Introduction to Action Filmmaking

About this session

Film House and Action Xtreme present a special "how to" guide on action genre filmmaking. This event offers a practical conversation on the process of making action films, from planning to shooting, and even post-production and distribution. It will include tips around action design, pre-visualisation, safety, working with actors and crew and attracting talent to your project. This will be a very insightful conversation for new filmmakers, and also more experienced directors and producers who are interested in action-led projects. 

The talk will be hosted by author and journalist, Mike Fury, in conversation with the acclaimed British action actor and independent producer Mark Strange, whose best known credits include Redcon-1, Ip Man 4: The Finale, Red 2 and more. 

About Action Xtreme

The event is presented by Action Xtreme, the first major action studio in the UK, with a focus on grassroots talent growth, development and training, and a remit to develop franchisable film, TV and online action content. The company's first action-horror feature film, The Experiment, has just been announced and is shooting this summer at video game and publishing powerhouse, Rebellion Studios.

About the speakers

Mike Fury

Born in London, Mike Fury is a journalist, author and action cinema expert who has written two volumes in the acclaimed book series, Life of Action: Interviews with the Men and Women of Action Cinema. These works invite readers to hear first-hand from successful action actors, filmmakers and stunt people, to unveil their stories and experiences. The books feature interviews with John Wick franchise director Chad Stahelski, Deadpool 2 and Hobbs & Shaw director David Leitch, female stunt legend (and frequent Quentin Tarantino collaborator) Zoë Bell, action stars Scott Adkins, Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, Dolph Lundgren, and many more. Fury has also written for various magazines and websites, and hosted panels for the BFI Film Academy, MCM Comic Con, the London Action Festival and more.

Mark Strange

Mark Strange is a British actor, fight choreographer and independent producer. His first produced feature, Displaced, was narrated by Sir Ian McKellen, and Strange went on to produce and star in the British action films, 12 (aka Underground), Bodyguard: A New Beginning, and Redcon-1, which received international acclaim and a wide release, both theatrically and through Netflix. His earliest career highlights include Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins and working alongside Jackie Chan in Twins Effect and The Medallion. As a veteran martial artist, he would later work under legendary choreographer Yuen Woo-ping (The Matrix, Kill Bill) in Ip Man 4: The Finale which won a Hong Kong Film Award for Best Choreography. The film was released internationally and in the UK by Universal Pictures. As an actor, he was cast in Indian box office hit, Adam Joan, and will next be seen in military action-thriller Hounds of War with Frank Grillo.

Practical Information

The session will take place online from 6.30pm until 7.45pm (BST) on Tuesday 18 October 2022.

Schedule
6.30pm–7.30pm: presentation/discussion
7.30pm-7.45pm: audience Q&A

Participants will receive the link to this session a few days ahead of the event.