Saber Forum

SPIN WARS EPISODE V: The Spin Strikes Back

Here we are again saber community. The younglings are practicing their carols, the snow is starting to fall for some of us, and the weather is getting colder. Another year has come and gone. Hopefully we have spent some time improving our sabering  skills. Now it is time to put that last part to the test. That’s right, the time has come once again to break out those sabers, cameras, and fancy moves, and get ready for this year’s Spin Wars!  This is the announcement you have all been waiting for.

What is Spin Wars?

Spin Wars is Tradition!!!

Simply put, most of us here tend to do our own things. We do choreographed fights, martial arts demos, spinning routines, costume work, etc. What if there was a way to get several of those things into one project that would showcase a wider picture of what we, as a community, do with lightsabers? That is what Spin Wars did last 4 years. For anyone unfamiliar, the archived videos are here.


! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_fabiOtA6Y#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOXLGXuPRQA#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtBuaBYkTjE#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUMKS1tbufw#)
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYYyPhHF3jQ#)

So what about this year? Anyone willing to volunteer, post a video in which you show us your saber work. You can choreograph a fight, you can give us spinning, you can film some freeform work, you can do it with lit or unlit blades, in costume or in plain clothes, outside, inside, or on green screen. This footage will be edited together into a montage. This year we will be looking at one video, but if interest is high and there are too many submissions to give everyone a chance to shine, there may have to be more than one cut.


The criteria:


1. For editing and theme purposes, the video should be designed to accompany a piece of music posted below. Please have the music playing in the video so that I can hear it in the background for timing. If you record it without the music or while the music was playing through headphones, please attach the music track to it before you post.


2. Your video must include a lightsaber and be something recognizable as "a performance".


3. Your content should not violate youtube or forum rules.


The details:

If you are interested, please post and say so. Also please indicate if you will considering yourself dark side or light side for this performance. The initial interest will help determine if we are doing one video or two but I will operate as if we are doing 1 until the situation proves otherwise. When you have a video, please post it here. I can rip things from youtube without a problem for editing. Please include the name or moniker you would like to appear in the credits. If you have a signature move, pose, or other brief trademark, please post it as a separate video or still image as you would like it to appear in the credits. If none is submitted, I will use a short clip from your routine. If you have a youtube channel or web link, post it and I will include it in the description. Please try to submit material as soon as you are able. I would like to start editing in mid December with a video release on Youtube around the first of the year.


The Music:


The track
This is the track we will be using. We are going back to a dance mix this year. Track is royalty free and easy to find. Just search by the title on the video link below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N1fqwlKzkI# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N1fqwlKzkI#)

Additional notes and disclaimers:

This is not a professional video. This is by and for those who are willing to donate time and energy to make it happen. I will have to decide what makes it in and what does not. I will attempt to give everyone equal time (provided they submit a long enough clip to accomplish this). We are only working with a few minutes of audio. I will try to include everyone, and if too many people are interested to do that, I will try to make a second cut. This may have to come out after the first though. If you have a favorite segment, feel free to let me know the time range and I will do what I can, but no promises. Other than that, feel free to discuss and ask questions if you wish. If there is anything I can do to help you put together a submission, let me know. Otherwise, happy sabering and let's make this one a good one.
Now Get Spinning!.

I'm in for light side

Cool. I figured I would post Ryan's video here as well just for the sake of continuity.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv-ekRw7i3o&feature=youtu.be# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv-ekRw7i3o&feature=youtu.be#)

Same here.

I’m in . How long should it be? And l, when do we have to have it in by?

It can be shorter than the song but not longer. As to when to have it in. Aim for the 13th of December or so, but the ultimate cutoff will be the 20th.

Great idea ! I'll do my best to be in, of course in the dark side :p

Where should we post our video ?
I'll maybe add it to my youtube Channel and would like to add a link to the final video on it if everyone is agree with !

I believe you upload them to YouTube and then embed them in this thread

Thanks DC! I’m gonna get it together. May the force be with us all...

I will actually put links to people's youtube channels in the descriptions and run some credits. As for the length, not longer than the track. It can be shorter. Infinit01 is right as to the how to upload. The best way is to put them on your channel and embed them on this thread.

Here is my entry. The batteries that have been on the charger for months decided they were only going to last for 2 minutes, so this is all I have with a lit saber.


! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIc3Zn6qFlQ&feature=youtu.be#)

Looking good, Master Venturous

Very nice, Master Venturous. Inspiring as always.

