Fake Beef

As the final performance for the community project due nearer the teachers believed it would be a valuable resource if we were to have a lesson on stage combat, therefore to increase the realism of our pieces. A renowned combat artist named Dan came to teach us the basics of stage combat. He begun the lesson with basic warm ups to freshen and energise our lazy morning minds and bodies. At a appropriate pace we gradually learnt very useful combat techniques; such as using weaponry, which could be used in our performance and even in our zombie videos and trailer. Primary morals and safety regulations that I learn't during the lesson was the importance of distance between you and your partner. Moreover trusting your partner was a crucial element of heightening the realism of one's piece. Finally, when we were trusted to use the weapons we were taught to position the stick at a horizontal angle from our bodies and to ensure that we had a tight, firm grip on the stick before we proceeded. 

As the lesson drew to a close we were taught a quick fight sequence which we would have to perform in front of the class with a partner; mine being Darius. The scene would start with a punch, then a stage strangle, then using a clever technique to replicate pulling someones hair then finally a fake knock out blow. 

Unarmed stage combat moves

- Hair pull
- Parrot punch
- Slap
- Hook
- Two handed strangle
- Duck

Armed stage combat moves

- Baseball

- Sgt Major

- Knuckles jab

The Zombie and Hero exercise

This exercise put together all the work we had learnt during the stage combat session. We were sectioned into two  groups consisting of one group as zombies and a hero whilst the other group were instructed to play the role of marshall's and guide the audience to a safe and secure area thus to enjoy the thrill of watching a zombie get knocked out.