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Author Topic: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD
Luke_Jivewalker  163 posts
Registered: Sep '01
6638_Luke Skywalker
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:13pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD - Date Edited: 1/10/05 5:33pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Luke_Jivewalker
All the entries were very impressive, but the ones that stood out the most to me were #8 and #10. I'm still trying to decide which one I'll vote for.

Choreography-wise, I feel that 8 & 10 were both better than any OT lightsaber duel,and comparing them to the PT,they even manage to hold their own.

Great work guys!

I'm curious as to the names of the 'combatants' in clips 8 & 10 and what formal training they've had in sword technique. My father-in-law in Japan who's been studying Kendo for over 15 years watched both of these clips and was also very impressed.





 
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DarthMeekAndMild  348 posts
Registered: Dec '04
6535_Darth Vader<br>LEGO
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:22pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD
Reviews of 8 - 14:

#8
Reactions:
0:33 Nice circling shot. I like those.
0:39 Good start, nice speed.
0:51 B-t-b blocks that look convincing, very nice.
1:01 Cool FX jump.
1:08 Saw an RvD rip-off coming, but blowing out the lights instead is a good touch.
1:15 Psst! Turn off your saber and he can't see you.
1:42 Nice Fight in the Dark.
1:42 Why are the lights on again, and why two shots of empty space?
2:00 "My opponent is stunned. I think I'll stand here and watch him instead of trying to kill him while he's helpless."
2:12 Elbow missed a little too obviously.
2:17 Way to finish him off.

I enjoyed this one. The fighters look like they're fighting, with only a few "dancey" moves. Changes of pace and camera distance keep things interesting, although more close-ups would have added intensity. The jump FX was good. The only part I hated was when the one guy got knocked down and the other guy just looked at him – that's probably my most hated fanfilm cliché. But very good overall. I'll consider this for my top three.
*****************
#9
Reactions:
0:08 "Hey Kids, let's desecrate a cemetery!"?
0:25 Good speed so far.
0:28 Slippery ground.
0:33 Point-five deduction for touching the ice.
0:34 "My opponent slipped on the ice and is in a vulnerable position. What should I do? I know, I'll stand here and wait for him to recover."
1:08 All very nicely done. At the same speed. At the same distance.
1:31 Does that mean his two-blader got cut in half? Ugh.
1:33 It really wouldn't be fair to hit a guy when he's down?
1:45 What just happened?
1:45 If that's a lightsaber, I think he just set his jacket on fire.
2:02 Huh?

This is good overall, but I think it's another one that doesn't live up to the fighters' potential. These guys are have plenty of skill and are very quick with their sticks. The choreography was effective, albeit not particularly creative. From a cinematic standpoint, however, there are problems. First, the pacing is pretty uniform – fast all the way through. No matter how good the fighters are, fight scenes need changes of pace to hold attention. The shots are also pretty uniformly middle distance. More close-ups would have helped a lot to add intensity. The ice and snow also provided an opportunity for lots of creative choreography, but the filmmakers didn't take advantage of that.
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#10
Reactions:
0:15 "Some assembly required."
0:32 "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" Who needs lightsaber sound FX?
0:55 Nice dodge.
1:01 Coulda sold that one better.
1:17 Those occasional grunts really add intensity.
1:28 That was a little less convincing.
1:35 Saw that coming.
1:45 Slick.
2:04 Ouch! That was good, but a broken nose or some blood or something would add to it.
2:10 Nice.
2:43 Well-sold kick.
3:12 The ending's a little abrupt.

