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Train in Dramatic Combat

Captivate is the premier company in Australia and the U.K. for Dramatic Combat (or ‘Stage Combat’) training. 

When working in film, theatre and mocap, any action or fight sequence inherently has a risk of injury.  No matter what kind of action you are performing, there are two main factors we need: Keep it SAFE, Make it EFFECTIVE.

It can be a big ask to pick up these skills ‘on the fly’, particularly when there is a time pressure, and something will always suffer in the balancing act between safety, technical accuracy and performance.  Training lets you give your best performance, look convincing in action and respond to what is asked of you from a director or fight co-ordinator.  Most importantly you can do all this while keeping yourself and others safe, so you are ready for the next take, the next scene, the next day and the next job.

Besides from learning the vital techniques of ‘illusion’ and fighting form, training dramatically enhances your movement, conditioning, awareness, and partner skills – so overall it absolutely widens your work potential.

In looking for dramatic combat training, it is vital that you learn from an experienced professional fight director, who has a proven industry track record in safety and craft.  All of our tutors in Stage Combat are all certified Teachers and Fight Directors.

Our Australian head tutor is Fight Director and Movement Director Lyndall Grant, one of Australia most respected stage combat practitioners, assisted by Joshua Bell; and our U.K. team is headed by leading Fight Director Andrew Young, assisted by Amy Floyd. 

YOUR NEXT TRAINING EVENTS:

Stage Combat Summer Drop-in Series

Dates: 

Tuesdays from 3rd Dec 2024 to 21st Jan 2025 (excluding 24th & 31st Dec); and Thursday 12th Dec: BOOKINGS NOW OPEN.

Location:

Melbourne, Australia.

What is it?:

Our popular series of stage combat classes running over six weeks – sign up to all six, or drop in when you’re free. Each week focuses on a different element of stage combat craft, giving you the chance to work with a wide range of weapons, genre, performance styles and techniques. These class are a great way to try out stage combat if it’s something you’ve always wanted to do but have never had free time or finances. For experienced combat performers the classes are ideal for keeping yourself in engaged in training and performance practice, maintaining fitness and staying connected to our brilliant acting community.

FULL INFO

SIGN ME UP

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Dual-Wielding Weapons Workshop

Dates: 

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th January 2025.

What is it?:

An exciting new stage combat workshop for fighting with a weapon in each hand, exploring SWORD AND BUCKLER (shield), RAPIER, DAGGERS, CLOAKS, KNIVES and FOUND WEAPONS. This workshop has been created for those who have already some experience in stage and screen combat, who are ready to dive into new and thrilling skills development, coordination, rhythm, shapes and stories, while working with dynamic and energising two-sided action.

FULL INFO

SIGN ME UP

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Historical Longsword for Stage with Jess Finley

Dates: 

Thursday 20th and Friday 21st March 2025, 10:00am to 6:00pm

What is it?:

We are thrilled to host swordswoman, wrestler and author Jess Finley – a world-leading practitioner in German Medieval Martial Arts. Jess will be sharing the foundations of historical longsword play, giving you the chance to experience first-hand how it feels to ‘actually’ fight. The work will then be translated into stage combat choreography with Fight Director Lyndall Grant, where you can apply your discoveries first-hand in creating textured, truthful and intention-lead fight scenes.

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