Where Precision Meets Purpose
First reason: it’s a very good program that gives actors skills they really need – and even helps develop the acting craft they already have. FDC certification at Rapier Wit is a sustained, in-depth, comprehensive approach to stage combat training that goes well beyond technique. Actors learn how every element of a fight moment or scene is integrated to form a powerful, story-driven, character-specific performance. Exams at each level give students invaluable opportunities to test their stage combat abilities in a performance context. The FDC certification process is demanding, but performers come out of it knowing – and remembering! – their stuff.
Other great things about the FDC program:
-After over 25 years it’s a very solid system, but it undergoes continuous refinement. FDC practitioners across the country collaborate regularly to reexamine, improve and augment all aspects of the training.
-FDC-certified instructors and adjudicators are accountable to the organization for maintaining the training standard and adhering to a code of ethical, professional practices.
-FDC standards and vocabulary are shared across the country, which greatly eases communication between performers and fight directors and provides a skill level shorthand for casting both in Canada and abroad.
-FDC is an integral part of a world-wide network of internationally-recognized stage combat associations and professionals. Our members enjoy great fellowship with their counterparts from other national associations at conferences, workshops and events all over the world. It’s an amazing, fun, vibrant community!
At Rapier Wit we work hard to provide all of our community members with a supportive atmosphere, a clean and comfortable workspace, top instructors and staff, a professional training standard, and honest, helpful assessment. Like the FDC system, every aspect of instruction at Rapier Wit undergoes a continuous process of refinement. We make improvements based on feedback that we collect routinely from students, assistants and teachers. If we can do better, we want you to tell us!
When you certify with us, you get:
-additional time (beyond the minimum number of course hours) to work your scenes and fully internalize the technique so that your training stays with you beyond the studio
-a choice of training formats (see below)
-the option of using the Rapier Wit space for partner rehearsal outside of class hours
-detailed final assessments and recommendations that are tailored to your specific needs, hopes and goals
-first-rate teachers and assistants who collaborate to monitor and assess you thoroughly and fairly and who genuinely care about your progress! We want you to leave class feeling that your training was completely worth every minute, every penny and every drop of sweat you put into it.
Rapier Wit is a member of the Toronto Association of Acting Studios, a professional association dedicated to high standards of teaching and professional conduct in actor training. For more on TAAS standards and the member code of ethics, please visit the TAAS website.
As mentioned above, FDC has 3 actor-combatant levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each level has a minimum number of course hours which must be completed with the requisite number of FDC-certified Instructors, Directors or Masters. Students study a range of weapons and dramatic combat techniques at each level, along with a vocabulary of related terms. Techniques are then worked as fight choreography for scenes which partners develop and present as the main element of their final assessment. *Please note: students must be FDC members in good standing in order to test for certification. For membership information, please visit www.fdc.ca.
The following overview is a synopsis of FDC requirements at each certification level. Details on techniques and weapons for each level are on the Certification Levels page on the Academy of FDC website (www.fdc.ca).
Minimum course hours: 60
Quarterstaff · Single Sword · Unarmed Combat
Minimum course hours: 80
Broadsword/Longsword · Smallsword · Rapier & Dagger · Unarmed Martial Arts
Minimum course hours: 100
Martial Arts · Smallsword · Broadsword & Shield · Rapier Case/Cape · Found/Environmental Weapons
The certification exam consists of a written test and a performance exam. The written component takes place 1 to 2 days prior to the performance exam and is based on the FDC glossary terms you’ve been studying throughout the course. The performance exam, which takes place on the last day of the course, requires candidates to perform a safe, compelling, well-acted scene in each discipline for an FDC Fight Master. (In the FDC system there are no individual weapon certifications; all disciplines are examined on the same day.) Immediately after exams are finished, the adjudicator, instructors and assistants convene to review the fights and discuss all facets of each student’s performance, including class work. Each discipline performance is assessed as a pass with distinction, a pass, a conditional pass, or a fail. Based on these results, a cumulative outcome is given for the level. After the assessments are finalized, the adjudicator and teaching team meet with each student privately to review the results in detail and discuss recommendations for next steps.
Exam outcomes are defined as follows:
Pass with Distinction: the student shows the highest level of performance in all weapon forms. This includes but is not limited to acting, partnering, scene work and technique. It is possible to pass with distinction for a single weapon form.
Pass: student has satisfied all requirements for certification.
Pass with Conditions: student has satisfied the basic requirements but instructors would like to see additional work to improve in a certain area before certificate is given. This could mean retesting in one weapon, more hours in one or more disciplines, or even work outside of technique. Conditions are unique to each student.
Fail: the student has not consistently demonstrated a solid grasp of all fundamentals, and needs to repeat a discipline or level before moving on.
At Rapier Wit we work hard to give students an exam experience like the rest of our training – positive, satisfying and helpful. Our adjudicators are compassionate, experienced Fight Masters who are first-rate analysts. Together with our instruction team they deliver personalized feedback designed to help you succeed in the long term. Our assessments reflect our belief that every student’s journey is unique.
We are committed to helping our students achieve their goals and are always happy to answer questions. Feel free to call or e-mail us, or visit our FAQ. Looking for our next scheduled certification course? Go to Upcoming Classes.
Certified Advanced actor-combatants may apprentice to become FDC Fight Instructors, and eventually Fight Directors. Candidates do not apply for the level of Fight Master; the FDC College of Fight Masters appoints new FMs based on their exemplary work. Currently there are 10 FDC Fight Masters, 4 of whom instruct regularly at Rapier Wit: FM Daniel Levinson, FM Todd Campbell, FM Simon Fon, and FM Casey Hudecki.
We do offer apprenticeship opportunities at Rapier Wit, subject to availability and apprentice prerequisites. If you are interested in assisting/apprenticing with us, please contact Daniel. For more information on the FDC apprenticeship program, please go to www.fdc.ca.
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