Bonzuko

This interview originally appeared at Nerds in Babeland. ~Jenn

5 Questions: Mike Oeming
by Prof. Jenn

It was my great pleasure to have the opportunity to interview Mike Oeming, of multiple comics fame. His latest new project is called Victories (one issue of which I reviewed here). Below is the interview. Enjoy! ~Prof. Jenn
————————-

1) One of the most striking things about your bio is the fact that your first job in comics happened when you were only 14 years old. How on earth did that happen? I mean, you’re obviously a very talented artist, and no doubt were even then, but…14?? Please explain.

As soon as I started reading comics and was drawing, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I had started out with a lot of tracing, and when I learned about inking, it felt like a great way to learn to draw, inking over my favorite artists using a vellum overlay. I was sending out my work to editors, mostly looking for feedback when an indie publisher wanted me to work for them. It was Innovation comics. I probably could have continued inking for them, but it didn

GENRIFICATION: stage combat style categories

Part of being an effective fight choreographer (or performer, for that matter) is knowing what the feel and style is of the show in which your fights appear. The type of movement, the weapons used, the style of combat, and the mood of the fights all need to match what’s happening in the show as a whole. I have constructed a two-column structure that is useful when diagnosing the genre or style of fights you’re looking at. Here’s how it looks, sans explanation:

1 realistic. a comedic
2 expressionistic. b dramatic
3 stylized / dance c swashbuckling

Combinations between the two columns can be made ad infinitum. For example, a fight that’s 2a would be the big group fight in Anchorman. 3b would be the opening rumble in West Side Story. 1c would be the Ballad Duel in the Depardieu Cyrano.
Here is what all six of these genrifications mean:
1
the fight sounds and looks realistic or physically plausible. Note I did not say “real” but “realistic.” no theatrical fight actually looks real–fights are far too small and fast for an audience to be able to follow the action. We’re talking reaLISM, not reaLITY. So a realistic fight has plausible physics, fatigue/pain is acted the way a person would realistically, according to what’s happened to her.
Example: fight scenes in Fight Club
2
there are some over-the-top moves, fights may be a little longer and/or prettier. It’s still

Pirate R&J (Arrr&J?): 2c

violence, but maybe the pain/fatigue factor isn’t there.
Example: the famous sword fight in The Princess Bride
3
movement is abstract, symbolic. Movements are not fighting moves, but dance that symbolizes the violence.
Example: Romeo and Juliet, the ballet. (also the opening sequence in West Side Story: what does the snapping represent?)
a
the fight is meant to cause laughter. Actors shouldn’t indicate pain in a way that will cause the audience to feel sympathy–that’s when it’s no longer funny. (famous Jenn quote from class: “big men, falling down = funny.”)
Example: Three Stooges, Looney Tunes, Anchorman
b
the fight is meant to cause tension, be a serious conflict between characters. There should be real fear of pain/death, real fear of harm.
Example: Shakespearean drama (RnJ, MacBeth), Rob Roy
c
this is the attitude I call “La!” It’s not funny necessarily, though it may cause delight. It’s not heavy or serious, either, though a sense of danger may be present. The characters are actually having fun fighting, though they still have a strong objective, or need to win. Think of the shift in attitude from c to b in the final Laertes/Hamlet duel.
Example: Zorro, Three Musketeers, The Matrix dojo scene

Think of your favorite fight scenes and pick one of these characteristics from each column to diagnose it. What made you choose those designations? Whenever I pick up a new fight direction/choreography gig, this is the first thing I do, as I read the script–I make sure I have a precise idea what direction I should be going in as I begin the fight designing process. ~Jenn

“I didn’t have a mountain.” – Ron Burgundy

UPDATE: It’s actually Teens Inspiring Community Arts, not Teens Inspiring Creative Arts. Though they do that, too.

What does this funny video have to do with stage combat? Three words: turkey leg swordfight.
(I am not a Game of Thrones nerd as yet–I haven’t read nor watched it, but even I could enjoy the hilarity.) First seen here, then it popped up all over the nerdverse shortly thereafter. ~Jenn

Team Bonzuko went down to the inaugural Denver Comic Con this past Saturday. We were planning on going to see Wil Wheaton and especially to take a lightsaber course with Nick Gillard, but both artists had to cancel. So we decided to explore the exhibitors hall instead, and had a great time. I will be posting a series of photos from the event here on the blog, with detailed captions, for your amusement. ~Jenn

Redshirt's death, by Dalek. This Dalek was so cool--it rolled around, and the woman inside it could move the weaponry. If only she had that "I am a Dalek" app that makes your voice sound like one.

“Are you certain the city is under siege?”