Fighting offscreen, Templar Martial artists' journey film production in Madagascar

 Templar: Leading the Charge in Shaping Martial Arts for Madagascar's Emerging Film Scene... Challenges and first victories...

Mahefa Ranarivony always aspired to be an actor. In a country where economic survival often takes precedence over the allure of the silver screen, realizing such dreams can be an uncommon challenge. 

However, Mahefa's unwavering determination, likely fortified by his robust martial arts practice, set him on a path that would ultimately bring on a vital skill to the Malagasy film production community. After relentless struggle, he crossed paths with seven individuals who shared his passion for martial arts. Together, they formed Templar, a group that not only devote their martial arts precision to film production but also offers a distinctive approach that sets them apart.

Mahefa Ranarivony's Templar founder and leader, martial arts specialist

In Madagascar, the pursuit of an acting career is often dismissed as a pipe dream... Mahefa and his compatriots defied the odds. Together, they constituted Templar, a group of dedicated martial artists with a vision to revolutionize Madagascar's budding film sector. They embarked on this journey with a wealth of martial arts expertise, honed over years of discipline and practice.

What truly sets Templar apart from the rest is their approach to incorporating martial arts into film production. Inspired by the skills of stunt performers and driven by a deep-seated passion for their craft and action movies, they developed a specific method that includes every aspect of on-screen combat. From script analysis and storyboards understanding to executing falls and simulating realistic stunts, Templar offers invaluable behind-the-scenes insights into the art of shaping up combat scenes and risky figures in cinema without having the sophisticated stunting equipment and related resources available.

Templar set up in an admirable autonomy and a razor-sharp accuracy a fight coordination structure to ensure that every scene is executed flawlessly, and they bring a wealth of knowledge about the complexity of fight design for film, especially in Madagascar. They set with an impressive exactitude a risk assessment, enriched though the years with their outdoor trainings, so they're able to guarantee the safety of every on-screen action. 

While many martial artists may claim to be capable of contributing to film production, Templar recognizes that it takes more than just skills and ego, which sets Templar apart with a distinctive difference. Film production demands a profound understanding of the set hierarchy and the production schedule, which directly impacts the preparations for fight design. Authority is a key factor for success on a shoot, facilitated by an ability to work under the guidance of filmmakers and the skill to balance martial arts authenticity with cinematic vision. 

 Mahefa also understood the financial aspect of providing state-of-the-art martial arts services dedicated to film production. He conducted in-depth research on standard rates for fight choreography and the art of invoicing for these services. Although his rate table is accurate and adapted to the local film production industry, it remains a challenge to convince some 'established' directors that this service is professional and deserving of compensation.

Recently, a Malagasy director of photography, aspiring to improve as a filmmaker, attempted to hire Templar's services for a featurette created to raise funds to finance a feature film. He was surprised to learn that Templar's services were well-organized and structured. Instead of professionally allocating a portion of his budget for fight choreography, he opted to hire amateur martial artists, paying them less to perform on stage. The low quality of the fight scene, despite its visually stunning photography, had predictable results: the fight appeared non-credible, slow, and lacked authenticity.

Templar's distinctive approach places them at the forefront of the avant-garde, offering crucial services to the film landscape. This enables them to provide a comprehensive array of dedicated services for both international producers and film professionals newcomers. Mahefa's vision reflects his dedication and refusal to accept undervaluation, which is unfortunately a prevailing practice in Madagascar. Mahefa has been noticed and recognized by the Fabulous Anonymous talent agency, which was so impressed by his talent that they made the decision to represent Templar. They are currently in the process of setting up their marketing strategies and ensuring that all business processes are diligently followed, regardless of the challenges posed by some local film professionals who may not fully grasp these industry standards.

Another challenge faced by Templar is finding a suitable place for extensive training. They have discovered outdoor locations with rugged terrain that provide sufficient space for their rigorous discipline and experimentation with new techniques. Additionally, they continue to train at the dojo and maintain their dedicated training space located in the heart of the capital city.

 Mahefa Ranarivony and his team at Templar have shown that an indefectible determination and a unique approach to film production can transform dreams into reality. Their journey, from a country focused on survival to the big screen's aspirations, is a testament to the power of passion and innovation. As Templar continues to shape the future of Madagascar's film sector, they serve as an inspiring example of what can be achieved when martial arts meets creativity, no matter the context around. Their expertise in script analysis, storyboarding, risk assessment, stunt coordination, coordination with lighting and art departments, and their comprehensive emergency scheme exemplify the skills and dedication needed to succeed in the demanding world of film production.

Mahefa and Niaina of Templar martial artists performing a fight design choregraphy during an outdoor training