inch blade. it actually pretty funny when the blade grows as the diffusor comes loose with the tip and a student will strike at me with a jab and when i pary the attack the diffusor gets snapped in half and flies across the room...

elrond.406
03-06-2007, 09:24 PM
Besides, it's teaching them not to play with dangerous weapons. Wink

How are they "dangerous weapons"?

supertrogdor
03-07-2007, 08:19 AM
I will go ahead and echo the young guy thing, even my youngest son, who is not yet 2, thinks it is hilarious to hit someone and vanquish them. He even says vanquished as did his older brother at a similarly young age. Have you ever seen a child watching a cartoon... put on some old school wile e coyote or buggs bunny or here comes the grump or tom and jerry or... fill in your favorite and watch a kids reaction when the bad guy gets clobbered. It is instinct, not learned behavior. When the bad guy gets clobbered it is funny, and that evolves to a certain degree of splat factor morbid curiosity. Am i right?

xwingband
03-07-2007, 09:29 AM
i dont know where i was with that last post... lol i was shure i had just seen a recent post as to someone in fl saying it was a week average for shipping from tim


Maybe me... takes a week flat once Tim ships it to me in FL. That's UPS ground.

Ambo, kicked in the whoo whoos? Post of the week I say!

Ambo
03-07-2007, 02:22 PM
Hahahahah....i try and keep it clean on here....i guess i coulda used clinical terms......heheh....


Edit: had to edit part of it out because the unintended pun was just really bad......

Edit 2:



How are they "dangerous weapons"?

Eldrond....I guess u havnt been hit hard enough by a PolyC blade yet.....

Firebird21
03-07-2007, 02:32 PM
Eldrond....I guess u havnt been hit hard enough by a PolyC blade yet.....

"Hard enough"? How 'bout "at all".

james3
03-07-2007, 03:12 PM
right.

supertrogdor
03-07-2007, 03:45 PM
it would not be difficult at all to really fudge someone up with a poly carb blade... even those people who dont know how to really work a saber to get some torque on the thing can mangle someone up rather well if they were careless

elrond.406
03-07-2007, 08:29 PM
Eldrond....I guess u havnt been hit hard enough by a PolyC blade yet.....

"Hard enough"? How 'bout "at all".

I got hit in the eye with Ultra's thick blade once. Blood & black eye. But what I meant was that it isn't lethal...

Lord Maul
03-07-2007, 11:11 PM
yeah, they could be elrond. if you were to be smacked on the temple hard enough, say by by to the cruel world :cry:

Ambo
03-08-2007, 02:44 PM
Elrond, do me a favor and look up the term "Blunt Force Trauma" and then tell me what that is......

Firebird21
03-08-2007, 02:53 PM
Funny thing is, I was talking about "Real Lightsabers".

Not that it's any fun getting whacked with 36" of 1/4" thick PloyC. http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_cletus.gif



Edit: But I thought I'd wait a bit to inform y'all of that... :wink:

james3
03-08-2007, 03:08 PM
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/icon_rofl2.gif

elrond.406
03-08-2007, 07:57 PM
yeah, they could be elrond. if you were to be smacked on the temple hard enough, say by by to the cruel world :cry:

Is the temple a place on the back of your head?

vortextwist
03-08-2007, 07:59 PM
oh man. your temple in on the side of your head

Lord Maul
03-08-2007, 08:06 PM
it's the soft spot above and in front of your ear. i don't know how ya don't know that elrond. :?

vortextwist
03-08-2007, 08:07 PM
Maybe he just knows it as his "soft" spot :lol:

elrond.406
03-08-2007, 08:11 PM
it's the soft spot above and in front of your ear. i don't know how ya don't know that elrond. :?

Hey, I've never been hit there before, if that's what you're gettin at. :l

Jedi-Loreen
03-08-2007, 08:12 PM
You could also die if you get hit in the throat and your larynx gets crushed, we were discussing that at our lightsaber fighting class last night. One of our instructors is a nurse, another one, a former Army medic.



Oh, and Elrond, this is for you:http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/tongue0025.gif

larynx: a muscular and cartilaginous structure lined with mucous membrane at the upper part of the trachea in humans, in which the vocal cords are located.

GFORCE13
03-10-2007, 02:50 AM
Me Too Firebird always has the best Smiley's.

elrond.406
03-10-2007, 12:59 PM
I thought the larynx was your voice box, so won't you live without being able to say anything if you were hit there? :?

987654321a
03-10-2007, 01:07 PM
you have alot to learn nimrod.

Lord Maul
03-10-2007, 01:23 PM
a lot is an understatement CD

Nimrod, the larynx is your voice box and yes, you would probably die if you were hit there :roll:

vortextwist
03-10-2007, 03:34 PM
a lot is an understatement CD

Nimrod, the larynx is your voice box and yes, you would probably die if you were hit there :roll:
considering that is where air travels, you would proly suffocate.

elrond.406
03-11-2007, 12:51 PM
But I heard it has to be removed if you smoke alot and you'd still live but with a hole in your neck. You'd breathe through it and won't be able to talk. :? :idea:

Jedi-Loreen
03-12-2007, 12:06 PM
Having a hole in your throat and having your throat crushed are 2 completely different things. Air isn't going to pass through your trachea and into your lungs, if your throat is crushed.

Get it?

LordArgyll
03-12-2007, 12:23 PM
Where's Vader's Force-choke when you need it for demonstration? :p

Corbin_Das
04-10-2007, 01:55 PM
Hi all.
If you're going to do choreography, learn choreography and get to where you can do a routine safely. If you're going to do "sparing", then research the safety issues and make sure you're using the proper protective gear. Then start easy and slow. Speed is no substitute for bad technique in sparing. That's how people get hurt. Trust me. :oops:

If you want to learn choreography, there's some decent places to check out. Like NY Jedi (http://www.nyjedi.com). They have tutorial videos that can help. There's also Anthony De Longis (http://www.delongis.com/ADLactionclass.html) who puts out some really good videos on stage combat.

