History Film / RyanVsDorkman

A couple years later came the rematch: ''Ryan vs Dorkman 2.'' The sequel is, in practically every way, [[SequelEscalation bigger and arguably better]] than the original -- it's longer, DarkerAndEdgier, with better effects work and tighter choreography; it has a full crew, using professional grade UsefulNotes/HighDefinition equipment; it even has an entirely original score. Submitted to Lightsaber Choreography Competition 3, it won in a landslide. The films' special effects (put together by Wieber and Scott themselves, along with the film editing and fight choreography) were highly praised, even leading into a successful (and award winning) FX career for Wieber.

''Ryan vs Dorkman'' is a 2003 ''Star Wars'' FanFilm which depicts a [[SwordFight lightsaber duel]] [[DuelToTheDeath to the death]] between the titular rivals. [=RvD=] (as it is colloquially known) stands apart from other ''Star Wars'' fan films in that [[ExcusePlot there is not even the slightest pretense of a story or plot;]] it is the standard fan film lightsaber duel, [[JustHereForGodzilla distilled down to its very essence and made into its own raison d'etre.]] As such, there are no ''Star Wars'' locations or characters or even costumes; Ryan and Dorkman wear normal real world clothing and battle in real world locations, with [[LikeRealityUnlessOtherwiseNoted the only nod]] to ''Star Wars'' being that they use [[LaserBlade lightsabers]] (and a little bit of TheForce).

** In [=RvD=], right after (blue-shirted) Ryan dies, Dorkman turns around and gets stabbed by another Ryan, who's wearing a red shirt.

The pair have expressed interest in continuing the series, but [[DevelopmentHell were holding off]] until they could think of new and creative ways to continue the SequelEscalation; plans were further put on hold when Dorkman was [[struck by a car]] in 2014; he suffered significant physical and neurological damage, and, as of this writing three years later, has not fully overcome his injuries. In the meantime, these films are free to watch / download from [[http://www.ryanvsdorkman.com/ the official RvD website.]] Ryan Wieber has also gone on to work with Brandon Flyte, another lightsaber enthusiast, in the similarly named and similarly styled [[http://youtu.be/kq4Ej9KpQhg Ryan]] vs. [[http://youtu.be/pfa-Pa5IQLg Brandon]] shorts. Both won their LCC years.

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: In [=RvD2=], Dorkman's attempt to Force pull his lightsaber back into his hand is interrupted by Ryan yanking down his outstretched arm, causing Dorkman to [[FunnyMoments hit himself in the face with his own weapon.]] Downplayed in that the setback is only temporary.

** Also a meta-example of an escalation over the ''source material'': [=RvD2=] contains a number of ideas which the fight choreographers for ''RevengeOfTheSith'' had, but weren't able to implement or had been [[ExecutiveMeddling rejected.]]