Jedi Lightsaber Master Class!

Lightsaber duels was childhood play complete with make-your-own sound effects; “Vvizzz-umm.”  Of course there are cosplay groups that re-enact lightsaber duels. It is a fair recreation, but the problem I see with them is that they do not have fencing training. It’s all play. I'm a big fan of sword duels in films. Errol Flynn in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), the duels in Princess Bride (1987), all beginning with Star Wars (1977). Fencing was part of the basic lightsaber moves in the original trilogy with Stunt Performer, Bob Anderson. 

He went on to being the Sword Master for Highlander, the Lord of the Rings films, the James Bond film Die Another Day (2002), First Knight (1995), and the Mask of Zorro (1998). The prequel trilogy features the sword work of stunt coordinator Nick Gillard aka Jedi Master Cin Drallig. Gillard worked on stunts for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and stunt coordinator for the Prequel Films. 

I decided to take his Jedi Lightsaber Master Class that was offered at Wizard World New Orleans on January 2012. I did watch all of the prequel films to study the lightsaber moves, but it was only in the class that I understood what was involved. I got to my hotel and picked up my “lightsaber” which I had in a poster tube. I had talked to Nick earlier and mentioned the class.  I arrived a bit late so I don’t know if there was an introduction, but groups were already practicing. 

Jedi Masters, CC and Nick Gillard, photo by the author.

There were two groups of guys and one group of kids. I also didn’t know what scene we were recreating until I watched Revenge of the Sith twice and noted that it is Anakin and Obi-Wan’s duel on the landing platform before they move to the conference room. The arena was sectioned off at the back of the convention hall.  Nick Gillard was busy going around to each group and helping them out. CC, Nick’s assistant, decided to help me out with the duel. I use the term “blade”, not really a lightsaber, but I was using a kendo stick as was CC.  

They said to use a ski pole or bamboo and cautions against bringing in replica or toy lightsabers since there is some heavy strikes.  Also, the participants must wear comfortable clothing. It begun with three simple strikes, swinging the blade to the side just turning the wrist, and advancing.  CC noticed that I was getting into a fencing advance and said that I should just walk forward.  Fencing requires you to have your foot forward and other foot to the side and advance one foot and then the other so you go back into your stance.  

We practiced the Jedi walk and lightsaber strikes until I got the move down.  I noticed that the moves were counter intuitive from what I knew from fencing, so I had to shut down my instincts and go with the moves.  Then, it was an overhead strike which she blocked to the side.  The next move was a forward strike, pushing the sword forward, this was blocked and then I was swung the blade in an arc to strike at CC’s throat which she blocked.  After we went through a sequence, CC had us go through the duel from the beginning.  

Author and CC dueling, photo by Nick Gillard.

I’m taking out a full sequence so it is not a blow by blow account of the class.  Still, there was one part of the duel that was interesting.  I moved for another thrust, this was deflected in what CC called a rainbow, pushing my blade overhead in an arc.  Then, I twisted around and brought my blade around and upwards against my back to block a strike by CC.  It struck me as terrible for fencing since this would be easy for an opponent to strike you there, but Jedis don’t worry about such things.  I then swung my blade downwards.  

I had my wrist twisted in a strange position, CC pointed out that it was a simple hold downwards, very loose.  I was trying too hard. All of the groups went through the duel.  I had Nick take pictures as I went through my duel.  CC wanted me to kick her as a finishing move, but I was reluctant to hit an instructor.  I could understand the moves and the fencing training I got from Ren Faires helped me through repetition and movements.  I asked Nick afterwards how long it took the actors to learn the routine and he said that it took a week and a half with eight hours a day of practice.  

It does not surprise me that Ewan MacGregor knew all of his lightsabers moves on the The Graham Norton Show.  The workshop has 90 minutes, but it could have been all day.  Nick Gillard was offering the workshop through his website.  I have a greater appreciation of lightsaber dueling and believe that the Sequel Trilogy is not as stylish as what Nick brought to Star Wars.  I do consider myself a Jedi, not a knight, I only engaged in The Trial of Skill and have three other trials, but Padawan Apprentice is a beginning.

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