Master V keeping it real!!!!

Awesome Master Venturous loved it, I'll have 1 ready soon any suggestions on getting the music onto the video. My way seems bad I can play the YouTube with a second phone while spinning

Best way is to use a video editor (there are plenty of free ones) to import the video and the sound track. Turn the sound off on the video and just overlay the song on top. If you're on Windows, Windows movie Maker can do that.

I'm not awesome, my transition needs work but I want to participate and thank everyone for the help and tips I got along the way its been a lot of fun
   https://youtu.be/Z24t83q8WZE

I need to hurry up and get my routine together

Not sure what you mean...I see plenty of awesome there.

   That meant a lot to here Master Venturous, to be honest I was feeling kind of low about my performance lately. I had a few injuries I've been dealing with mainly my back and right arm, I was so motivated after watching your entry video and rushed outside to join you 😭

Keep going at it Jaymes, you're getting better and better. That's what this section is all about man. 

Nice work Jaymes. Keep it up.

  thanks Infinit01 will do, im currently working on a few new moves I didn't put in they aren't ready yet but maybe for next years spin war if my body doesn't fail 😟. Looking forward for your entry I know you will kill it

 
   Thank you Dark Silenoz  hopefully by next year I'll be catching, also looking forward to seeing your entry. I want to let the dark side out and steal a few moves along the way 😀

Thanks, Jaymes.  I'm sorry that you got hurt man, that's no fun.  Keep spinning though and you don't have to submit the entire song either. 

  thanks bro I'm trying to do new exercises but being 36 and putting my body through hell is catching up with me. Lol yeah I did my best to read the rules and seen that and was like awesome, I could have waited and worked on putting my new moves in but who knows where we will be tomorrow I figured let me live today.

Way to jump in on it, Jaymes🤙🏻!  Solid set, dude😊



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  Thank you master Elwood 😀😁, I'm watching your videos a lot now and Michelle smith trying to gain new skills. You are awesome and those words mean a lot to me thank you

You do it with your passion, this is the most important thing ;)
cool video anyway  ! And channel subscribed ! :)

Envoyé de mon ASUS_X00ID en utilisant Tapatalk

awesome thank you Darth Ravn, really appreciate it that's why I love it here on the forum cause of people like you.

Hi everyone, I recorded something this morning. It was my first time in costume and pretty challenging for me, haha.
If I make it in the video and there's an option for gray jedis, I would prefer that, if not, both sides work for me, no problem ;).
Name: Matt Nihilus / Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UC_REabKHxV6ZxuEm_4rhFag (http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_REabKHxV6ZxuEm_4rhFag)

Also shouts to Master Resolute & Master Venturous, great Videos and thank you for doing this Darth Cephalus!
MTFBWY

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPHzTSv1fUs#)

awesome incredible couldn't decide which word to use so I'll put them both out there loved it

That was awesome Matt! I like your outfit too. Very cool.

Hey there Matt. Looking good, love that yellow blade which makes your spins and strikes even more cooler looking

Thank you very much guys! There were many bloopers while recording this  :D.

@Darth Silenoz - I switch costumes a bit from time to time but with the mask I could see nothing, so I left it inside 8).
@Infinit01 - It's funny cause this is a white lightsaber but the camera wanted a more yellowish shine. I'm good with that. Love orange/yellow blades too  ;)

Oh, my bad. It still looks great. AS is one of my favorite colors for a saber blade

Nice, I guess we have the same taste in blade colours ;)

Have you posted any of your stuff in the Costumes and Props section? I'd really like to see the mask.


I thought it was yellow too. Interesting.

Well done, Matt!!🤙🏻 and again, awesome to have you back around here😊


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That flawless reverse grip though...

Thank you guys, it really means a lot!!! Keep rocking  ;).
Looking forward to your video too master flowmie Elwood!

Btw the BPM of the track is exact 87.5 if anyone wants to know. I've made myself a super simple drum pattern. It helped me to focus on the beat. Just let me know if anyone wants it.

