May 2025 - Fighting For Film

Fighting For Film - A screen combat mini-intensive

Learn how to fight for screen with this new three day intensive, led by BADC Instructors and Fight Directors, Kiel O’Shea and Russell Eccleston, and guest director John Ferrer.

Engaging in action on screen can be a high-pressure situation, where the focus is on creating product in a short time, working with demands of the production. On this course you will be offered the chance to engage with these requirements on the performer in a safe and fun environment, where the emphasis is on making you feel secure and in control of your work, and able to deliver your best performance on set.

Note:
This course is not offering polished fight reels at the end of the course. Participants will be offered a short edit of their best bits, and the accompanying rushes, should they wish to edit them further themselves.

The focus of this intensive is on training, and the freedom to get it wrong before you start getting it right. It is about understanding the product you create on screen and how you can start to control it and work with it, through practice and reviewing footage, and by daring to make a strong offer.

DATES:
Monday 19th to Wednesday 21st May 2025
9am - 5pm. Monday 19th May will finish at 4pm.

VENUE:
The Thanet Youth & Community Centre, Malden Road, Herbert St, London NW5 4HD.

WHO IT’S FOR:
This course is suitable for BADC Intermediate and Advanced Level Actor Combatants.

Performers with equivalent levels of experience/qualifications from other recognised combat training institutions are also eligible.
You will be asked to provide proof of performance combat qualifications upon booking.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
Day One: Explore the basics of fighting on screen. Learn how to work with the camera and develop an understanding of the product you create. You’ll perform and review short phrases of choreography with our directing team, with a focus on working notes and building confidence, to bring consistency to your work across multiple takes. You’ll be challenged to increase your energy and impact in performance.

Day Two: Working with different partners, you’ll explore how choreographic choices can help to sell the fight. Here you’ll get a chance to utilise stunt pads, crash mats and weapons as you adapt techniques for screen, playing with heavy hits, narrative beats and finding the camera during the action. You’ll work on reactions, timing keeping the danger present in both one on ones and group fights.

Day Three: On this final day you’ll work with one partner on a piece of choreography, led by our fight directors. You’ll help to crew for each other during takes and will be challenged to put into practice what you have learned over the three days.

PLEASE NOTE:
This is a very physically demanding course, with a focus on how combat skills are utilised for screen and motion capture. As such, the risk of fatigue and injury is higher than in normal accredited BADC courses. As always, participants will be asked to sign a medical waiver on day one, and should seek medical advice before booking if they have any concerns surrounding illness or pre-existing injury.

FEE:
Standard Price: £300