News

Hamlet Brings Worlds Together

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:09:11 +0000

Aside from the obvious swell of interest of the much anticipated Hamlet at Laboite, Fight Directed by Nigel Poulton, two of Justin Palazzo-Orr's worlds will harmoniously align. For the past six months he has been part time manager of Brisbane based Indie-Pop-Rock band Dear April (www.dearapril.com.au) Dear April were invited to play at the opening night of La Boite's production of Hamlet (http://www.laboite.com.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=10)

Dear April's music perfectly compliments La Boite's production of Hamlet. It is light and shade, it is original yet with a sense of familiarity. Aimed at a youth audience the production doesn't get bogged down in the same way that others so often do. One minute you're laughing at the light hearted wit delivered with excellent comedic timing and then you're faced with the realities of unrequited love, betrayal and the loss of a loved one. Dear April's self titled EP and Look.Listen.Begin could almost be the soundtrack to this excellent reinvention of Shakespeare's finest tragedy.

'It has been an honour for me to assist Nigel Poulton as Fight Director on this production. I have learnt very much from this experience and am greatly appreciative of it. The cast are fantastic and the actors have taken very well to Nigel's choreography and vision.' Say's Palazzo-Orr

'I am looking forward to learning more from Nigel and working with Jason King again at the SAFDi's up coming Easter Stoush (insert link here...) held in Townsville from Aprill 4 to 11 (some fun clips coming).' he continued.

Justin Palazzo-Orr has been a member of the SAFDi since 1997 and currently hold the rank of Stage Combat Instructor. in 2009 he was elected Treasurer of the SAFDi.

THE EASTER STOUSH!!! - Townsville

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 17:46:48 +0000

THE EASTER STOUSH has been announced and will be held in Townsville, April 4-11 at the Old Courthouse Theatre, Corner of Sturt and Stoke Streets. Basic and Intermediate level Stage Combat training will be presented by three of Australia's leading Stage Combat Instructors - Nigel Poulton, Jason King and Justin Palazzo-Orr.

The price will be a stunningly cheap - $250 or $200 for SAFDi and MEAA members
For bookings contact Jason King on 0412313653 or president.safdi@gmail.com

Flexible Weapons Workshop Announced

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:31:53 +0100

SAFDi Fight Director, Sifu - Jason King will be running a flexible weapons workshop in Brisbane on Sunday, 23 August. The weapons involved will be nunchaku, chain whip and 3 section staff.

Learn to manipulate a range of flexible weapons in a variety of ways and show those ninja's who's boss. Current President of the Society of Australian Fight Directors Inc., Jason King, will take you through all you need to know in this fast paced and furious introduction to flexible weapons.

These are renowned for being the most unpredictable of weapons and are commonly thought to be the most impressive to watch.

 

Stage Combat Workshop Melbourne Announced

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:41:34 +0000

A rare chance to catch a Sydney Stage Combat workshop in Melbourne!

Held at the Blue Circus Studios, Fitzroy, this one week workshop gives you the basic techniques for fighting hand to hand and with a sword. Whether you are an actor, a circus performer or a stunt performer, these techniques will help you look convincing and keep you safe.

This of course, will be a certified course with the Society of Australian Fight Directors. At the end of the week you will perform an exam fight and be certified to work as a stage combat performer.

The instructor is SAFDi Fight Director, Kyle Rowling. He has performed fights in Star Wars Episodes 2 and 3, 'Wanted', he was Assistant Sword Master in SW Ep 3, Fight Director in 'Gabriel', and personally trained Eric Bana to fight for 'Troy'. He teaches and choreographs fights regularly for Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Australia, Bell Shakespeare, NIDA and more.

Come and learn from one of the leading Fight Directors in the world, right here in Melbourne.

April 25th - May 1st
9am - 5pm
$495 for the week (includes one year Society of Australian Fight Directors membership)
All weapons included.

Our New President

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:57:30 +0000

Hello everyone and thank-you for welcoming me as the new President. Please excuse the ‘self-talk’ but here is my background for those who wish to know.

I have seen the Society grow and develop from its original foundations as a single class, introduced by Marcus Hogan as the Australian Stage Combat School, growing to become a small subject in a private acting school to where it is now, an integral movement class found in most major drama institutions across the nation. In addition, the Society has developed numerous Fight Directors around Australia who are renowned and sought after, not only nationally but overseas as well.

The Society's growth and prestige in these formative years can be majorly attributed to the enormous sacrifices and contributions of our two previous presidents, and long term committee members, Scott Witt and Nigel Poulton. Without their significant input and insight, we wouldn't be in such a strong position today.

I am proud and privileged to have associated so closely with these two over these many years in teaching and learning capacities and also as a fellow committee member. Alongside these two, over the years within the SAFDi, I have at various times undertaken the roles of Treasurer and Vice President as well as subcommittee positions in Stunt Relations, Working Group Committee, and the Examination Reformation Committee. On other committees, I have experience as President (5 years and ongoing with The Traditional School of Chinese Martial Arts), Qld Vice Chairman (2008 and ongoing with The Australian Kung Fu Wu Shu Federation). In addition to my 9 years as a Stage Combat Instructor, and 5 years as a Fight Director, I bring my martial arts background of 21 years.
I am inspired to continue the good work laid before me, and with the support of the new team outlined below, will endeavour to further consolidate and spread our profile within the Australian Entertainment Industry.

I look forward to a fresh start with this team and hope to serve the interests and needs of our membership. To this end, we would gratefully receive queries, recommendations, requests etc from our membership.

Correspondence can be sent via email to sifujace@gmail.com or mail to:
SAFDi, c/- Metro Arts, 109 Edward Street, Brisbane Qld 4000

Annual General Meeting 2008

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 13:47:39 +0000

The Annual General Meeting was held on the 21st December at 59 Halstead St, Coorparoo. At the meeting, Nigel Poulton stood down as President of the Society. It is with sadness that we see him remove himself from this position but wish him all the best as he continues to provide support for the Society.

Reports were presented and carried by those present and the current committee stood down from their positions.

The new committee stands as:

President – Jason King
Vice-President – Tim Dashwood
Secretary – Sam Clark
NSW Representative – Patricia Cotter
VIC Representative – Felicity Steel
WA Representative – Andy Fraser

Welcome Jason and congratulations to your new position. Jason has been on the committee in various capacities over the years, so we are extremely confident he knows what he's doing!

Welcome to Sam Clark, too bad, your stuck with us now. For those who don't know, Sam is a Brisbane based actor who just so happens to be on the Branch Council of MEAA. We hope this relationship can be fostered throughout the year and look forward to a strong relationship with our union!

We welcome back again our wonderful representatives in our three states. Your work is much regarded and thank you again for offering yourselves to the table of the SAFDi Committee. Thank you.

Actor In Suicide Scene Slits His Throat!!

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:31:42 +0000

AN ACTOR portraying a suicide bid accidentally slashed his own throat on-stage after a horrifying prop mix-up, prompting an attempted murder inquiry.

Daniel Hoevels, 30, collapsed with blood pouring from his neck after using a real blade instead of the blunt stage knife.

He was taken to hospital after the dramatic scene at Vienna's Burgtheater in Austria.
The audience had been in raptures, unaware the actor was facing his own demise for real.
But when he failed to greet their applause for the show's spectacular special effects with a bow they separated fact from fiction.

Police are now investigating whether the mix-up was murderous.

The full story can be found at -
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24784118-952,00.html