I'm interested in the different kata used (yes, specifically to do with lightsabers) but can't for the life of me work out how to properly wield two swords or one in a backhand style. I'm asking for cinematic purposes for some films we're planning to make. I know what the forms are and so on, there's plenty of info on that on the Internet, but I'm looking for a more detailed explanation of how you'd practise each one.

Just look at KOTOR or JA and you'll see how they hold two sabers.

I would do it by using two swords, striking with one and blocking with the other, alternating back and forth between right and left hands. Start very slowly and try speeding it up slightly as time goes on as you master the progressively slower speeds. (do it perfectly very slowly, and then try faster, master that speed, do it faster, etc.) If you try to go at it full speed from the beginning, you will end up blocking a lot of your own strikes and it will look very bad. It's just like the old walk-before-you-run principle.

Personally, I prefer using a single blade (in my situation, a katana), in a style similar to the Form 3 style of lightsaber combat. This is a very defensive style and can be done in real life by keeping your blade at a defensive stance and striking offensively only when oyu have an opening.


These styles are fictional, but a lot of them can be improvised upon enough to be done effectively in the real world. (with the possible exception of Form IV, which is yoda-style fighting)

Interesting that in the descriptions of the various forms of lightsaber combat on Wikipedia, they would state which martial arts styles the forms decended from or were based on. How could people who lived a long time ago in a galaxy far far away base their sword combat techniques on Kendo or Wushu?

Not sure where you could find kata on the internet though. Most martial arts sites I've found don't have demonstrations of very many kata, if at all.

Sorry, this is ridiculous.

(I don't mean to be rude or obnoxious)

Two swords is crazy hard to co-ordinate, personally I'd try to stick to one if possible. Unless you swing 'em around like you would with a pair of Pois but even that's pretty ungainly.
Just download some fan films, watch the duels in Star Wars and watch a few kung fu flicks and you'll probably find all sorts of ideas for a flashy sword fight scene. Fan films in particular are useful because it lets you see what is within the grasp of amateurs. Don't get too hung up on realism or real martial art katas; you're just making a sci-fi fantasy flick at the end of the day. And good luck, I made an attempt at a fan film parody with a friend (we had a script, fight choreography and locations all set) and it didn't even make it to filming!