Nomadboi ([info]nomadboi) wrote,
@ 2009-01-14 14:11:00
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C&A come back tonight, after a long day (& a long MONTH) of travel. It'll be good to see them again. Of course I didn't get done everything I'd hoped to in their absence, but no surprises there.

Looks like workshops are finally solidifying; I'll be teaching a four-part crash course in stage combat through Balagan starting 2/8, 12-2pm for four Sundays. Might end up doing more later if this fills up and if there's demand; it's a pretty small space, so I'm pretty confident we can fill it. Also scoping out a space tonight where I hope to offer more film-fighting oriented workshops in the near future as well, plus some other specialty topics that could benefit from the larger room; a martial arts studio, with available pads, higher ceilings, easier parking, etc.

Lots going on, but that's the official shareholder's report version for the week, anyway.

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[info]devinam
2009-01-14 10:35 pm UTC (link)
i have some friends interested in stage combat, where can they go for information? are you focusing on unarmed, weapons, etc...?

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[info]nomadboi
2009-01-14 10:39 pm UTC (link)
Primarily unarmed, intensive series. Here's the working copy, but I'll post updates and do the email blitz when it's all up on Balagan's page:

This is intended as a four part intensive, each day building upon the previous lessons. Those with little to no experience with stage combat are more than welcome, but must be present from the first class onwards. Those already familiar with the basic technical skills of stage combat are welcome to come for whichever days most interest them, on a space-available basis.

Day 1: Striking
A quick intro hits, kicks, slaps, reactions, blocks... unarmed blunt trauma, or the foiled intent to do so. As this is a short time to cover a lot of ground, the focus will be on the concepts behind the moves rather than trying to cover every conceivable technique. Actors should be able to take these principles and apply them to their own scenes down the road. Learn how to throw a convincingly strong punch, and to fake the violent impact of body parts!

Day 2: Grappling and Falling
Wrestling, choking, shoving, falling, rolling, joint locks... this is where learning the mechanics of your own and your partner's bodies is vital. Emphasis is on creating the safe illusion of force on one side and lack of control on the other, while maintaining both people's balance and control. Getting to the ground safely is one of the most important skills you can learn in stage combat, and here's where we'll learn a variety of ways to do that. The techniques in this class are also key to staging fights on a thrust stage or theater-in-the-round.

Day 3: Building the Fight on Your Stage
Building on the skills from days 1 and 2, we'll start working on how these come together to create a staged fight, and how to safely and successfully pull it off on stage. This includes such skills as awareness of audience sight-lines, fighting on and around a set, the introduction of props, staying aware of other actors and managing the timing of a group fight. Timing, rhythm, and spacing are key this day.

Day 4: Acting the Fight
Here's where we get to transcend mechanics and really get in to what makes a fight a fight. Bring on the context! We'll look at some fights within known scenes, try some improvisation exercises, some discussion and exploration of the psychology and physiology and martial concepts that can inform our choices as actors portraying a fight. Here's where you learn how to make it good!

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[info]devinam
2009-01-14 10:41 pm UTC (link)
cool! i'll forward this to them, if there's any who are interested, i'll keep track and point them towards Balagan when it's listed. :)

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