Stage and Screen Combat Courses

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. 

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

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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

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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.

FULL INFO

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Fight the Good Fight Intensive

Dates: 

Monday 21st to Friday 25th April 2025

What is it?:

Our flagship Australian workshop – the FTGF is back… this year with special guest Kevin McCurdy, one of the world’s leading fight directors. This is a unique opportunity to work with a practitioner whose career spans London’s West End to film. Dive into a range of dramatic combat weapon systems, fighting styles and action.

This course is now sold out and is taking waiting list places.

FULL INFO

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Stage Combat Certification Course – SAFDi Fundamentals and BADC Standard

Dates: 

Saturday 24th May to Sunday 1st June (rest day Wednesday 28th May).

What is it?:

A unique opportunity to train in industry-recognised STAGE COMBAT Certification Courses for the Society of Australian Fight Directors inc. (SAFDi) and British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC). The only course of its kind in Australia, this series will train you in the essential technical and performances skills needed to perform dramatic combat safely and effectively for the demands of professional work in stage, screen and motion capture. The course culminates in a choreographed fight scene that is performed under examination conditions to be assessed for certification. Working with leading fight director Lyndall Grant.

Course entry is by application.

FULL INFO

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Our Fight Family

We are proud to work with some of the friendliest, most open and enthusiastic tutors, fight directors and students.  We foster our fight community here in Australia, the U.K. and internationally, which is drawn together by mutual respect, curiosity and a zest for play.  Besides from the direct and wider professional skills you gain from our workshops, from your first session you also enter a network of like-minded colleagues and friends – which frequently opens doors you never actually knew existed.

Some of our previous and current Dramatic Combat tutors include:

Lyndall Grant (Australia, U.K.)

Kevin McCurdy (U.K.)

Andrew Young (U.K.)

Kristoffer Jorgensen (Norway, U.K.)

Nigel Poulton (Australia)

Scott Witt (Australia)

Felicity Steel (Australia)

N-J Price (Australia)

Tim Dashwood (Australia)

Joshua Bell (Australia)

Amy Bolger-Floyd (U.K.)

Keep up with all the news on Training Opportunities as they launch, and have first choice on a spot:

UK Opportunities:
UK MAILING LIST

Australian Opportunities:
AUS MAILING LIST

Got questions? Get in touch!

    • Main Picture: Alice Cavanagh and Scott Jackson