Explaining Judging Criteria:

1. When rehearsing or videoing keep it serious. If you are under 18 we strongly recommend adult supervision at all times, whether that's your instructor, coach or parent an adult should be present. If you are under-14 you must have your parent's consent. Consent forms are at the bottom of this page. This form must be filled out correctly by all participants under 14 and submitted with the fight scene entry and team entry fee. If the consent form is not filled out correctly, or there's any question with the parent signature authenticity that team's entry will be disqualified. The team will be notified immediately of this error. In this case, simply fill the form out correctly and reapply. We can't emphasize enough to keep your rehearsals and videoing serious and safe. Remember safety is your highest priority! We hope to make this a yearly event but that depends on how safe all the participating teams are.

​

2. Figure out what techniques your crew is good at. Don't attempt things you don't know how to do or use. For example, gymnastic style movements or trying different Martial Arts weapons, etc. If you've never done or used it, the time to learn is not when you're rehearsing or videoing a scene. Work everyone's strong points into your choreography this will make your scene more entertaining and fun for all involved.

​

3. Talk the scene out: This step may seem obvious but is neglected by so many. You and your crew must have a complete understanding of what the final objective is. Following this rule will make your practicing and shooting time safer and also more productive.

​

4. Cinematography:  How does the utilization of the camera accompany the action. This is one of the most important categories. Using the right camera angles can only make your scene look more intense. The camera angle can make your characters look faster, more powerful and can also help give a real illusion of danger. (Research camera angles) and find out which angles will best suit your scene. Scenes may have a graphic overlay, but your scene will be judged on realism and how it compliments the scene.

​

5. Music in film achieves a number of things. It establishes setting; it creates atmosphere; it calls attention to elements; it reinforces or foreshadows narrative; it can give meaning to a character's actions; or translates their thoughts. Music can definitely help create emotion. Any background music used in the video must be credited and documented in the end credits.

​

6. Location: The right location can aid in setting the emotion to your scene. Choosing the right location can help convey a sense of calm or danger, a dark alley, a sunset, a path in the woods. All these areas have their own feeling and mood. This can definitely impact what your characters are feeling to your viewers.

​

7. Dialogue: No foul language, remember to keep it simple. Dialogue is important because it reveals the character's personality, emotions and explains his or her actions. The right dialogue can also help explain the plot, create character development and allow the audience to develop a bond with the characters. Bad dialogue can make characters seem boring, uninteresting and annoying, thus losing the bond with the audience. Always remember this is a short scene, 3 to 6 minutes long, your dialogue must grip your audience immediately.. Make sure your dialogue is straight to the point, use it to set up your scene. Use it to tell the audience what your characters are doing.

​

8. Comedy: Fighting stars such as Jackie Chan and many others have entertained us with their comedic scenes for years. Not all comedic fight scenes come from martial arts movies. This slapstick style of film-making takes a lot of planning, timing along with the right dialogue and proper camera usage. Comedy depending on how it's used can be scored with speaking parts or fight choreography.

​

9. Fight choreography: Stage combat or fight choreography is a specialized technique in film or theater, designed to give the illusion of physical combat, without causing harm to the performers. Each movement in your fight choreography must be rehearsed and mastered, with no spontaneous changes. Changes like that can result in someone's injury. Everything needs to be rehearsed. Your rehearsals at first should be done very slowly and with no power in your strikes. One key component in fight choreography is the flow or pacing of the fight. There are moments when the characters may stop to catch their breath, engage in conversation, etc. The stop in the action never ruins the pacing of the fight. Also, remember the reaction of the character being hit is just as important as the hit itself. Safety note; The distance of 6 inches to 2 feet between characters can safely sell a punch or kick, depending on the camera angle. The fight choreography can be based on realism or be pure fantasy. Remember you're being judged on the entertainment aspect of the scene. Scenes that have gymnastic or dance movements that have no value to the fight will receive a lower score unless its a comedy scene where movements like that would add humor to it. Be extra careful in performing any stunts, use mats and padding if necessary.

​

10. The use of weapons: all weapons such as knives, guns, bats, bottles, etc must be fake. If you are found to be in violation of this rule your entry is automatically disqualified with no refund of your entry fee."Safety is our highest priority". Buying breakaway bottles and fake weapons are relatively cheap, we ask that you properly research how to use these items safely before using them. Breakaway bottles don't hurt when hit with, but they still break into fragments that can injure someone's eyes. We ask that you research the proper use of these items.  Keep costs low, but take the proper precautions for safety. Below there are some companies that sell fake weapons and equipment.

​

11. Sound effects: The right sound will definitely make the situation seem more realistic. Sound can be used to help create an emotion or shock your audience. Sound effect apps are found everywhere, you can get everything from a punch striking a face, gunshots, to a bottle breaking these effects can really help sell your scene. Look below for some sound apps.

​

12. Editing: editing is the process of assembly shots in a coherent scene. This is shown in how the scenes flow together. The editor's job is to create a seamless finished product with no trace of their tampering.​​
 

13. Stunts are classified as an unusual or difficult physical feat that requires special training and or certain types of equipment to perform safely and properly. We ask that you keep it simple, stay focused on your scene's fighting. Most likely you're not a trained stuntman, meaning you may lack the training to perform such stunts. Stay away from major motion pictures type stunts. Keep it safe and simple!!!  Falls, rolls and gymnastic type movements are not seen as stunts. We ask that you have prior training before attempting such movements.

Examples: 

* Car chases or using your car in any unsafe way.

* The use of fire or any explosives.

* Stunts done from an unsafe height. If you have any stunts in your scene. The stunts must be explained how they were performed in your scenes credits. If you are found to be in violation of this rule your entry will be disqualified.

​

Disclaimer:

The United Martial arts Federation will not be held liable for any past, present, or future injury sustained or reoccurring while practicing or videoing for this contest. By entering this contest your team, school or gym hereby acknowledges that you have read and as of now understand and agree to all rules and regulations, safety practices, suggestions and this disclaimer.