Camerawork and editing: Avatar the last Airbender

Clip

In this clip we see Zuko fighting the guards, the constant and fast clips serve to speed up the action so as to not make the fight seem long and instead seem fast-paced and action-packed. At the start of the clip, we see a long shot from a low angle to show all of the characters but not establish the scene, then when one of the guards advances it immediately cuts into a zoom on Zuko grabbing his sword before we get another fast cut of him striking down the guard. This serves to show Zuko as the powerful force as he is standing still in this motion. Once again a guard advances and we get a fast cut to see him advancing and another fast cut to see Zuko take him down, the audience only ever gets a break between action which helps to involve the audience. All of this happens within the first 18 seconds of the clip. At 0:33 we see a pan as the third guard runs in fear, then we see another pan as the camera follows a small boulder being launched at Zuko. The camera stays static, almost floating on Zuko as he deflects the rock to emphasize the power of the movement. Once again we see this happen as more boulders are launched at him, the camera staying on Zuko as if it's anticipating his next move. Next, we see a Track/Dolly as the camera moves side by side with Zuko, the background rushes by in a blur due to his speed. There is another cut to show the aftermath of Zuko being hit. The camera quickly cuts between each of the audience members to show their shock in Zuko being hit after seemingly being untouchable. The camera is on a slow Track/Dolly as it follows the earth bender in his assault on Zuko. At 1:24 we see three quick cuts as Zuko is hit, the camera follows him as he is knocked into the air and time seems to slow down to once more put emphasis on the hit.