Fight Direction for Stage and Screen


Book Description

William Hobbs has written his book as a guide to the inexperienced, so they are able to put their ideas into action more smoothly. The author's aim is to promote a more professional attitude and way of thinking about the task of performing and arranging fights that will demonstrate the range of exciting challenges which are open to directors, actors and fight arrangers alike. Both amateurs and professionals will find the problems and dangers of stage combat dealt with by the author. There is a fully illustrated glossary of strokes, a chapter on battle scenes and mass fighting, and an account of how to arrange comic and symbolic fights and how to stage unarmed fights. The author explains his system of notation for recording the moves of a fight, and includes a 6short chapter on weapons. The final chapter covers slapstick - a deceptively simple art. Forewords by Laurence Olivier and Roman Polanski. The author's first fight direction was for Franco Zefferelli's Romeo and Juliet at the Old Vic and he was Fight Director to Olivier's National Theatre Company for 9 years. He has worked at the National Theatre with Peter Hall, the RSC, the Royal Opera House and the ENO and on many productions in Europe. His many TV productions include Olivier's King Lear and the recent BBC series, Clarissa. Fight direction on feature films includes Cyrano de Bergerac, Dangerous Liaisons, Hamlet, The Duellists, Excalibur and many others. He has just finished shooting the film Rob Roy."




Fight Directing for the Theatre


Book Description

Authored by professional fight director J. Allen Suddeth, all the aspects of brawn, brawl, and broadswords are covered.




The Art of Unarmed Stage Combat


Book Description

The Art of Unarmed Stage Combat is a guide to the principles and techniques of theatrical violence, combining detailed discussions of the mechanics of stage fighting with the nuances of acting decisions to make fighting styles reflect character and story. Expert Fight Director Robert Najarian offers never-before-published games and exercises that allows actors to develop the skills and concepts for performing violence for stage and screen. This title utilizes a unique system of training techniques that result in stage violence that is both physically engaging for the performer, while remaining viscerally engaging for the audience. This book is written for the actor and fight director.




Basics of Stage Combat


Book Description

This book is an introduction to the basics of stage combat in the area of unarmed combat. It holds enough information to give students an understanding of the subject, as well as how to perform some of the more simple "tricks of the trade." The importance of the safety involved in performing stage combat is also discussed.




Fight Choreography


Book Description

We are so familiar with fight scenes on our screens that they are almost taken for granted, but how do they come about? This comprehensive book explains the artistic process of creating the fight scene from scripted page to finished performance. Fight choreography is the art of creating scenes of illusionary violence for an entertainment medium. It must tell the story of the fight in a manner that is safe for the performer. To do this, the choreographer has to consider everything that directly impinges on physical movement. Fight Choreography looks at each of these factors and draws on the author's own experiences to illustrate the excitement and range of the genre. * Introduces the fight choreography, the performer, characterization and the director * Looks at working with sets, costumes, lighting and special effects * Advises on the variety of armour and weapons, including photographic reference sections * Explains how to choreograph fights with phrases, logic and rhythm * Gives specific advice on subjects ranging from symbolism to blood effects and from battle scenes to motion capture AUTHOR F Braun McAsh has been a professional fight choreographer since 1976. He has over 120 professional credits in film, television and on stage, with over 400 fights on film alone. He is best known as the swordmaster for the hit TV series Highlander and the fourth Highlander movie Endgame. He has directed fights for every artistic medium including opera, motion-capture and animation SELLING POINTS * A comprehensive guide that explains the artistic process of creating the flight scene from scripted page to finished performance * Aimed at novice or experienced fight choreographers, actors, directors and designers * Superbly illustrated with 86 colour photos * Packed with examples * Author a professional fight choreographer for over thirty years and has over 120 professional credits on stage, in film and on television.




Unarmed Stage Combat


Book Description

Stage combat is a constantly evolving craft, responsive to the growing demands of an ever changing industry and an ever more perceptive audience. Experienced fight director, teacher and examiner Philip d'Orleans shows how to respond to this challenge through innovative techniques and original choreography. Unarmed Stage Combat explores the fundamental performance principles of violence on stage, before a dedicated series of chapters focus on over forty specific unarmed combat techniques, including non-contact slaps, punches, kicks and chokes as well as controlled contact and the illusion of falling. Each technique is beautifully illustrated with step-by-step photos and detailed practical guidance through the preparation, action and reaction to the movement, as well as the key safety principles, common pitfalls and staging variables. Supported by stunning fight photos from professional productions, this indispensable handbook is equally as valuable for beginners at the start of their career or preparing for their fight performance exam as it will be for seasoned professionals seeking to refresh their knowledge.




