Hi-ya: Rob Baard is now a real-life ninja after taining with a master.
Andrew Mathieson
ACTING has never been so real on the big screen for a Geelong action movie wannabe.
For more than 15 years Rob Baard has dedicated every waking moment to his two passions: martial arts and films.
Mr Baard is the man behind and starring in The Ninja: He Will Rise, a feature film in production on the streets of his hometown.
Now the martial arts junkie has gone to extremes to get into character for the role.
Mr Baard said he had gone right to the top of the ninjutsu world to perfect his talents.
He had undergone training with the founder of International Bujinkan Dojo Association and 15th dan black belt Richard Vandonk, a personal student of the Japanese grandmaster.
Mr Baard said he was just a final exam away from qualification in the art.
“Authentic ninjutsu is a very hard thing to find,” Mr Baard said.
“In the ’80s many martial arts practitioners claimed to teach ninjutsu (but) we’ve gone to a lot of work for the film to ensure our ninjutsu is authentic.”
He was now teaching his own ninja classes on disciplines including balance, “expanded awareness”, unarmed combat, traditional and improvised weapons, self-confidence and leadership.
Mr Baard’s preliminary 20-minute short film, Prelude to the Ninja, focused on authentic ninjutsu “inner and outer philosophy” teachings but also featured exciting car chases, flying helicopters and cars bullet-riddled from shootouts, he said.
