Post by FangedSmile on Sept 8, 2009 0:20:05 GMT -6
Was talking to Katie today and found a good analogy for fight scenes when she mentioned DBZ. Notice that villains stand around while the hero catches their breath, rallies a second wind, monologues, or deals with other distractions? I've been in and seen enough fights to last me, but I've never seen that happen. I've seen people beat up unconscious people!
So think about the characters who are fighting. Honor is one thing, but if it's military, life or death, or just a fit of rage they are not going to bow and practice niceties. So here is my analogy:
Fight scenes are like a human versus a large insect. You notice your opponent and are sickened or you both just know that the room isn't big enough for the both of you. You grab a weapon (usually whatever you have on you, like a shoe) and while you are cautious, the fight has no break time. You pounce, smack the shoe against the bug, sometimes freak as it survives and goes for revenge, and then stand victorious over it's corpse.
Now, using this analogy you can think about that "second wind" moment. In many books and shows and movies, the combatants haul themselves to their feet over the course of several minutes, and go on to claim victory. Now think, you stare at that bug a few moments not out of respect, but to make SURE it's dead. If it moves you are not blown away by respect for it, you grab your shoe *WHAMWHAMWHAMWHAM* It so much as twitches after that you grind it down and smear it across the floor with only the knowledge that you're going to need to grab a mop later.
Real fights seem to be just like this so if your character is getting a second wind, the time from on the ground to up and fighting has to either be really quick, or after the opponent has declared victory and is walking away. Now, this does not apply to EVERY fight scene. I don't hate fight scenes where the characters go through their own counseling sessions and make life-altering decisions. Sometimes I love those, but pick the moment carefully. If you opponent is still pissed at you, they're not letting you stand up unless someone is holding them back or they are far away from you.
For more tips: I found this site and it's really helpful even to those without the ability or time to go through each fight step by step. marilynnbyerly.com/marilynnbyerly/page9k.html
So think about the characters who are fighting. Honor is one thing, but if it's military, life or death, or just a fit of rage they are not going to bow and practice niceties. So here is my analogy:
Fight scenes are like a human versus a large insect. You notice your opponent and are sickened or you both just know that the room isn't big enough for the both of you. You grab a weapon (usually whatever you have on you, like a shoe) and while you are cautious, the fight has no break time. You pounce, smack the shoe against the bug, sometimes freak as it survives and goes for revenge, and then stand victorious over it's corpse.
Now, using this analogy you can think about that "second wind" moment. In many books and shows and movies, the combatants haul themselves to their feet over the course of several minutes, and go on to claim victory. Now think, you stare at that bug a few moments not out of respect, but to make SURE it's dead. If it moves you are not blown away by respect for it, you grab your shoe *WHAMWHAMWHAMWHAM* It so much as twitches after that you grind it down and smear it across the floor with only the knowledge that you're going to need to grab a mop later.
Real fights seem to be just like this so if your character is getting a second wind, the time from on the ground to up and fighting has to either be really quick, or after the opponent has declared victory and is walking away. Now, this does not apply to EVERY fight scene. I don't hate fight scenes where the characters go through their own counseling sessions and make life-altering decisions. Sometimes I love those, but pick the moment carefully. If you opponent is still pissed at you, they're not letting you stand up unless someone is holding them back or they are far away from you.
For more tips: I found this site and it's really helpful even to those without the ability or time to go through each fight step by step. marilynnbyerly.com/marilynnbyerly/page9k.html