Combat Workshop

I attended a Stage Combat Workshop today, organised by the Cardiff Uni Drama Society - Act One - with which I did The Crucible last year.

Man. It was fun.

The instructor's name was Kevin, tall built black guy who obviously has Martial Arts background and is a talented performer. He's a fight choreographer for some BBC stuff and teaches stage combat professionally.

So we begin. I'm sparring with this First Year Brit called Tom who's taller, wider and bigger than I am. No, more like much taller, wider and bigger than I am. I wish I could illustrate the entire fight choreography that Kevin taught us in the 1.5 hours of the workshop... I'll try with words:

A does a Right Cross then a Left Cross followed by a Stomach Punch. B Falls. A lifts B by Collarbone, all the way up. B holds A's face with palm, A throws it away and follows with a Stomach Punch and a Headlock. B breaks Headlock and delivers 3 Stomach Punches to A and steps back twisting A's hand into a Hammerhold (I think that's what he called it...) A then Elbows B in the chest and turns around delivering a right punch (B blocks), left punch (B blocks), another right punch (B ducks) and another left punch (B sidesteps and delivers kick into A's abdomen). B then follows immediately with a Right Cross, A ducks and locks with Elbow, then jabs B's ribs and a knee into B's chest, followed by a throwdown. Once B is down, A lifts foot to slam into his face/chest, but B rolls over and kicks A's thighs or back, propelling him forward. A then turns around and spears B in the abs. B then knees A again in the stomach and slams his back. A falls and tries to get up, but B kicks him over and finally stomps on his chest in victory.

Ah. There. Anyway, here are the important things I learnt today:
i) Stage Combat is fun as hell and looks fucking impressive with practice and expertise;
ii) It's not that difficult;
iii) It's real fake - sound effects are made by cupping your palm and hitting your own or partner's chest or body. The movement takes attention away from the hand making the sound.
iv) Eye contact is key, not just to make it convincing, but also as a signal between you and your partner for timing, movement etc;
v) It's all about actions and reactions - the believability of it has to be 'sold' to the audience, by way of facial expression, body movements etc. Logic plays a great part, or having real experience of being punched, whacked, kneed, slammed, thrown etc.
vi) Speed is not important, it comes with practice. Precision and practice are the important things.

Man. It was fun. Kinda cool too because there's was this barely buffed Chinese boy (ahem... me...) who was actually lifting (Okay. Pseudo-lifting) a tall and big white boy by the collarbone... Haha!

Can't wait till I get back and experiment more with you guys... In the mean time, I will learn more stage combat shit... Go YAs!!!