SPT Do's and Don'ts!
by Fight Master J. Allen Suddeth
After judging over one
hundred Skills Tests, I have a few anecdotes I'd like to share. I name no
names, nor identify any institutions where these things took place, but
offer these examples to others embarking upon this unique journey, the
"fight test."
- Two actors had never rehearsed with a pivotal prop before showing up
for the test. The prop in question was a large corn muffin over which
they fought, the scene being about starvation. Unfortunately the prop
exploded as they grabbed at it, sending corn meal over a large portion
of the stage, making it slippery as an ice rink. Result: no injuries,
and no pass. Lesson: never add a prop at the last minute.
- Two actors had never rehearsed a piece of business in a scene
whereby the gentleman in the scene was to smash a telephone with his
sword to stop it from ringing. During their test, he came down so hard
the sword broke, the blade flew off stage, and their shock and
embarrassment affected the rest of their performance. Result: no
injuries, but no pass. Lesson: never leave to chance a piece of
business, rehearse it several times, and never hit anything as hard as
you can with a sword and not expect it to break.
- An actor violated the spirit of the rule, "No downstage disarms
toward the audience." He had placed his quarterstaff upon another, after
performing a quarterstaff fight, and moving on to another weapon. The
slight rake of the stage, and gravity allowed his staff to slowly roll
downstage, and off the apron and into the first row. Result: no
injuries, and no pass. Lesson: you can't ever threaten the
audience.
- Another actor violated the downstage disarm rule by over zealously
tossing his dagger straight at this adjudicator, where it came spinning
along the floor straight toward me. Result: no injuries, I stopped it
with my foot, and no pass. Lesson: don't toss daggers at the
judge.
- An actor laid the (blunt) edge of his broadsword against the deltoid
muscle of his partner during a broadsword fight. Unfortunately, the
blade had not been filed recently, and a sharp shard of metal neatly
sliced into her, leaving a bloody line. Result: slight injury, no
stitches, and no pass. Lesson: check your equipment carefully before
testing and after rehearsals, and wear clothes to the test that will
protect the skin.
- Boyfriend and girlfriend once signed up for classes, but on test day
she was so nervous she accidentally punched him square in the right eye.
Result: swelling to his eye, tears from her and a sobbing exit from the
room. Result: relationship salvaged, but no pass. Lesson: don't partner
with a loved one.
- During the course of a skills test, the actors used music stands to
delineate their playing area. During a particularly athletic sequence,
while one actor was running backward, he lost track of where he was on
stage and crashed into one of the stands. Result: no injury, but no
pass. Lesson: always know where you are on stage.
- One actor's broadsword broke and fell to pieces in his hands on the
first move of a broadsword test fight. The blade, pommel, and guard hit
the floor at his feet, and left him holding nothing but the handle.
After a beat, he picked up the remains, walked off stage, got another
one and re-entered, resuming the scene. Result: no injuries, both actors
passed. Lesson: check and re-check your equipment, and always have spare
swords placed off stage. Also, keep your head during the test, just as
you would during a performance.
- During tests, we often see one actor who's performance anxiety gets the better of them, and they can either freeze like a deer in the headlights having forgotten the fight, or endanger their partner by suddenly speeding up, or even inventing new choreography on the spot! A savvy partner will sometimes pull his errant friend through the scene and the fight, even whispering or indicating the next move, or back away from dangerous or unfamiliar fight choreography. Result: one partner often passes, while the other doesn't. Lesson: Lot's of rehearsal, and a "bail out" plan in case of memory loss.
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