Historical Combat & MoCap for Games, Film & Television
Historically grounded European martial arts, translated into practical combat choreography, movement consultancy, and specialist performance capture.
Tempus Fugitives bridges the gap between 14th and early 20th century European combat manuals and modern digital and film production pipelines. Based in Central London, we provide end-to-end combat consultancy, fight direction, performer training, and historically informed motion capture performance.
20+ YEARS
Practising/Researching Historical European Martial Arts
BLACK BELT HALL OF FAME
Inducted 2023 for contributions to Martial Arts
FORMER WORLD-RANKED COMPETITOR
Top 3 / Top 5 international rankings
EUROPEAN GAMES 2019
Official UK HEMA representative
LONDON-BASED
Available for UK & international projects
Combat Expertise Grounded in Historical Sources
Historical combat is more than the appearance of a weapon in the hand.
The surviving martial manuals of Europe describe complete systems of movement, timing, distance and tactical decision-making. Tempus Fugitives studies these sources and tests their instructions through practical martial training.
The result is an approach that brings together direct study of historical martial sources, practical martial arts and contemporary production requirements. We use our expertise in period martial systems as a practical foundation for creating believable combat, supporting productions seeking authentic detail, convincing combat movement and specialist performers with a genuine understanding of European martial systems.
Our goal is not to recreate history for its own sake, but to help productions achieve their creative vision through informed movement, choreography and performance.
(Performance capture test carried out with Move AI in London.)
What We Do
1. Motion & Performance Capture
Historical combat expertise for optical and inertial motion capture workflows. We understand that games require clean, precise, and repeatable data.
In-Game Movement States: Execution of idle combat poses, directional attack chains, block/parry reactions, and context-specific execution animations.
Prop & Marker Awareness: Experience with marker-based capture systems, including rigid-body weapon handling and minimising marker occlusion at close-quarters.
Repeatable Performance: Precise body mechanics allow our performers to reproduce attack lines, motion paths and timing across multiple takes.
2. Action Design & Combat Choreography
Designing cinematic fight sequences that respect period physics while serving the creative direction of the project.
Striking, high-tempo fight design for camera, PreVis, or live action.
Adaptation of authentic treatise techniques into safe, practical production workflows.
3. Historical Combat Consultancy
Research and practical interpretation for game directors, narrative leads, animators and stunt coordinators seeking historically grounded combat systems.
Establishing distinct, character-specific fighting styles based on period, armour, and weapon type.
Consulting on period weapon weight, balance, impact mechanics, and tactical context.
- Combat identity, movement language and animation references.
4. Performer Training & Specialist Performance
Targeted combat and weapon handling preparation for actors prior to shoots.
Specialist on-camera weapon performers and stunt support for high-detail close-up combat.
Built for Production
We recognise that productions often need to balance historical authenticity with gameplay readability, production schedules and technical constraints.
Our role is not to insist on perfect historical recreation, but to help directors, animators and designers achieve the creative outcome they are aiming for while drawing on authentic historical systems where they add value.
Why Tempus Fugitives?
Authenticity Engineered for Production
We do not view historical combat as merely a collection of flashy moves that look good on screen. Our work is built on a four-part methodology:
Historical Sources: Direct study of surviving 14th – early 20th century printed manuals and manuscripts.
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Practical Reconstruction: Rigorous testing of biomechanics and force delivery through daily martial practice.
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Performance Precision: Translating raw martial technique into clean, readable, and repeatable movement.
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Production Integration: Tailoring the physical output directly to the technical requirements of cameras, game engines, or MoCap volumes.
The Lead Consultant
Jay Maxwell
Founder of Tempus Fugitives & Head of Combat Direction
Jay Maxwell has practiced Historical European Martial Arts since 2004, and is one of the UK’s few full-time professional HEMA instructors. During his competitive career, he was among the world’s highest-ranked competitive practitioners, achieving top-three and top-five international rankings across several disciplines. Now focusing on teaching, historical interpretation and professional consultancy, he was inducted into the UK Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2023.
His specialist areas focus on Renaissance European systems—with particular expertise in Italian combat traditions.
Multi-Performer Roster & Stunt Network
Tempus Fugitives can draw upon a network of experienced martial artists and physical performers ready for larger production calls.
Our extended training community includes professional parkour athletes, stunt performers, and senior HEMA practitioners. Whether your production requires a 1-on-1 duel, a coordinated squad of combatants, or complex traversal integrated with swordplay, we can assemble a custom team to match your character specs and physical requirements.
FAQ
Q: Can Tempus Fugitives perform in optical and inertial motion capture volumes?
A: Yes. Our performers are comfortable working within professional motion capture environments and understand the practical considerations of marker positioning, weapon props and repeatable performance.
Q: Which historical weapon systems can you choreograph or perform?
A: We have expertise in European systems from the 14th through early 20th centuries, including German Longsword, Italian Rapier and Dagger, Sword and Buckler, Sidesword, Smallsword, Bayonet and Armoured Combat.
Q: Can you provide multi-performer teams or stunt support?
A: Yes. We maintain an extended network of trained martial artists, parkour athletes, and senior HEMA practitioners capable of executing coordinated multi-combatant sequences.
- Q: Are your performers and consultants insured for production work?
- A: Yes. We carry full public liability insurance covering combat consulting, choreography, and specialist performance on location and in studio volumes.
Work With Us On Your Next Project
Whether you are in early pre-visualization, looking for specialist movement for authentic motion capture, or need on-set historical fight direction, we are ready to assist.
📍 Location: Central London Base | Available Worldwide