Film / Television / Live Shows

 SAG / AFTRA

 Email:  joe@ninjoe.com

Anatomy of a Live Stunt Fight

First, I would like to thank Eric and Dwayne for helping with this show.
 
Second, I am about to get really critical--about all of us.
 
There are several differences between live stunt fights and picture fights.
Depending on how you film the picture fight: Master shot and coverage vs. segment to segment,
there are certain things you 'let go'. In a master+coverage situation, you want to perform
the fight from start to finish for a wide angle that includes the whole fight. It's OK to
throw some airballs and have a few hits not sell because you're going to cover those
hits with another camera angle/lens.
 
This is a luxury you don't have with a live fight.
 
A picture fight can be shot until it looks correct; not so with a live fight.
There are usually no sound effects in a live fight. In a picture fight, they will be added later; to watch it being filmed is usually not very convincing, unless you're used to it.
 
First Movement :

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 Download the first movement.
(590 kbs)

Notes:
  1. This wasn't technically the first movement. Dwayne and Eric each feint and I sidekick Eric first.
  2. Dwayne's right roundhouse kick was a little low. Not his fault necessarily, we didn't rehearse it much.
  3. I would have preferred Dwayne's punches to be straight ones, and about two to three times faster.
  4. I really open up for the backfist I counter him with. This is a good thing, helps show the audience the technique.
  5. In slow motion, you can really see me slap my chest for the foley sound of the backfist.
  6. My mistake was not following the backfist with something strong because Dwayne has A LOT of time to kill feigning injury while I deal with Eric.

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