Elements of an Action Scene by James Jaeger

The following elements may be present in an action scene - especially in the cinemascope aspect ratio:

1) High contrast lighting with rich color saturation.

2) Smoke

3) Hissing sounds

4) Moving camera (Panaglide or hand held)

5) Bright (moving) lights shining in the camera (HMIs)

6) Impacts mixed to the bass end

7) Moving objects in the foreground of frame as we see action

8) Close ups mixed with long shots to jar the scene around

9) Dripping sparklers to simulate severed electrical lines

10) Red and orange general lighting

11) Red highlights against steel blue

12) Water dripping or running

Reference film: See Jan De Bont's DP work in DIE HARD.

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