Quality Stunt Training from Working Professionals
Martial Arts/Stunt Seminar
with Glen Levy - April 2009
Glen Levy - as seen on the National Geographic “Fight Science” Series
Martial arts expert and stunt performer, Glen Levy, poured out just a fraction of his knowledge in Ninjutsu, Kung Fu, Fa Jin, and a mixture of many other styles of martial arts to participants of the seminar. His teachings included how to defend yourself and subdue an attacker as well as how to apply martial arts movements in film.
Glen has appeared on “Fight Science” as a Ninjutsu expert and rightly so. Click here to see the Ninjutsu Segment... (linked to YouTube).
He was invited back for another “Fight Science” episode and having another week before he heads back home to New Zealand, it was a great opportunity for us to hold this seminar.
Glen’s teachings included grappling, nerve strikes, the application of fa jin, and his own developed “hammer fist”, which is shown and explained in the “Fight Science” segment. The hammer fist is an incredible technique developed by Glen and it is truly a “death punch”.
Glen has choreographed and performed in several productions including Xena, Power Rangers, Wendy Wu, Lord of the Rings (Orlando Bloom’s double), and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.
Knowing this, of course, what martial arts practitioner wouldn’t want to see what it feels like to get hit with one? So the Founder of IMPACT Stunts and head Coach of the National Wushu Training Center, Eric Chen, asked Glen to give him a good one. I think the video can explain it better than I can.
Description from YouTube:
Glen Levy demonstrates his hammer fist on Coach Eric Chen at the Impact Stunts seminar April 11, 2009. This was about half force through a small phone book, with partial Fa Jin application. Glen's classic demonstration of Impact vs. Momentum. Earlier in the seminar, an attendant said it felt like, "a fist materialized in my chest, then kind of mushroomed" . That was at 25%. You can see on coach Eric's face that the impact had force--but then look where he grabs his torso--about 8 inches lower than the point of impact. That's the Fa Jin. This video clearly shows the exponential force developed by the hammer fist technique and electrical energy released at the point of impact. In his first fight science appearance, the technicians surmised that this release was the only way to explain why his fist didn't explode from the 12000 psi force he generated. (the boxer generated 2000 psi). Then when he applied Fa Jin, the sensors and computer shorted out. They brought him back for more tests on this upcoming Fight Science so watch for it!
Glen teaches nerve strikes to participants of the seminar. Here he doesn’t come smashing down on the arm but rather relaxes and let’s gravity do the work.
The effect is that the strike tricks the brain into thinking that the arm becomes really heavy and it wants to bring the arm to the floor. A strike to one specific point causes the entire body to react uncontrollably.
Fast forward for a sec to the following Wednesday when Glen was gracious enough to teach a short seminar to students of the National Wushu Training Center. He finally started talking about the hammer fist and well how can you explain it to people and not demonstrate it? That’s just cruel. So one of the Coaches of NWTC and IMPACT Stunts team member, Matthew Osborne, took one for the team.
This strike was only about 1/16 of Glen’s full force. Matt’s initial reaction was “I felt the need to drop down but I’m strong enough to hold it.” Later when he saw the video he realized (upon visual proof) that he did drop and doesn’t remember it. Your the Man, Matt! You totally didn’t look like you died for about 3 seconds.
Now back to the day of the seminar...
Participants enjoyed 8 hours of Glen’s instruction. they learned how to apply fa jin to the techniques and discovered that with just a shake of the hips, they were able to bring their partner to the ground and found that they can deal that much damage without breaking a sweat.
Glen demonstrated how with proper technique you can subdue your opponent easily and still have the option to strike the opponent’s now wide open chest (vital organs). Notice how Glen is just in a comfortable one knee down position and has Matt’s arm trapped without even holding on to it.
Later in the day participants of the seminar learned how to play the camera and how to adjust the choreography based on the cameras movement. They practiced facial and bodily expressions and composure in a fighting situation for film. Participants also learned how to react to different attacks to the face or body in order to sell the hit and create a believable fight scene.
A bit more about Glen...
Glen Levy has achieved international recognition as one of the worlds foremost martial artsits and teachers. His love for martial arts have kept him a hungry student, continually learning and refining new and old concepts into his practice.
Glen appeared on National Geographic “Fight Science” where he was able to test his skills in a scientific environment leading to some staggering results.
Glen continues to work as an instructor and fight choreographer while traveling the globe performing intensive and entertaining seminars that usually lead to much laughter through Glen’s teaching style.
Visit Glen’s Website at www.thatninjaguy.com
323.932.8869 - stuntclinic@impactstunts.com
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Take a look at a couple of our past stunt clinics by clicking here.