Australian flag versus a belt or a
remote versus a banana - both of
which I choreographed!
Is there a basic approach to choreographing all armed stage
combat? Not really. There are
certainly tricks of the trade that
can be used to create quick choreography when necessary, but
each weapon has a very different
approach to it. That said, here are
the criteria I follow when creating
a fight for stage or screen:
1) Will it fit seamlessly into the
production?
The fight must serve the director’s concept for this production.
The best moments of violence will
make sure that the scene has a beginning, middle, climax (the violence) and an end. This will make
it a fluid part of the whole and no
audience member should feel like
it was choreographed.
2) Will it be safe?
If it’s not safe and replicable, then
it shouldn’t be done.
3) Will it be well-acted?
This is why it’s so important for actors to get training in this art. No
matter how wonderful the choreography, at the end of the day the
actor must make the audience believe it.
4) Will it entertain?
It must keep the audience involved in the story and envelop
them in the illusion. Whether comedy or serious, it must entertain.
We are engaging their heart and soul with
this dramatic presentation and it is on that
level that the violence must affect them.
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pg 119