I got a call the other day from the brother of a friend of mine. He asked if I was interested in choreographing a sword-fight scene for their high school. I told him I would be happy to with the disclaimer that he unterstood I would not be able to help them as much as I like due to my job (I am traveling out of town the next three weeks). He agreed, so I went this morning to met with him, his fellow actor, and the drama teacher at one of the high schools. I arrived early, having not done a thing to prepare a scene for them to rehearse. So I sat in the car, sipping coffee, eating an apple fritter, and listening to MUSE. Then I wrote a small scene, thinking that this would be a good start for them to work on and I could complete the rest during the week.
I head inside the building and make introductions. Then I proceed to instruct them on points for stage combat: distance, timing, overacting to sell the performance... you get the idea. Then we go through the scene. These two guys, who are only 15, picked up the moves and retained them in memory very quickly. I was amazed. It made me feel underprepared because the last group I worked with couldn't remember half their moves even after 2 months of Saturdays practicing. So I had them go through thing over and over while I tried to get back into the creative frame of mind. I ask them, "What would you like to see in the fight?" They goofed off a bit, then did a small routene, just to be funny. I thought it good so I told them to do it again, and wrote down the moves. After all is said and done, they have about a 1 minute scene with about 50 moves. I feel it is too quick, but the drama teacher said he thinks it is good, and the two guys like it, so I'll leave it at that. I just wish I could be there to supervise them and come up with one or two additional sequences to stretch it out. Maybe I'll rent "Highlander" or something and get inspired. meh.
This afternoon I am hoping to go to the local climbing center. I've never been there but it is suppose to be a top-notch facility. Guess I'll soon find out.
I head inside the building and make introductions. Then I proceed to instruct them on points for stage combat: distance, timing, overacting to sell the performance... you get the idea. Then we go through the scene. These two guys, who are only 15, picked up the moves and retained them in memory very quickly. I was amazed. It made me feel underprepared because the last group I worked with couldn't remember half their moves even after 2 months of Saturdays practicing. So I had them go through thing over and over while I tried to get back into the creative frame of mind. I ask them, "What would you like to see in the fight?" They goofed off a bit, then did a small routene, just to be funny. I thought it good so I told them to do it again, and wrote down the moves. After all is said and done, they have about a 1 minute scene with about 50 moves. I feel it is too quick, but the drama teacher said he thinks it is good, and the two guys like it, so I'll leave it at that. I just wish I could be there to supervise them and come up with one or two additional sequences to stretch it out. Maybe I'll rent "Highlander" or something and get inspired. meh.
This afternoon I am hoping to go to the local climbing center. I've never been there but it is suppose to be a top-notch facility. Guess I'll soon find out.
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....i was just like, WTF? it was funny. no, i wasn't drunk either.
P.S. If you suddenly win the lottery and lots of free time by then - Canada is cool!