How to write an Action Scene? Chase

Goal

• Reach & Escape
• What’s the end goal?
• Why are the Characters trying to reach it?
• Are they likely to Reach it?
• What are they escaping from?
• How likely are they to escape?
• What potential amount of causalities they can take?
• How do they plan to escape?
• Where do they plan to hide afterwards?
• What will happen once they’ve reached their objective?

• Transport & Protect
• What’s the Vehicle capable of transporting?
• What is Transported?
• What are its properties?
• Is it particularly Fragile?
• Is it Alive?
• Is it Dangerous?
• Is it Volatile?
• Why do the Pursuers try to acquire it?
• Why do the Pursuers try to recover it?
• Why do the Pursuers try to destroy it?
• To which extent would they go to get it?
• To which extent would they go to destroy it?

• Collect
• Do the Character need to recover a Collection of Items?
• Do the Character need to recover a Group of Persons?
• Are they in different locations?
• Why are they in each of these locations?
• What needs to be Collected?
• Items?
• People?
• Who are the Collected?
• Are they willing to follow the Characters?
• Are they reluctant to follow the Characters?
• What’s the alternative for them?

• Deliver
• What should the Characters Deliver?
• Why should they Deliver it?
• Who’s the patron?
• What’s the object to Deliver?
• Who’s the person to Deliver?
• What’s the time limit?
• Are the Characters reluctant to Deliver the Item?
• Should they Deliver it to another location?
• Should they keep it?

Road

• Road
• How’s the Road?
• What’s its structure?
• How is it built?
• What are its properties?
• Which Materials are used to build it?
• Is it well maintained?
• Is it Guarded?
• How Safe is it?
• How Frequented is it?
• How Crowded is it at the Chase’s moment?

• Vehicles
• Which Vehicle to the Character use?
• Which Vehicle to their Pursuers/Targets use?
• How does the Vehicle function?
• Which Energy system do they use?
• What’s their energy Consumption?
• What’s its Propulsion system?
• How’s its Engine?
• How are they built?
• How discreet are they?
• How different are they?
  • Size
  • Weight
  • Speed
  • Safety
  • Resistance

• Drivers
• Who’s the Characters Driver?
• Who’s their Pursuers/Targets Driver?
• Are they part of the team?
• Were they engaged for this mission?
• Are they the Target?
• Should they be Protected?
• Are they Drivers because they can’t fight?
• Are they particularly skilled?
• Are they particularly Dexterous?
• What are their other skills?
• Can they fight?
• Can they protect themselves?

• Destination
• Where do the Characters Go?
• What’s their Itinerary?
• How do they navigate through the Environment?
• Can their Destination change?
• Can it move by itself?
• What’s the Shortest path to get their?
• What’s the Safest path to get their?
• What’s the most Rewarding path to get their?
• What are the Constrains linked to each of these paths?

Chaser/Chased

• Conflict
• What caused the Chased?
• Who assaulted who?
• Who Stole something?
• Who acted 1st?
• Who initiated to conflict?
• Did it Grow with the Chase?
• Who is the Pursuer?
• Who is Pursued?

• Stakes
• What becomes of the Pursuers if they Succeed?
• What becomes of the Pursuers if they Fail?
• What becomes of the Pursued if they Succeed?
• What becomes of the Pursued if they Fail?
• Why is there a dispute around this Specific Object?
• It is Expensive?
• It is Rare?
• It is Vital?
• Why is there a dispute around this Specific Person?
• How important is she?
• What is she supposed to accomplish?

• Outcomes
• What are the Possible endings?
• Could both parties Fail?
• How would this happen?
• What could make both sides Fail?
• What do they try to retrieve?
• Could it be destroyed?
• Could it be lost?
• Are there other ways for the Characters to Fail?
• Could they lose their way?
• Could they never reach their destination?
• What would cause such an outcome?

• Weapons
• How are the Vehicles armed?
• Which technology is used for the Weaponry?
• Which technology is used for the Canons?
• Which technology is used for the Guns?
• Are there Blades?
• Are there Explosives?
• Which technology is used for the Weaponry?
• Which technology is used for the Shield?
• How is it degraded?
• How can its use be interrupted?
• How can it be disrupted?
• Are there multiple Shields?
• Are there multiple Layers?
• Where are the Weapons?
• Are they on the Rear?
• Are they at the Front?
• Are they on the Sides?
• Are they on the Top?
• Are they in the Wheels?

Rhythm

• Interruptions
• Can the chase be put on a Halt?
• Are Pauses possible?
• When do Characters take Break?
• Where do they go to Rest?
• How do they Rest?
• Do they choose to Rest?
• Do they use this moment to Distance their Pursuers?
• Do they use it to prepare a Counterattack?

• Obstacles
• Where are we?
• Which trouble could be met?
• Which Environmental damages could hinder the Characters?
• Is it a Natural Environment?
• Is it an Urban Environment?
• Are we in Space?
• Are we on Seas?
• How much Mater is there around us?

• 3rd Party
• Could a 3rd Party enter the Chase?
• At which point?
• Why?
• What would have changed?
• Who will they support?
• Will they assist the Pursuers?
• Will they assist the Pursued?
• Are they operating for another Organization?
• Are they operating independently?
• What are their Interests in the affair?
• Are they mandated by the State?
• Are they mandated by another legitimate authority?

• As Short as Possible
• How long the Chase be?
• Can it be shorten?
• Are all the scenes necessary?
• How fast should the Characters be?
• Do they need to speak?
• Which elements are missing?
• Should you include more Dialogue or Visual Information?
• How do you depict the scenes efficiently?