Most films have chase scenes, however, there are certain elements needed to make them effective chase scenes. Some films, especially modern ones, seem to lack a few of these elements that create the pace required for the scene.
The main basic element of chase scene editing is the pace. Without proper pacing, the chase would fall apart. Pacing differs in every different type of chase scene. An extremely fast-paced chase scene requires different types of shots and cuts to that of a more slow-burn/creeping chase sequence. The fast-paced chase sequence needs quick cuts to keep up with the action on-screen and/or accentuate it. Reaction shots are also useful too, as it provides the audience with wider context of whats happening. It can highlight the impending dangers in the reaction shots. This heightens the tension complimenting the pacing of the chase. Music too can assist in speeding up the pacing and stakes to a breakneck speed. For example, the soundtrack to the chase sequence on the highway in The Matrix 2 underlines the power music can have to a chase scene.
For this scene the filmmakers decided to use a techno-remix of a song. This helps provide a quick pace with the thumping bass drum in the techno song. It puts the audiences in a state of excitement and provides tension. The music also accelerates the pace, this can be both beneficial and detrimental to the filmmaker.
This is because the editor has to make sure the different shots and sequence are able to keep up with the soundtrack at hand. This chase scene also utilises slow motion shots and wide-shots. These help create a sense of location and give the audience a wider view of certain occurances in the chase. For example, a car explodes on the freeway in this sequence. There is a wide slow-motion shot that shows the vehicle flipping over and exploding on the road. Here :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBWOnPI7j5s
As mentioned earlier, chase scenes can also be more subtle, more of a slow-burn. A perfecr example of this is the first Terminator film, particularly the final chase sequence at the end of the film. The terminator is after being blown up in a truck. The protagonist rests only to see the mechanical skeleton of the terminator walk out of the flames. The chase scenes that occurs here is quite interesting as it contrasts with the Matrix 2 chase scene. It contains quick cuts of course but there's no high-speed pursuit. Instead the main characters are injured and are barely running away from the terminator. The terminator speed walks after them as he's clearly damaged from the explosion.
Despite the slow-down in the characters chase/speed, a quick pace's established through the use of quick cuts, cutting in between the two main characters limping away to the terminator speed-walking after them through a factory. The use of music's also evident here, it assists in the pacing of the scene. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9268_Dp3M4
And finally another example of a well executed chase scene is the tank chase sequence in Goldeneye. The chase sequence here is perfectly edited as it employs the usage of long takes, reaction shots, quick-shot close-ups of key events and humour. As James Bond chases after the russian antagonist, we cut to shots of him looking over the car seat back at Bond in the tank. This helps provide tension for the chase. As mentioned, there's effective use of quick-shot close-ups. When ever a car crashes or explodes it cuts to a close-up repeat action shot of the event, and may even repeat itself once more. This is to emphasise the high-octane nature and danger at hand. Little humourous events are also placed into the scene. These provide breathing room for the audience. It breaks the pace and allows the audience to catch up on what's happening. For example, Bond crashes the tank through a Carlsberg truck or when he drives through a statue and it ends up on top of the tank. Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fxjUrlyQR0
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