32: Cinematic Sword Fights
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Here to help you keep cool, it’s the newest episode of Geek at Arms! In Geek Out James describes how the watching the recent streaming movie of the musical Hamilton changed his perception of musical theatre. He and Bryan also rejoice that latest book of The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher, Peace Talks, has finally been released. Next Mike shares how much he’s enjoyed introducing his daughter, albeit by guilt trip, to the Star Wars Miniatures game from Wizards of the Coast and how much she’s enjoyed it. Bryan continues his trek through the MCU with the series Cloak & Dagger. He admits that it surprised him with it’s high quality storytelling and he enjoyed it as much if not more than Runaways! Finally, the guys delve deep into cinematic swords fights, how they compare to actual historical combat, and what is required to make an on screen sword fight look good.
Aragorn vs Lurtz in Fellowship of the Ring succeeds in the realms of drama and believability, but the camera work and a lack of contrast between costuming and set make it difficult for the audience to understand the fight.
In The Empire Strikes Back, the silhouettes of Luke and Vader against a bright yet indistinct background emphasize the stances and forms of the characters.
Jack and Will are back-lit against a set that, while detailed, is obscured by dust. The lighting and camera work allow the audience to clearly see the actors and understand the fight.
The Princess Bride’s choreography and drama is top-notch. Camera placement is generally adequate, but the lighting is flat, which allows the earth-tones of Inigo’s costume to blend with the set. Note that the colors are very similar to the Pirates shot above. The differences are almost entirely in lighting and atmosphere.
Good camera work and art direction—the forms are clear, but nobody believes Kylo has ever had any training.
Whose idea was it to put red-armored combatants against a red background, then hit them with a red weapon? Rey, also, blends into only non-red part of the set. Rey’s stance is at least reasonable, but who knows what Kylo’s doing?
Bees! Bees!
