by Siobhan Richardson | Jun 13, 2014 | Best Practices
Some like to arrive on the eve of the workshop, but I like to give it an extra day. It gives me time to get settled in my new “home”. I can find the grocery store, scout out a massage therapist and a yoga studio, test out my route to the location, and get...
by Siobhan Richardson | Jun 12, 2014 | Cross Training
Many people who come to stage combat have not studied martial arts and very often they have never been in a fight or in a sparring/fencing situation. So that you can play the force and structure of a hit — on both the giving and receiving ends, you’ll do...
by Siobhan Richardson | Jun 11, 2014 | Glossary
So you have in your hands the FDC Glossary. Yes, you will take a written test on the information therein. Especially if you have trouble with written tests, please remember that we want you to pass. The test is based on information that is in the glossary and is...
by Siobhan Richardson | Jun 10, 2014 | Actor's Process
Everyone’s process is personal, and on top of that, not everyone who attends a stage combat workshop is a professional actor, so this post will outline a few different strategies that may help you prepare for your workshop. But first, what to expect. As...
by Siobhan Richardson | Jun 8, 2014 | Cross Training
As promised, here are some drills that you can do with a sword or “sword-like object”, as Steaphen Fick says in his longsword book. First, here’s a great handling exercise from Guy Windsor’s blog:...
by Siobhan Richardson | Jun 7, 2014 | Cross Training
For many years, I didn’t actually know what “Core” is. I knew it had something to do with torso and stability, and I knew it was was important — people were always telling me that I needed to use it — but I had no specifics. For years I...
by Siobhan Richardson | Jun 6, 2014 | Resources
Let’s take a quick break from workouts and technique, and talk equipment (just in case you need to order something before the start of the workshop). After gloves, one if the most important pieces of personal equipment is footwear. For training situations,...
by Siobhan Richardson | Jun 5, 2014 | Resources
Before I get to the videos, this must be said: (mounting upon Soapbox): The only way to learn martial arts is from an instructor. This way, you see the art in motion, you see movement as a response to an incoming stimulus. The instructor draws your attention to...
by Siobhan Richardson | Jun 4, 2014 | Resources
Along the lines of mental preparation, let’s chat about fight scenes. (Skip to the bottom if you’re in a situation where you don’t need text.) For FDC certifications (and many other societies) you may choose your own scenes for your test fight, but...
by Siobhan Richardson | Jun 3, 2014 | Best Practices
Your mental preparation is just as key as the physical. Be present. Come with “an empty cup”. Approach every day as if it is your first lesson: Knowing nothing and ready to receive all information. Try everything, “relentlessly and without...
