Fight Design

FULL DISCLOSURE: John Kreng and Melissa Tracy are talented filmmakers and good friends of mine whom I've had the wonderful opportunity to work with. Every time we get together, we discuss movies and our favorite scenes, especially action scenes. Listening to them speak, it's like a campfire talk and it's so informative.

This video, though short, is that campfire chat delivered in a fun and stand-up manner, as evidenced by the audience reaction. John's talk is a distillation culled from his informative book on this subject: "Fight Choreography: The Art of Non-Verbal Dialogue"

It's great information that is to the point and informative not only to filmmakers but to anyone interested in fight choreography.

The round table discussion in the 2nd half is good information from the other aspects: insurance, visual effects, stunts, and screen writing.

All the topics discussed gives you just enough information for you to want to seek more later.

Highly recommend!

I wish I watched this before I started developing my action film. If you are an independent director/producer who is about action film, it is good to watch this. I had to ask around and I was lucky enough to know people who make action films, but you are doomed if you don't know them.

Stunt coordinator, VFX director, the second unit director, stunt people, director, writer, insurance agent talk about what kind of things you need to worry about, pay attention and prepare.

This is primarily for pre-production. I wish the DVD also has the section about how to create shots, how to place the camera and stunts, but you can find the information in another place but not about pre-production so much.

When you have no experience and friends who can tell you what to do to create action films, it's good to watch this.