David McCormick shares recent news and upcoming events:
Hamlet
David worked this summer with Bard on the Beach on Hamlet. The show has received excellent reviews, and there's still time to see it. David is credited as the Fight Consultant, under the auspices of Fight Director Nic Harrison, and received a Canada Council grant to support that work. In related news, Dr. Nic has completed his PhD thesis on stage combat in Canada, ask him for a copy!
September Certification Course
Professional actors need to get stage combat certification with Fight Directors Canada, the only standard recognized by Equity. David teaches the only certification course in BC at Academie Duello. Starting September 23, the lessons will run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 7 weeks. It's the full 60 hours with a test at the end. The total cost is only $795 plus taxes. When you subtract fixed costs like the test fee, it works out to $10 per hour. Don't pass this up! All the details, click: FDC Certification Course
Ongoing Performance Combat for Fun and Development
On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings, David leads a stage combat class with a less stringent structure. Learn a trick or technique of stage combat in the first hour, then spend the second hour on choreography that you create with any weapon system that you have training in.
This class is for anyone who has some training in any martial art or their Basic Certification with Fight Directors Canada. If you are a member of Academie Duello, then the minimum is Level 1 in any weapon (Longsword, sidesword or rapier). Members of the Demo team will rehearse fights for our demonstrations, Intermediate and Advanced FDC fighters can push their skills with others at their level, or learn the differences when working with historical martial artists.
There's something for everyone who is interested in performing live or on camera. Check out Performance Combat
Is Slaps & Slashes Still a Requirement?
Our Introduction to Stage Combat workshop, called "Slaps & Slashes" will still run every second month. It's a great way to learn the fundamentals of performing fights safely in the entertainment business. It used to be a requirement before joining our stage combat classes, but now you can jump into the FDC course without it. If you've taken the workshop in the past, ask for a $60 discount on the FDC course at Academie Duello.
Questions?
We welcome all questions, concerns, and suggestions. Please email david@academieduello.com for a personal response to any stage combat questions.
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.