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Location / filmcity / on the sets of a petrol pump
** How story boards r useful in formation of action sequences ?
# Highly useful. In Fact when we sit with director then with the help of screenplay, a frame by frame study of action sequence comes into mind which makes us more n more clear that what results and thrill we will obtain on the screen. Whether the sequence will produce that significant effect or not or we need more improvisations. Hence by making animated storyboards we get much more refined version of our thoughts.Its always important.

** Explain the role of SFX in action sequences ?
# YES SPECIAL EFFECTS ! Ya ! they are again a very important phase of action seq. there r two types of sfx. One is called Rotoscopy. This is the action seq. which involves use of cables and cords. We could take example of Matrix. Many fight seq. are completed by using cables. Jumping stunts to flying kicks and all. Then in post productions we make the cables disappear and action appears to be natural and spontaneous. The 2nd type of sfx is by using green screens. We could change the backdrop in post and blend it with suitable location as per the requirement of screenplay .

** How actions of films like Batman and Spiderman are found to be entirely different than normal actions.
# In such films most of actions are done in post productions. Its all CG ACTION i.e. Computer Generated action.

** Besides action coordinators what other technicians work in Action Director’s team ?
# There are gun masters , there are expert drivers, even acrobats, bullet efx technicians , martial arts fighters and so on.

** Whats about action scenes of animals ?
# Then we need those people who can properly coordinate with animals. As in case of KAAL ,we manage all the animal’s stunts with expert coordinators only.

** Any special requirement for under water actions ?
# Definitely ! we can not use normal equipments .Either there r under water cameras or we use a casing in which the camera is fitted and then operated by those people who can go deep inside water to control its movements like panning and tilting. Besides we also use remote control operations for the motions. We can see the seq. of MAIN PREM KI DEEWNI HOON. That seq. between Kareena and Hritik.

** Whats abt the actions in films like Company ?
# The films like company , satya , bandit queen , sarkar .All these films were having realistic actions. I just conceive and visualize that how the character will react , counter-react and take the charge. Even recce helps a lot. We obtain innovative ideas about street fighting and common man’s behaviour and actions.

** Anything abt Ramping actions ?
# AAAAA…. YA ! 1st time I have used up this technique in QAYAMAT. For this we take the shots at high speed and then we design the sequence by increasing and decreasing the speed of action at the time of post prodxns.

** What precautions you take with Inflammable materials ?
# Whenever there are sequences which involve fires , explosions , blasting etc. we use fire proof dresses and fire gels. Fire gels are used when there is any shot which shows burning of a living man . As in case of Dhoom2 Abhishek was having a layer of fire gel on the body.

** If an Action Director , directs his own film , then is it advisable that he should direct action sequences by himself ?
# Ya why not ! Its always benefitial.

Gradually the lights go off as the shot was ready…I gave a lot of thanx to MR. ALLAN as he shared his work experience and craft knowledge with us though he was very busy on the sets….I was on the way in hoping that next time we will share more details about this craft….At last to MR. ALLAN ….Hoping u a very best of luck for ur upcoming projects….Thanx.

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Special Thanx to
Kriti Ahuja
Shweta Gaba

Interviewd & Written by : Param