British Academy of Dramatic Combat
The British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC) is an organisation that provides training in stage combat and certifies Actor Combatants, Dramatic Combat Teachers and Examiners.[1][2]
![]() The British Academy Of Dramatic Combat (BADC) logo | |
Abbreviation | BADC |
---|---|
Predecessor | Society of British Fight Directors |
Formation | 1969 |
Type | Academy |
Purpose | British organisation that provides training in stage combat and certifies Actor Combatants, Dramatic Combat Teachers and Examiners |
Location |
|
Key people | Master At Arms
Senior Teachers
Certified Teachers
|
Website | badc.org.uk |
History
editIn February 1969, Henry Marshall, Master at Arms of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and William Hobbs, who was then the Fight Director at the Royal National Theatre, convened a meeting of professionals who regularly engaged in directing fights in the British theatre, as well as people who regularly taught at drama schools that offered dramatic combat.[3] The result of this meeting was the formation of a body of practitioners dedicated to the development of Dramatic Combat as a professional discipline, called the Society of British Fight Directors (SBFD).[3]
The founding members of that small society were: Henry Marshall; William Hobbs; Charles Alexis; B. H. Barry; John Barton; Roy Goodall; John Greenwood; Ian McKay; Bryan Mosley; Derek Ware; Arthur Wise; Philip Anthony; Patrick Crean; Hans Mater and John Waller.[4][5]
The SBFD became an inspiration and model leading to the formation of other international Dramatic Combat societies, including The Society of American Fight Directors.[6]
In 1996, 27 years after the foundation of the Society of British Fight Directors, the society voted to change its name to The British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC).[7]
Today
editThe BADC has developed structured training schemes which allow progression within the academy from basic Actor Combatant to Advanced level, from Apprentice Teacher to Master At Arms as well as the assessment and training of Examiners.[8]
Many BADC members are pioneers of the art of dramatic combat and champion its importance in Theatre, Film, TV and Motion Capture. Their work in dramatic combat is combined with and develops alongside related disciplines, for example Intimacy Directing.[9] [10] [11]
Certifications
editCertified Fight Teachers provide Actor Combatant training[8] either at institutions such as drama school and universities or through their own companies. Three times a year the BADC also runs a one-day workshop for its membership.[12]
Upcoming workshops and courses can be found on the BADC website.[13]
All individual BADC weapon certifications are valid for 4 years.
References
edit- ^ Howell, Jonathan (2008). "Acknowledgements". Stage Fighting: A Practical Guide. Wiltshire: Crowood Press Ltd. ISBN 978-1-847-97046-6.
- ^ "The British Academy of Dramatic Combat: About". 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
- ^ a b Boushey, David L. (2021). "Jolly Old England". Lessons From The Maestro. New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-367-63772-9.
- ^ Boushey, David L. (2021). "Jolly Old England". Lessons From The Maestro. New York: Routledge. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-367-63772-9.
- ^ Howell, Jonathan (2008). Stage Fighting: A Practical Guide. Wiltshire: Crowood Press Ltd. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-847-97046-6.
Henry Marshall, who began it all; to Bill Hobbs and John Waller, who were, to me, pillars of the Society of British Fight Directors.
- ^ Boushey, David L. (2021). Lessons From The Maestro. New York: Routledge. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-367-63772-9.
This organization eventually became my model when founding the Society of American Fight Directors in 1977.
- ^ "Constitution of The British Academy of Dramatic Combat". 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
1. Name b. The Academy was first established in 1969 as the Society of British Fight Directors (SBFD). In 1996 the society voted to change its name to The British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC).
- ^ a b "The British Academy of Dramatic Combat: Qualifications". 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
- ^ "Career Spotlight: Fight Direction and Intimacy Coordination". 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
- ^ Capelle, Laura (2022-04-13). "Bringing Consent to Ballet, One Intimacy Workshop at a Time". The New York Times. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
- ^ "The Scandal at Mayerling to have world premiere in Glasgow". 2022-03-02. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
- ^ "The British Academy of Dramatic Combat: Members". 2022. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
- ^ "The British Academy of Dramatic Combat: Workshops and Courses". 2022. Retrieved 2023-09-09.