A Chase Scene Construction

For our broadcasting stage, we have been set the task of creating a 1 minute long chase sequence. We were put into groups and watched a number of iconic chase sequences to give us both an idea of the different chase sequences we could pursue (emotional, action, comedy etc) and to give us some inspiration to what a chase sequence should be made of/what makes a successful chase sequence. 

After this we started to brainstorm over the different ideas and scenarios we could film for a chase sequence. The first thing started thinking about was based around the concept of a child running away from the monsters underneath his bed. 

We were looking at filming the whole scene in the night as a child runs from his bedroom and then animating "monsters" either drawn or through computer generation over the top. However we quickly realised that this could force a high work load onto one person, the animator, who necessarily wouldn't be able to fill and draw over every frame in time for the deadline. 

This progressed in a trade to an adult running away from there fears; such as debts and responsibility with the possibility of a flash back to when they were a child running away from the monsters under their bed. The main problem with this idea is that the opening introduction of this story was going to be narrated so that the general idea behind the chase could be understood by the audience. However we were briefed that the chase sequence has to include minimal if not no dialogue, which could potentially leave the audience extremely confused with what was going on. We were also informed that we were avoid flash backs at all costs which also takes a big chunk of the idea out of the video. 

With this we decided to redraw up a new idea of something that fits more of the brief. One of tutors said to try and relate it something personal so I came up with the idea of a couple of people running away from security in an abandoned location when they were spray painting.

The location of an abandoned building is quite a unique scene to film in offering visually a quite excitable environment and could play well with the whole chase sequence. 


Once we had this plan I made a list of possible ideas and locations we could shoot at. Once a general idea had been established we started to draw up a an idea timeline with possibilities and different shots to offer. 

This showed possible "oh fuck" situations to endings and intros to the scene. We then could film a number of different number of sequences to offer us multiple opportunities when editing. We could also then get advice and feedback from the tutors on what they thought would fit the brief and suit the story best.