ABSTRACT

The Art of Knife Fighting for Stage and Screen: An Actor’s and Director’s Guide to Staged Violence provides detailed information for the safe use of knives and daggers in a theatrical setting and an in-depth understanding of safe theatrical weapons. 

The book starts with an extensive safety review, then moves on to the basic techniques of dagger fighting, starting with grip and body postures. Readers will then learn about the basic actions of cuts, parries, blocks, and disarms. During this process, they will explore the connection between body and weapon and start learning the elements of storytelling through choreography. Special attention is given to suicides, threats, and murder and how directors, choreographers, performers, teachers, and students can approach these techniques in a way that is physically and mentally safe. The book also covers the use of throwing knives, knife flips, and other tricks to help add a little flair to your fight.

The Art of Knife Fighting for Stage and Screen teaches the safe theatrical use of the knife for directors, performers, educators, and students of stage combat.

chapter 1|3 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|6 pages

The Elements of Theatrical Violence

chapter 3|16 pages

Holding the Weapon and Stances

chapter 4|15 pages

Footwork and Body Dynamics

chapter 5|19 pages

Basic Attacks

chapter 6|19 pages

Blocks, Deflections, and Checks

chapter 7|13 pages

Grabs, Locks, and Disarms

chapter 8|19 pages

Threats, Cuts, Murders, and Suicide

chapter 9|13 pages

Adding Flair

chapter 10|12 pages

Final Thoughts for Actors and Directors