Just wanted to post an update on Weekly Gestures since the beginning of the semester, been kind of rough trying to build confidence and still practicing fundamentals everyday! I hope to keep posting!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Anatomy of a Fight Scene
Hey guys this is the first time I am doing something like this, I will be analyzing fight scenes and sharing knowledge I have gained through out my time as an animation student going down the path of storyboarding. A lot of this information I learned during lectures and other events that I went to, as well as professors passing things along to me as extra learning information! So before we get started I would like to thank those people that I learned from first Jeff Jackson, Gian Carlo Volpe, and Steve Hickner!
This post is specifically about Fight/Action Scenes and Eye Trace.
SO LET'S BEGIN!
This is a basic plot arc/story arc for almost any story you are trying to tell whether its film, television, etc. Thats very very basic... Let's imagine a more complex story arc where each scene has its own arc as well.
Something similar to this.
- A Scene starts off Good ( + ) but ends Bad ( - )
- A Scene starts off Bad ( - ) but ends Good ( + )
- A Scene starts off Good ( + ) but ends GREAT ( ++ )
- A Scene starts off Bad ( - ) but ends HORRIBLE ( -- )
What I mean by this, if you're given a scene to storyboard or a piece to paint you have to think overall...
"Where does my scene take place?"
"Did something bad just happen to the main character? or something good?"
"How does my scene fit in to the overall plot?"
If you know the "charges" in your scene you can emphasize those emotions to really push what you're trying to say.
In the real world you won't be given one scene with one emotion arc all the time so you have to think how your scene will effect the WHOLE plot.
So watch the clip a second time and keep your mouse cursor on where the focus is. The cutting is a bit fast still BUT it reads so clear and the whole time you know whats happening. If you keep your mouse cursor on the screen and follow the action you'll see that it stays in the same general area. That allows the audience to follow along.
Another cool thing with this scene is that they throw in the reaction of Marie ( Franka Potente ) exactly at the focal point of the action so you see her reaction to what is going on. This scene would not have worked if it wasn't for the eye trace especially at how fast everything was cutting.
Now watch that scene again and see how the tangents play out in framing the two characters! It was awesome when Jeff Jackson showed it to me to watch. I analyzed it myself so I hope I don't disappoint him! All the Acts of a fight scene and stuff in the beginning was from Gian Carlo Volpe who I got the pleasure to watch speak at CTNx! The Eye tracing I learned from the amazing Steve Hickner! The story arcs stuff I kind of observed on my own and will probably get into more on how to view a story etc. I hope this was helpful and clear! Thank you for reading all this and again I hope it was helpful!
Credit:
Gian Carlo Volpe - http://giancarlovolpe.tumblr.com/ http://www.giancarlovolpe.com/Home.html
Jeff Jackson - http://sonjebasa.blogspot.com/
Avatar The Last Airbender - The Blind Bandit directed by Ethan Spaulding created by Michael Dante Di Martino and Bryan Konietzko Nickelodeon Animation Studios
Rise of The Guardians - Directed by Peter Ramsey Dreamworks Animation Studios
The Bourne Identity - Directed by Doug Liman Universal Pictures, The Marshall Company Choreographed by Jeff Imada
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Directed by Michael Bay Paramount Pictures
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - Directed by Gore Verbinski Walt Disney Pictures Choreographed by Bob Anderson
Kill Bill Vol. 1 - Directed by Quentin Tarantino Miramax Films Choreographed by Yuen Woo-Ping
The Matrix - Directed by Andy Wachowski & Lana Wachowski, Scene Choreographed by Yuen Woo-Ping
This post is specifically about Fight/Action Scenes and Eye Trace.
SO LET'S BEGIN!
Story Arcs
This is a basic plot arc/story arc for almost any story you are trying to tell whether its film, television, etc. Thats very very basic... Let's imagine a more complex story arc where each scene has its own arc as well.
