Shooting a Fight scene on sticks...

[Evan Butka]

Long story short, a director wanted me to DP his short. He is a huge Fincher fan. That being said, he does not want to do any handheld. There is a short fight scene and a a gang related scene. I mentioned about going slightly handheld for those. The director was not a fan and wants no camera shake. I'm hoping they could rent a dana dolly at lest, but does anyone have any input or references on fight scenes on sticks? Thanks!

 

[Paul Russell]

Have a look at John Wick, and any Jackie Chan movies.
Also, some of the work by Isaac Florentine, another great action director.

The trick is to stay wide.

Watch this, too.

You also might want to try the Hong Kong action movie trick, which is to shoot at 21fps for a target of 24fps. At 180° shutter this has the effect of speeding up naturally.

 

[Robert Hart]

If you can't move the camera, move the fight, as much toward and way from the camera as well as laterally. With a wide lens this will accentuate the dynamics. A good fight choreographer and performers will be a must.

If you are following in really close with a longer lens on things like fist into the gizzard, being on sticks is not going to make much of a difference.

The fight will have to be more tightly choreographed and may lose its essence. Please do not take too much notice of my comments. There are far better folk who will comment and advise.

 

[Rusty Rehl]

Or you could go the Transporter router and make a lot of very quick cuts. It works but it is hard to watch. Jackie Chan does it best!

 

[Eric M Hurt]

Long lens from a low angle with lots of cutting. If he wants to stay wide then the stunt guys / girls will hopefully be very good.

 

[Elsie N]

If you are on a smooth surface get a tripod dolly. A really cool shot is when the fighters are "dancing" in one direction and you are dollying in the opposite direction.