By The Sword - Society for Creative Anachronism Documentary

Trailer for a documentary on the SCA. We've shot over 100 hours of footage and interviews, but it seems like it is in permanent post production due to budgetary constraints (anyone want to send me a digital 8mm camera?).

Unfortunately this film may never be completed. I started it in college and when our main video capture device broke, the film got put in a box.Several other technical failures during the shooting, has lead to it's staying in a box.

I'd love to start over and shoot in HD, though. This original attempt was shot in Digital8.

I have 5+ years of professional video experience now, and when I clear my plate of several current projects, I'd like to revisit this concept.

The band Wolgamut was kind enough to let us use their music for this. They are actually in the SCA and we had the opportunity to see them live when filming. They put on a great show.

Go Hell Hounds!!!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• documentary
• SCA
• Society Creative Anachronism
• sword fight
• medival combat
• American Distractions
• Tristan Chaika
• Todd Buker
• Documentary Film
• Combat

[MSgtErinMcLeod]

I am in love with this video :D

[cinemaduro]

@MSgtErinMcLeod That's awesome. I'm getting a high quality camera and gear in the next few months. I'd like to revisit this idea in HD. The color, the action, the politics, the crafts - all great stuff. I moved back to the area where I got in with the SCA guys, too, so I'm hoping to pick things back up with them.

[OrionBjorn]

This is an extremely well done video. I don't understand how anyone can watch something like this and NOT have the urge to charge straight out of the house and find a battlefield to fight on!

It doesn't matter if you use Rattan or Steel, were all playing a very similar game for very similar reasons, and I'm just as happy in an SCA field battle as anything else, and hope you all feel the same.

[cinemaduro]

I know I'm bias, but I get chills every time I watch the guys storm under the castle and bust through the gates! :)

As far as weather or not rattan hurts, i would put it in the same category as getting hit by a baseball bat. If you think that doesn't hurt, then that's awesome, for everyone else, armor is a good thing. Rattan is what is used in martial arts staves/spears. It's also not to be confused with foam covered PVC pipe that some people use for role playing combat.

[lordwulf]

Where can I get a copy of this video? Please? Info anyone?

Baron Wulfstan Egweald,

Kingdom of Atlantia

[cinemaduro]

Sorry, Lordwulf, but this film may never be completed. I started it in college and when our main video capture device broke, the film got put in a box.Several other technical failures during the shooting, has lead to it's staying in a box.

I'd love to start over and and shoot in HD, though. This original attempt was shot in Digital8.

I have 5+ years of professional video experience now, and when I clear my plate of several current projects, I'd like to revisit this concept.

[JVRottweil]

This was not a jab at all my European neighbors, just at this particular arrogant commentator.

Live steel fighters have my respect, as do those who fight with rattan. Some its about re-enactment, others its about recreation.

[ViolenD]

Nice Job! I really dig the video!

[roktinfast]

This is awesome. I hope you make the actual movie.

[genuineone62]

@cinemaduro the whole vid gives me chills--have you joined yet? I have. Also, the LARP group that I play with (totally has NOTHING to do with SCA) doesn't use pvc wrapped in foam, rather it's a golf club wrapped in a noodle. Can & will actually deliver a concussion if delivered to the skull. But, in having said that, LARP rules don't allow for hitting in the head or neck. Like the SCA, there is an honor code in place. Amtgard is like playing a vid game like Assassin's Creed in real life.

[teren4m]

@rwenzlaff Live steel is safety when you have good armor.

We open for everyone and haven't authorization test.

[JVRottweil]

@teren4m  We have groups that fight wiht live Steel in the US. Women too. Adrian Empire is but one group.

[rwenzlaff]

The main reason the SCA does not do live steel is safety. You can do live steel safely if you practice live steel regularly. But the SCA is open to everyone who's done our fairly minimal authorization test. You have a mix of guys on the field, some who fight 2-3 times a week, other's who fight once per year. You can't do live steel safely with that wide of a gap in training or that big of a gap in equipment quality. We don't want it to take $1200 and 3 mos. just to get started.

[teren4m]

It ladies fight?

In my country even girls fight steel swords)

[firemanjt73]

Nice depiction of various combat scenarios. I'm involved with a guild who frequently fights at Estrella in February and Blood Heros in October at minimum in addition to doing demos at various Renn Faires around the southwestern region. I agree with Orion in the fact that this video makes me want to strap up my armor and go charge the field! Good job with the video.

[gsparx25]

So awesome! Planning on joining An Tir soon! I've been training for about a month now with rattan. I still need armor and a shield though, lol. Can any of the affluent (or even just currently involved) SCA members give me tips on keeping it cheaper? Im heading off to college next year and don't have thousands to spend on armor