Something similar to this.Negative & Positive Charges
A fight scene or action scene Negative Charges and Positive Charges- A Scene starts off Good ( + ) but ends Bad ( - )
- A Scene starts off Bad ( - ) but ends Good ( + )
- A Scene starts off Good ( + ) but ends GREAT ( ++ )
- A Scene starts off Bad ( - ) but ends HORRIBLE ( -- )
What I mean by this, if you're given a scene to storyboard or a piece to paint you have to think overall...
"Where does my scene take place?"
"Did something bad just happen to the main character? or something good?"
"How does my scene fit in to the overall plot?"
If you know the "charges" in your scene you can emphasize those emotions to really push what you're trying to say.
In the real world you won't be given one scene with one emotion arc all the time so you have to think how your scene will effect the WHOLE plot.
Why are they fighting?
There are a lot of fight scenes that happen for no reason or if there is a reason its not CLEAR enough. If you give your characters a reason to fight it emphasizes the emotions and your storyboards. You want your fight scene to be CLEAR and READABLE!
MAKE SURE A 5 YEAR OLD CAN SEE AND UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING!
Giving a reason to fight doesn't mean it is said either try to avoid "state the obvious" lines
"We need to stop him!" "There's too many!" "This is bad"
"We need to stop him!" "There's too many!" "This is bad"
It may sometimes be in the writing but you want to make it LOOK CLEAR as well ...
Aang vs Toph Fight Scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ7yRxIk5dw
In the fight scene it is stated many times why Aang is there facing against Toph. Now if you mute and just pay attention to what Aang is doing ( he is not fighting back) and how Toph reacts ( She's offensive and throwing the punches ). Just by watching them you can tell Aang doesn't want to fight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ7yRxIk5dw
In the fight scene it is stated many times why Aang is there facing against Toph. Now if you mute and just pay attention to what Aang is doing ( he is not fighting back) and how Toph reacts ( She's offensive and throwing the punches ). Just by watching them you can tell Aang doesn't want to fight.
Acts of a Fight Scene
Remembering what I said before about Negative and Positive charges to a scene apply them to a fight scene. Also remember that story arc? Apply that to a fight scene as well and you have your self Acts to a fight scene! Let's break fight scenes into three basic acts with the same results with the Negative and Positive Charges.
1. Hero is winning +
1. Hero is winning +
2. Villain starts winning -
3 Hero rallies and pulls it off ++
1. Villain is winning -
2. Villain is winning more - -
3. Hero stops Villain at last minute +
1. Villain is winning -
1. Villain is winning -
2. Villain is winning more - -
3. Hero stops Villain at last minute +
1. Villain is winning -
2. Hero starts stopping him +
3. Villain kills Hero - -
1. Hero is winning +
3. Villain kills Hero - -
1. Hero is winning +
2. Villain starts winning instead -
3. Villain annihilates the Hero - -
**Any scene you watch or create are not limited to these scenarios, these are just examples**
3. Villain annihilates the Hero - -
**Any scene you watch or create are not limited to these scenarios, these are just examples**
There are also 2 act fight scenes ( You can interchange these into a 3 act fight scene as well )
1. Villain is winning -
1. Villain is winning -
2. Hero rallies & pulls it off +
1. Hero is winning +
2. Villain beats Hero -
1. Hero is winning +
2. Hero vanquishes villain forever ++
1. Villain is winning -
2. Villain delivers Coup de Grace ( The Final Blow ) - -
Keep in Mind
Punch Porn
Stay away from "Punch Porn" a good example of this is Dragon Ball Z! Not to say the fight scenes in DBZ are bad they are just the same... Punch Porn...
Use the Background/Space
The best fights move around and are aware of the space the characters are in, it makes a difference and adds tension and room for surprises. This will make your fights less predictable even though the outcome are sometimes the same ( i.e. The Hero wins )
Hey What About Us?
