Dan Styles

I’m an experienced action/fight co-ordinator, certified combat teacher (British Academy of Dramatic Combat) and fight performer working with many aspects of violence and action. I have choreographed and co-ordinated fights, action sequences and other violence on a wide range of productions for stage, screen, motion capture, green screen, and live events; including medieval battles, Elizabethan rapier duels, military assaults, prison brawls, street fights, zombie carnage, bare knuckle boxing, martial arts, muggings and domestic violence. I can also provide armoury services, casting, stunt/fight team and cast training.

I have over 15 years industry experience as an actor, director, fight co-ordinator, and much more, giving me a well balanced knowledge of the production process and most importantly storytelling. A great fight/battle sequence should not just be a collection of moves, no matter how exciting the choreography is, it should tell a story, push the narrative, progress the lead characters in a way that's believable, authentic, and dramatic. Unfortunately the aspect of storytelling in a fight scene is often left out of too many films.
My background as an actor allows me to work closely with other actors, understanding their language, concerns and needs. My training and experience in the psychology of violence and historical knowledge allows me to give actors so much more to work with in their performance other than just the choreography. I can help put actors at ease with the confidence that their safety and welfare has been considered and provided for, enabling them to fully invest in their performance and play their roles with a much greater depth and conviction.
Furthermore I have a good understanding of the optimum camera techniques, angles, etc, for shooting action, helping me to communicate with the director, DoP and crew to create exciting, effective and aesthetically pleasing action sequences that both entertain and tell a story.

Other services include weapon hire & armoury (gun/weapon wrangling, safety advice, and instruction on handling); I have a variety of blank firing and replica handguns and rifles, plus other practical prop weapons (knives, swords, axes, staffs, spears) for hire. Recent changes in the gun laws mean that productions MUST have a registered armourer for any replica guns used on set (whether they fire or not).
Additionally I have highly trained team, experienced in film, with a wide variety of specialist skills for character roles, stunts, principal doubles and group fight scenes.