Getting some good ones in here. Love the boots by the way Matt.
 Here are a couple others that were submitted elsewhere. 2 of the 3 are not to the right music yet, but that will get fixed.
www.instagram.com/p/BZ9WRX_nR6J/?fbclid=IwAR3yOMeoL6_FHm8sHuNnu2-DUDsDtlp7UGoG2TsGemIC-umNfYC1M4yKqp0 (http://www.instagram.com/p/BZ9WRX_nR6J/?fbclid=IwAR3yOMeoL6_FHm8sHuNnu2-DUDsDtlp7UGoG2TsGemIC-umNfYC1M4yKqp0)
www.facebook.com/gregory.allen.eason/videos/2517888214907197/ (http://www.facebook.com/gregory.allen.eason/videos/2517888214907197/)
www.facebook.com/chris.mcdonald.7587370/videos/10217788771580848/ (http://www.facebook.com/chris.mcdonald.7587370/videos/10217788771580848/)

Nihilis is killing it. Period. And I don’t even know what to say about the staff vid DC just posted. Wow don’t cover it.

Wow, it's just great to see so many variations of styles.
Thank you Imgumby and DC! The boots are called Obi Wan Kenobi-Sith Black from Jedirobe.com. The quality is good for the price and they look better in person. Maybe I upgrade them with metal clips.

im back! finally. Just getting. caught up. These entries are lookin' good.

Happy to see MV throwing up some material, lookin good sir!

Flawless is right. That was absolutely stunning Matt. Well done.

A big thank you Taegin!  :)

This. The Reverse Grip is what I've been working on to 'perfect'.  Much respect, Matt

You can try to close your hand with almost no wrist movement. You will get very wide orbits and learn where the saber wants to go in relationship to your body. Then open your hand in tiny steps and add more wrist.
Thats how I practice all movements. Do it very slow and don't hurt yourself and be careful with your shoulder. Great progress btw. ! It almost looks like a flow documentary, I like it ;)

Will definitely try that, Matt!  Thanks! 

I'm no expert, but that sounds like really solid advice to me. +1

Here is my entry for the spin wars

Don't forget to subscribe :) and feel free to comment !

https://youtu.be/3CyD6S4VPRg (https://youtu.be/3CyD6S4VPRg)

Well done, Darth Ravn! smooooth work, my friend! :D

Dope! I'm pretty sure I would have accidentally destroyed that cabinet and bookshelf. :D

thank you bros :)

awesome work bro great spinning love your videos

Here is my entry, my YouTube name is Josef Skywalker and this is a light side submission:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxUCKHgBJ-Y (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxUCKHgBJ-Y)

Great work, Ravn.  Your transitions are always really smooth. Love your videos as always and the BR blades are bright!

Joseph and Ravn, I grabbed them. Looking good. Just as a heads up, it looks like the number of submissions this year is going to necessitate two videos. Too much participation is a great problem to have, so keep em coming.

awesome work bro and the hoodie is a great touch  8)

Great, thank you ! I hope it won't be too hard to create it !


Thanks :) and yes, those are TRI BR with Ultra Edge (Heavy Grade), it light the entire room up !!!


Thanks ;) be sure there will be others !

You're welcome. I like Tri-Cree LEDs myself and will order them Tri-Cree only moving forward minus the forum colors of course  :D

I'm getting caught up on everyone's stuff.  I'm really liking Matt's a lot, probably my favorite so far.  I'm always glad to see Venturous and Ryan do their thing.  The guys from FB were nice too DC.  Ravn showed a lot of control in that small space.

I'd like to see Jaymes shoot his demo from a wide angle format or else it may look odd in the editing.

This is a post from a buddy of mine over on IG, go check him out.  Nightarms is his username.
Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75nZVUQRang&feature=youtu.be#)

awesome ! I really liked it !

And thank you ;)

Thank you Sam, love your flow and costumes!
Also great video from NightArms  8)

Need to step my game up, been working on my vid just been dealing with a sick wife and son

hey brother, no worries I can re shoot if needed my saber is coming back this week. I'll wait to hear back from you if I should or shouldn't re do no problem

Up to 12 submissions, so we are officially looking at 2 different videos. Record number of submissions everyone. Keep up the awesome work. It is heartening how many good spinners we have around these days.

Great ! thank you for your work DC ! I hope it won't be too hard ! Can't wait to see it :p

Pretty stoked to be a part of this, and pretty happy with tonight's footage that gave me this ;D  Light Side video placement please, DC- and thank you so much for doing this!
Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aHXN-jCIB8#)

Got it. Awesome.

Thats a tough act to follow!  Here's my entry.
Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPFC503pGzw#)

I guess since the secret is already out, I'll post it here for any who haven't seen it yet. I can't compete with Master Elwood or Samhain, but whatever.

Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4moZ_nzoM1I&t=41s#)

Like I said, I found it on accident. But I'm glad I did. ;D
Well done Taegin. Very impressive. And awesome to see you posting multiple videos out of no where all of a sudden.
I look forward to seeing more.