Wooo. This one is very smooth and professional. Pretty much flawless, in fact. Very fast, very intense, good selling, lots of different moves – it's better than the fights in many professional films. Even the spins and flourishes and behind-the-back stuff fit in seamlessly and look like they're actually part of a fight. The only thing lacking is novelty. With the exception of taking the saber apart and stealing half of it – which lost some of its effect because I saw it coming – I didn't feel like I was watching anything I'd never seen before. But it was excellent nonetheless. I enjoyed it a lot. I'll consider this for my top three.
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#11
Never, ever, use bagpipes in a movie again.
*********************
#12
Reactions:
0:14 Hey! Dialog!
0:16 "I sense danger. Better split up and make it more dangerous."
0:18 A-a-and random guy walks through background. No excuse for that in a digital movie.
0:30 Wait, how long has he had his lightsaber on?
0:35 A little dancey so far.
0:38 Timing and distance were way off.
0:40 What's with the wobbling?
0:48 "Here, I'll hold up my stick so you can hit it with your stick."
0:55 Is he supposed to be paralyzed or something?
0:58 Switching to a close-up is good, but he doesn't exactly look like he's in a life-or-death struggle.
1:03 I know you're having fun, but try not to smile in the middle of a "fight to the death."
1:10 Setup for the jump took forever.
1:17 Good. That's what should happen to anyone who'd tumble into a fight.
1:23 More a foot-push than a kick.
1:29 Force Push looked like it had some power in it.
1:39 Not real convincing.
1:43 Who's this guy?
1:52 When sword fighting, always keep the wrist of your off hand stiff so as not to look effeminate.
1:59 Ohh, that was a slow, slow spin. He should be in about seven pieces now.
2:08 Oh dear.
2:12 There's such a thing as over-selling a move too.
2:24 "A tree! I think I'll leap through its branches for no reason!"
2:29 Is that supposed to look like he threw away his saber and ran? Because that's what it looked like.
2:44 Wait. How'd Jacket Boy catch up to him, and how'd Hat Boy get his lightsaber again?
2:58 Good thing his father left him that invisibility cloak?

Well, I don't want to be harsh, because these guys are very young and all, but since this film is entered in an open competition I have to judge it relative to all comers. By that standard, it's not so good. There were a lot of moves for no reason, a lot of really slow moves, a lot of aiming and waiting, and so on. There was also a lack of intensity on the part the actors. But (excuse me for being patronizing) I will add that if they choreographed, shot, and edited it themselves, for their age it's not bad at all.
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#13
Reactions:
0:11 Clones!
0:25 Sweet.
0:36 Ouch!
0:41 No pain reaction?
1:02 His mom is gonna kill him.

I enjoyed this one. It's not action-packed, and the effects don't look "real," but there's a nice creativity to it.
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#14
Reactions:
0:15 That's a lot of black screen so far.
0:20 Aikido!
0:51 Get on with it!
0:53 Don't aim for the sticks.
1:04 Aikido!
1:07 Looked staged. They need to go a lot harder than that.
1:23 Not much of a payoff.
1:26 Lemme guess: he's gonna wait for the guy to Force Pull his own saber.
1:31 I knew it.
1:42 A little slow changing hands.
1:44 More stick banging.
1:47 The yells are cool, though.
1:51 Force Lightning seems to have turned his lightsaber into a stick.
2:00 Huh? Stick sounds and lightsaber sounds?
2:13 Gotcha!
2:28 Man, this is taking a long time.

This one was just OK. The fighters were competent, but there was a lot of stick bashing and not much creativity except for that one aikido saber takeaway.

 

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Evil-Henchman  2379 posts
Registered: Jul '04
6614_Darth Vader
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:33pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD - Date Edited: 1/10/05 5:38pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Evil-Henchman
Ok, a little bit of a downer here but it needs to be mentioned and I'm very surprised that no one has brought this up yet. I'm going to be very vague and not mention names but you may be able to figure out what I'm getting at. Someone on this forum has done some things that is a major conflict of interest where this competition is concerned. I'm not saying that this person did these things out of malice or devious reasons but it is however possible. As such, that person should have distanced/removed him/her self from certain aspects of this competition so as to have not created said conflict of interest. Please keep in mind that no one is above reproach, no one. I personally am giving this person the benefit of the doubt and bear no ill will whatsoever but my partner in my entry is very, very upset over this issue and has a point, if there is going to be a conflict of interest, do something to avoid it.

 

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Funk-E  14594 posts
Registered: Sep '03
17818_Yoda and Luke
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:37pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD - Date Edited: 1/10/05 5:38pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Funk-E
How, exactly, is there a conflict of interest if the only way to win is by getting the popular vote?

