Short fight test

I

InvictusX

Member
Just got together with some friends to test out our new XL-2 (not DVX, but since this section seems to be focused more so on content I was just hoping it'd be ok?) and some fight choreography. NO attention was payed to things like lighting, sound, and the usual filmmaking conventions at ALL, as that's not what this was meant to test or demonstrate. Didn't have much time, so a lot of things are sloppy, but let me know what you guys think about the choreography, camera angles (though the cameraman didn't do what I wanted for a few of them), and performances. Be gentle, it's our first time. ;)

http://www.doubleedgemd.com/movies/Beads.mpg

-Michael Johnson, Double Edge Movie Designs
 
whooooaaaa dude! that's nice!!! good stuff! looks like some serious coreo. good work. keep it up!

Was that all real time speed? It looks solid and every moves packs a oomph!
 
Thanks, I appreciate the encouragement. Yeah, it's all shot in regular 24p, but I think I might have screwed up when editing it and cut down on the frame rate or something. Well, either way, if anyone else likes it (one person liking it was plenty surprise to me) and wants an action director/choreographer for the new york area between mid may and august, I'd be thrilled to see how more experienced people work (I'm really new on the filmmaking scene).
 
great stuff man! very cool fight scene
there was one really out of focus shot, but that's it
it seems some parts were in fast motion?
 
Awesome.....**** those guys are good....which style is that, kung-fu? Your camera work is awesome....all the shots were nice and tight....kept the camera feeling real smooth and fluid just like a real fight scene should be done! Good job my friend.
 
Good job. I thought that the SFX were really good. What program did you cut this in? Any secrets on syncing those SFX? Keep it up.

John
 
It almost looks like Wing Chun, in a way. I liked it. I need to see more of these kinds of clips. I can never get enough of the fighting stuff... :)
 
Focus Focus Focus, Faster Zooms and Iris control are all things you need to learn. I have shot Jap- Fighting films and i have learned more angles and the faster the cuts via editing is the best and only way to make it look as real as possible.
 
Thanks all, the style is pretty much whatever move I thought would look good next, but yeah, a lot of it is influenced by kung fu, wushu, and wing chun.

I edited it in adobe premiere, and the way I synced the sfx up was just by going to the frame where contact was made, and inserting the sfx so it ended a frame or two after it, and maybe moving it a frame or two forward or back if it still sounded weird. I'm not very experienced, but I at least know that a frame or two can make all the difference in sfx syncing.

Thanks, I'm going to need to read more about the focus, zoom, and iris controls. I don't particularly like the main Japanese style of action, though, I'd much prefer the Hong Kong style with long takes and clarity in the moves, though perhaps sacrificing a bit of realism for it. Another thing I prefer about the Hong Kong style is that it needs to rely on the actors, not the editing, for intensity and power. In this case, realism isn't something I was particularly concerned with in a short about magic teleporting beads. ;) Thank you, I appreciate your feedback, and would be interested in seeing some of the fights you worked on? I would like to learn more about how to properly use the faster editing, more angles style-perhaps on learning more I'd come to prefer that instead.
 
I enjoyed that - nicely done. The SFX were well placed, but I think that they were a little to high pitched. They reminded me of the SFX from the old Batman and Robin TV shows with the "Ka-Pow" 's. I think that if they were pitch shifted down a little it would move away from that comic book feel. But I enjoyed the editing, the music, and the flow of the piece. You did a great job on framing and keeping the shots very fluid. Was that all hand held, or did you use a something?
 
It would be nice to see some other angles in the sequences - like the classic Chinese wide angle or low angles of fighting - perhaps a overhead shot - remember justify your angles with the punches and kicks (which you did for the drop to the floor and hit on garage door) The best part is when the bad guy changes to match the good guy's clothing - that is a subtle character moment when the audience realizes that they have equal capability/skills - Ala Jet Li's The One - maybe show the fat guy winning a little in the garage.
 
I see... More varied camerawork and tone down the sfx... Thanks! Oh, and changing the clothing, that was actually just because the garage was cold-there was zero attempt at characterization or plot.

-wait, no, I meant thanks cuz that was a completely intentional added layer of depth and design to the fight...<suspicious cough!>
 
I know you are just experimenting but dude get a better location at least. I would stay away from the hand held technique. If you want to go Hong Kong style, get more wides. Try not to use too much cuts. Just cut to a CU when necessary. Overall, it was good! Not bad young hoppers. Which one of the dudes is you? I could use some fighters. :)
 
Excellent work my friend, Sometimes the best thing comes from lack of set ups :)

I do have one question: Where or how you got the sound effects?


I live in Manhattan in NYC, My martial art friends and I are planning to shoot something as well. If youre in the city, PM me... like to work together
 
The sound effects seemed to be distorted a little with the compression, they sound much better straight from the sources. I ripped them from various films for the time being, I'm planning on making my own for larger productions. I'll send you a pm.
 
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