How to Choreograph Fights on a Budget

Posted by Azure Pro on March 9th, 2016

If you’re an independent filmmaker, it can be difficult to co-ordinate a fight sequence that looks polished. Below are a few do-it-yourself steps to ensure that you can create the best fight scenes for your independent film project.

We are working on a short film and our actress had no prior experience in fight choreography. However, she was really good at controller her body. We were able to use clever editing techniques and easy fight movements with less than 45 minutes of rehearsal time to create an entertaining combat scene. Check out the trailer to get a sneak peak at the choreography. Fight begins at 30 seconds. f you liked it, take part in our iPods and iPad giveaway.  CD DVD Duplication Toronto

#1 The Breakdown of a Fight

Do you get excited when its time to shoot a fight sequence? There’s a lot of elements that you need to think about before jumping in. Factors such as rhythm, timing, reactions and multiple camera coverage plays a big role in creating a good fight sequence.

Speed: People may think that speed is everything in making a fight look good. However a filmmaker has to think of the fighting style that suits their story, style and characters. Is this fight going to be a ground fight with straight punches only? Or will it be similar to traditional Chinese fight scenes with spins, sophisticated hand movements and take downs? Sometimes, if fight scenes are too fast, the camera may not catch the movement as with Bruce Lee’s example when he did Enter the Dragon, the director, Robert Clouse told him to slow it down.

Rhythm: Fight scenes look better when there are pauses in between techniques so that the choreography has rhythm. For example, a fight will look bland if straight punches are executed one after another. It will look more entertaining if the actor combines a series of combinations at set rhythms. You can think of it like a drummer. He can hit the drum using consistent quarter beats. However if the drummer add half-notes, eighth-notes and other variations mixed into his beat, it’s much more intriguing to listen to.

Timing & Reaction: Make sure that the choreography consists of proper timing and reaction shots. The kicks and punches should connect on camera when the technique is executed. The opponent should also react appropriately to the impact of the hit. Most fights are filmed in a way that the actors look like they are getting hit. In fact, it is where the camera is placed that makes the hit look realistic. VHS To DVD Toronto

Multi Cam: Make sure you get proper coverage for your fight scene. You can utilize different camera angles to your advantage by removing mistakes, doubling up on a set of techniques. Most of the time when I am putting together a fight sequence, I would be using several camera angles and the best takes possible. For example, a filmmaker does not have to use take 1 & 2 from camera A & B for the entire fight. You can switch from take 2 to 5 then from camera A to D if the shots look better on those angles.

During the practice phase, fatigue builds quickly if you don’t rest. Don’t waste all your energy on a rehearsal, instead rehearse slow, get a feel and practice lightly on the technique. You can help save your body from getting injuries as well. Then on the actual take, show the cameras what you’ve got.