The script will inform the actor and the audience why two characters want to kill each other. However, even with the clearest scenes, as peaceful people it can be difficult to emotionally understand a fight to the death. So as a performer, how do we interpret and justify the stakes of a fight scene with […]
Each summer, Fight Directors Canada, the national certification body for stage combat, holds an intensive workshop at which students can earn their next level of certification. It is attended by as many Fight Masters as possible, including international guests. For those living in places other than the big theatre centres in Canada, it may be […]
Hitting things is usually satisfying. Watching a villain get away is stressful because we want to see the hero fight him into submission, and if he’s a murderer, we’ll root for the hero to kill him in revenge. Violent video games are best-sellers. Let’s not deny that if you practice swordplay or stage combat, you […]
I was conflicted about posting this video, so click the link below with the understanding that: I do not condone the behaviour of any person depicted or involved in the video I am posting this in order to discuss the historical precedent (below) and not for mere entertainment This video and portions reposted are already […]
I call stage combat the illusion of violence because I realized that convincing an audience that a fight is genuine while hiding the safety features is a magic trick. This is especially obvious if you watch magicians who saw their assistants in half or thrust swords through them. Misdirection About half of the effects in […]
Human cooperation is a wonderful thing, and it’s my belief that cooperation is the singular reason why humanity has thrived. Although a single performer can put on a one-man show, theatre is most often a group effort. Filmmaking is nearly always done in teams. How do you fit into a team? What makes a good […]
Safety. Simulation. Storytelling. These are the three pillars of stage combat. The first two cover all the individual skills we learn, from punches and hair-pulls to sword thrusts and zombie-slaying, every move must combine two factors: It must be safe for everyone involved: operator, victim, close-by actors and technicians, and audience. It must believably resemble […]