Uncover the Hidden Secrets of Editing Fight Scenes in Major Hollywood Films with this Atomic Blonde Breakdown
Cover image via Focus Features.
If you’ve ever been curious about the intricate process of choreographing, shooting, and editing a complex fight scene in a major Hollywood feature film, then you’re in for a treat. This 12-minute breakdown of Atomic Blonde will give you a behind-the-scenes look at just how much effort goes into creating these intense sequences.
In this breakdown, Second Unit Director and Stunt Coordinator Sam Hargreave (with an impressive list of credits) provides an entertaining and informative analysis of the physical, mental, and filmmaking skills required to deliver some jaw-dropping combat scenes.
It’s worth noting that Charlize Theron dedicated six to eight weeks of personal training to prepare for this sequence.
As an editor, I’ve picked out three key takeaways from the video that you can apply to your own projects, even if they’re not fight scenes.
Action Editing Technique — Frame Dropping
At 2.55, Sam demonstrates the use of Frame Dropping in specific moments of the fight sequence.
This editing technique is commonly employed in action scenes and fight sequences to create an intense sense of speed and violence by removing specific frames.
In this fight scene, Sam highlights the gun disarm and a dislocation kick to the knee as examples of frame dropping (the two frames in between have been dropped). However, this technique can be applied to tighten any action shot, not just combat sequences.
Sound Sells Everything
While the physical impact of a punch, kick, or hit is crucial, the true power lies in sound design.
Throughout the breakdown, Sam emphasizes the importance of well-timed sound effects to enhance the action and mask any filmmaking tricks. As you watch the scene, you’ll notice that the impacts, grunts, whips, and whooshes dominate the audio.
PremiumBeat offers a vast library of royalty-free production music, as well as a collection of sound effects, including some freebies that you can experiment with on your next project.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into the secrets of film sound design, be sure to check out this video essay on the sound design of David Fincher’s Fight Club by Ren Klyce and Richard Hymns.
Fragments and Full Takes
One of the most effective editing techniques is to let the action play out without cutting. However, in a fight scene, this is only possible if the actors or stunt performers can captivate the audience with their fighting skills. Otherwise, as Sam suggests, quick cuts or shaky cam can be used to hide any shortcomings.
In the Atomic Blonde breakdown, Sam discusses the use of short fragments edited together to create seamless whip-pans, as well as longer steady shots that provide breathing room for the audience before the action resumes.
The following episode of Every Frame a Painting explores the differences between Eastern and Western fight scenes, with a focus on showcasing the skills of martial artists like Jackie Chan.
Do you have any tips for editing fight scenes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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