10/2/15

Video Response: "Why Do Action Scenes Suck?"


    Sure, action scenes in films are great to have for catching people's attention while they're watching a movie trailer, but are they absolutely necessary to make a film more interesting? Action scenes generally don't add anything to the characters or expand the story, so what's the point of having four different fight scenes in one film? This video created by SamAndNiko explains why they believe action scenes suck, and gives amateur filmmakers advice on how to make a successful action scene.
    After watching this video, I learned that good action scenes tend to show the action rather than imply it. Meaning, you should show what's happening with a wider shot, rather than up close with quick camera changes that could confuse viewers. Also, you can improve an action scene by having a longer movement that helps add to the energy and intensity of the scene, having a clear sense of space, and showing an action + reaction in the same shot. Implying an action is described as having too many close ups, obscuring movement, hiding the action, and having a shaky camera which can make it harder for people to understand what's really happening. 
    You should instead use action scenes to your advantage, to convey what a certain character is feeling. Make it more than just a fight, having an emotional arc can make a scene more engrossing. For example, most fight scenes in Star Wars are incredibly emotional; every light saber scene is just the characters trying to get a grip on their emotions. However, creating a good action scene is not easy. You need to have an incredible team working on set, the budget to make it work, and it takes patience, practice, and persistence. 
   I really enjoyed watching this ! I liked how they gave advice for filmmakers instead of just explaining why they believe certain action scenes suck. This video really changed my outlook on most action scenes, and it's definitely something to keep in mind for future projects. 

1 comment:

  1. Yeah! Sam and Niko always do a fantastic job of teaching when they need to. You should check them out! Super awesome filmmakers.

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