Stage combat

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Folks I know this has been done before but I am trying to get some sort of basic stage combat qualifications under my belt. I have read previous threads on this subject and have done some research online. Unfortunately it seems to be a bit of a minefield out there and a lot of organisations claiming to do this and do that. Can anyone please recommend somewhere in London where I can get training and ultimately a recognised qualification in basic sword fighting. I have lost out on some potentially lucrative jobs recently as a result of not having these qualifications so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


  • 13 years ago
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http://www.badc.co.uk/
http://www.bassc.org/

They are the main places to go and East 15 Acting School also do a summer workshop every year which is very good as they're the only CDS that specialise in stage combat.

Hope that helps :) x


  • 13 years ago
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The stage and screen combat courses at City Lit are run by Bret Yount and Roger Bartlett. They are extremely knowledgable and experienced instructors, great fun to work with and are both accredited teachers for the bassc, The British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat.


  • 13 years ago
  • 2
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Hi there Glenn,

I do a lot of stage combat professionaly. I'd advise researching APC (Academy of Performance Combat), BADC (British Academy of Dramatic Combat) for short term intensive courses for qualifications. Or if you are looking for one or two nights a week for about 10 weeks have a look at RC Annie.

I hope that helps, any other questions, feel free to send me a message.


  • 13 years ago
  • 3
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I can second the APC recommendation - this is a relatively recent spin-off from BADC run by some excellent and experienced instructors who continue to work in the industry. They do intensive short courses, and also run a fab summer school at a castle in Wales. The short courses are not too pricey, though the summer course is a bit more of a career investment.

http://www.theapc.org.uk/


  • 13 years ago
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I can recommend youngblood- I've worked with tim (who runs it) on a show I did and he's the real deal, fully qualified and a great teacher. They're also the cheapest company I've found that do 1 week intensive courses, and they're doing some in November- I'm signed up to do my basic and can't wait! Hope that helps

Steve


  • 13 years ago
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The British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC) is the longest established stage combat teaching organization in the UK and is recognised as an Industry Lead Body by Equity and the Conference of Drama Schools for the provision of professional stage combat training (see www.badc.co.uk for more information).

The BADC offers certified training for actors working in all sectors of the performing arts and entertainment industry through a series of graded qualifications. BADC qualifications are recognized throughout the industry as proof of competence in the safe and effective performance techniques of stage combat.

I hope this has been helpful but if you would like more information please contact the BADC on info@badc.co.uk.

Best Wishes.


  • 13 years ago
  • 6
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Yeah BADC.co.uk

I got my through training.


http://www.badc.co.uk/qualifications/video_clips.html

Some good vids ^^


  • 13 years ago
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Hi, I did my Level 1 a few years ago on an intensive 1-week course with Ian McCracken who was good and then did my Level 2 more recently at drama school with Ian Stapleton who is excellent. Don't know if Ian Stapleton runs private courses but they're both worth checking out.

Good luck with it!

Jackie x


  • 13 years ago
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I would recommend RC-Annie. They are great teachers with a huge knowledge in stage combat and have great connections in the industry. They are running both courses over 10 weeks time, or also 2 weeks intensive courses. Both finishes with a BADC exam.
I have had a great time working with them, and am looking forward to renew my advanced certificate.
Hope you find someone you'll like.
All the best,

Josefine


  • 13 years ago
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Hi,
I highly recommend City lit. The only thing is it's a year course every friday for 2 hours and it has already started.
They are starting a "film fight" course in January, but I have been told you should book in advance.
I went for a year course because I wanted the time to absorbe things properly. A 2 weeks course is very intensive and I thought I would forget things after 2 months if I haven't practice...
Hope this help a bit...


  • 13 years ago
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Thankyou to everyone who commented on this thread or sent me a private message. The info I got from you all was most welcome and very helpful. Cheers all.


  • 13 years ago
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Dan Styles
Actor

Independent Drama - A relatively new provider of workshops and courses from BADC and BASSC accredited teachers - www.independentdrama.com
They are planning an intensive dual certification course (the only one of it's kind) early in the New Year, dates/venue TBC.


  • 13 years ago
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Vicki Glover
Actor

Hi guys,

Sorry to hijack the thread a bit but I was wondering if it's better to do an APC exam or a BADC one? Or are they both equally regarded?


  • 11 years ago
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Katie Floyd
Actor

Hi there,

I know this company have been mentioned earlier in the forum but I heavily recommend Young Blood Fight School led by Tim Klotz and Lawrence Carmichael who are amazing tutors and are very reasonable.

I had trained with them in 2009 during my Acting degree and it was the best combat course I have attended.

Young Blood combine the BADC with international certifcates such as SAFDi within their intensive courses.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes
Katie :)


  • 11 years ago
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Dan Styles
Actor

For all those finding it difficult to sift through the choice of stage combat providers here is some advice:
There are three academies in the UK that offer stage combat; The British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC), The British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat (BASSC) and the most recent spinoff from the BADC the Academy of Performance Combat (APC). All are recognised by Equity and have experienced and talented teachers most of which also work in the industry as fight choreographers and fight performers.
The techniques taught are relatively the same with slightly differring syllabusses between the academies in terms of weapons systems taught at each level (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced) and the hours of training required for each.
The academies all run their own courses and workshops which you will most likely find on their websites and mailing lists. Also the teachers of each academy provide acredited training through other companies - Such as Independent Drama, RC-Annie, Youngblood and City Lit which were mentioned above and many more.
There are a variety of courses you can do, from 1/2 week intensives to year long evening classes so do your research, find out the differences between each course offered and make an informed decision based on the hours of training, cost, and schedule.
If you're not sure, try doing a one off class or workshop which can be as short as a few hours in the evening or a single day, and are subsequently much lower in price.


  • 11 years ago
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Lee Ravitz
Actor

While the thread is up, I will recommend Dan's own services should you ever be in need of a fight choreographer for something. He choregraphed me in my last piece of stage work, was truly excellent to work with, took clear note of what was doable and what wasn't, and made me look convincingly murderous and dangerous (not as easy as it may appear).


  • 11 years ago
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