The following is my attempt to be, what normal people call, smart

Review of Shakespeare Online (http://www.shakespeare-online.com/index.html)

Anything a high school student might need to know for their English or Drama class Shakespeare unit can be found right here. What I like about this site is that it literally condenses all the possible tangents in studying Shakespeare in one location. Not only are the entire texts of his plays and sonnets provided, but you also have character and plot analysis, a review of the main themes in each play, a biography and timeline of Shakespeare's life, and even links to reviews and essays about his works. In addition, if you want to shop for books or videos, there are links to buy them here.

If a parent wants their student to not just pass the Shakespeare unit, but to excel in it, then I recommend this website. Most people need extra help to understand what the texts is actually saying. Shakespeare Online can help people of all backgrounds understand the basics of Shakespeare's works. Instead of approaching class with dread or boredom (or both) the student can feel confident that he/she will be able to comprehend everything on a level they can identify with. If they want to go a bit farther, the website can help them with that too.

I consider myself well above average in regards to my level of understanding the works of William Shakespeare. Even then, Shakespeare Online still proved insightful for me. For example, I am familiar with the majority of Shakespeare's plays. However, he has over 154 sonnets that I have never really looked at. If, like most people, I don't understand all the text after my first read-through, there is an analysis of the sonnet available on the same page as the text.

For any individual studying Shakespeare, I would recommend Shakespeare Online as a reference. The main reason for that is because it's a reference tool full of multiple references tools in and of itself.





Review of Combat Incorporated (http://www.combatinc.com/index.html)


Fight Choreography is a relatively new term in theatre and film. There are some in the those industries that never considered the necessity of an organized approach to the violence that they might have in their production. Combat Inc. is a valuable organization to use as a source to get professional help with staged violence of all sorts.

If you want credentials, this company has it. There are 10 professionals with extensive resumes who contribute. If you want reasons why you should become involved in stage combat, these professionals have listed a FAQ on their website and are also available for hire. If you want proof that they can help you with your stage fighting in your production, they have included their list of clients. Combat Inc. has literally been there and done it.

This site is primarily for those who want to be taught stage combat. The site itself does not contain any actual instruction or techniques. Be aware that it is an access to a resource, not a resource itself. The professionals who are part of Combat Inc. are the real resources. If you want lessons or professionals to assist you on your production, then you've found the right people.

Assuming their credentials are legitimate, it may be worth the production's time to look into getting help from this company. Like any industry, if the market for this type of service is competitive there may be other companies who could also provide a similar service. The professionals at Combat Inc. are dedicated to making the fights safe, collaborative, and truthful. Their list of clients proves that they've been able to practice that formula repeatedly with success.

This week, as proof of my prowress in downloading educational videos, I've been asked to include one in this blog entry. The only requirement is that the video be educational. It, like the reviews above, was part of my assignment this week. I think it's safe to say, judging by my choice of video, that it pays to be more specific when you give an assignment and that letting students choose for themselves can be disastrous.