Everybody loves a good chase scene. Be it a horror, a comedy, a thriller - there are few films that do not contain some sort of 'Chase sequence'; an indulgence in a sudden change of pacing and mood to capture the imagination of the viewer and take them on a short journey within the storyline.
Although today's cinema appears to be focusing more on the action, and the CGI, and the special effects more than the plot and the emotional connection between the characters and the audience, it is important to remember that a chase scene must happen for a reason, and does not stand on its own unless there is a motive.
A chase scene gives the filmmaker a chance to pick up the storyline and take it further, push the characters to the limit and develop the relationships within the film. It is all touch and go.
As Agatha Christie once famously said:
The task was to create and film a 1-2 minute chase scene of choice on a phone.
There are several ways of creating a chase scene, and the editing is just as important as the plot and the cinematography. For example, if it were a comedic scene, the chase might change pacing throughout showing a quick succession of images followed by a break or pause in the action, and then carrying on again.
E.g: http://vimeo.com/88075738 - Shot on a Samsung S4.
E.g: http://vimeo.com/88152130
If it were an action adventure chase scene the pacing could be quite fast, and the tone perhaps more serious with a sense of impending distress and even doom.
E.g: http://vimeo.com/88231145 - shot on an iPhone.
An unusual chase sequence might be one that is very slow paced and edited, which could create a tense atmosphere and a feeling of suspense.
E.g: http://vimeo.com/88235756 - Shot on an iPhone 5S.
Some of the best chase scenes comply to this idea.
This excerpt from the film Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a brilliant example of a chase scene with a varied pace. As most of the sequence is in slow motion, the intercutting between clips is slow, but the same amount of tension required to keep the audience in their seats is still attained.
Perhaps it could be said that a chase scene in slow-motion can create the same amount, if not more distress and suspense for the viewer as a quick intercutting chase scene.
Here are some other great chase scenes:
Although today's cinema appears to be focusing more on the action, and the CGI, and the special effects more than the plot and the emotional connection between the characters and the audience, it is important to remember that a chase scene must happen for a reason, and does not stand on its own unless there is a motive.
A chase scene gives the filmmaker a chance to pick up the storyline and take it further, push the characters to the limit and develop the relationships within the film. It is all touch and go.
As Agatha Christie once famously said:
"The thrill is in the chase, never in the capture".
The task was to create and film a 1-2 minute chase scene of choice on a phone.
There are several ways of creating a chase scene, and the editing is just as important as the plot and the cinematography. For example, if it were a comedic scene, the chase might change pacing throughout showing a quick succession of images followed by a break or pause in the action, and then carrying on again.
E.g: http://vimeo.com/88075738 - Shot on a Samsung S4.
E.g: http://vimeo.com/88152130
If it were an action adventure chase scene the pacing could be quite fast, and the tone perhaps more serious with a sense of impending distress and even doom.
E.g: http://vimeo.com/88231145 - shot on an iPhone.
An unusual chase sequence might be one that is very slow paced and edited, which could create a tense atmosphere and a feeling of suspense.
E.g: http://vimeo.com/88235756 - Shot on an iPhone 5S.
Some of the best chase scenes comply to this idea.
This excerpt from the film Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a brilliant example of a chase scene with a varied pace. As most of the sequence is in slow motion, the intercutting between clips is slow, but the same amount of tension required to keep the audience in their seats is still attained.
Here are some other great chase scenes:
- The Italian Job - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtWkewqIFDM
- Casino Royale - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZxNbAwY_rk
- The Matrix - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwtifqCmGuw
- Star Trek into Darkness - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwGVSNv_H1U
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