You're a filmmaker shooting an action scene. How can you make it look even more epic?

This is a great question and the answer(s) are many. Less can be more and more can be a BORE. What is the Director trying to say? I had to do George Washington accepting Cornwallis sword in surrender at Yorktown. I was shooting for A&E on Biography and we had about 140 soldiers but there was such gravity and drama my DP and I were not happy. I saw the sun glinting off a sword and came up with a medium tracking shot of just the leg and scabbard/sword of Cornwallis riding into a 2 shot with GW, Cornwallis took the sword out of the scabbard and when he removed the sword the setting sun revealed it just so dramatically. We shot is at 36FPS and when he handed it to Washington we had the shot. THAT moment was what the scene was about.

A gimbal is an indispensable tool in filmmaking for achieving stable, dynamic, and cinematic shots. It allows for smooth, unrestricted camera movement in all directions. Gimbals are particularly effective in capturing fast-paced action, enabling you to follow characters during running, jumping, fighting, or driving scenes, thereby infusing a sense of speed and movement. They also facilitate seamless transitions between various angles and perspectives, adding depth and intrigue to your scenes. Beyond enhancing the aesthetics of movement, a gimbal is crucial for avoiding shaky and blurry footage, which can detract from the viewer's experience.

Planned choreography and quick cuts are great. When everyone has had a chance to rehearse the action it goes so smoothly. Quick cuts and the right might music can achieve everything.

One thing I’ve found helpful is the use of handheld with action scenes, it’s gives it that dramatic realistic feel and engages the audience in the story!

To craft an even more epic action scene, a filmmaker can strategically employ visual effects (VFX) alongside practical elements. Incorporating realistic explosions, debris, and dynamic environments using VFX can intensify the impact of the scene. Enhancing camera movements through virtual cameras and motion tracking adds a cinematic flair, while slow-motion effects and time manipulation emphasize key moments. Seamless integration of VFX with practical elements, along with attention to detail in physics simulations, guarantees a captivating and memorable action sequence that resonates with the audience.

If you have a low budget and can't afford to shoot many takes, you can create good action scenes in editing by using this "2 cameras-2 angles-2 takes" shooting system. Set-Up One: For take 1: Camera A is low on a wide lens. Camera B is high on a long lens. For take 2: (Do not move the cameras! Just change the lenses) Camera A is low on a tight lens. Camera B is high on a wide lens. Set-Up Two: (NOW change the camera positions) For take 1: Camera A is high on a wide lens. Camera B is high on a long lens. For take 2: (Do not move the cameras! Just change the lenses) Camera A is high on a long lens. Camera B is high on a wide lens. This "2 cameras-2 angles-2 takes" system is a fast way to create a variety of interesting cuts in editing.

You need to set the mood. Is it going to be “epic” like Gladiator or “edgy”, like Batman. The fight scenes in Lethal weapon with Mel Gibson and Gary Busey were shakey, tight, high shutter speed , and lots of shooting into lights to make you feel uneasy. “The 300” used a very dramatic LUT in color treatment and used a lot of speed ramping for visual effect. Decide what color treatment you want, what type of music bed to use ( which is very important) and the tone. You might want to think about your lighting style. Is it going to be very “High Contrast”. There is much preplanning if you want continuity. Be creative and let it evolve!????????????

One main thing to consider, is the style of the action you are filming. Is there one style or a mixture. For me its all about the story behind and within the action. That is how you will find your answer to this question.

Every story is different... The same it can be relevant to the audience, style, composition, narrative feel. Epic scene for drama movie or action, thriller? Approach to specific scene depending on one of the rule of 6 from Walter Murch book in a "Blink of an eye". You need to consider several aspects. One of them is "rhythm" another "emotion". You need to know what reactions you need to convey through specific episode/sequence. If you want to give energy and impact, music, sfx or silent pause gives a new opportunity to tell a story. Other way transition/vfx and every visual approach that make the scene absolutely different.

Para elevar las escenas de acción, es clave planificar meticulosamente, balanceando el ritmo de edición con una narrativa visual que profundice en la historia y los personajes. Utilizar la ambientación y la motivación de los personajes enriquece la inmersión y conecta emocionalmente con la audiencia. Así, combinando ritmos dinámicos con una trama coherente, se logran escenas no solo espectaculares sino también significativas, elevando la experiencia cinematográfica y manteniendo al espectador comprometido.