The Academy of Theatrical Combat and SAGA Action Arts have teamed up to present, ACTION HERO ACADEMY, a collaborative training experience for actors & stunt performers looking to master multiple disciplines of combat, action performance, and acting for film & television.
TV & Film Combat For Actors
Hollywood Sword Fighting
Brawls & Falls
Martial Arts Action for Camera
The Action Hero Academy offers some of the most comprehensive fight and action skill training available in NYC. It is the kind of training that has prepared action actors for other workshops, auditions, and of course, action-oriented roles in projects from indie films to major blockbusters.We look forward to fighting with you!
ABOUT
The Academy of Academy of Theatrical Combat & SAGA Action Arts have teamed up to present, ACTION HERO ACADEMY, a collaborative training experience for actors & stunt performers looking to master multiple disciplines of combat, action performance, and acting for film & television.
CURRICULUMS
Academy of Theatrical Combat
ATC offers hand-to-hand combat and weapons training for action actors, stunt performers, and anyone interested in learning about movie fights. Students begin at the basic level, covering safety and the primary techniques of hand-to-hand combat, rolls and falls, cutlass, broadsword, and quarterstaff. Intermediate and advanced students continue mastering and learning more advanced applications for all these disciplines as well as moving on to double cutlass, rapier and dagger, smallsword, and katana. Professional-level students coordinate original fight scenes and focus on adapting other weapons and styles of combat of their choice to Film/TV/Theatre.For more information about the ATC Curriculum, please visit theatricalcombat.com
SAGA Action Arts
SAGA was designed to effectively train the aspiring “action artist” in the same skill sets as modern action heroes. the SAGA curriculum consists of three main training pillars: the SAGA 9 Weapons Template, Action Flow, and Striking Arts. Drawing from a wide range of practical martial arts systems like Filipino Martial Arts (stick, knife, sword, and staff fighting), Jeet Kune Do, Savate and Thai Kickboxing, Silat, Kung Fu, Ninjutsu, Karate, Krav Maga, Combatives and various flow-movement systems, SAGA offers a comprehensive approach to modern armed and unarmed training. Developed through the lens of action film, television, video games, anime, and comic book aesthetics, SAGA’s techniques and drills merge substance with style into a streamlined pedagogy for creating fight choreography and action design for performing artists and visual storytellers.
INTRUCTORS & FIGHT COORDINATORS
Jayme Woj
Jayme is a SAG-AFTRA actor, stunt fighter, fight choreographer, and stunt coordinator based in NY. He is the head instructor of The Academy of Theatrical Combat (ATC) Curriculum at Action Hero Academy. For the past 30 years, ATC has provided action design, fight choreography, violence coordination, sword fighting, and theatrical combat training for film, tv, motion capture, and live production. Jayme has been instructing the curriculum since 2018. In 2022, Jayme also became Master Instructor of the Combat for Film & Stage program at Maggie Flanigan Studio.With more than 15 years of experience in swordplay, Aikido, Kenpo Arnis, kickboxing, and theatrical hand-to-hand combat, Jayme’s work as an action actor includes credits on various Star Wars and Disney projects, Netflix’s Fuller House, Amazon’s Gravesend, The Globe’s Hamlet, and more. As a fight choreographer and stunt coordinator, he began as an on-set assistant to Hollywood Stunt Coordinators, Dan Speaker and Jan Bryant. Since then, Jayme has worked as a fight choreographer and stunt coordinator for a plethora of films and theater productions in both Hollywood and NYC.Jayme currently serves as co-founder of CutAbove Studios, an independent production company dedicated to helping actors self-produce their own films and series.
Dylan Hintz
Dylan is a SAG-AFTRA Stunt Performer in Brooklyn, NY. He has performed action and stunts in over 30 professional productions, including Marvel’s Jessica Jones, The Blacklist on NBC, and FOX’s GOTHAM. His martial arts training goes back 15 years, and covers Savate, Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Ninjutsu, Keysi Fighting Method, Jeet Kune Do, and multiple styles of Filipino Martial Arts.Dylan is co-founder of SAGA Action Arts, a methodology that explores the principles of stage and screen combat and connects them to various real-world martial arts and fighting systems. In 2011 he founded the DC Stunt Coalition in Rockville, MD, to help aspiring stunt performers get started on their own career paths. As a professional videographer and editor, Dylan has produced and directed multiple award-winning short films and continues to combine all the above skills to design action, previs, and test fight videos for productions and performers in both DC and NYC.Trainer Certifications in Jeet Kune Do and FMA from Bryan Stoops, Apprentice Instructor Stage 1 Level 1 in Filipino Combatives Global under GM Felix Cortes, Red Glove in Savate under the USSF, senior student in both Shaolin Kung Fu at Self Mastery Systems and JKD at Maryland Jeet Kune Do, MovNat Level 1 Trainer Certification, Certified in all 8 weapons with the SAFD, Coordinator and Choreography work for HBO, CBS, and National Geographic.
