GIRLFIGHT - an FX Example


One of the most beneficial components to Makeup FX is learning by example. I personally would like to demonstrate how I plan to achieve many special and stunt FX in my upcoming film, GIRLFIGHT by providing its opening scene along with special FX notes detailing how I plan to achieve each FX or stunt. Please enjoy this learn-by-example experience - it's very personal to me and I am thankful for the opportunity to share it with my many FX fans.


The FX notes for the appropriate content can be found throughout this preview in black boxes titled "FX Notes."



If you like reading GIRLFIGHT, you should consider buying the screenplay from AMAZON.com for only $3.99.


GIRLFIGHT
MOTION PICTURE SCREENPLAY
KELCEY COE
p2016-01-01
GIRLFIGHTMOVIE.COM
Copyright © 2015 by Kelcey Coe.
Cover Model: Chella Bella.
ISBN 13: 978-1-5055-3203-6
ISBN10: 1-5055-3203-5


FX Notes: For most budgets, fight cages are way out of reach. Person's wishing to make their own should consider using the "buy and return" technique commonly used in indie films: you buy an item and return it within the return period state at the store's return policy. A great fight cage would be an oversized dog pen. If that doen't work, and you don't mind spending the cash, you can use trees or posts and rope to make a fight cage. While doing fight choreography you still shouldn't throw each other into the cage or even ropes as it can be still be dangerous.


 
 
1EXT./INT. DEVIL'S DEVIANTS - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT1
 
It's the start of Spring Break and noises of loud college
kids fill an otherwise calm, soothing and humid night.
 
Devil's Deviants is a happening but exclusive techno/dub-step
club with a four-sided steel fight cage with a padded,
concrete floor and all four walls wrapped in barb-wire in the
middle of the main room decorated with couches as an ultra
lounge and a nice patio on the outside. Each room is closed
off by noise-control clear glass so everyone can enjoy the
sights of the club but without the sound overbearing those
who just want to socialize. Located at the end of Buckeye
city in an undeveloped section.
 
The DJ, DJ MAXX, plays in the background at his booth.
 
Multicolored lights flash inside to the outside. 
 
Outside a large, pink LED sign reads "Devil's Deviants." 
 
All kinds of college-aged hipsters dance and drink the night
away. Lots of clubbing outfits that sort of thing. It'd be a
hole in the wall if it wasn't for the wealthy college kids it
attracts. Domestic beers are not offered here - patrons
lavish in expensive mixed liquors and imported beers.
 
INTERTITLE: In 2020 Ohio declared martial law and sanctioned
the Mafia to overtake every major city in its state. Every
resident over the age of eighteen must register and work as
assigned. Or be killed. Each town has many leaders and it's
many organizations, in all forms. Buckeye City and its
suburbs are no exception.
 
 
 
2INT. DEVIL'S DEVIANTS - FIGHT CAGE - NIGHT2
 
To the roar of the crowd, two young twin sisters, DAISY and
IVY, battle in an exhibition match of playful sisterhood. 
 
Ivy wears a black bikini but short shorts and a mesh white
tank top over it in her bare foot.
 
Daisy wears a white belly shirt, short shorts, cowboy boots
and cowgirl hat.
 
Both wear a locket around their necks their parents gave
them.
 
Both are unaware of the nightmare about to bestow them.
 
DJ Maxx commentates the whole match, mainly consisting of
playful wrestling and kickboxing exhibition, keeping the
crowd roaring and engaged. 
 
DJ MAXX
 C'mon fans, we have Twins! I told
 you I'd make College Fight Night
 special! What more reason do you
 want to roar louder, let's hear it
 for these girls!
 
The crowd roars higher and many female spectators are now
involved. Cat calls greatly increase.
 
 
 
3INT. DEVIL'S DEVIANTS - BAR - CONTINUOUS  3
 
A discrete and nervous big burly man, RUSSELL BROWN, sits at
the bar as he is served by the bartender and his wife,
RACHEL, an average girl in her mid-to-late 30s. Rachel looks
depressed.
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 What's the matter with you dear?
 
RACHEL
 Ohio's Next Top Model Fashion
 Competition.
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 Oh yea? Why don't you go sign-up
 for it?
 
RACHEL
 I'm too old.
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 Nonsense, you're only 28. You'll
 never know if you don't try.
 
RACHEL
 Yeah, I guess so.
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 It's worth a shot. You've always
 wanted to model internationally.
 Now's your chance.
 
He turns to watch the girls wrestling around.
 
RUSSELL BROWN (CONT'D)
 What a bunch of schmucks. Look,
 they treat Fight Night like it's
 some college frisbee game. They're
 not even really hitting.
 
RACHEL
 They're both part of the Fashion
 competition. They plan to sign up
 tomorrow.
 
He looks again to the girls.
 
  RUSSELL BROWN
 Ironic. They're what, 21 years
 old...
 
RACHEL
 They're both 19...
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 Whatever. That competition doesn't
 need two of the same girls. That's
 like doubling their chances - one
 of them is more sure to win.
 
