This handbook is a primer for all students and teachers of Theatrical Combat. Detailed images depict basic hand to hand moves and the parry systems for Cutlass, Broadsword and Quarterstaff, along with notated drills for practicing attack and parry techniques. BONUS: This book also includes a Sample Theatrical Combat Course Curriculum created by the sword masters of the Academy of Theatrical Combat. The goal of the Academy of Theatrical Combat is to give performers all the tools they need to feel confident in any action situation for stage, film, television, motion capture, or internet production. This includes knowing the basic theatrical combat techniques so well, they become second nature and allow actors to adapt safely and effectively to any and all situations they might face as performers.

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.

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 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 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.

The art of armed and unarmed stage combat thrills actors and audiences alike the world over. This book details many of the foundational techniques used by actors studying stage combat and actor-movement disciplines. A variety of specific training exercises are described that connect the actor's imagination to a cohesive and meaningful actor-training curriculum – integrating stage combat with the actor's process of developing a fully embodied awareness of the physical life of the character. Developing physical awareness and dexterity is an essential component of an actor's training and rehearsal processes. Engagement, connection, the ability to listen and respond with authenticity, clarity, flexibility, intentionality, tactical response, variety are all helpful aspects for the actor studying combat movement. With practical exercises and expert advice, Stage Combat Arts allows the actor to further hone their emotional connection and extension, breath and voice, intention and focus, movement and freedom, and their ability to connect physically to imagery and text – disciplines that are at the foundation of actor-training – all through the art of combat movement.

This book is the third and final volume in the series Viking Sword and Shield Fighting: Beginners Guides. It is a step by step guide on how to fight with Viking era sword and shield. It contains three main sections, examples of the techniques and movements, Single Person Drills and Partner Drills, so that students can train alone or with a partner. This series takes the fighter from knowing nothing to competence in three comprehensive though simple books. These books are designed to facilitate easy learning using the unique Timeline system, because the pictures are arranged specially in a flow from left to right. The Author has over 33 years experience fighting with these weapons and has brought together research in old fighting manuals and combined it with his own knowledge to produce the definitive introduction to Viking Era Fighting techniques.

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.

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