That said, if you've got an issue, air it, and see if it doesn't get fixed. It's a bit late in the game to do it now, though.

 

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1337mik3  1788 posts
Registered: Jun '04
24067_Palpatine
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:39pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD - Date Edited: 1/10/05 5:45pm (2 edits total) Edited By: 1337mik3
my favorites are:

1st: 02 smooth, and inovative
2nd: 10 very quick, and nice decapatation
3rd: 27 Lots of cool ideas

 

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Ryan_W  3447 posts
Title: Fan Films: Emmy-Winning Lightsaber Geek
 Registered: Aug '01
44357_Fan Films - Ryan vs Dorkman
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:43pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD - Date Edited: 1/10/05 5:45pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Ryan_W
#11
Never, ever, use bagpipes in a movie again.

Bagpipes or no bagpipes, I think you owe it to this entry a review it like the others. wink

 

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TrowaGP02a  2466 posts
Registered: Dec '04
7874_Gabe
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:47pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD
Ryan, how many stunt blades did you need?

 

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VaderFilm  204 posts
Registered: Jul '04
21418_Darth Vader White
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:49pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD
I think 1st should be #10 then #8 for second.

 

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Ryan_W  3447 posts
Title: Fan Films: Emmy-Winning Lightsaber Geek
 Registered: Aug '01
44357_Fan Films - Ryan vs Dorkman
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:49pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD - Date Edited: 1/10/05 5:50pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Ryan_W
Let's save questions targeted at specific entries for after the polls close and we post the list of who did which.

 

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DorkmanScott  13900 posts
Title: Manager Emeritus
 Registered: Mar '01
44356_Fan Films - Ryan vs Dorkman
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:50pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD
I'm sure what Evil-Henchman is saying is, two of the contest organizers also entered the contest.

As Funk pointed out, the only way to win the contest is by the popular vote. So I fail to see what this conflict of interest is.

M. Scott

 

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TrowaGP02a  2466 posts
Registered: Dec '04
7874_Gabe
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:50pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD
sure, sorry.

 

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rybot  165 posts
Registered: Nov '03
23533_Darth Nihilus v. Artis
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:55pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD
All I have to say is... the competition far exceeded my expectations.

Congratulations to all the participants. You have entertained me beyond imagination. I already have an idea for the next compitition, and I wish you all luck in the current one.

 

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Joey__P  414 posts
Registered: Aug '03
7779_Qui-Gon Jinn
Date Posted: 1/10/05 5:58pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD
I just voted, and I must say....it was a close call on two of them.

Everyone did an AWESOME job!! Congrats to all the finalists.

 

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DarthMeekAndMild  348 posts
Registered: Dec '04
6535_Darth Vader<br>LEGO
Date Posted: 1/10/05 6:03pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD - Date Edited: 1/10/05 6:41pm (1 edits total) Edited By: DarthMeekAndMild
Reviews of 15 - 21
All my reviews on this thread have major ****SPOILERS*** BTW. "I don't know if that needs to be said," said the noob.

#15
Reactions:
0:12 A story?
0:14 Sexy boots.
0:24 Did I just say "sexy"? I hope there's a girl in there.
0:28 Oops! Never mind, um, those boots aren't really sexy… um, they're cool. Yeah. Cool boots. That's what I meant.
0:35 Is that pink hair?
0:41 Good line.
0:42 Nice Big Swing.
0:54 A little too static.
1:00 Of course the Sith guy has to stop and boast. And the guy on the ground looks awfully casual for an unarmed man with a mortal enemy standing over him.
1:15 Didn't they already use those moves?
1:23 The Sith guy is really stiff.
1:40 They keep repeating the same moves.
1:42 Keep your mouth closed on reaction shots.
1:48 Lame spin.
1:59 Those boots again! I really wish that was a girl.
2:14 I'll watch it.

