Conflict in Motion: A Guide to Fight Choreography

Break down fight scenes, learn stage combat, and create your own fight sequence by the end of class!

Conflict drives storytelling. When that conflict becomes physical, a compelling fight scene reveals character, raises the stakes, and moves the story forward.

Join filmmaker & action director Renjie Li for a how-to workshop exploring the craft of on-screen combat. You'll learn how to break down fight sequences, identify what makes them effective, and develop your own action scenes - and create a live demonstrations at the end of class!

We’ll explore how choreography, camera angles, timing, and performance work together to create convincing action—and how to make every movement serve the story.

You’ll also leave with three practical tips you can apply immediately to improve your fight scenes.

Note: This workshop includes light choreography exercises. No physical contact or previous martial arts experience is required. Stay in your seat, or get up and move around with us!

Renjie’s biography:

Renjie Li is a filmmaker, occasional action director, and founder of Renergy Media House, an independent production company based in Toronto. A lifelong martial arts movie fan, Renjie credits Jackie Chan’s films with sparking his passion for cinema.

He began making films in middle school and pursued that passion alongside an eight-year career in finance before transitioning to filmmaking full-time in 2024. Since then, he has worked on six feature films and ten shorts. He also gives back to the community by teaching people with disabilities how to make films, helping participants develop their creativity and share their stories.

Renjie brings his martial arts skills, filmmaking experience, and signature “Renergy” to this workshop, helping participants turn physical conflict into compelling screen action.