Make sure that EVERYONE is involved the scene doesn't have to revolve around the fight or if there are other people there don't make them just sit around and wait till the fight is done because thats not real. Don't forget others in the scene or in the movie.
The Clips!
Sorry the beginning was very word heavy but now I will show you guys clips and analyze them and point out things I just said as well as Eye Trace.
Real quick...Eye Trace
A lot of you probably know what Eye Trace is but if not...
Eye Trace is keeping the focal point consistent from shot to shot so that the audience can follow along with the actions happening on screen.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Eye Trace is keeping the focal point consistent from shot to shot so that the audience can follow along with the actions happening on screen.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Bourne Identity: Pen vs. Knife Fight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFnmq5PPScASo watch the clip a second time and keep your mouse cursor on where the focus is. The cutting is a bit fast still BUT it reads so clear and the whole time you know whats happening. If you keep your mouse cursor on the screen and follow the action you'll see that it stays in the same general area. That allows the audience to follow along.
Another cool thing with this scene is that they throw in the reaction of Marie ( Franka Potente ) exactly at the focal point of the action so you see her reaction to what is going on. This scene would not have worked if it wasn't for the eye trace especially at how fast everything was cutting.
More Clips...
Rise of the Guardians - Pitch Fight
Let's observe the Negative and Positive Charges of this fight.
We begin at a neutral point and Sandy & Jack gain the upper hand + Then Pitch summons his nightmares - REINFORCEMENTS come to help Sandy and Jack! + They all start fighting and beating the nightmares ++ Pitch kills Sandy & gets away - -
It's nice to show Santa, Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy join the fight otherwise you'd think "Where the heck are they?" ( i.e. Agents of SHIELD ). You can also look at the eye trace here however it is wedged inbetween establishing where the characters are, before Pitch brings in his nightmares.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Optimus vs Sentinel vs Megatron
Again observing the Negative and Positive Charges.
Optimus is winning + Sentinel rips off his arm and continues bashing him - Megatron interrupts the fight +/- Optimus kills Megatron + Optimus kills Sentinel ++
I did not include the other side of the fight but do you see how it is shown to kind of break up the fight? We don't need to see Megatron beat up Sentinel.
I did not include the other side of the fight but do you see how it is shown to kind of break up the fight? We don't need to see Megatron beat up Sentinel.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl - Jack vs Will
For this particular scene let's just take a look at the characters. How many times does Jack cheat his way through the fight? How are the two characters different in the way they fight. The eye trace is always there and thats done very well. Where are they fighting?
In a BLACKSMITH SHOP! Do you see Will grabbing swords around him and using it in the fight! Hey there's a donkey there let's add him the fight can't forget the donkey. The donkey moving changes the environment now these giant gears are moving. They start fighting on top of the ceiling pillars. Then theres the drunk blacksmith in the end, we didn't forget about him either!
The fight scene is incorporated with a lot of information,we find out Will isn't going to let Jack get away, we learn about Will's character and that he's a blacksmith and practices sword fighting everyday. Also after all this cheating Jack has done he is saving his last bullet? For who? This fight scene isn't just a fight scene, it's a fight scene thats part of a bigger story!
In a BLACKSMITH SHOP! Do you see Will grabbing swords around him and using it in the fight! Hey there's a donkey there let's add him the fight can't forget the donkey. The donkey moving changes the environment now these giant gears are moving. They start fighting on top of the ceiling pillars. Then theres the drunk blacksmith in the end, we didn't forget about him either!
The fight scene is incorporated with a lot of information,we find out Will isn't going to let Jack get away, we learn about Will's character and that he's a blacksmith and practices sword fighting everyday. Also after all this cheating Jack has done he is saving his last bullet? For who? This fight scene isn't just a fight scene, it's a fight scene thats part of a bigger story!
