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Second unit

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Not to be confused with the second (SI unit).

Second unit is 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 principal actors. Two frequent ways a second unit is used are:

  • Action sequences: Action sequences are often filmed in discrete locations, using stunt 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 as close-ups, inserts, cutaways, and establishing 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 stage usage and the cost of sets that may have been built on stages.

The work of second units should not be confused with multiple-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 own director and cinematographer. 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 on Batman for Tim Burton, Batman and Robin for Joel Schumacher, Jack the Giant Slayer for Bryan Singer, Radio Flyer for Richard Donner, X-Men Origins: Wolverine for Gavin Hood, Excalibur for John Boorman, Rambo: First Blood Part II for George P. Cosmatos, Cry Freedom for Richard Attenborough, The Quest for Jean-Claude Van Damme, Guardians of the Galaxy for James Gunn, and Labyrinth for Jim 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 about Conrad E. Palmisano, who directed second unit for him on Rush Hour 2, Rush Hour 3, After the Sunset, and X-Men: The Last Stand, The Other Guys for Adam McKay, No Strings Attached & Six Days, Seven Nights for Ivan Reitman, Batman Forever for Joel Schumacher, Assassins & Conspiracy Theory for Richard Donner, She's Having a Baby for John Hughes, Robocop 2 for Irvin Kershner, Robocop 3 for Fred Dekker, Into the Blue for John Stockwell, Disturbia for DJ Caruso, Rambo: First Blood, Weekend at Bernie's & Weekend at Bernie's II for Ted Kotcheff, Marked for Death for Dwight H. Little, and Under Siege for Andrew Davis said, "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]

Because second units often film scenes with stunts and special effects in action movies, the jobs of stunt coordinator and visual effects supervisor often get combined with that of the second unit director.

Examples of second unit directors include:

Unlike an assistant 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.[4] Examples include:

Other times, directors may return to predominantly working as second unit directors for the remainder of their career. One example is Michael D. Moore, who directed second unit on more than 60 films, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Funny Farm, & The Little Drummer Girl for George Roy Hill, Patton for Franklin J. Schaffner, The Man Who Would Be King for John Huston, 101 Dalmatians, The Mighty Ducks, & The Three Musketeers for Stephen Herek, 102 Dalmatians for Kevin Lima, Ghostbusters II for Ivan Reitman, Willow for Ron Howard, Chaplin for Richard Attenborough, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III for Stuart Gillard, National Lampoon's European Vacation for Amy Heckerling, Toy Soldiers for Daniel Petrie Jr., Sometimes a Great Notion for Paul Newman, Wrongfully Accused for Pat Proft, Never Say Never Again & The Return of a Man Called Horse for Irvin Kerschner, and the original Indiana Jones trilogy for Steven Spielberg.

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

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:

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 include The Departed, Superman Returns, The Expendables, Blade: Trinity, Transformers: The Last Knight, and Bad Boys For Life.

Some directors, such as Christopher Nolan[5] and Quentin Tarantino,[6] do not use second units in their films.

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". www.actiondirectorconrad.com.
  4. ^ Kench, Sam (1 January 2023). "What is a Second Unit Director & What Does a Second Unit Do?". Studio Binder.
  5. ^ Halbfinger, David M. (9 March 2008). "The Dark Knight - Movies". The New York Times.
  6. ^ 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.
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