RACHEL
 Yep, they're both young and pretty.
 That's what's valuable nowadays.
 
He looks up at her irritated.
 
RACHEL (CONT'D)
 Sorry.
 
He looks at the girls again. This time his face turns
menacing.
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 But see they don't need double the
 chance. You've always wanted to be
 Ohio's top model and now's your
 chance.
 
RACHEL
 What? Go ask one of them to step
 out of the competition? Those twins
 have both modeled in national
 competitions. Always striving to be
 the best. They're very well
 experienced and too many already
 consider them to be the best.
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 Who said anything about asking? The
 way I see it, this Fight Night is a
 joke. It needs some pizazz.
 Something to spice it up a little,
 turn it into a marketing machine
 for this joint.
 Nobody wants to see a couple girls
 rolling around and having fun. They
 want blood. The only difference
 between these two is Daisy - she is
 the most cunning, the most skilled,
 the most vicious. If Ivy even went
 with her sister she'd be too nice.
 She doesn't have what it takes to
 be the best.
 
RACHEL
 How far should they go to be the
 best?
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 By showing their ability to be
 brutal, deceitful, merciless.
 Ohio's top model should be the one
 most willing to mow down their
 competition.
 
RACHEL
 I've been waiting for an
 opportunity like this to happen.  
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 The old man put you in charge for
 tonight, right?
 
RACHEL
 Yep.
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 Well then, let's offer these girls
 an opportunity they can't refuse!
 
At the bar, Russell looks up to DJ Maxx, gives him a thumbs
up.
 
DJ MAXX
 Listen up everyone... Devil's
 Deviants is looking to buy a stake
 in the Ohio's Next Top Model
 Fashion Competition this year. We
 want to sponsor a model who most
 deserves it...
 
Everyone stops dead cold.
 
The girls rejoice in happiness and sisterly.
 
DJ MAXX (CONT'D)
 However, this model must prove she
 has what it takes... by fighting to
 the death in model combat.
 
The crowd is loving this and chants, "Kill! Kill her!"
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 You sisters cut the girly girl crap
 out and really fight. Show us who
 deserves this spot more than ever. 
 
 
 
FX Notes: Fight choreography can be a very dangerous special effect to accomplish. In many films, the throws are real but the strikes are not. To accomplish a successful fight for any budget relies heavily on carefully-placed camera angles. An understanding in depth-of field is also necessary. During a staged fight, one misses the opponent only by inches. The camera angle manipulated with the depth of field makes it look like a throws has striked when indeed no one was touched. Fight choreography should be done more than a couple of inches away for projects with no to limited budgets, especially those with no insurance, to ensure there are no accidental injuries. Using the "cut" method, that is, in one "cut" you show the fighter performing his strikes and the opponnet is no where close to the actor. The person who gets hit or kicked is filmed next, reacting as if he'd actually been attacked, when in actually these are two separate cuts.


For this fight, fake blood and sweat found here in Makeup FX would be used when needed.


4INT. DEVIL'S DEVIANTS - FIGHT CAGE - CONTINUOUS 4
 
The girls stand, looking at each other.
 
Ivy runs to the cage.
 
IVY
 You can't do this! We're models not
 Amazons! We're sisters! We're bound
 by blood! 
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 Then spill some.
 
Immediately Daisy runs up behind her and knees her in the
back.
 
Ivy rolls over, to look up at her sister.
 
IVY
 You can't be serious right now?
 What would mom and dad think?
 
Daisy's face turns to an evil sneer.
 
DAISY
 That the better half won.
 
Ivy stands up staring her sister down then spitting in her
eye.
 
IVY
 All of this just for a competition?
 Fine, you asked for it.
 
Ivy flirts with the crowd, blowing kisses. Cat calls resume.
 
She taunts her sister on.
 
Still with an evil and aloof stare, Daisy winks to her then
whispers, "I love you."
 
Taking Ivy by surprise, and confusing her more, Daisy
immediately close-kicks her into her lower abdomen, knocking
her to her back after flying in mid-air. 
 
Daisy raises her arms to hype up the hungry crowd as they
continue to chant, "Kill her."
 
Russell takes advantage of this and throws in some brass
knuckles.
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 How bad do you want it?
 
Their eyes meet as Ivy grips the knuckles she leaps atop of
her sister and throws right and left hooks, roughing her
sister up enough to leak tons of blood from her face and
mouth but keeping her alive, just enough to barely breathe
but emulate death.
 
Or so she thinks.
 
She stands up and raises her hand in victory to a roaring
crowd.
 
 
 
FX Notes: Brass knuckles are actually illegal in most states, as they should be. Although they are often sold as novelty or even self-defense weapons, most jurisdictions consider them a weapon and felony to possess one. How would a film production on any budget get past this legally? Simple - use foam. Though risky for breaking the foam, the actors are 100% safe and so will the production company from unexpected visits from law enforcement. Foam brass knuckles can be difficult to find; I've only found the ones for the video game "Assassin's Creed" distributed at PAX 2015. You can also buy a foam sheet and using a photo of brass knuckles simply draw the design and cut it out. Paint it black or gold - or even for a cool female character - pink.


