The University of Bristol Filmmaking Society
Training Films
In an effort to improve the quality of UBFS films, we are slowly producing little short films with information on how to do things like shoot a conversation or set up a fight scene.
At the moment we have two films to offer you - one on Screen Combat and one on the Line of Action. There is narration in the Line of Action from Kunal Nandi, while captions and the mystic red line in the other provide all the help you need!
The Line of Action
The line of action is a pretty important rule for anyone wishing to film anything ever. Here Kunal (our former UBFS Vice-President) will describe where to place your cameras to make sure nobody watching the film gets too confused over where people are looking and stuff. Using a very sterile example round a table the principle is demonstrated in very simple terms.
Some things to think about:
A lot of people get confused over this rule - sometimes called the "180 Degrees rule" - when really it's very simple. From our experience it's best to think of the line that runs down the middle and make sure you keep your cameras on just one side of that line.
Think of a theatre - the audience is only ever on one side of the action. Keep your cameras in a virtual auditorium seating area and you'll have no problem.
Notice the "looking room" in the character close-up shots - this will be explained in a later tutorial.
[Download] - 4.2 Mb
Screen Combat
This one does exactly what it says on the tin. We begin with a few clincally slow demonstrations of how you should physically place your actors when making a fight scene to make sure, above all things, they don't get hurt.
After you've seen three or so of the principles of screen combat, the film then goes on to show you what sort of effects you can achieve when they are "Used Randomly".
Some things to think about:
When watching, notice how a great deal of authenticity can be achieved without actually showing the impact of a blow.
Who needs to "act" more - the attacker or the victim? Unconvincing punches are the result of wooden victims, not bad attackers.
How effective are the sound effects in the final moments of the film? "Realistic" sounds in fights are never made on set.
Notice the use of free-handed camera work, as well.
[Download] - 5.63 MB