Fight coordinator Alexander James Holloway runs the New Zealand Stage Combat School, where he trains actors in safe, qualified fight choreography. AUT radio student Brooks Alexander sits in on a few of his classes to learn more about Alexander’s teaching style and the mindset of his fellow teachers and students.
A fight scene from a pop-up Globe production choreographed by Alexander James Holloway Photo: New Zealand Stage Combat School
About the creator
Brooks Alexander Photo: Brooks Alexander
20-year-old Brooks Alexander was born in San Francisco and grew up in Seattle, before moving to New Zealand at the age of nine. He is graduating from AUT with a Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in Radio and minoring in Television and Screen.
As a film student and avid movie-watcher, Brooks has been obsessed with the art of filmmaking for a very long time, particularly the specifics of creating an action scene.
With this documentary, Brooks hopes to shed a light on the often-overlooked role of stage combat performers, a style of fighting designed to look as realistic as possible, but with little actual contact.
Brooks hopes that this documentary will have everyone viewing their favourite action movies in an entirely new light, with a greater depth of appreciation for the hidden work that goes into each and every stunt.
He is planning on making some films of his own one day or maybe just keeping talking about his favourites on the radio.