That's another thing to think about with fight scenes just because you are assigned a fight scene doesn't mean "okay I'm gonna make this a bad ass fight scene and everyones gonna be like OH MAN REMEMBER THAT FIGHT SCENE?!" No. You need to think of ways to incorporate more into the story. There are fights that are like that but I feel anyone can think of cool "bad ass" scenarios. It takes a better storyboard artist to incorporate the bigger picture.
Kill Bill Vol. 1 - Trailer Fight
This particular fight scene takes place and is limited to a trailer and it effects the fight which makes it more interesting to watch. Do you see how they can't get the katana out of its shiv? Or how they use the kitchen counter, the lamp, then they break through into the bathroom, etc. It is all unexpected and it keeps things interesting.
The Matrix - I Know Kung Fu Fight
I'm going to end on this fight because I feel its the best of the bunch eye trace is excellent and it also uses the background amazingly! This mimics one of Jeff Jackson's posts ( one of my professors/mentors at San Jose State University ).
Let's analyze these Screen Shots I've taken. I've drawn out the space Neo occupies in Red and the space Morpheus occupies in Green
Let's analyze these Screen Shots I've taken. I've drawn out the space Neo occupies in Red and the space Morpheus occupies in Green
Look at how the dojo's pillars frames the characters in this establishing shot. The fight starts off and they are equal. The light from the left shines right one Neo, our main character. Note that Neo is in white, the student, and Morpheus in black, the master.
Again we see the pillars frame Neo establishing his space.
During this part of the fight Neo is on the offensive he occupies more space while Morpheus is being attacked and he is being pushed towards frame right being constricted.
They continue to battle it out still being framed by the pillars.
Again Neo is on the attack and has more space attempting to break into Morpheus's occupied space.
Morpheus is winning and breaks the space Neo occupies.
Morpheus is high above Neo but now Morpheus takes up the whole Right side of the screen, again being framed by the top pillars. Neo's space is now restricted to the floor and the ground is now framing him not the pillars of the dojo.
Continuing the fight and again Morpheus continues to crash through Neo's occupied space.
A down shot of Neo showing he's inferior and is ultimately losing the fight.
Neo is losing this fight and is being constricted in his space and is being pushed to the far left side of the screen.
Neo is now in the air, is there hope for him to win and take advantage of Morpheus?
Again and again using the pillars to divide space and frame the characters Morpheus breaks into Neo's occupied space.
The pillar breaks and Neo is defeated.
Morpheus stands right in front of a pillar signifying that he is not broken also blocking the pillar shows the space he is occupying all of it, not being divided by pillars its all his now.
They start the fight again and now the space is being established yet again. Morpheus being framed by the pillars and Neo attempting to break into his space.
These two shots pan starting from left to right and the pillars show how the space is transferring from the top image, Neo pushing into Morpheus's space and panning across switching to Morpheus being offensive taking over Neo's occupied space.
Divided evenly!
Neo wins and has pushed Morpheus up against his pillar. Not needing to break the pillar Neo knows he has won. The pillar in the back is also framing Morpheus's face.
Credit:
Gian Carlo Volpe - http://giancarlovolpe.tumblr.com/ http://www.giancarlovolpe.com/Home.html
Jeff Jackson - http://sonjebasa.blogspot.com/
Avatar The Last Airbender - The Blind Bandit directed by Ethan Spaulding created by Michael Dante Di Martino and Bryan Konietzko Nickelodeon Animation Studios
Rise of The Guardians - Directed by Peter Ramsey Dreamworks Animation Studios
The Bourne Identity - Directed by Doug Liman Universal Pictures, The Marshall Company Choreographed by Jeff Imada
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Directed by Michael Bay Paramount Pictures
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - Directed by Gore Verbinski Walt Disney Pictures Choreographed by Bob Anderson
Kill Bill Vol. 1 - Directed by Quentin Tarantino Miramax Films Choreographed by Yuen Woo-Ping
The Matrix - Directed by Andy Wachowski & Lana Wachowski, Scene Choreographed by Yuen Woo-Ping
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Doodles!
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