The primary mission of Fight Directors Canada is to act as a professional certifying body for stage combat across Canada.
Associate Members
Any person of any age or Nationality may join FDC at the Associate level. This grants the benefits of membership, such as voting at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), holding a position within the executive committee if voted in, a profile on FDC.ca, submission of articles or other media to FDC.ca, and discounts from many instructors. (List of Associate Members)
Credentials
To achieve certification at any Actor-Combatant level, the candidate must display their skill in the weapons at that level, an understanding of FDC principles with regard to safety techniques and performance concerns, as well as their ability to integrate it into an acted scene. Therefore, every certification test involves not only a choreographed fight, but also a full scene from a published play. Certification testing also includes a written test. All certifications are adjudicated and awarded by a Fight Master.
Many courses across Canada throughout the year will end with a certification test (generally about 10-12 week programs). Many students prefer to earn their certification at our annual summer FDC National Intensive Workshop in a 2-week full-time format. In May 2012, our Nationals will be held in St. John’s Newfoundland: Read more here.
The levels of certification within Fight Directors Canada are attained in the following order:
Basic Actor-Combatant
The first level of certification is considered to be essential for all professional actors. The Basic Actor-Combatant is competent in the weapon systems at this level, and above all safe.
The candidate must complete a course with a certified FDC Instructor (or higher) with a minimum duration of 60 hours.
The weapons at this level are:
- Unarmed
- Sword
- Quarterstaff
Unarmed
Unarmed combat is the most often used fighting in any performance. This includes falls, slaps, hair pulls, chokes, among others. Basic Unarmed also includes punching in the context of an untrained character.
High emotion drives these ordinary people to violence, so it is a great starting-point for actors.
Sword
Generic swordplay may be taught using a variety of swords, most commonly epee blades. FDC insists on blunt metal swords. The style is ahistorical, but may be characterized as “swashbuckling” or “sabre-like”. It is, however, based on proper fencing concepts and forms a foundation for historical styles studied later.
Quarterstaff
Quarterstaff fights are less common in professional theatre, but the skills learned in staff class are highly transferrable and pave the way for further advancement. Training in quarterstaff from the beginning gives the actor the challenges of a long weapon, using two hands simultaneously, and judging different distances.
(List of Basic Actor-Combatants)
Intermediate Actor-Combatant
The second level of certification begins a study of historical fighting styles in broad strokes. The Intermediate Actor-Combatant is skilled in the weapon systems at this level, and always safe.
The candidate must complete a course with a certified FDC Instructor (or higher) with a minimum duration of 80 hours.
The weapons at this level are:
- Martial Arts
- Smallsword
- Broadsword
- Rapier & Dagger
Martial Arts
The instructor will teach from experience several martial arts styles and how to combine them. Usually, this will include at least one “hard style” including hand strikes, kicks and blocks, and one “soft style” which incorporates throws, joint locks and pressure points.
Smallsword
The latest evolution of the duelling sword was the smallsword, a light thin blade that was mostly a thrusting weapon. The ability to manipulate such a light and fast weapon with precision and safety is challenging.
Broadsword
Called by many names through the ages, the longsword, two-handed sword, bastard sword… it has a wide flat blade and is used for cutting and thrusting.
Rapier & Dagger
The coordination of two hands with two different weapons is a special challenge. With a long rapier in the dominant hand and a dagger in the other, the actor learns the schools of defense that figure in some of the most exciting stage fights.
(List of Intermediate Actor-Combatants)
Advanced Actor-Combatant
The final level of certification for performers refines and perfects the actor’s skills and knowledge. Fight Directors Canada only awards Advanced Actor-Combatant to those candidates who appear flawless, fast and unfailingly safe.
The candidate must complete a course with a certified FDC Instructor (or higher) with a minimum duration of 100 hours.
The weapons at this level are:
- Advanced Martial Arts
- Advanced Smallsword
- Broadsword & Shield
- Rapier & Companion
- Found/Environmental Weapon
Advanced Martial Arts
There are hundreds of styles of martial arts, and at this level, the performer is expected to understand many complicated varieties. Most importantly, the use of traditional weapons in those arts becomes part of the choreography. This may include: katana (bokken), kali sticks, nunchaku, sai, chinese broadsword, cane, or any other the instructor chooses.
Advanced Smallsword
The speed of the smallsword is pushed to the performer’s limit at this level. Multiple feints, long sequences and ultra-precise targeting will be tested.
Broadsword & Shield
Visibility is a major challenge for this weapon combination. The actor will also master the different ways of using a shield for defense and attack.
Rapier & Companion
A rapier in the dominant hand is now accompanied by an unorthodox weapon in the other hand. The instructor will choose: Rapier & Cloak, Rapier & Hat, Rapier & Lantern, or Case of Rapiers (twin rapiers).
Found/Environmental Weapons
The object used as a weapon instead of its intended use can be a source of comedy, or a sign of frantic desperation. The actor must be aware of the behaviour and limitations of those objects, and their use to optimum effect in a scene.
(List of Advanced Actor-Combatants)
Instructor
In order to teach the FDC curriculum, an Advanced Actor-Combatant must complete a 2-year apprenticeship with a Certified Instructor, preferably a Fight Director or Master. At the end of this learning period, there is a formal course and examination (usually only available at the Nationals).
Fight Director
(Description coming soon)
Fight Master
(Description coming soon)
Beyond this level, the Maitre d’Armes is an honourary title which is held by one Fight Master who acts as an advisor to the Executive.