They didn’t get it from me. But now that the cat is out of the bag, it will be great to have you join us this year.

Yay! Costume footage. Great backdrop too by the way. I love how this turned out.

Looking good Taegin!!!!


Will record my entry tonight  :D

You video is over 4 minutes long!!!! Geez Master Grady, I'll be glad to just have two minutes myself.  Much respect and love the palm spins and wicked behind the back throws!!!!

Many thanks, Infinite!😊🤙🏻  I picked the 4 best clips out of about an hourish of flow sets.  I was really zoned in, and just kept hitting record.

Great submissions so far, everyone!
Taegin? Rocking it ninja style- awesome job, dude!
And Sam’s definitely got the amazing backdrop for his entry!

This is going to be pretty rad all put together!🤙🏻

You're welcome, Master Grady.  You spun for an hour?  Man, that's quite some time


Agreed, great submissions everyone!  This year Spin Wars is going to be the most wicked of them all!!!!

I should of recorded like a week ago, I'm not sure how I can submit my video after you three... 

Sure you can.  It's about having fun, and you've already bee  doing that getting ready.  Don't worry about it.  It'll be good to look back on when you do it next year.

Thanks Sam and will do.  I'm my rival


It's raining and in the low 40s outside, I'll have to use my backup place to spin

We've definitely set the bar this year for the number of submissions to beat.

This is my first year entering into the Spin wars and I'm a bit nervous since I'm really new to this.  I'm normally not nervous towards anything but everyone is really talented and to be able to spin along side those that I look up to is an honor and a blessing.  I rather not mess anything up.


 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpIjI7oSjEU#)

Nailed it. That transition from standard to reverse grip and back is buttery smooth.

Thank you, Master Venturous.  Been practicing quite a bit but I'm still learning and just scratching the surface!  Loving it!

Ya, um, wtf!! I guess all that hangin out in the corner has paid off!!! You can stop all that humble $h1t now, you’re technique is becoming as developed, and is as unique, as anyone. So impressed!!! Point, point, POINT!!!!

I just watched it. f***ing awesome stuff, bro. I don't think you messed anything up.

Thank you, Gumby!  Haha, I believe my corner is working, lol.  Believe it or not, I was hoping that you would enter into the Spin Wars too since you're one of the first to inspire me to spin.  You're too kind and have a point back!!!


Thanks SFD.  I was spinning for over an hour and took a deep breath and just did it. 

Looks great to me Infinit, very talented yourself, I love the masters stuff, but i rally like seeing new people show off their passions.

And Taegin Amazing stuff and in the snow so scenic, how you do those throws! Looks brilliant man!

Keep it up everyone can't wait to see the finished product!

Infinite has worked so hard to make this entry in the Spin Wars and I think all that work was totally worth it!  Great job!  I'm glad I was able to contribute to your learning!

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm nowhere near as good as Sam, Cephalus, Ryan, Venturous or Elwood, but there are a few things I can do well. Again, it means a lot.

Is there a shortest clip prize? Best I could do considering I waited until the last minute, haven't really been practicing and didn't warm up. Sorry its so dark and hard to see too. For next year I'm going to remember to start filming earlier (like starting tomorrow), and force myself to include all the moves I intended to, but forgot once I hit record and just kind of started repeating a few moves over and over...

Darth Silenoz. Darkside.
Shouts out to everyone that's been participating, watching and supporting. And an extra special shout out to Darth Cephalus for putting this all together for us.
Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqR7WuJpaOU&feature=youtu.be#)
 

Well done, Infinite and Silenoz!!😄🤙🏻  So glad you both got in on this!!  Keep those bids coming, both of you!

Thank you, LSG. I have a great community that continues to side and support me in my on going journey within this art. 



Thank you, Samhain. I learned a lot from you and I know that I’ll continue to learn more.  It’s people like Master Elwood, yourself, DS, Master Ventuorous, Master Resolute and a few others that has aided me with teaching me a new move, using techniques to help tighten up, and words of encouragement to keep going. I am forever grateful   :D



Taegin, I hope to see more videos from you. You are definitely very talented and you have quite a few signature moves. You’ve made a fan out of me and I hope to see more of your incredible work



DS. I’m glad that you joined the Spin Wars this year since you’re one of the first who got me started into this art. Short video or not, I can tell that you’re highly skilled with the saber and your transitions are impeccable. I do hope to see more of your videos since I can see you at the top of the list of best spinners


Thank you Master Elwood for your kind words and for taking me under your wing without a thought. Your continuous support and eagerness to teach me and get my form and flow to better suit my style has been one of the greatest motivators since I started. Thank you again! I know I speak for DS as well when I say this, we wouldn’t be part of this if it weren’t for you

I'm glad you joined in!  I know you're going through a lot right now.  I'm excited you got out and recorded this!

