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Welcome Rapier for the Stage and Screen, the DeLongis Method. We will be examining the techniques for the rapier that I have devised during thirty years of studying, teaching, choreographing and performing with the sword on both sides of the camera as both an actor and a Fight Director.
Rapier for the Stage and Screen is structured as a series of private lessons. The beginning actor and the experienced performer will learn professional level skills and techniques that get the job done with security and style. Instructors will find the syllabus structure progresses logically, each lesson building on the information taught in the previous sessions. Students are urged to follow the order of the lessons and not leap ahead or skip chapters.
Rapier for the Stage and Screen is geared to the beginning sword enthusiast. My basic sword techniques and safety vocabulary are explained in detail. The step by step lessons cover stance, grip, distance, parries, footwork and attacks with both point and edge. You must practice until these techniques become second nature. We will utilize much of the same vocabulary when we move to larger, heavier weapons. 
This class is not an attempt to accurately recreate the style of any single period in history. My goal is to offer the student the tools to perform comfortably, safely and effectively with the rapier, smallsword and sabre.
CONTENTS: VOLUME #1:
SAFETY: The potential for injury is always a consideration. We’re going to construct a safety protocol that’s consistent, ever vigilant and always working to keep you safe.
THE GRIP: The sword must become a fluid extension of your arm and the grip is the key to working with fingertip control of the weapon at all times.
THE STANCE: You will learn how to relax. The less energy you use, the less you have to
control. The more relaxed you are, the more aware you can be about what’s going on around you.
ATTACKS, DEFENSE & DISTANCE: Anthony DeLongis will teach you how to maximize your effectiveness and how to extend the arm fully before squeezing the fingers to complete the cut. Attacks occur in the middle of the upper half of the blade and defense is safest and most effective in the middle of the bottom half, or forte, of the blade.
PARRIES & SKELETAL ALIGNMENT: Positions will utilize skeletal alignment for maximum strength with a minimum of effort. Prime #1, Seconde #2, Tierce #3, Quarte #4, Quinte #5, Sixte #6, Septime #7.
CUTS & TARGETING: All cutting attacks utilize specific targeting to maintain a rigorous safety protocol.
DISTANCE & BASIC FOOTWORK: Advance, Retreat, Lunge, Recover, pass forward and back, ballestra, tassata.
DRILLS & COMBINATIONS: Regular review helps to combine all the elements of safety and technique into relaxed & fluid action.
POINT WORK:
Straight thrust, engage & disengage, coupe’
Feint & disengage, the deception of lateral parries
Circular or counter-parries
Double, the deception of circular parries
SUMMARY:
Review this video class and practice as often as you can. Focus and simplify. The less energy you use, the less you have control. Less effort means greater awareness and sensitivity to both your partner and your audience.
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