Our Action Acting course starts on Monday, 15 June, so you’ve got just over a week a few days left to register. It will run Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm for two weeks. On the last day, there’s a written test and a performance test. There are three weapon systems and you’ll perform a fight scene with each of: single sword, quarterstaff and unarmed fighting.
By the end, if your stage combat skills have reached a professional quality, you'll earn your Fight Directors Canada Basic Actor-Combatant Certification.
Missing Auditions?
You're not alone in concerns over auditions. In fact, it's the single most frequently asked question. The thing is, with a 60-hour course running during the day, it doesn't matter how much we spread it out or concentrate it, actors may need to miss some class on short notice. The course is made for actors, so we expect that in a busy season auditions will come up.
So what I tell everybody is this:
- Although we start on choreography early, most of the first week is developing skills. The first day is especially important for fundamentals.
- The second week has a much greater emphasis on choreography and rehearsal for the test. Every hour you miss is a detriment to your scene partner, but you can probably catch up.
- For every hour that you miss, you can attend my evening stage combat class from 8pm-10pm on Tuesdays or Thursdays, or from 5-7pm on Saturday. You can also make up two hours of missed class in a one-hour private session with me. Both of those options are available for an additional charge. However, you'll still meet the minimum requirement of 60 hours if you miss up to 5 hours (though passing the test is far less likely, and that should be your goal).
- The last Friday is mandatory. You'll be doing the written test in the morning, then a dress-rehearsal, then your final performance exam in the afternoon.
- Think about turning down auditions that are merely “cattle-calls” in which you weren't selected for your talent or experience, but because you're of the appropriate age or height. I also expect you to turn down auditions for non-paying gigs.
An Actor Prepares
Leaning stage combat before you’ll need it in a show demonstrates that you’re the kind of actor who prepares. Should you prepare for this course, now that you’ve registered?
There’s no doubt that students perform best on the final test when they get into the right mental and physical space before classes begin. Here’s some things you can do:
- Go to the gym. Do some gentle strength training. Nothing heavy, since you don’t want to be recovering from strain or injury.
- Do some stretching before bed.
- Look for a good fight script and start memorizing the dialogue.
- Watch some action movies for inspiration.
Register Now
There’s still a few spots left, but it will be a maximum of 12 participants, so sign up before those last spots are taken.
If you miss this course, the next one will be in October.
Head of Stage Combat at Academie Duello and certified Instructor with Fight Directors Canada. Head of Bartitsu at Academie Duello, the longest continuously running Bartitsu program in the world. Read more from David McCormick.