ARTS 3061 Workshop Exercise: The Chase

This week in class, we worked on a chase scene exercise which gave us a hands-on opportunity to experiment with dynamic camera work and storytelling through movement.

I took on the role of director for this short film, which meant I was responsible for staging and directing the actors to match the pacing, blocking, and emotional tone of each shot. Since we didn’t have a storyboard to follow, I had to work closely with our DOP on the spot to decide which shots to take, which made things a bit more challenging.

I think I did well in visualising the action and guiding the actors through their physical movements. For instance, making sure their positioning and timing worked with the camera. However, I could improve on giving clearer emotional direction. I focused more on logistics than performance depth. In the future, I’d like to spend more time helping actors connect with their character’s motivation instead of just solely focusing on their movements.

Strengths

One of our biggest strengths was the variety of shots we included throughout the scene. From wide establishing angles to tighter, more intense close-ups, we made sure to cover the action from different perspectives. This variety helped keep the pacing and the tension high in the chase sequence.

Camera movement was another strength as we experimented with different shot types like pans and static shots to balance out the movements. This gave the chase sequence more rhythm which kept it exciting throughout the film.

We also made good use of the environment during the chase. There were moments where characters ran behind objects or used corners and turns to create natural tension. It added a layer of believability and made the chase feel grounded in the space we were filming in.

Areas for Improvement

There were a few areas in which we could improve on for the chase scene:

• Camera Stability

  Most of our shots were handheld, which unfortunately introduced a fair amount of shake. While handheld footage can add a raw, energetic feel when used purposefully, some of our shots felt unintentionally unsteady. In hindsight, using a tripod, gimbal, or DIY stabiliser could have helped us achieve smoother, more cinematic visuals.

  
  

• Shot Transitions

  While continuity was generally okay, some transitions between shots felt a little abrupt. A smoother flow could have been achieved if we matched motion across the cut. This technique is used effectively in action films like The Matrix chase scene, where directional movement is fluid and maintains momentum from shot to shot.

  Source: Chase Scene from "The Matrix"

• Framing & Composition

  There were a few shots where the framing felt off, such as having too much headroom or accidentally cutting off a character’s head. We should have paid closer attention to framing when we were filming.

  
  

• Sound Design

  Although this was primarily a camera exercise, we realised how much sound can enhance tension in a chase. We should have edited in simple additions like shaky breathing, footsteps, or even a short line of dialogue could make the scene feel more immersive to viewers.

  
  

• Colour Grading

  The colour of the final footage appeared a bit too light and flat, which took away the urgency and mood of the chase. A slightly cooler or more contrasted grade could’ve helped create a more cinematic and dramatic tone.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this workshop was a great opportunity to play with form and explore the potential of chase scenes. While our execution wasn’t perfect, the experience taught us a lot about planning, camera control and framing. Moving forward, I would apply these lessons and techniques to my next project.