Wikipedia

Second unit

(Redirected fromSecond Unit)
Not to be confused with thesecond(SI unit).

Second unitis a discrete team of filmmakers tasked with filming shots or sequences of a production, separate from the main or "first" unit.[1]The second unit will often shoot simultaneously with the other unit or units, allowing the filming stage of production to be completed faster.

Function

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The functions of the second unit vary, but typically the first unit films the key face-to-face drama between the principalactors.Two frequent ways a second unit is used are:

  • Action sequences:Action sequences are often filmed in discrete locations, usingstunt performers,rather than the principal cast, and requiring significantly different filming arrangements than for ordinary scenes. Therefore, they are an opportunity for second unit shooting.
  • "Pick-ups":After the main unit has finished on a set or location, there may be shots that require some or all of this setting as background but that do not require the principal actors. These shots may include things such asclose-ups,inserts,cutaways,andestablishing shots.

In both of these scenarios, the purpose of the second unit is to make the most efficient use of some of the resources that are expensive or scarce in film production: actors' and directors' shooting time,sound stageusage and the cost of sets that may have been built on stages.

The work of second units should not be confused withmultiple-camera setups,where several cameras film the same scene simultaneously. Large productions may have multiple second units. Although filmmakers may refer to having "three or four units working", each unit would be called an "additional second unit"; usually none would be described as the third or fourth unit.

Directors

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The second unit has its owndirectorandcinematographer.A key skill for a second unit director is to be able to follow the style being set by the film's primary director.Peter MacDonald,who was second unit director onBatmanforTim Burton,Batman and RobinforJoel Schumacher,Jack the Giant SlayerforBryan Singer,Radio FlyerforRichard Donner,X-Men Origins: WolverineforGavin Hood,ExcaliburforJohn Boorman,Rambo: First Blood Part IIforGeorge P. Cosmatos,Cry FreedomforRichard Attenborough,The QuestforJean-Claude Van Damme,Guardians of the GalaxyforJames Gunn,andLabyrinthforJim Henson,has said, "The most important thing about any second unit is that you can't tell the difference between the second unit and the first unit. It must have the stamp of the first unit, both in photography and the style of direction.... You try to copy what the first unit does as much as possible. You mustn't be on an ego trip and try to do your own style, because your material has to cut into theirs and it mustn't jar, it must fit in exactly so no-one can tell the difference."[2]Brett Ratner,commenting aboutConrad E. Palmisano,who directed second unit for him onRush Hour 2,Rush Hour 3,After the Sunset,andX-Men: The Last Stand,The Other GuysforAdam McKay,No Strings AttachedandSix Days, Seven NightsforIvan Reitman,Batman Foreverfor Joel Schumacher,AssassinsandConspiracy Theoryfor Richard Donner,She's Having a BabyforJohn Hughes,Robocop 2forIrvin Kershner,Robocop 3forFred Dekker,Into the BlueforJohn Stockwell,DisturbiaforDJ Caruso,Rambo: First Blood,Weekend at Bernie'sandWeekend at Bernie's IIforTed Kotcheff,Marked for DeathforDwight H. Little,andUnder SiegeforAndrew Davissaid, "He has the understanding of what it takes to create a great action sequence and never deviate from the story or the tone of the film."[3]

Occasionally, some second unit directors work with certain directors on several projects, such as Allan L. Graf, who directed second unit for Walter Hill on several of his films, as well as Eric Schwab working with Brian De Palma on his films. Certain films also may have more than one second unit director. Examples includeThe Departed,Superman Returns,The Expendables,Blade: Trinity,Transformers: The Last Knight,the Sam RaimiSpider-Mantrilogy, andBad Boys For Life.

Some directors, such asChristopher Nolan,[4]Quentin Tarantino,[5]Paul Thomas Anderson,Mike Judge,andStephen Hopkins,do not use second units in their films.

Because second units often film scenes withstuntsandspecial effectsin action movies, the jobs ofstunt coordinatorandvisual effects supervisoroften get combined with that of the second unit director.

Examples of second unit directors include:

Unlike anassistant director,who is second-in-command to the main director, a second unit director operates independently, and thus can be a stepping stone for aspiring directors to gain experience.[6]Examples include:

Occasionally, actual film directors might serve as second unit directors on certain projects. Examples includes:

Other times, directors may return to predominantly working as second unit directors for the remainder of their career. One example isMichael D. Moore,who directed second unit on more than 60 films, includingButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,Funny Farm,andThe Little Drummer GirlforGeorge Roy Hill,PattonforFranklin J. Schaffner,The Man Who Would Be KingforJohn Huston,101 Dalmatians,The Mighty Ducks,andThe Three Musketeersfor Stephen Herek,102 Dalmatiansfor Kevin Lima,Ghostbusters IIfor Ivan Reitman,Willowfor Ron Howard,Chaplinfor Richard Attenborough,Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IIIforStuart Gillard,National Lampoon's European Vacationfor Amy Heckerling,Toy SoldiersforDaniel Petrie Jr.,Sometimes a Great NotionforPaul Newman,Wrongfully AccusedforPat Proft,Never Say Never AgainandThe Return of a Man Called Horsefor Irvin Kerschner, and the original Indiana Jones trilogy for Steven Spielberg.

Additional functions

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It is common for certain personnel involved with a production in another capacity to also function as a second unit director, benefiting from their understanding of the material and relationship with the production's director or producers. Examples include:

Second unit directors of photography

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Some second unit directors also occasionally serve as the second unit director of photography. Examples include:

References

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  1. ^"Second Unit Director".Get In Media.
  2. ^"A Dark Night in Gotham City".Starlog issue 142.May 1989. pp. 37–40.
  3. ^"Conrad E. Palmisano | Action Director, Stunt Coordinator, Second Unit Director".actiondirectorconrad.
  4. ^Halbfinger, David M. (9 March 2008)."The Dark Knight - Movies".The New York Times.
  5. ^Hemphill, Jim (18 March 2020).""We Kept the Third Act in a Safe": Tarantino's Assistant Director William Paul Clarke on Kill Bill, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Improvisational Logistics ".Filmmaker Magazine.
  6. ^Kench, Sam (1 January 2023)."What is a Second Unit Director and What Does a Second Unit Do?".Studio Binder.
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