Abra Burkett
Abra Burkett is a SAG-AFTRA stunt performer and actor in Brooklyn, NY. She has been training in and doing stunts for eight years and has been training in multiple systems of martial arts for more than a decade. She was a live stunt performer at Six Flags America for the 2019 season and has since done stunts in various films and television shows (such as The Blacklist and No Hard Feelings).She is the co-runner of the DC Stunt Coalition and SAGA Action Arts. As a Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach, Abra is certified under ISSA. She would also like it to be known that she has a Masters in Sociology.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
The Academy’s Professional Training Program offers hand-to-hand combat and weapons training for actors, stunt performers, and anyone interested in learning about movie fights.All students train in learning choreography and quickly bringing fights to the performance level. Students perform for camera in every class.No experience is required to enter the professional program.Must be 18+ to participate.
INTENSIVES
INTRO TO TV & FILM COMBAT
An 2 Month introduction to performing hand-to-hand combat for TV & Film.
NEXT SESSION:
Sundays • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
August 9 – September 27
This 2-month course explores hand-to-hand combat techniques and the acting skills necessary to create character-driven fight scenes that build tension, danger, and excitement. Students learn essential safety practices and the core techniques of cinematic hand-to-hand combat, including punches, kicks, chokes, blocks, falls, and basic grappling.Students perform on camera during every class, combining combat technique with performance skills to create dynamic and believable fight scenes.
INTRO TO HOLLYWOOD SWORD FIGHTING
A 1-Month deep dive into the art of Sword Fighting for TV, Film & Stage.
This course explores sword combat techniques and the acting skills necessary to create character-driven fight scenes that build tension, danger, and excitement. Students learn essential safety practices and the core techniques of single-sword combat as seen in productions like Pirates of the Caribbean, The Duelists, and The Witcher.Students perform on camera during every class, learning how to combine swordsmanship, acting, and fight choreography to create exciting and believable screen combat.
Wednesdays
8 PM – 9:30 PM
ONGOING CLASSES
BRAWLS & FALLS
SUNDAYS
Level I | 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Level II | 12 PM – 1:30 PM
The Academy of Theatrical Combat and Saga Action Arts join forces in this onglong class designed to sharpen safety techniques and performance skills in hand-to-hand combat. Students train in punches, kicks, blocks, rolls, falls, throws, grappling, and more—developing the precision and control needed for high-level fight choreography.All students train in learning choreography, quickly bringing fights to the performance level, and integrating combat into scene work. Students perform for camera in every class, including filmed fight scenes that receive feedback from professional Hollywood Fight Coordinators.
MARTIAL ARTS ACTION
TUESDAYS
7 PM - 9PM
Perform like your favorite martial arts action star! Bridging the gap between real world combat and fighting for camera, this class blends multiple styles and systems together including Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Long Fist Kung Fu, Wing Chun, French and Thai Kickboxing, Silat, Karate and more to help you become a well-rounded action performer. Unarmed combat includes a variety of kicks, punches, trapping, stand-up grappling moves, and other more style-specific strikes. Weapons training includes sticks (single and double), knives, short blades, “ninja” swords, and long staff.You will learn skills as taught by authentic martial arts systems, as well as performing arts concepts learned from industry level stunt performers. Classes also focus on attribute development in the ability to display speed, power and control, through drills that teach range-to-range management, physical sensitivity, and fight rhythm. Performances are recorded every class for the students own use in learning or self-promotion.This class is designed for intermediate to advanced students, so training in Brawls & Falls, Hollywood Sword Fighting, or private lessons prior to training is recommended. Alternatively, potential students can submit demo reels showcasing their current abilities to apply.
HOLLYWOOD WEAPONS
WEDNESDAYS
7 PM - 9PM
Following the Academy of Theatrical Combat curriculum, this mixed-level class focuses on sword & staff combat techniques AND the acting skills necessary to create character-driven fight scenes that build a sense of danger & excitement.Students begin at the basic level, covering safety and the primary techniques of Cutlass/Single Sword (Pirates of the Caribbean, The Duelist, Hook), Broadsword (Game of Thrones, The Witcher, LOTR), and Quarterstaff (The Force Awakens, Xena, Robin Hood). Intermediate and advanced students continue mastering these weapons along with double cutlass, light saber, single rapier, rapier and dagger, smallsword, katana, and more.All students train in learning choreography, quickly bringing fights to the performance level, and integrating combat into scene work. Students perform for camera in every class, including filmed fight scenes that receive feedback from professional Hollywood Fight Coordinators.
