RECOGNISED TRAINING

Background to the SAFDi

In February 1969 the Society of British Fight Directors was formed with the aim of raising the standard of dramatic fighting in Britain. Since that time, other societies with similar objectives have been formed in many other countries including the USA, Canada, Norway, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

The Society of Australian Fight Directors Inc was established in 1993 and incorporated in Queensland on the 23rd day of November1994 under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 Inc No. IA14430.

The SAFDi was set up as a not-for-profit association to enhance and further the education in Australia of performing artists and the entertainment industry with respects to the skills of stage combat.

When neglected, the field of Stage Combat (the study, practice, choreography and performance of stage fighting), can leave unsuspecting and uninformed performers open to unnecessary, and potentially fatal dangers. As our network increases, we hope to disseminate the kind of information and training required throughout the entertainment industry that will lead to the decrease of such danger for participating stage performers, combat teachers and Fight Directors. We share, at an international level, the desire to seek, improve and pass on the knowledge and skills of safe and dramatically effective stage combat techniques, necessary at student, amateur and professional levels. To this end this is a warning at the very least to make sure that anyone you employ to train your actors, or choreograph your production, have the necessary qualifications to do so properly and safely.



What is Stage Combat?

Stage Combat is the study and training of all the different skills and actions that a performer may be required to utilise or perform on stage in a fight moment. In its broadest context Stage Combat is the study and practice of staged violence, whether it is dramatic or comedic, intentional or accidental. Actions that fall under the definition of Stage Combat include –