A nice effort. I like the attempt to tell a story, or part of a story. Unfortunately, the choreography itself was a little repetitive and the execution was slow. But I liked the story aspects, and I'd look forward to seeing a whole movie from these guys.
**************
#16
Reactions:
0:14 I bet it's tails.
0:18 Tolja so.
0:36 Looks sped up.
0:49 Good energy so far.
0:53 Isn't this supposed to be a lightsaber choreography contest?
0:58 A little staged-looking.
1:00 Good natural move. If the guy ducks, kick him in the face.
1:12 Good one.
1:30 What's that? A lens flare?
1:45 Corny.
1:53 Same gag as #5. These guys pull it off a little better, though.

I like this one. The choreography's nothing special, but there's a lot of energy in the actors. They look like they're having a lot of fun, and their enthusiasm is contagious. It even makes that tired old gag at the end a little bit funny.
************
#17
Reactions:
0:10 Snow!
0:20 Voted "Most Likely to Recede" by his senior class.
0:24 The roll for no reason was bad enough, but the little stomp is enormously lame.
0:33 But since then it's been good.
0:40 Good dodging, but the short blades make it look odd.
0:50 1-on-1-on-1? Cool.
1:30 Not bad.
1:49 He just burned the heck out of himself.
2:01 Real natural-looking slide.
2:06 Why didn't he just let him kill the guy?
2:25 Split kick! Very cool, but almost invisible against the background.
2:45 Taser? Cattle prod?
2:47 Oh, lightsaber.

This is very good. I like the 1-on-1-on-1 idea; I don't recall any other entries using it. The fighters obviously have good skills too. But there's just a little something missing that keeps this from being great. I can't really put my finger on it, but there's a certain lack of energy or intensity. I also think this is probably the single entry that suffers most from not being finished. It's one thing to say to judge the entries on choreography rather than polish, but when the actors are "fighting" with empty hilts and short blades, too much has been left to the imagination. But I'll still consider this for my top three.
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#18
Reactions:
0:06 I hope this is a comedy.
0:16 Slow.
0:24 I'll just stand here so you can hit me in the face.
0:33 How slow can you go?
0:43 There's an awful lot of walking in this film.
1:04 OK, that was semi-funny.
1:12 Slowest… fight… ever.
1:23 When sword fighting, always keep the wrist of your off hand stiff so as not to look effeminate.

Well, I like the idea of trying a comedy, and the music was funny, but overall this just didn't work for me. The moves were so slow, it looked like a first walkthrough rather than a contest entry. The lack of speed and intensity made the gags fall flat.
************
#19
Reactions:
0:10 "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wi-i-i-ind…"
0:21 I dig this music.
0:31 Line cross.
0:47 OK, I've seen enough.
3:45 I guess he Force Threw his lightsaber? Hard to tell with no FX.

Well, obviously this is not so good compared with many entries. But looking at it from an age and developmental standpoint, I think there's a really good energy and creativity to it. I see a lot of potential in the filmmakers. I hope they keep at it.
***********
#20
Reactions:
0:05 Ninja vs. Frat Ninja?
0:06 Silent movie?
0:11 These guys know kung fu!
0:17 Line cross
0:26 Again.
0:48 Sweet.
1:23 Oversold.
1:30 Oh. Um, The End, I guess

This was good. Obviously these guys know some kung fu, and they do a great job of evoking the Hong Kong movie style. There are some things that keep this from being great, however. First, the guys are a little too good. They look too rehearsed; I don't feel any of the desperation that should be in a "fight to the death." It seems like they're hitting exactly what they're aiming at: the air and each other's sticks. Cinematically, there's a lot of crossing of the 180-degree line, and there's no narrative, no beginning, middle, and end. Nevertheless, the kung fu is so good that I'll consider this for my top three.
***********
#21
This is kinda cute. It'll be a nice souvenir when the boy is grown up. The sped-up footage looks sped-up, and so on, but this is just basically a home movie, so there's not much point in critiquing it.

 

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Evil-Henchman  2379 posts
Registered: Jul '04
6614_Darth Vader
Date Posted: 1/10/05 6:04pm Subject: RE: ***LIGHTSABER CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST III*** VOTING / REVIEW THREAD
Actually what I'm getting at refers to something that was done before any of the entries were posted but since no one yet has understood what I'm getting at please ignore my previous post and carry on. happy

 

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