5INT. DEVIL'S DEVIANTS - BAR - CONTINUOUS  5
 
Rachel steps into view beside Russell.
 
RACHEL
 Are you kidding me with that? See I
 told you this would happen. Daisy
 doesn't want her little sister to
 get hurt. I can still see her
 breathing. Kill her.
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 Nothing means more to me than
 family and I respect that Daisy.
 
RACHEL
 What? That's not what we agreed to?
 What kind of assassin are you, you
 said the best must be brutal.
 
  RUSSELL BROWN
 And she is my dear. 
 
Russell winks to Rachel before facing the crowd.
 
RUSSELL BROWN (CONT'D)
 Family ties bond better with blood.
 Blood may be thicker with water but
 in this next fight that doesn't
 mean anything.
 
DAISY
 What? You sick and twisted moron, I
 almost killed my own sister,
 spilling gallons of blood to
 satisfy your thirst.
 
RUSSELL BROWN
 No my dear. You didn't spill any.
 Your sister on the other hand has
 spilled quite a lot. 
 
He signals Rachel to go over there.
 
RUSSELL BROWN (CONT'D)
 Rachel make way for the next fight.
 A true fight to the death.
 
 
 
6INT. DEVIL'S DEVIANTS - FIGHT CAGE - CONTINUOUS 6
 
Rachel walks into the cage, sizing up Daisy as she giggles,
grabbing Ivy by the hair and dragging her to a corner.
 
Ivy whimpers the whole time. She faces Russell Brown, who
blows her a kiss.
 
Immediately and quickly Rachel turns around to backhand Daisy
in the mouth.
 
Rachel begins boxing Daisy in the face who fights back. 
 
They continue this bare-knuckle boxing match until Rachel
leans into Daisy, grabs her shoulder and knees her in the
face. 
 
Still holding her by her shoulder, she slams her fist into
Daisy's back, breaking some bones.
 
She throws her to the ground, now with a busted nose and
blood flowing profusely from her mouth.
 
Daisy's cowgirl hat is thrown to the ground beside her
sister.
 
The crowd roars as Rachel grabs Daisy's cowgirl hat and puts
it on.
 
Daisy and Ivy's eyes meet as they both hold out their hands,
touching each other's fingers. 
 
Daisy is more aware than Ivy but she cannot move due to her
backbreaking.
 
Rachel takes the moment to mock Ivy by taking off her shirt
to show her sports bra underneath. Women comment on Rachel's
very fit and sexy body.
 
She raises her arms in the air and signals the crowd to keep
cheering, especially now, "Kill her!"
 
She goes to both girls, bending down, grabs both of their
lockets, and throws them into the crowd.
 
RACHEL
 Save it for the family reunion in
 Hell.
 
Rachel gets out of the cage and grabs for something. She
pulls out a big, thick and long chain.
 
As she heads back into the cage she ties a noose from the
chain and then puts it around Daisy's neck.
 
Ivy whispers "love you" to which Daisy begins to cry, saying
"love you" too. 
 
Daisy whispers "Sorry."
 
Rachel sees this sister bonding and kicks their hands away
from each other.
 
RACHEL (CONT'D)
 I gotta get back to work. I'm the
 only bartender here tonight. Say
 Ivy, you should work for us. You
 ain't worth a shit as a fighter, we
 could use your sexy ass behind the
 bar though. I need the help. 
 
Ivy just looks at her, angered, a cold distant stare then she
falls asleep due to the loss of blood.
 
RACHEL (CONT'D)
 I'll take that as a yes.
 
Rachel throws the chain over the entrance and exists,
grabbing the chain on her way out, lifting Daisy into the
air. She ties the chain to the cage and lets her die,
grasping her last breathes in front of a merciless crowd.
 
 
 
FX Notes: Hanging effects are very dangerous and there has been an industry-standard for performing them. No one is ever hung, ever. It's not some kind of "hold your breath" trick. It's simply a harness and a fake noose loosely attached to the chain pulling the harness. Since it is chain in this case and not rope the dangers are heightened. The chain extending from the harness is aligned across the vertical slope of the actor and when pulled on, the actor is raised, off of their feet, by the harness, NOT the noose, from the chain.


7INT. DEVIL'S DEVIANTS - BAR CONTINUOUS 7
 
Russell is waiting for her at the bar.
 
RACHEL
 Now, let's celebrate, what will it
 be?
 
 
 
8INT. DEVIL'S DEVIANTS - FIGHT CAGE - CONTINUOUS 8
 
A few female spectators are squeamish and press against their
girlfriends or big manly boyfriends as they witness Daisy
hanging from the cage, her life leaving in front of their
eyes.
 
The crowd roars.
 
WIDE ANGLE looking straight down the fight cage from a high
distance, enough that it is in frame and well-focused.
 
TITLE: GIRLFIGHT
 
Appears in the center of the fight cage at this angle.
 
FADE TO: