Swordplay
After the Bad Guy Q/A I needed a break, so I wandered back up to my room for a bit. After a short break I headed back down to the festivities. I glanced into the auction and saw that it was professionals running it, so I decided to head over to the demonstration of swordplay.
As I neared the loft I got a good look at the long line of people waiting for Adrian's autograph. It was huge! I stopped to chat with KziggyStar and there was a sudden commotion behind me. As the flashbulbs started going off I turned around to see Adrian walking by, surrounded by security. He looked mildly startled by the size of the line and said "Oh, hello!" And smiled and waved at everyone as he passed. I didn't get a picture as I was to caught up with the fact that I was so close to him (since I wasn't in line his bodyguard had walked right next to me, and Adrian right next to him!).
I sat a wee bit starstruck for a moment before determining to head into the swordplay demo. (but the roar of the crowd inside was a good indication to me that the demo had been Adrian's destination)
The first thing I have to say about the swordplay is . . .WOW!!! (I'm a poetic person, and that's the only description word that I could utter the whole weekend!) When I arrived Anthony and McAsh were in the midst of working out a routine. They'd work together and talk through a few moves, and each run they'd add a few more or change something. They were going rather slow and talking through it, yet I was amazed at how close the blades came to each other and how in sinct they were.
They had Adrian join in shortly after I arrived. Bruce Young was there, and kept throwing in comments like . . .'yeah, that is the great question. Where do those swords come from?' (Any innuendo there? . . .nah!!)
Adrian played around for a bit, showing us how he flips the sword up in his hand from the ground. (Duncan did that a few times, it's when he just uses his foot to pop the sword into the air).
Anthony went through showing Adrian the routine he and McAsh had worked up, and they went through it a few times. McAsh commented that everything is custom tailored to body types, fighting style and weapon choice, as Adrian had altered a few things for his style. The speed and agility of those two was truly amazing. They then set up the scenario. Adrian lounged back upon the couch and Anthony, . . .the 'bad guy' entered. Adrian jumped up and then they both froze in a ready stance as the whole crowd forgot to breathe. They played chicken back and forth for a moment before engaging. Then,. . .wow!!! It went so quickly and so smoothly, they were both so graceful!
Adrian left shortly thereafter and Anthony and McAsh continued to work. They used different weapons and would explain the differences between the styles used. They showed how the back of an ax can be used to hook your opponent and pull them off balance, how lightly a whip can be used, and how sticks (I know, you can tell I'm a weapons expert, can't you) are used in a fight scene similar to the one in 'Patient Number 7.'
Anthony said that fencing is a physical chess game, you close one door and you open three.
Someone asked McAsh if he was going to be the swordmaster for the new series or the movie. He said he would like to, but no definite plans had been made. They were out of time so McAsh said he'd finish the Q/A the next day. I decided to roam about instead of staying for the writers Q/A. (and I'm so glad I did!)
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