That's what this community is all about, coming together and sharing our love for the art and encouraging each other.

And that's coming from one of the spinning legends himself, Darth Silenoz!

awesome bro looks incredible and so clean point

Thank you Master Graestar, Infinit01 and Sam.

Infinit01, I might have had a hand in helping you get into this, but it was your enthusiasm that in turn got me back into it, and your dedication inspires me every day to be better and work harder, not only at spinning, but in life in general. Thank you brother.

Just so every one knows, if it weren't for Infinit01 in particular I wouldn't have ended up posting anything. And that's not just because he threatened to post my video FOR me. :D It's because of how much he just wants everyone involved and having as much fun as he is with this incredible art form we've all come to love and share with each other.



You gotta stop with that stuff though. That's just going WAY over board, for real. :D


Taegin posting a video out of nowhere like a frickin' boss helped motivate me QUITE a bit too. So thanks to you too kid. ;D

Thank you Jaymes, just been training


You're welcome, DS.  Just talking to you about spinning got me on the right track, you did point me in the right direction and taught me the clock spin which is awesome, btw.

Lol, it wasn't a threat per-say, but more of an "honorary encouragement".  You got the work done and I didn't want to see it go to waste especially since you're been practicing and getting back into spinning.  Plus, I wanted to see the hand roll with the FO blade. 

Yes indeed, Taegin"s phenomenal performance definitely got me going too

That was just grand. You always talk like you aren't that great a spinner, but what I just saw there was beautiful. Glad that you joined in.

Exactly!  I was telling DS that none of us thinks the same way he thinks about his spinning.

Thank you, Taegin. That really means a lot to me coming from you. And not just because you killed it yourself, I've always just liked the way you think. ;)

Great stuff, Darth Silenoz. Lightsabers in the dark work great. Is that one orange or yellow? Either way, it looks good and those were some great moves.

Thanks SFD! It's FO. I keep noticing FO shows up yellow on better cameras. On my older phone it looks like Orange Crush.

  awesome spins bro looks fantastic and love the orange, had them program fire orange with a red pulse on my saber hopefully it's cool I'm dying to get my hilt

Yeah, it does like to show up yellow, even Tri FO does.

And that is exactly what that was. Tri FO.

Great videos everywhere! Love to see you finally spin Silenoz & Taegin ;)

I too thought his FO was orange in the beginning but  different cameras interpret colors  differently


Thank you, Matt!  That means a lot.  Love your video by the way

Sorry Gum. I suck at using YT and I accidentally erased it. I'm hoping DC has already downloaded it.
 

Reupload it then?

(http://imgflip.com/memetemplate/44529090/Jackie-Chan-Confused)

I might if my friend is willing to add the music again. I only have it with no tunes. Like I said, I suck at using YT.

Shared

Well that was quick and easy. I have an awesome friend. Here it is again:
Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLpto7s1wU4&feature=youtu.be#)

Glad you were able to get it back!

Agreed  ;D

I did have it, but glad you got it back up nonetheless.

Thanks guys!

You’re welcome!

Ha! Ok, keepin it real!! Great job baby!!!! Smooth as you can right there...

Thanks Gum! ;D I wanted to have a lot more strikes, stance changes and some tosses, but it is what it is. That's what I get for not practicing every day like Infinit01.

I know right?  And to think that DS that he didn't have what it takes to record a video and enter it... I believe in him and look at the awesomeness that he recorded


You'll get there my friend, just grab a saber throughout the day and spin even if its for a few minutes.  I do it when I'm on the phone or in a remote meeting

Ended up with 8 and 8 so there will be one light side video and one dark. This year, I am also going to be doing a giveaway associated with spin wars (more on that later). The light side video is edited, the dark side almost. Still have to do the intros. Just thought I would post an update so people knew things were still on track.

Excited!  Looking forward to seeing both videos!

Can't wait to see how they turned out. We've definitely set the bar in terms of submissions this year.

I like the one light one dark idea a lot. That sounds fun. Thanks for keeping us updated.

That's so great ! And a good idea to make dark side vs light side vid xD