Stage combat or fight choreography
is a specialized technique in theater designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. It is employed in live stage plays as well as operatic and ballet productions. Best stage combat in Los Angeles, CA.
Starting Sunday October 6th
WEEK 1
Warm-Ups & Stretching:
-Warm-Ups (Warming up tendons/muscles)
-Stretching (Loosen tendons/muscles, increase flexibility for dynamic range of motion)
3:00-4:00
Cinematic Action Punching [Real vs Action; adapted for cinema/stage] Jab / Cross / Hook / Uppercut / BackFist / Backhand
{Each of these punches will be practiced, demonstrating 3 distinct types of energy: Light Attack, Medium Strike, Heavy/Powerful Strike. This is demonstrated not by the strike itself, but by the language conveyed by the entire body.
Throughout the remaining duration of the class, each student will work with a partner.
4:00-5:00
Dynamic Hit Reactions:
-Safety Distancing
-Stacking (In relation to audience/camera angle)
-Falls / Choking / Hair Pulling (Safe execution & dynamic exaggeration)
-Rolling / Tumbling
Fight Choreography 1-on-1 [10-String Combination] -Constructing a fight scene:
-Rehearsing the choreo (Step-by-step / Walk Through / Quarter Speed / Half Speed / Full Speed {Variable})
Fight Performance:
-Performing the fight sequence (Students are encouraged to record themselves for personal study & reference)
-Notes will be given for each performer, including possible adjustments for improvement.
-Performing the fight scene, Round 2. Each Student will perform their fight scene once more, applying the adjusted changes.
-Wrap Up.
WEEK 2
2:10-2:30 Warm-Ups & Stretching:
-Warm-Ups (Warming up tendons/muscles)
-Stretching (Loosen tendons/muscles, increase flexibility for dynamic range of motion) throughout the remaining duration of the class, each student will work with a partner. Best stage combat in Los Angeles.
2:00-2:10 Course Directive (Explanation)
2:30-3:00
Rehearse Fight Choreography from Week 1.
Emotion:
-Performers will practice & emit various emotions in their fight sequence:
-Fear / Sadness
-Anger
-Arrogant Confidence
-Stoic Emotionlessness (ex. Experienced Spy Agent)
3:00pm-4pm
Rhythm / Tempo:
-Students will learn the art of pacing in fight sequences: Rhythm & Tempo, as well as ‘Fluid vs Rugged’.
-Students will set the tempo in their fight sequence, placing 2 or more pauses within their fight at various places of their choosing. Each student will decide what kind of action will be involved during these ‘pauses’. (The end result will be a choreography that becomes a uniquely distinct entity)
Emotion / Rhythm / Tempo
4:00pm-5:00pm
-Students will incorporate all three lessons into their choreography, and give a demonstration.
-Fight will end in a victory & defeat: One winner. One loser.
-Performance Notes and Wrap-Up
2:00-2:10
-Course Directive (Explanation)
WEEK 3
Warm-Ups & Stretching:
-Warm-Ups (Warming up tendons/muscles)
-Stretching (Loosen tendons/muscles, increase flexibility for dynamic range of motion)
2:30-3:30pm
Kicking [Adapted for Film & Stage Combat]:
-Front Snap Kicks
-Push Kicks
-Roundhouse Kicks
-Crescent Kicks -Spinning Crescent Kicks
Throughout the remaining duration of the class, each student will work with a partner.
3:30-4:00pm
Kick Exchanges:
-Blocking & Attacking [Safe execution & Dynamic execution] Learn and develop techniques for safe, yet stylized blocking and attacking
-Integration of Punching with Kicking
4:00pm-5:00pm
-Short combat sequences involving kick & punch combinations, Fight Choreography [15-String Combination]
-Students will practice, then demonstrate a 15-string fight sequence, combining kicks, punches, and joint manipulation. -Fight ends with a Victory & a Loss -Notes & Adjustments
-Wrap Up
2:00-2:10
WEEK 4
SWORD COMBAT at the best stage combat in Los Angeles, CA [JAPANESE & EUROPEAN] {Makeshift Foam Swords will be provided} Course Directive (Explanation) Warm-Ups & Stretching:
-Warm-Ups (Warming up tendons/muscles)
-Stretching (Loosen tendons/muscles, increase flexibility for dynamic range of motion)
2:30pm-3:30pm
Japanese Samurai Sword:
-Sword Handling & Body Posture -9 Basic Strikes
Throughout the remaining duration of the class, each student will work with a partner.
3:30-4:30
Japanese-Style SwordFight Choreography (Mix of Traditional & Hollywood)
4:30-5:00
-European-Style SwordFight Choreography -Hacking:
-Slashing -Thrusting -Parry -Redirect
2:00-2:10
WEEK 5
KNIFE COMBAT {Makeshift Foam Knives will be provided} Course Directive (Explanation):
Warm-Ups & Stretching
-Warm-Ups (Warming up tendons/muscles)
-Stretching (Loosen tendons/muscles, increase flexibility for dynamic range of motion)
2:10-3:30
Knife Strikes:
-Knife Handling, Posture, and Striking Techniques
Throughout the remaining duration of the class, each student will work with a partner.
