EA151-4-FY-SO:
Stage Combat I
2024/25
East 15 Acting School
Southend Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 27 June 2025
30
02 March 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA W412 Acting and Fight Performance
This unit will introduce you to unarmed stage combat and during the course you will look at moves and techniques that are in common use in professional stage combat.
The emphasis of the course will be twofold: introducing a number of safety principles that will reappear throughout the following years and introducing the level of commitment and emphasis needed to convincingly perform scenes of acted aggression. You will learn how to perform an unarmed fight scene, in the context of a dramatic scene, both safely and effectively.
The focus is not simply on executing a number of stage combat techniques – but the aim of all stage combat training is to be able to apply the moves in a performance context. The final performance assessment tasks place a great emphasis of the performance skills of the students – and stage combat units at East 15 reflect this philosophy. Alongside punches, kicks and throws, you will be exploring character and intentions.
The aims of this module are:
Rapier and Dagger
- To develop an understanding of the safety techniques involved in weapon work
- To develop confidence in performance
- To develop knowledge of and practically apply the required moves from the course syllabus
- To develop muscular fitness in both the left and right sides of the body
- To develop a core vocabulary of footwork systems
- To develop the skills needed to safely and dramatically perform a choreographed fight, within the context of a scene
Quarterstaff
- To widen the student's knowledge of stage combat skills
- To increase coordination and object manipulation
- To develop knowledge of and practically apply the required moves from the course syllabus
- To develop the skills needed to safely and dramatically perform a choreographed fight
- To develop understanding of the safety techniques involved in staff work
2-Handed Broadsword (Mediaeval Sword)
- To widen the student's knowledge and experience of stage combat skills
- To develop a low centre of balance, without losing ease of movement
- To develop knowledge of and practically apply the required moves from the course syllabus
- To develop the skills needed to safely and dramatically perform a choreographed fight
- To develop understanding of the safety techniques involved in broadsword work
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
Rapier and Dagger
- Confidently execute fight choreography
- Confidently combine text and movement in performance
- Convincingly act moments of aggression
- State the safety practices required when performing weapons work#
- Be able to perform a fight scene in dramatic context utilising the taught weapon discipline
Quarterstaff
- Competently handle the taught weapon
- Understand the safety factors involved when performing with the taught weapons
- Execute a dramatic and safe fight, within the context of a scene
- Be able to perform a fight scene in dramatic context utilising the taught weapon/discipline
2-Handed Broadsword (Mediaeval Sword)
- Competently handle the taught weapons.
- Understand the safety factors involved when performing with the taught weapons.
- Execute a dramatic and safe fight, within the context of a scene. Be able to perform a fight scene in dramatic context utilising the taught weapon/discipline
No additional information available.
Practical classes, independent study, rehearsals.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Practical |
Rapier and Dagger |
|
25% |
| Practical |
Unarmed combat |
|
25% |
| Practical |
Broadsword |
|
25% |
| Practical |
Quarterstaff |
|
25% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Mr Gordon Kemp, email: gkemp@essex.ac.uk.
Gordon Kemp, Chris Main
East 15 Acting School
Gateway Building
Elmer Approach
Southend-on-Sea
SS1 1LW
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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