About the Class

Theatrical Fencing will teach the basics of modern swordplay in an environment promoting physical fitness, but without the competitiveness of Olympic-style sport fencing.  In this class students learn all of the same moves and technical actions as students in other elementary/introductory fencing classes.  Rather than use these skills for sparring, students develop choreographed -- and sometimes improvised -- skits and scenes.  In weeks 1-5 we learn how to fence.  In weeks 6-10, we work in groups to design a skit. We watch some famous fencing scenes from film, and we talk about the different styles of swordplay fight choreographers might use. The class is safe, fun, and athletic.  Moreover, it's probably something everyone always wanted to do as a kid.  You get to play with swords!

Weeks 1-5: Learning the Technical Actions

Footwork On Guard Advance/Retreat Half-steps Cross-steps Lunge Advance and Lunge Jump Jump and Lunge Fleche (Running attack)	Bladework Targets Head Chest Flank High v. Low Cut v. Thrust Hand positions Engagement Disengagement Beat Feint Disarm Conversing Action and Reaction Attack -> Parry -> Riposte	Flair In the round Spinning 5 D's Dodge Duck Dip Dive Dodge Jumping Tumbling Locking Blades Behind the back El Matador Moulinello Punching 2-weapon fighting Sword and Shield Fighting 3+ people Killing blows Using walls and stairs More...?

Weeks 6-10: Creating a Scene

Using the actions and elements learned in the first half of the class, form a group of two or more people and create a scene or skit.  The performance can be funny or serious, real or lampoon.  Borrow from other fencing scenes from film (see below) to create something that is yours.  Skits should be at least 2 minutes in length.  Feel free to incorporate costumes, music, and all manner of witty dialogue ("I know something you don't know.  I am not left-handed!", The Princess Bride).

All groups will perform their skits on the last day of class.

Reference Material from Film and the Web

Here are some of my favorite movies starring Swordplay:

• The Mark of Zorro (1940)
• Three Musketeers (1948)
• Scaramouche (1952)
• The Court Jester (1955)
• The Swan (1956)
• The Three Musketeers (1973)
  
• The Four Musketeers (1974)
• The Duellists (1977)
• Star Wars movies (especially Return of the Jedi (1983))
• The Princess Bride (1987)
• Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)
• By the Sword (1991)
• El Maestro de Esgrima (1992)
• Rob Roy (1995)
• Hamlet (1990, 1996, and 2000)
• On Guard (1997)
• Sunshine (1999)
• The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
• The Warrior's Way (2010)

And here are some YouTube links.  If you have one to add, then send me the link.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBTtq2Gzm6w
  "Best Movie Fencing Scene"
  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC6dgtBU6Gs
  Inigo Montoya v. Dread Pirate Roberts
  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C22bWLNVZFE
  A mix of scenes from the movies above
  
• https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=UCSB+Theatrical+fencing
  Scenes from ES 1-18D in 2009
  
• Or search for more scenes from any of the films listed above.

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