3:30-3:45
Knife Hit Reactions:
-Reactions such as dodging & avoiding, small cuts, deep cuts, and stabs
3:45-4:00pm
Knife Disarms:
-Redirection and Disarming Techniques
4:00pm-5:00pm
Knife Fight Choreography:
-Develop and Rehearse
-Incorporate Striking, Hit Reactions, & Disarms. -Fight ends with Victory/Defeat
Knife Fight Scene:
-Perform Fight Sequence
-Switch Partners and Tweak the Choreo slightly.
(Different Rhythm/ Tempo / Emotion, or even a different Action) -Wrap-Up
2:00-2:10
WEEK 6
GUN COMBAT {Makeshift Foam Guns will be provided} Course Directive (Explanation):
2:30-3:30
Gun Handling:
-Practical Tactical Gunhandling -Posture & Recoil understanding.
Throughout the remaining duration of the class, each student will work with a partner.
3:30-4:30
Gun Disarms:
-Gun redirection and disarming techniques while at gunpoint/pointblank
Hollywood GunPlay
-Stylized Gun Action, adapted for camera.
(Posture, Pivoting, Firing)
4:30-5:00
John Wick-style Gun Fight Choreography:
-Each person will take turns as the John Wick character, defeating a group of enemies. (In consideration of class size, this segment will be broken into 2 or 3 teams)
2:00-2:10
WEEK 7
G.O.T. COMBAT [Game of Thrones-style Fight] {Makeshift Sword & Shield will be provided} Course Directive (Explanation) Warm-Ups & Stretching:
-Warm-Ups (Warming up tendons/muscles)
-Stretching (Loosen tendons/muscles, increase flexibility for dynamic range of motion)
Throughout the remaining duration of the class, each student will work with partners
2:20-5:00
Game of Thrones-themed fight scene (In consideration of class size, this segment will be broken into 2 or 3 teams)
Optional Dialogue:
– 2-on-2 combat
– Sword & Shield
Hero 1(To Hero 2)
Be wary, my brother {sister}. Our enemies are undoubtedly strong.
Enemy 1
(Arrogantly responds) How right you are. You would be fools to assume us weak.
Hero 2
Indeed, we would be fools to assume you are weak. And yet, we would be cowards if we didn’t stand our ground.
Enemy 2 (Laughs)
Very well……you may witness our strength…… . ….as we witness your death! (Points sword)
Hero 1
There will be a death today…… (Assumes fighting stance)
Hero 2
… ..but it will not be our own. (Assumes fighting stance)
Enemy 1 (Pause)(Insulted)
It would seem you are fools, after all.
Enemy 2
Enough talk! We will educate them….. with a fatal lesson.
2:00-2:10
WEEK 8
AVENGERS COMBAT {Superhero/Supervillain style fight scene} Course Directive (Explanation):
Each student will work together in a group to construct a fight sequence utilizing techniques learned from un-armed combat, and assimilate it with superhero/supervillain stylized action.
Warm-Ups & Stretching:
-Warm-Ups (Warming up tendons/muscles)
-Stretching (Loosen tendons/muscles, increase flexibility for dynamic range of motion)
Throughout the remaining duration of the class, each student will work with partners
2:20-5:00
Avengers Group Combat [2 on 2] Stylized Hero/Villain Action, Team-Up tag team moves, Simulated SuperPowers:
Super Strength/ the ‘Force’ / Plasma Energy (One character from each opposing team will harness Super Strength)
Villain 1
The world begs for a change. A revolution. Our planet is suffering, and the world’s leaders do nothing but seek profit for their own gain.
Villain 2
Our powers are a gift to bring change. And the Crystals will ensure that we have the winning hand.
Hero 1
Given your track record of killing, the Crystals are not safe in your hands. We agree that the world needs healing…..
Hero 2
……but to kill for the sake of recreating the world in an image you think is ideal…. ……..we cannot sit still and allow that to happen.
Hero 1
You are just as much a threat as the corrupt leaders in our world today. Perhaps, even more dangerous.
Villain 2
Funny………I was thinking the same thing about you. (Pause) Because you do nothing to stop those leaders who ruin our world.
Villain 1
Like it or not, we will gain possession of the Crystals. Consider this a warning. If you stand in our way, you will be crushed.
Hero 2
Whatever it takes, we will stop you.
All students participating in the stage combat course must arrive with water, no opened-toed shoes, something comfortable to move in (preferably form-fitting, but loose is fine, as well, but not too loose) and something to take notes with.
Best stage combat in Los Angeles, CA
Please bring your own Yoga Mat, if possible.
Students are not allowed to have food, gum, or any choking hazards in the course room at any time. Safety will be observed & practiced during the 8-week course
Learn Acting at one of the Best Acting Schools in Los Angeles
2437 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310.392.0815
Email: actingclass@michelledanner.com
