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FILM FIGHTING
A presentation for
Arts in April 2019 at NSCC
by Dr. Nicki Buscemi & Dr. Cari Keebaugh
nbuscemi@northshore.edu / ckeebaug@northshore.edu
POW
ARMED COMBAT
STABBY THINGS
"Combat-ready" vs "live"
Live = serrated, sharp, burred, pointy, etc
Stage combat-ready weapons are still dangerous
NEVER TOUCH A PROP THAT IS NOT YOURS
Naomi Floro as Madam Malaika with katana
in Mrs Hawking: Gilded Cages
Andrew Prentiss as Roland, Cari Keebaugh as Mrs Hawking with kukri
Pro Tip:
Knives are sometimes metal,
sometimes rubber, depending on the choreo. But rubber doesn't shine correctly under stage lights.
The prop katana (above right) and combat-ready kukri (left) shown here are metal.
SHOOTY THINGS
Guns are typically props (and not functional) because even blanks can kill you. It has happened.
Muzzle flashes and "bangs" done in film by SFX artists - no muzzle flash onstage, typically
Proper etiquette is to not point the weapon at a castmate unless running a scene or fight call
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