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Case Study: Highlander IV: Endgame ~ Feature Film |
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Monday, 28 March 2005 |
 Though a veteran of the franchise as the sword master for the
Highlander TV Series, F. Braun McAsh faced a new set of challenges with
HIGHLANDER IV: ENDGAME. Not only was this a feature-length film calling
for extremely exotic fight scenes, it had to also satisfy an audience
already "sword savvy" from years of exposure to the television series.
The apex of McAsh's fight design in this project is realized through
the climactic battle between Duncan MacLeod and a group of wariors,
each using a different weapon and fighting style. Set in a bombed-out
loft apartment, this sequence features MacLeod simultaneously grappling
with four motorcycle-driving assailants after they burst through a
window. In order to fight in such close proximity, the weapons for each
individual were carefully chosen to ensure that all battles fought
shoulder-to-shoulder were both safe and symmetric. The fighting styles
also had to fit each actor's individual personalities and tremendous
variance of skill levels. Finally, the assailants' weaponry had to be
chosen so that MacLeod's sword (a Japanese katana) could deal with them
credibly.
Thanks to advance design and preparation, the entire
sequence was shot well within its budgeted six days (twelve hours on
set, per day). But the critical acclaim accorded to this massive
battle were well worth the effort required to capture it on film.
"..the most exciting fight scenes
I've ever been involved with." Adrien Paul |
