In simple terms this could be seen as a step up from being an extra, you get to throw a few punches, the hero kicks you in the head and you fall to the ground.

Anyone trained in martial arts will realise that being a screen fighter is likely to be more involved, so let’s look into it.

What is a screenfighter?

A screenfighter is a trained martial artist or stunt person able to deliver a credible performance by bringing emotional and physical expressions to a fight scene on film, tv or other media. Most screenfighters are multi talented individuals mixing martial arts, gymnastics, stunt work and other forms of sporting activities.

This is an essential role in action movies, without decent screenfighters to give the good guy a hard time movie-goers would fall asleep on their cinema seats!

Famous screenfighters include Scott Adkins, Silvio Simac, Donnie Yen and Ken Lo to name but a few.

I came across a little video put together by UBFS films giving their views on screen combat, good fun: http://www.bits.bris.ac.uk/ubfs/training.html

The internet does not seem to have a lot about screenfighting, I have however found some information about stage combat, fight performers and stunt work.

I suspect that being a screenfighter is not as demanding as being a stuntman/woman but it may well be that you still need an equity card and so on.

What training do you need to become a screenfighter?

Training and qualification on stage combat seems to be important, check out those links for more information:

http://www.rc-annie.com/stage_combat.htm
http://badc.co.uk The British Academy of Dramatic Combat delivers courses leading to qualification
http://www.londonstuntschool.com/stagecombat.html
http://www.bassc.org/ The British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat

How do you get into the movies?

Do it yourself promotion:
Have your own website and perhaps even a blog together with professionally produced photographs and video showreel of your best moves!
Network extensively and ask questions
Have a professionally created CV/profile and well presented portfolio
Be clear about the kind of work that you can take on
Make direct contact with production companies and talent agencies

Get help from others:
http://www.screenfighters.com
http://www.fightersinc.net/
http://uk.castingcallpro.com
http://www.shootingpeople.org
http://www.ukscreen.com/

Judging from the lack of information readily available on the internet I would suggest that you have to work hard at becoming a screenfighter and getting that first break. Present yourself professionally, try and find the right agent but most importantly network extensively and create your own luck.

Hope this helps.

Pascal