{"id":85712,"date":"2017-01-17T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-01-17T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=85712"},"modified":"2017-01-16T15:13:15","modified_gmt":"2017-01-16T21:13:15","slug":"how-to-film-car-chase-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/how-to-film-car-chase-scene\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Tips for Filming a Thrilling Car Chase Scene"},"content":{"rendered":"

Floor it! Here are six pieces of practical advice and some behind-the-scenes\u00a0tutorials on how to safely and efficiently film a pedal-to-the-metal car chase scene.<\/h2>\n

Cover image via Bullitt (Solar Productions)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In way, cinema was built for the car chase, <\/strong>at least in the U.S.A. It\u2019s everything we want to see. It\u2019s loud, it\u2019s dangerous, it\u2019s action and conflict and decades of industry innovation<\/strong> all rolled into one explosive sequence of roaring engines and sweaty palms<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re attempting a car chase scene for the first time <\/strong>(or even just starting production on your first film, no matter the subject), carry this truth with you in every<\/strong> moment: Safety is your top priority. <\/strong>Always, always, always work to ensure the safety of your actors,\u00a0your crew, your cars, your equipment, and the safety of the surrounding area.<\/p>\n

It takes a tightly controlled, well-rehearsed and creative mind to orchestrate a proper car scene<\/strong> that gives audiences reasons to sweat. Let\u2019s dive into some tips, tricks, <\/strong>and\u00a0practical behind-the-scenes advice<\/strong>\u00a0from some of the best in the business.<\/p>\n

1. Tightly Script Everything<\/h3>\n

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\n<\/a>Image via Shutterstock<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In hindsight, every polarizing problem<\/strong> I’ve ever encountered on a shoot, whether\u00a0the over-all experience was\u00a0positive or negative,\u00a0can be\u00a0traced back to pre-production<\/strong>. With that in mind, the following can’t be overstated: If you want your car chase shoot to be safe, professional,<\/strong> and fun,<\/strong> you simply must<\/strong>\u00a0put in the time to tightly script out<\/strong> every single part of it. Period<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

And it’s more than just traditional scripting. A good pre-production plan should include a binder (sometimes several) of meticulous plans for every\u00a0tiny part of the shoot<\/strong>. You can start broad and write out what you want for the final product, but be prepared to expand on<\/strong>, in practical terms, how every screech, side-glance, and burnout will sound, look, and feel, along with exactly how you will film it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

2. Control Your Environment<\/h3>\n

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\n<\/a>Image via ct.gov<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Giving due diligence to scripting<\/strong>\u00a0will give you the most control over your production<\/strong>, which, when filming something as dangerous<\/strong> and traditionally out of control<\/strong> as a car chase, will help you get the best footage.<\/p>\n

This doesn’t only apply to car interiors and the space immediately around your camera. To truly<\/em> control your full set, you’ll need to clearly define<\/strong> and lay out\u00a0<\/strong>the entire environment.<\/strong> This includes all the areas your camera will see as it moves around, in addition to “buffer” spaces around the action designed to safely protect the cast and crew from\u00a0any unexpected automotive mishaps<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

3. Use Professionals<\/h3>\n

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\n<\/a>Image via Bold Films<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Which brings us to the next important tip: Use professional drivers!<\/strong> Unless you plan on shooting in a stationary car<\/a> against a green screen<\/a>, you’ll really be putting\u00a0yourself and your crew in harm’s way<\/strong>\u00a0if you enlist non-professional friends to perform complex car maneuvers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Stunt driving<\/strong>\u00a0isn’t just a noble profession \u2014 it’s an art form dependent on strict adherence to safety protocols<\/strong> for the benefit of everyone involved. Hiring trained professionals<\/strong> is your best bet if you’re concerned with staying on schedule and staying safe.<\/p>\n

4. Move the Camera Around<\/h3>\n

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\n<\/a>Image via Yonkers<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Arguably,\u00a0the best car chases<\/strong>\u00a0are the ones that get creative and make the most use of diverse camera shots<\/strong> from many different places and angles. The possibilities\u00a0really are endless<\/strong>. Even inside the car, you have a huge array of shots to consider<\/strong>. Study the classics<\/a>\u00a0and see what decisions your favorite directors<\/strong> have made, and take note of\u00a0which scenes you like and why.<\/p>\n

Once you have your base, make your plan to include shots you are certain will work<\/strong> and add a few that you might not<\/em> be so sure about, as you haven’t actually seen them pulled off before<\/strong>. As long as your main coverage is solid and controlled, you can free yourself to experiment.<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. Don’t Focus on\u00a0the Cars. Focus on the Action.<\/h3>\n

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\n<\/a>Image via YouTube<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Action filmmaking\u00a0is built on this principle<\/strong>. When\u00a0Chuck Norris<\/a>\u00a0executes a perfect roundhouse kick,<\/strong> we aren’t focused on his alligator boot.<\/strong> We’re focused on the action the boot takes in the air<\/strong>\u00a0before it\u00a0connects hard enough<\/strong> to send a perp\u00a0flying<\/strong>\u00a0out of frame.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A car being driven down the road is mildly entertaining at best. A car gunning its engine as\u00a0it swerves<\/strong>, slides<\/strong>,\u00a0and hops a curb to\u00a0barrel through<\/strong>\u00a0an unfortunately placed newsstand<\/strong>, well, that’s\u00a0<\/strong>another story completely.<\/p>\n

The trick is to give your audience enough auxiliary information that they can create something far greater<\/strong> in their imaginations than you’ve actually produced. You get this in everything from reaction shots<\/strong> and off-camera shrieks <\/strong>to close-ups<\/strong> of small items in the car flying<\/strong> around.<\/p>\n

6. Cheat as Much as You Can<\/h3>\n

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\n<\/a>Image via Collider<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The golden line where safety and creativity meet<\/strong> is found when a director’s production decisions make the most of both<\/strong>. When faced with the litany of problems<\/strong>\u00a0associated with\u00a0shooting a challenging sequence<\/strong>, success depends on utilizing every production trick and camera cheat<\/strong> you have at your disposal.<\/p>\n

If you’re doing it right, the\u00a0behind-the-scenes video <\/strong>of your shoot will look as safe<\/strong> and boring<\/strong> as your final product looks exciting<\/strong> and out of control<\/strong>. Things like trailer rigs, car mounts, and camera cars<\/a> are vital tools for safely capturing and presenting action that looks\u00a0awesomely\u00a0wheels off and dangerous.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Still feeling the need for speed?\u00a0<\/strong>These in-depth features will definitely scratch that itch. Here are three\u00a0videos from the guys at Film Riot<\/a>\u00a0(with some help from DJI Film School<\/a>) which take you behind the scenes <\/strong>to demonstrate\u00a0how they filmed<\/strong> a<\/strong>\u00a0car chase<\/strong> of their own.<\/p>\n

Original Scene by Film Riot<\/h3>\n