Basics of Stage Combat


Book Description

The single sword is the most-used weapon on both stage and screen. The techniques used in single sword stage combat are derived from real combative methods used historically, and modified for acting. Basics of Stage Combat: Single Sword instructs the reader about the foundations of safe, skillful single sword use in theater, film, and television. Actors both wishing to refresh their old skills and those new to stage combat will learn how to parry with a sword, move with a sword, and perfect the various movements required of them to perform a safe and realistic stage combat scene. Basics of Stage Combat: Single Sword will also help drama students who are taking stage combat classes or stage combat exams gain the confidence to embrace the complexities of working with a sword. Among the swords discussed are the single rapier, sabre, and the eighteenth-century small sword; this book does not discuss broadsword techniques. Chapters provide illustration and instruction about thrusts, lunges, hand positions, advancing and retreating, passing steps, binds, beats, and cutting with the sword, as well as basic fighting positions. A brief fight choreography sequence is included at the conclusion of the book.




The Art of Broadsword Fighting for Stage and Screen


Book Description

The Art of Broadsword Fighting for Stage and Screen provides historical and contemporary techniques and styles for the safe training and use of the European broadsword in a theatrical setting. This book starts with a brief breakdown of the history of broadswords, the time periods associated with their use, and the influences of historical masters and their manuscripts. After the brief history section, this book presents the basic techniques of broadsword fighting, starting with grip and body postures. Readers will then move fluidly into the basic actions of cuts, parries, blocks, and disarms. During this process, actors explore the connection between body and weapon and start learning the elements of storytelling through choreography. Special attention is given throughout the text on techniques which need to be approached in a physically and/or mentally safe way by directors, choreographers, performers, teachers, and students. The final chapter focuses on choreographing a fight and utilizing all the material previously covered in this book, with special notes for actors, directors, and teachers about what makes a good fight, how to keep it safe, and how to create the "wow factor" in choreography. The Art of Broadsword Fighting for Stage and Screen is intended for directors, choreographers, actors, students of acting, martial artists, and enthusiasts of stage combat and historical martial arts.




The Art of Knife Fighting for Stage and Screen


Book Description

The Art of Knife Fighting for Stage and Screen: An Actor’s and Director’s Guide to Staged Violence provides detailed information for the safe use of knives and daggers in a theatrical setting and an in-depth understanding of safe theatrical weapons. The book starts with an extensive safety review, then moves on to the basic techniques of dagger fighting, starting with grip and body postures. Readers will then learn about the basic actions of cuts, parries, blocks, and disarms. During this process, they will explore the connection between body and weapon and start learning the elements of storytelling through choreography. Special attention is given to suicides, threats, and murder and how directors, choreographers, performers, teachers, and students can approach these techniques in a way that is physically and mentally safe. The book also covers the use of throwing knives, knife flips, and other tricks to help add a little flair to your fight. The Art of Knife Fighting for Stage and Screen teaches the safe theatrical use of the knife for directors, performers, educators, and students of stage combat.




Stage Combat


Book Description

'This is a book about how to beat the living daylights out of another human being safely...' Roger Bartlett - professional fight director and Master Teacher for the British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat - leads you through everything you need to know in order to create and perform unarmed stage fights that are compelling, realistic and, above all, safe. Starting with the essential concepts, including Victim Control and Reversal of Energy, you will learn how to perform all of the following moves: Slapping Punching Kicking Strangling Pulling and Pushing Falling Locking Blocking Each technique is clearly described, extensively illustrated, and accompanied by online videos demonstrating it in slow motion and at full speed. Also included are chapters on understanding and conveying your character's pain, and creating and rehearsing your own fight sequence. For those already trained in stage combat, it will serve as a comprehensive reminder of what you have learned, and supplement your ongoing training. For amateur, fringe and student companies, the book offers a thorough understanding of the practicalities of staging a fight, but also helps you to recognise when you may need to call upon the services of a qualified professional. Whatever your current level of experience, Stage Combat: Unarmed is the essential book for directors, actors, students and teachers, or indeed anyone looking to incorporate safe, effective stage fights into their productions.