The Sword Spectacular Weekend
A chance to cross swords with the stars of Highlander: The Series

Article and Photographs by Genise Graham

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Other stars that appeared at Sword Spectacular Weekend (continued from the previous Section of the article):

Photo: Left Tim Weske - Founder and owner of Swordplay Studios. At the heart of the Sword Spectacular Weekend was a man with a unique reputation within the entertainment industry. Tim Weske's Swordplay Studios in Burbank, CA, is more than just a place to learn the craft of stage combat. He leads a troupe of fight and fencing instructors who combine their talents to entertain as well as train. In the training arena, Tim teaches Olympic-style fencing and theatrical fighting. His style is easy to learn and entertaining to watch. His skills as a teacher/trainer have been developed over a period of sixteen years at the Swordplay Studios and as head fight/fencing instructor at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts West and the Lee Strasberg Institute West.

Swordplay Studios provides a wide array of opportunities for stage combat work. They are involved in a variety of productions from classic fencing tournaments to children's birthday parties, where they provide entertainment as pirates and buccaneers.

Mr. Weske's talents are much in demand in Hollywood. He and Swordplay Studios have been called upon to work on productions such as The Mask of Zorro, Almost Heroes, The General's Daughter, First Knight, and The Three Musketeers. You've seen their work on such TV series as Lois & Clark, Blossom, General Hospital, and The Tonight Show. Actors have gained new skills and techniques working with Tim and his instructors. Swordplay Studios has worked with Antonio Banderas, Richard Gere, Chris O'Donnell, Catherine Zeta Jones, and many others.

Tim Weske and his troupe were instrumental in making the classes and demonstrations for SSW outstanding in every way.

Photo: Left Roberta Brown - Actress, Fight Choreographer, and Instructor. This dime-sized bundle of auburn curls was responsible for bringing much of the energy and impromptu gaiety that was the essence of the SSW weekend. Roberta has been teaching both theatrical swordplay and fencing at L.A.'s famous Westside Fencing Center for the past six years. Her work in theater and television is extensive in the US and such countries as England, Austria, Colombia, Italy, Germany, and Hungary. Her favorite highlights include choreography work in the Los Angeles premiere of "Fortinbras" the original European tour of the musical "Richard the Lionheart", a light sabre fight at Hollywood's remarkable Magic Castle, and a bullfight for "Hasta La Muerte".

Brown's current projects include choreographing a production of "Twelfth Night" for the Gascon Center Theatre, which is set in Spain, giving her the opportunity to incorporate some "Spanish Circle" into the choreography.

Her upcoming plans include choreographing a huge, live, pirate battle for Colombia's bi-annual national Coffee Regatta, which will be performed along the coast of Colombia next fall. She will also be working with fellow SSW guest Mark Ryan, who will be choreographing sword fights on the upcoming independent feature, "The Bacchae."

Photo: Left T.J. Rotolo - Actor, fight instructor, and accomplished fight choreographer, this young man is carving out quite an exciting career! While you might have thought it was a more famous actor, the dashing figure with the cape and flashing sword in The Mask of Zorro promotional trailer was actually T.J. He is one of TV's Power Rangers, and has worked regularly on action shows such as Beetleborgs and Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills. Working with Anthony De Longis, T.J. did a swordfight in last year's Magnificent Seven TV series. He also performed and choreographed swordfights in the national "Zorro" stage show. His feature film credits include Deadlock, Zock: Nemesis, and Body Moves.

T.J. proved himself invaluable throughout the SSW weekend as Anthony's assistant in the fight classes and in panel discussions.

Photo: Left T.J. Storm - His promoters describe this popular SSW guest as "the ultimate combination of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Fred Astaire". This world-class martial artist will be appearing at the DragonFest Martial Arts Con along with fellow guest Bob Chapin in Glendale, CA this Nov. 14th. He is the winner of more than 300 Dance Competitions and has studied various styles of the Martial Arts for over 20 years. T.J.'s fast-paced career is on track, as he just completed two movies with Rap artists Snoop Doggy Dogg and IceT. He recently appeared in Samo Hung's Once Upon A Time in China and America, and plays the warrior, Bayu, on the Conan the Adventurer television series.

He has also stared in Urban Menace, Dragon Fury, The Ultimate Game, Kick of Death, Mortal Kombat, and the TV series VR Troopers. TJ has just completed a new workout video and you might catch him on the Tae-Bo infomercial some sleepless night.

He was an inspired addition to the rank of guests for the weekend, delighting us with his skills and sense of humor.

Photo: Left James Giaquinto - Acting student and Fencer at SwordPlay Studios. James enthralled the Highlander fans attending the SSW weekend. Still at the beginning of his career, this young actor bears an uncanny resemblance to a young Adrian Paul, right down to his "Duncan MacLeod" pony-tail. James joined Tim Weske in a fencing demo for the group. He is currently in a production at the Los Angeles Opera

Photo: Left Master prop maker Tony Swatton shared with the group his intriguing collection of arms, armour and props. All of these were hand-made in his store, Sword and Stone, located in Burbank, California. The assortment included the sword and boomerang knife from the movie Blade, the hook from the movie Hook, swords from The Mask of Zorro, the Marine commercial sword, and fun toys from Batman and Robin. He generously allowed the group to fondle these famous props. Tony not only toils for the entertainment industry, his works of art are available for sale to the public.

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