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Definition: A technique for filming fight scenes, gun fights and car chases that involves combining numerous one- to three-second close-up shots by hand-held cameras. History: In 2002, the director of “The Bourne Identity,” Doug Liman, was faced with a seemingly impossible challenge: How to make audiences believe Matt Damon could kick ass. Definitely out was the fixed camera that would shoot the two combatants full-bodied. (Imagine Matt Damon punching out Bruce Lee in "Return of the Dragon" (1972) or Steven Seagal in “Under Siege” (1992).) In “Bourne,” Liman gave birth to Damon cuts, a technique that has since been adopted by scores of directors for action films. Not only can Damon cuts turn Tim Gunn into Walker, Texas Ranger, but they eliminate the cost of elaborate stunts. Down side: watching can induce motion sickness. Related Topics: establishing shot O-U-T Roddy's face-in-the-face 30 Degree Rule |
