Get Noticed: Martial Arts or Acrobatics?

Sometimes we get casting calls for multi-talented individuals who can perform traditional martial arts as well as eye-popping jumps. A martial artist who can perform a forward-flip while wielding a sword makes an impressive picture indeed. Additionally, if he’s an acrobatic adept it means less need for wires and spotters.

Nevertheless, martial arts and acrobatics are not mutually exclusive.

Today we have off-shoots of martial arts such as Xtreme Martial Arts (XMA) and Tricking. Both arts incorporate a degree of martial moves so you can expect to see kicks, stances and punches. What you’ll see more of is flips, splits, 360-twists and other aerial moves.

Tricking is not mainly a combat sport but who’s to say the techniques cannot be used in self-defense? In any case, martial arts is an umbrella term and embraces a full variety of arts.  If the foundation is developed on the essentials of martial arts and accented with other elements, it's not that different from a few other styles.  

Even if you’ve never learned any type of extreme martial arts you are bound to find a jumping reverse kick in your traditional system or a few naturally flexible people who perform 360 split kicks as often as they get the chance.  These moves have been around long before they became adopted by newer offshoots of martial arts.

What does this mean for traditional practitioners? In casting, flashier moves may get noticed faster when it comes to agents who are reviewing demo reels. Consider Tony Jaa versus Jet Li. Li has the solid arts but Jaa has the jaw-dropping stunts.

Since you will be competing with all types of martial arts practitioners when submitting to casting calls make sure you present yourself in the best light possible. Traditional martial arts still gets noticed. Bruce Lee honed the skill of highlighting the classics and keeping all eyes on him. The breakout hit, Yip Man, starring Donnie Yes, was all about Wing Chun.

Do what you do best. Get on your uniform and demonstrate refined, clear crisp technique. Leave out the moves you’re not great at. In the end, you’ll get selected if they’re looking for what you have. Don’t have acrobatic ability? Don’t apply to casting calls figuring you can practice on your own and get up to speed. There are plenty of “how-to’s on YouTube but these kind of tricks are difficult to learn safely.

In the end, whether you’re a martial acrobat or a martial arts phenomenon, be confident and make the effort to make the best presentation of you.