These are the workshops I'll be leading at VISS, the Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium. The conference runs 15-17 February. You can get a pass to participate in all workshops and events, or you can get a auditor rate to quietly watch. Information on tickets, schedules and everything else is at the Vancouver Swordplay Website.
Bringing Down the Big Guy
We’d all like to believe that skill will prevail over brute strength and size. Can you be Jack the Giant Killer? David versus Goliath? Maybe just improve your sparring against those with a few inches more reach? We’ll explore unarmed techniques for the street fight against a huge thug sourced from Savate and Bartitsu.
Problems and solutions:
- Stride length
- Arm and weapon reach
- Mass difference in takedowns
- Strength difference in holds and locks
- Tactics
We'll be first looking at unarmed self-defence scenarios, then unarmed sparring tactics, then ways to improve your swordplay against a larger opponent.
Women encouraged, men of all sizes welcome.
Friday, 15 Feb, AM Timeslot
Deconstructing Film Fights
The Princess Bride. ’nuff said.
Together we’ll watch some of the most famous film fights, then isolate some important elements using still frames and slow motion. Our discussion will include historical accuracy, stage combat safety concerns, dramatic impact, and your questions.
Candidate films:
- The Princess Bride
- The Adventures of Robin Hood (Errol Flynn)
- Robin Hood (Russel Crowe)
- Rob Roy
- Snatch
My name is David McCormick, you killed my fa-vourite films, prepare to di-ssect these scenes.
Part I: Saturday 14 Feb 11:30 AM
Part II: Sunday 15 Feb 2:00 PM
Do Your Own Stunts
You too can perform fights on film and for live audiences with full martial intent, excitement and complete safety. Take our Introduction to Stage Combat workshop this Sunday. It's four hours of Slaps and Slashes, the essential moves of unarmed stage combat and sword play for performance. Sign up online or call 604-568-9907. Only two spaces left!
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.