Stunt Work

Part 6

FIGHT SCENES

Fight scenes can involve anything from fistfights or other methods of unarmed combat to the use of knives, swords, firearms, etc.  The use of firearms and special effects weapons was discussed in the last chapter.
This section will deal with the actual fight itself, or stage combat as it is commonly called.

The problem is to make the fight look real but not injure anyone. In essence, stage combat is a sophisticated dance that can involve fists, feet, or weapons.  In order to make sure this is done safely, an expert has to stage (i.e. choreograph) the fight, and the actors have to be properly trained and rehearsed.  An important decision is whether or not to use stunt doubles.

 This is determined by what is involved. If the fight is a simple throwing of punches, wrestling on the floor, or a simple duel, then actors can usually be trained for this (if willing). 

However if the fight involves crashing through windows, falling down stairs, or similar hazardous activities, then a stunt double should be used for that scene or that part of the scene.

One group that trains actors for stage combat is the Society of Fight Directors (SAFD).  This training can involve learning proficiency in a variety of weapons.  An actor can become a Certified Actor/Combatant
through a 100-hour program. 

In addition the SAFD trains and tests individuals as Certified Teachers, who can teach stage combat. Certified Fight Masters are trained to choreograph stage fights. 

In addition, many stunt coordinators are experienced in staging fights.
The following are recommendations for stage combat:

1. All personnel (camera crew, actors, etc.) should be informed in advance of the intention to conduct a stage fight.  This should also be listed on the call sheet.

2. All fights should be choreographed by a fight director who can be an experienced stunt coordinator or certified fight master. The fight director stages and rehearses the fight. This individual or other qualified person should actually supervise the fight and should not be a participant.

3. Only adequately trained actors should participate in a stage fight. They should have experience with any weapons used.  They should have adequate rehearsal time for the planned fight.

4. In the actual fight, the first rule is that a weapon, fist or kick should never be aimed directly at an actor, so that a misjudgment in distance or timing does not cause an injury.  Instead, aim to the side and use camera angles to make the fight look real.

5. Actors in a fight should wear appropriate protective clothing or equipment to prevent injury in case of an accident.

6. The actors involved, fight director, director, or other safety personnel must be able to abort a fight if there is any unresolved safety concern.

7. No horseplay with weapons should be allowed.

FALLS

Falls can involve anything from falling down several stairs, falling off a horse, or a high fall off a building or cliff.  (Falling off horses will be discussed in the next section on Horses.)  All falls should be done by experienced stunt performers. 

Even short falls of a few feet require experience in knowing how to fall and land safely. Often falls can be simulated through use of dummies, camera angles and misleading juxtaposition of scenes. 

For example, falling down a flight of stairs can be filmed a few stairs at a time so that the stunt performer is never out of control. 

Falling off a tall building might actually involve only jumping a few feet onto a net or hidden ledge and using a dummy for the rest of the fall.

High Falls

High falls - any fall from a height requiring a specialized fall/arrest system for safe deceleration of the stunt performer - are among the most dangerous stunts.  Falling off a cliff during a scene for the film "Sword and the Sorcerer", for example, killed stuntman Jack Tyre in 1981 when he missed the airbag.

In the last ten years, two other stunt performers have been killed in falls.  This type of stunt should be simulated with a dummy whenever possible. 

Decades ago, nets and mattresses were used at the end of the fall. In the mid 1960's, crash pads consisting of canvas filled with foam rubber and covered with tarpaulins provided more safety. 

Today, airbags, decelerators, and other modern equipment are generally used for high falls. Older methods are still used safely for lower falls.

1. The director and/or production manager will consult with the stunt coordinator to determine if a stunt performer is needed for a high fall instead of a dummy.

2. All personnel (camera crew, actors, etc.) should be informed in advance of the intention to conduct a high fall.  This should also be listed on the call sheet.

3. An experienced high fall stunt coordinator should be chosen.  The high fall coordinator, in cooperation with the director and production manager will determine the type of safety equipment to be used (e.g. boxes, air bag, descender, decelerator).  The high fall coordinator shall not be the performer doing the fall, unless someone else is coordinating during the actual fall.

4. There should be at least two safety spotters for falls over 15 feet.

5. Boxes should not be used for falls over 10 feet, and air bags for falls over 120 feet.  Falls over 120 feet require fall arrest systems such as descenders or decelerators to control the rate of fall.

6. The stunt coordinator shall have final say over placement of objects around the landing area for falls, and whether conditions such as wind, rain, etc. are acceptable for the fall.

7. All equipment such as air bags, associated generators, decelerators, etc. shall be tested, and inspected immediately before use.

.