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Action Choreography for Screen, Education, and Community Practice
Action Choreography for Screen, Education, and Community Practice
Originally developed through workshops with students and young migrants in the UK, Project Sifu demonstrates how action choreography can function not only as performance, but as a shared language for storytelling, confidence-building, and community formation 
The Project Sifu Toolkit is a series of practical video resources designed to support educators, artists, and community practitioners in delivering action choreography workshops.
Developed as part of Project Sifu, a research-led initiative exploring martial arts cinema, embodied learning, and collaborative filmmaking, this toolkit extends the project beyond in-person delivery. It enables wider access to methods that support youth engagement, creative skills development, and intercultural dialogue.
This toolkit translates those methods into a structured, adaptable format that can be used across educational and community contexts.
Credits: Developed with the support of Nathan Geering (Break-fu Productions)
Introduction
Introduction
An overview of the Project Sifu Toolkit, its aims, and how to use it in workshop and educational contexts. This video situates the exercises within a broader framework of embodied learning, film practice, and inclusive participation.
- Warm-Up and Preparation
A guided warm-up designed to prepare participants physically and mentally for movement-based activity. It also establishes group awareness, focus, and a supportive working environment.
2. Punches for Screen
2. Punches for Screen
Focuses on performing punches safely and effectively for camera. Emphasis is placed on control, technique, and visual clarity rather than force, making the exercise accessible to beginners.
3. Emotions and Storytelling
3. Emotions and Storytelling
Explores how emotion informs movement. Participants are encouraged to think about character, intention, and narrative, linking physical action to storytelling.
4. Reactions and Performance
4. Reactions and Performance
Examines how reactions “sell” the action. Participants develop skills in timing, physical response, and expressive movement to create believable sequences.
5. Camera Positioning
5. Camera Positioning
Connects choreography with filmmaking. This video demonstrates how camera angles, framing, and positioning shape how action is perceived on screen.
6. Blocking Attacks
6. Blocking Attacks
Introduces the fundamentals of blocking an opponent’s attack in action choreography. Participants learn how to safely and effectively block punches, kicks, and other strikes through control, timing, and positioning.
7. Ducking and Evasion
7. Ducking and Evasion
Introduces defensive movement as a key part of choreography. This session focuses on timing, spatial awareness, and interaction between performers.
8. Body Shots
8. Body Shots
Explores how to simulate body shots safely. Participants learn how to identify safe target zones, manage distance, and coordinate movement with a partner.
9. Mini Choreography
9. Mini Choreography
Brings together all elements of the toolkit into a short, structured sequence. Participants collaborate to create and perform their own action choreography, integrating movement, camera work, and narrative.
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