Need tips for fight scene setup / car chase

S

suradtaylor

New member
I'm a newbie at this, so I will like to learn alot of tips from pros on this forum. Basically, I'm interested in blocking / framing / shooting techniques for fight scenes and high speed car chases. I know things dont move as fast as they appear to the viewer, so I'm kind of at lost with how to acheive a convincing shot. Is it the editing pace, or its just the framing and camera angles? or lens, or the stunt job. I know it might be a combination of all these and more, the question is how exactly do I acheive it?
 
Depends on the type of fight sequence. I usually choreograph Hong Kong style fights . I always use people who know what they are doing. For me there is no substitute for people who actually know how to fight AND who know the requirements for screen fighting. I don't like to use actors normally because I like to shoot wide and let the physical skill of the performers be seen.

A good fight sequence is a combination of all factors. I always segment shoot hand to hand or weapons fights. I never ever use the master shot followed by closeups method. It doesn't work well. Each camera shot needs to be composed for the movement being performed IMO. So you need to have a good mind and know the edit in your head.

We also generally make fights up on the spot. This is because of the spontaneity. But I do work with people who have worked on Hong Kong productions and therefore know what they are doing.

The subject of fight sequences is very deep actually and hard to sum up in one message. I will say to be very careful though!
 
If you can hire an experience stunt guy who is familiar with fights/driving- even for one day- they wealth of knowledge they will give you will be invaluable. The first time I worked w/ a pro was on a western. I though I knew all about blocking fights/stunts/chases, but no... I was schooled! the stunt guy helped guide me as to what angles would work for what effects. I changed my shotlist that day, and everything turned out much better than I thought it could have. It was nice to sit in the theatre and see the audience cringe and hear them gasp at the right time!
 
You might want to shoot with a fast shutter speed (or "narrow shuter angle"). Jack the shutter speed up to 1/250 or higher, depending on how much light you have to work with.

It'll give you a nice urgent strobing effect (check out the fight scenes in Gladiator or the beach in Saving Private Ryan for an example of what this looks like)
 
@j
Thanks for your advise, really appreciate that but, he problem is that I'm in Nigeria with no movie industry. What we have is a video market / industry with nothing but dramas. So no (exprienced) stunt guy, but we have tons of martial arts guys that can double for the actors. I just have to manage this or nothing, so if possible, I will appreciate any info I can get online.
Thanks
 
surad if u can get a dvd of time and tide it was shot by christopher doyle (hksc) it'll inspire u! i've worked wif hongkong stuntmans in singapore the best is capture their reactions b4 start fighting like track back zoom in or u could just hang ur camera on a crane spin and bring it down and use oso the oldest book in the trick quick pans and zooming in continously together wif a little shake 4 impact ! try hanheld letsay if ur talent is falling down u can face ur camera on the ground when he or she falls down u pull ur camera back and use fisheye coz it give u the extra edge and hongkong directors seems to love it!
 
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