How to flip like Simu Liu in Marvel’s “Shang-Chi”
Ever watched your favourite Marvel movie and wondered how they learn to flip around so well? Well most likely they have many years of training in one or a few forms of movement. Whether it’s Martial Arts, Acrobatics, or Gymnastics, highly skilled fight sequenced are just as choreographed as your local production of “The Nutcracker”!
Before a skill is put into a sequence of either fight or artistic choreography, it must be repeated over and over so that the motor pattern is ingrained and almost performed on auto-pilot. The reason for this approach is that when filming or performing acrobatics on stage or set, there are so many other distracting elements we don’t often think about as movie-goers. Bulky costume pieces, mic packs, prosthetic make-up, wigs and facial hair, non-ideal flooring, lighting, fog machines, and loud noises or music can all distract an actor from moving through a piece of choreography perfectly. This is why skills must be at a certain level before bringing them to the stage or set.
Once a piece of fight choreography is set it is rehearsed over and over until the speed is where its needed. Fight choreography for purposes of lighting, cameras, blocking, safety, and timing, details must remain set to a T! In theatre, as swings (someone who essentially understudies or covers several roles within the ensemble) we truly understood the need and value of a show remaining consistent from Opening Night right put it the Closing performance.
When breaking down a new skill, take your time making the progressions small steps of increasing difficulty or coordination. I LOVE learning a new skill! As a 37-year-old, retired dancer, it’s not often I’m learning a new acrobatic skill, but the back handspring to kip up I break down in my recent YouTube video relating to the flips performed in Marvel’s “Shang-Chi” was new to me! In the video you can see how I start with the simple motor pattern of finding the full spine flexion immediately after being in a handstand. From there, we approach it then from the more difficult direction (backwards), working up to the full Kip Up. Finally, we work with modulating the speed used in a traditional back handspring, slowing it down to work for the new skill!
You can watch the video of Dr. Gray breaking down the “Shang-Chi” inspired flip here..
As always, seek out advice and support, and always have someone who can spot you safely as you learn new and exciting acrobatic skills! If you get injured, please seek care as soon as possible to prevent conditions becoming chronic.
