Stage Fencing

[EltonJ]

Hi there,

I have some questions to ask about stage combat -- stage fencing and swordsmanship.  Can some one out there answer my questions? 

So, a -- how different is it from real fencing?

Did you have to go to an academy to learn how to fight properly?

[Hoowil]

Stage combat is generally very highly rehearsed and coreographed. It needs to be for safety reasons. The flashy, broad sweeping moves used to make a fight look exciting are very different than those that would be used in fencing or in dueling. I know some theatre schools have courses on stage combat, with a variety of weapons, but I can't think of one off the top of my head right now. There are a number of peopl here on the forms who participate in stage fights, who could probably point you more in the right direction.

[groomporter]

I've fenced competitively and taken some stage combat courses, and as a fencer you have to unlearn a few things to be a good theatrical fighter and you have to be an actor at the same time, although it doesn't hurt to already have some blade control from fencing.

The Society of American Fight Directors is an internationally recognized non-profit organization for training actor/fighters and can probably direct you to the nearest certified stage combat instructor.
http://www.safd.org/

Of course not all actor/fighters at Renfairs are trained through SAFD teachers. It depends on the requirements of the local Renfair (or the group that is contracted with the Renfair to provide the fight scenes) how much training the participants are required to have..

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

Stage combat is generally very highly rehearsed and coreographed.

so says the guy with the 8" gash on his head and swollen eye 

[SirRichardBear]

EltonJ the two are about the same as relationship to each other as Wire fu has to boxing or MMA fighting.  The thing to remember is that they have entire different pruposes Stage fighting is to entertain which means the people in the cheap seats aka the back row have to see what the people on the stage are doing so huge movements and very exterated action.  While fight is of course about wining and surviving which normally means tight movements and fast in and out action. 

And going to a academy or school is normally the best method to learn either style while one on one with a master is the best way to perfect the art but normally very expensive.

[Sev]

The biggest differences between stage combat and any sport combat (like fencing, martial arts, even LARPing to an extent) are, as stated, that stage combat is highly choreographed, heavily rehearsed, and involves much bigger and flashier motions than are practical for actual combat. But it's also very important to remember that in stage combat, you do not have an opponent -- you have a partner. And your goal is to NOT hit them -- just LOOK like you're hitting them. =) It seems obvious, but in the stage combat seminars I've participated in, explaining things that way has really helped new learners to really grasp the spirit of it. It's not a competition, it's a show -- you have to work together with your partner to make things entertaining for your audience.

Talk to the performers at your local faire to see how/where they learned stage combat from. One of the big faires in my area has a stage combat program as part of its volunteer cast training, and the combat director does one-on-one and group instruction in the off season as well.

[BLAKDUKE]

EltonJ

I do not know your location, but if you are anywhere near Ithaca New York,you might want to look up Adam Crown.
He has a fencing salle and a martial arts Dojo.  He is outstanding.  He used to have the fencing corral at the Sterling R/F man, many years ago.......

Al