For non-choreographed, yet not all out mayhem, you might want to look into the SCA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vljdsfphks&NR=1). I've been a member since 1989 and we whoop on each other with sticks one on one, two on two, or 1,000 on 1,000. It's a major adrenaline rush.
The SCA has STRICT armor standards and code of conduct. For as violent as it is, there are very few injuries. Football has far greater instances of injuries than we do. Also, SCA combat is one of those things where the ladies can compete on equal ground with the guys. In fact, there are quite a few ladies that really enjoy getting out there and smacking some dude up side the head. :D


If you're a bit more crazy in the head (like I used to be), there's places to learn full contact stick fighting. All places have different armor standards, from being almost completely armored to shorts and a fencing mask. Depends on how much you like pain. :?

Back when I worked in CA, I used to train with the Dog Brothers, a full contact stick fighting crew out of Hermosa Beach. They generally just have on a fencing mask and some hockey gloves. That's about it. Oh, and they allow you to kick, punch, choke and wrestle during the fight. No biting or eye gouging, but that's about it. You either tap out (tap the ground or your opponent several times to say "I give up") you get knocked out (we called it napping) or something gets injured and you stop (a snapped finger bone for instance). That lead to the phrase "Tap, Nap or Snap, your choice".

Definitely a testosterone ladden activity (grunt grunt). Feel free to comment Loreen. :D

Dog Brothers training (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVg1LMET46c)

"Crafty" Dog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9p6K6UG_7Y)


Anyway, there's the general spectrum of "dueling" for you. Decide what you want to do, reaserch it and make sure you do your homework on the safety issues, then Gas it up and go for it.


Corbin

Lord Maul
04-10-2007, 08:56 PM
corbin, what does SCA stand for?

i love the dog brothers training video. talk about a all out fight. that is like the old days of UFC :shock:

Corbin_Das
04-10-2007, 09:10 PM
As the video says, it stands for the Society for Creative Anachronism.

Lord Maul
04-10-2007, 09:25 PM
thanks. that sounds like fun, but i don't think i got the guts for that kind of stuff :?

Novastar
04-11-2007, 02:45 PM
Since this topic has sort of evolved into staged combat (for a talent show, right?)... I might as well chime in here.

Regarding combat systems in general... you are attempting to actually hit a target and make contact to inflict damage, or to score a point.

Regarding STAGED combat systems... you are attempting to convince an audience that you are doing the above... while not actually causing harm. Additionally, you are trying to ENTERTAIN them... this means you have more work to do than to just "fight". Not all "actual" fights--are entertaining.

Here are some thoughts:

1. Adopt a system. This usually includes "numbering" targets, and using certain strikes that almost always threaten the exact same spot of that target. Additionally, how to hold the weapon, how to strike, how to parry... should all be along the same lines for all who are involved.

2. Train, practice, and go slowly at first. Your footwork is just as important as your bladework, so don't forget that! I constantly have to tell my actors not to "walk" through their moves, because the choreography looks awful that way. The best bladework can be NULLIFIED by crappy footwork. No joke.

3. Camera/viewpoint angles. These are critical to you "selling" your moves to an audience, whether they are seeing your film or live performance. In theatre, you are greatly limited, but in film, you have almost unlimited ability to get the "sell" correct. Work at it for every moment you can!

4. Make distinctions between ATTACKER and DEFENDER at any given move. Aim just to the left, right, above or below the ACTUAL target, while still "breaking the visual line" of your opponent. Ok, that's a mouthful. Hard to say without a visual... but the point is simply to make distinctions on who is reaching toward a target... and who is "retracting" to defend.

I hate to contradict Corbin's advice, but the nyjedi folks (although talented)... bash blades together. It is apparent in all of their videos. No distinction of attacker and defender can be made here. If you don't believe me--watch the videos! Although I appreciate and respect their efforts.

Granted, some people will say 'who cares', it looks flashy and fast. Fine, exactly--everyone thinks differently--but if you think about the core concept of what a "simulated fight" is supposed to look like--you will understand that bashing weapons when you're out of distance of the opponent constantly... will make no sense to a seasoned martial artist. Anyone can crash weapons together with little to no training. Ever given sticks to your sons/daughters/nephews? 'Nuff said.

Personally, I think Pushpaka from NYjedi and his team could GREATLY benefit by changing their system. Their folks are talented enough, and obviously work very hard... there is no reason they couldn't make the distinctions between attacker and defender. It's an easy enough change to make.

5. Pull your punches. Use the energy of "bouncing" off of a parry (or an attack) to transition to the NEXT move. Don't over-use strength... at least not 95% of the time. You will slow yourself down, and eventually get out of rhythm with your partner/opponent.

The exceptions are SWING through attacks (which are ducked, jumped or dodged). As you know, these are the most dangerous choreography maneuvers you can make. If someone "forgets" to duck once... well, they won't anymore now will they!! That is bad all around.

Use your swing through moves WISELY, and be sure that the defender is totally ready when these occur, well-programmed for them, and comfortable with his/her counterpart. A Luxeon to the head would seriously hurt.

In Balance of Power I rehearsals, we only had TWO serious whacks to people--and these only occurred because my careful directions were ignored in one case, and in another--the person thought he was just "so cool" and fooled around too much... which caused him to be hit.

I fired that actor shortly after, and myself and the cast had been worried of his presence the entire time. :) I should have done it earlier. Although he was a very nice guy, and I know he meant well.