FEES & MEMBERSHIPS
INTRO COURSES:
TWO MONTH INTRO TO TV & FILM COMBAT: $300
ONE MONTH INTRO TO HOLLYWOOD SWORD FIGHTING: $150
ONGOING CLASSES:
SOLO HERO MEMBERSHIP:
$150 per month (1 class per week)ULTIMATE HERO MEMBERSHIP:
$250 per month (Up to 3 classes per week)DROP-INS:
$50 per class
CLASS GEAR & HANDBOOKS
Click here for recommended training equipment and handbooks.
REGISTRATION
Email us to register
[email protected]
The Action Hero Academy offers some of the most comprehensive fight and action skill training available in NYC. It is the kind of training that has prepared action actors for other workshops, auditions, and of course, action-oriented roles in projects from indie films to major blockbusters.We look forward to fighting with you!
CONTACT
GEAR & HANDBOOK
GEAR UP
Training equipment recommendations for Brawls & Falls and Martial Arts ActionFor BRAWLS & FALLS, each students need a pair of open finger MMA/Martial Arts Gloves and a pair of Focus Mitts.
ATC HANDBOOK
This handbook is a primer for all students and teachers of the Academy of Theatrical Combat Curriculum. Detailed images depict basic hand to hand moves and the parry systems for Cutlass, Broadsword and Quarterstaff, along with notated drills for practicing attack and parry techniques.
FIGHT COORDINATION
Action Hero Academy provides fight choreography, stunt coordination, and action design for film, television, theatre, commercials, and independent productions.Our instructors are working fight choreographers, stunt coordinators, filmmakers, stunt performers, and actors with experience across professional screen and stage productions.We create action that is safe, believable, and specific to the story being told.
Fight Coordination credits by Jayme Woj include feature films, Madonna Non Grata, Cycle of Grace, Voodoo Macbeth, and theatre productions of Bard in The Botanics' War of The Roses, The Globe Theatre's Hamlet, and more…Visit our ABOUT page to learn more about our Fight Coordinators.
OUR APPROACH
A fight scene should do more than showcase physical technique.The choreography should reveal character, raise the stakes, and feel grounded within the world of the production. We work closely with directors, performers, and production teams to develop action that supports the tone, style, and practical needs of each project.Whether the scene calls for a grounded struggle, a large weapons sequence, or heightened martial arts action, the choreography is built around the performers, the camera, and the story.
SERVICES
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY
Original hand-to-hand, martial arts, and weapons choreography designed for the needs of the scene and abilities of the performers.
STUNT COORDINATION
Planning and oversight of action sequences, including performer safety, rehearsals, equipment, and communication with production departments.
ACTOR TRAINING & REHEARSALS
Private rehearsals and performance coaching to prepare actors for action scenes before arriving on set.
ACTION DESIGN & PREVIS
Development of fight concepts, choreography videos, shot ideas, and previsualization to help directors and production teams plan action sequences.
ON-SET ACTION DIRECTION
Adjustments to choreography, performance, spacing, and camera placement during production to ensure the action reads clearly and safely on screen.
HIRE US
Planning a production with fights, weapons, falls, or physical action?Contact us with information about the project, production dates, location, and the type of action involved.
ACTION HERO PROJECTS
Training is only one part of becoming a working actor or stunt performer.At Action Hero Academy, we encourage students to continue developing their skills by creating original films, fight scenes, web series, and other action-based projects with fellow students.Some of our strongest collaborations have started with a simple conversation after class.
From Training to Production
Breaking into the industry often means creating opportunities rather than waiting for them.Whether you're interested in performing, choreographing, directing, writing, filming, editing, or producing, we encourage students to develop their own ideas and work together to bring them to life.Not every project needs to be a feature film. Many begin as a short action scene, a proof of concept, or a simple idea between classmates looking to gain experience.
How We Help
When appropriate, Action Hero Academy can help support student-led projects by providing:- Fight choreography
- Stunt coordination
- Production planning
- Camera and filming support
- Editing
- Equipment
- Casting opportunities within the
- Academy community
- Creative feedbackSome projects are entirely student-led. Others are produced by Action Hero Academy and feature Academy students in front of and behind the camera.
Learn by Creating
Nothing replaces the experience of stepping onto a set.Creating your own projects provide opportunities to apply training in a real production environment while collaborating with other actors, stunt performers, filmmakers, and creators.Every project is another chance to develop new skills, solve creative problems, and build relationships with the people you'll continue working with long after class ends.
Train together.
Create together.
Keep making work.