YoungBlood Training for Actors – Frequently Asked Questions
What level of fitness is required for YB workshops or classes?
What if I have a previous injury, condition or disability?
Is this course suitable for women as well as men?
Do I need any special equipment or clothes?
I have never done any stage or screen combat before, is this course for me?
I am not a professional actor; can I still attend the course?
I already have qualifications as an actor/combatant, should I attend this course?
What if I have to miss a couple sessions?
If I start this course and I can’t finish it, can I get a refund?
How much risk of injury is involved in Performance Combat Training?
Will this help me get film, TV and theatre jobs?
Can I pay with a credit/debit card?
What level of fitness is required for ongoing classes?
There is no absolute fitness requirement. You don’t have to be hyper fit to join up, and the fitness benefits of this type of training are obvious. The fitness of actors varies considerably, and techniques are easily modified to match your fitness. It has to be said the more fit you are, the more you will get out of the course.
What if I have a previous injury, condition or disability?
When you register for the course you will be provided with a form to confidentially inform the staff of any condition or injury which limits your abilities or requires special first aid attention. This information is treated as strictly confidential.
Is this course suitable for women
as well as men?
Of course! Women can, should, and do train in performance combat! YoungBlood is proud to have a healthy balance of male and female participants on its courses. We, of course, have had and will have female staff. Often female actors ask if there is a significant amount of work to justify attending intensive training. The answer is a resounding ‘yes’. There is an ever increasing trend in female action
characters in projects like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Tomb Raider (Lara Croft), Boudicca, The Matrix, Joan of Arc, Xena, Wonder Woman, Serenity, X-Men, the Alien franchise… need I say more?
Do I need any special equipment or clothes?
- - All weapons and equipment are provided, including eye and ear protection for the handguns classes.
- (TOP OF PAGE)
- Students should wear clothes they are comfortable training in (track suit, shorts)
and are required to have trainers.
- You will also be required to have a pair of gloves for working with weapons. Leather or suede is preferred since it provides a good grip and protects the hand well. These can be anything from fencing gauntlets (ideal but expensive) to weight lifting gloves or even gardening gloves (very inexpensive!)
- Knee and elbow pads are a good idea, but not required. If you would like to purchase some please do not get the ‘hard shell’ type, but the soft padded type are best. Often they are in the volleyball section in larger sports stores. Look for the brand Rucanor. And Puma have launched what look like nice knee pads as well. You can find them on Amazon.com or Twenga.co.uk
I have never done any performance combat before, is this course for me?
Yes. The ongoing classes cater for all levels of combatants from absolute beginners to certified advanced students.
I already have qualifications as an actor/combatant, should I attend this course?
YoungBlood caters for combatants at all levels from Absolute Beginners to Advanced and single weapon recommendations. If you have Advanced (Level 3) certification it’s always good to keep up with your training. Certificates are
only valid for three years so to keep your certificate, keep up with your
training!
I am not a professional actor; can I still attend the course?
Yes, you can still attend the course but you must have a clear understanding that the YoungBlood courses are principally for actors, and students of acting. Most of our students are professional actors. So as a non-actor you will participate in sessions dealing with issues of acted intention and acting choices, as well as dramatic exploration in workshop sessions.
I am a martial artist/boxer who wants to work in the film/TV industry, is this the right course for me?
Yes. Previous students who were martial artists have both enjoyed the course and learnt a lot about fighting for the stage and film. The control that is required of a martial artist will be beneficial to you but the concept is different, for example reacting to hitting and being hit; learning to fight out of the style
that you’ve been taught; and, of course, learning to fight with weapons. You have to keep in mind though that this is a course for actors first, and you will be expected to work like an actor alongside actors.
What if I have to miss a couple sessions?
It is perfectly normal to miss a session or two over a term. However, you are responsible for catching up on the material covered in that session. Sometimes you can do that in the next class, but you may need to arrange a private session with the instructor or the assistant to cover what you have missed otherwise you may not be able to safely participate in the remainder of the course.
Can I set up private sessions anyway?
Yes, we encourage our students to do extra sessions to improve more rapidly. Private sessions can also be shared between two students to lower the individual cost.
If I start this course and I can’t finish it, can I get a refund?
We look at this sort of question on a case by cases basis. Generally it is not YoungBlood’s policy to offer refunds.
How much risk of injury is involved in Performance Combat Training?
There is no doubt about it, stage and screen combat involves the risk of serious injury. Safety is the first priority at all YoungBlood classes and workshops. The staff of YoungBlood workshops is made up of highly qualified Instructors, with experience in the field. This lowers the level of risk, and injuries are extremely rare. All YoungBlood events are insured.
No widespread surveys that we know of have been conducted on stage and screen combat injuries. In our experience, with proper practice and supervision, there is a lower injury rate than ball games. Injuries occur less frequently in performance combat training than in martial arts and dance!
Will this help me get film, TV and theatre jobs?
No training can GUARANTEE that you will get work as a result…
We can guarantee to give you sound training in performance combat which is a real skill, valued by the profession. A good level of Performance Combat ability is often a major factor in obtaining auditions. Directors looking for actors with Fight Skills now frequently use YoungBlood as a casting contact. If you would like to join our mailing list and receive these notices click here.
Can I pay with a credit/debit card?
Yes, you can pay for many YoungBlood courses securely online through PayPal,
the world’s largest online payment company. You don’t even need a PayPal account, most credit or debit cards are accepted. By using PayPal you are protected against Credit Card Fraud, giving you peace of mind when you buy online. You will need to request this by email, so get in touch with us in advance info@youngblood.co.uk.
Pingback: January 2011 One-Week Basic Intensive | YoungBlood Fight Directors & Stage Combat
Pingback: March 2011- All Levels Intensive | YoungBlood Fight Directors & Stage Combat