--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You always start a fight scene or an…" description: "\"You always start a fight scene or an action scene with, 'What are we learning about this character at the moment, and how are we gonna arc him or her i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/david-leitch-12294_action_you-always-start-a-fight-scene-or-an-act_1257516.jpg" --- # You always start a fight scene or an action scene with… ![“You always start a fight scene or an action scene with, 'What are we learning about this character at the moment, and how are we gonna arc him or her in the next three minutes,' and it's no different with 'Deadpool' or 'Atomic Blonde' or 'John Wick.'” quote by David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/david-leitch-12294_action_you-always-start-a-fight-scene-or-an-act_1257516.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/david-leitch-12294_action_you-always-start-a-fight-scene-or-an-act_1257516.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/david-leitch-12294_action_you-always-start-a-fight-scene-or-an-act_1257516.jpg) > “You always start a fight scene or an action scene with, 'What are we learning about this character at the moment, and how are we gonna arc him or her in the next three minutes,' and it's no different with 'Deadpool' or 'Atomic Blonde' or 'John Wick.'” [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A director should constantly assess a character’s current state and plan their short‑term arc during action sequences. **In simple terms:** Focus on character growth in each scene. Key Takeaway Make every scene reveal something new about the hero. Themes character development storytelling action Mood energetic analytical Type instructional practical When to use this quote - screenwriting - directing - action choreography Key Concepts narrative structure character arc scene planning Questions to Reflect On - How do you keep action exciting while deepening character? - What short‑term arc can you add to a fight scene? A Different Perspective Balancing plot momentum with deep character insight can be tough. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) [John Wick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/john-wick/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) ## Related quotes > [I think it's much harder to have a long dialogue scene than an action scene. An action scene is long, but it's not really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-cassel/i-think-it-s-much-harder-to-have-a-long-dialogue-scene-than-an-action/) [Vincent Cassel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-cassel/) > [You can't just have a fight scene. In my opinion, it has to be a character moment or story moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/you-can-t-just-have-a-fight-scene-in-my-opinion-it-has-to-be-a/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [It's called 'John Wick' - it's really about this guy's very simple journey. We just didn't want to clutter it. It's gratifying it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/it-s-called-john-wick-it-s-really-about-this-guy-s-very-simple/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [We don't want John Wick to retire again; we're glad he's back in the game. We want a sequel or a prequel. There's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/we-don-t-want-john-wick-to-retire-again-we-re-glad-he-s-back-in-the/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [Choreographing a fight scene is telling a little story. You learn a lot about the characters involved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/choreographing-a-fight-scene-is-telling-a-little-story-you-learn-a/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [There's a certain amount of joy in playing a character in the moment and not knowing what's going to roll out as it goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-cunningham/there-s-a-certain-amount-of-joy-in-playing-a-character-in-the-moment/) [Liam Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-cunningham/) > [Yeah, I think the common denominator - and this is probably going to sound like Acting 101 - but the common denominator is belief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-elfman/yeah-i-think-the-common-denominator-and-this-is-probably-going-to/) [Jenna Elfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-elfman/) > [I had no idea of the character. But the moment I was dressed, the clothes and the make-up made me feel the person he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/i-had-no-idea-of-the-character-but-the-moment-i-was-dressed-the/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [The first person I ever kissed was Samuel L. Jackson in Eve's Bayou, and I learned that once you get passed the initial nerves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meagan-good/the-first-person-i-ever-kissed-was-samuel-l-jackson-in-eve-s-bayou/) [Meagan Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meagan-good/) > [I am neither a method actor nor a trained one. So, I don't generally prepare for any role. Becoming the character and being in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shruti-haasan/i-am-neither-a-method-actor-nor-a-trained-one-so-i-don-t-generally/) [Shruti Haasan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shruti-haasan/) > [It's easier to do an action scene than a love scene. I love fighting. When the camera's not rolling, I'll usually punch some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-chastain/it-s-easier-to-do-an-action-scene-than-a-love-scene-i-love-fighting/) [Jessica Chastain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-chastain/) > [If you know how to shoot a scene, then you know how to shoot an action scene. If you've seen an action movie, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-levine/if-you-know-how-to-shoot-a-scene-then-you-know-how-to-shoot-an-action/) [Jonathan Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-levine/) > [I enjoy doing an action scene. I'm not a purist as far as films go. If you want to do sex, great. As long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keira-knightley/i-enjoy-doing-an-action-scene-i-m-not-a-purist-as-far-as-films-go-if/) [Keira Knightley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keira-knightley/) > [If there is an action scene, I want to do everything myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroyuki-sanada/if-there-is-an-action-scene-i-want-to-do-everything-myself/) [Hiroyuki Sanada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroyuki-sanada/) > [Lava's really intense. Nobody saw the scene, but we did this action scene, and they cut out the part when she came in with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-j/lava-s-really-intense-nobody-saw-the-scene-but-we-did-this-action/) [Ray J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-j/) ## More by David Leitch > [I find fight scenes actually more interesting, in a way, than chase scenes because you're watching your character go through this problem-solving process and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/i-find-fight-scenes-actually-more-interesting-in-a-way-than-chase/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [You have to make bold choices to be noticed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/you-have-to-make-bold-choices-to-be-noticed/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [As a stunt guy, you become a mini-director. You're talking to actors about performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/as-a-stunt-guy-you-become-a-mini-director-you-re-talking-to-actors/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [Coming from an action background, I always approach the action sequences in any script as kind of placeholders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/coming-from-an-action-background-i-always-approach-the-action/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > ['Atomic Blonde' is about the characters' bigger existential crisis and their world. It's not so much the conceit of the spy game; it's more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/atomic-blonde-is-about-the-characters-bigger-existential-crisis-and/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [We don't want John Wick to retire again; we're glad he's back in the game. We want a sequel or a prequel. There's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/we-don-t-want-john-wick-to-retire-again-we-re-glad-he-s-back-in-the/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [Fight choreography has far more in common with dance choreography than it does with actual martial arts. You learn martial arts techniques, but those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/fight-choreography-has-far-more-in-common-with-dance-choreography/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [People want to be empowered to the point where they can thwart their enemies physically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/people-want-to-be-empowered-to-the-point-where-they-can-thwart-their/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [Great actors can transform, but sometimes there's just this person who speaks right to the role. When they walk in the room, you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/great-actors-can-transform-but-sometimes-there-s-just-this-person-who/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [Stunt coordinating is a good training ground for directing because you have exposure to all the departments in film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/stunt-coordinating-is-a-good-training-ground-for-directing-because/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [The completely irreverent tone was the thing that won me over about the first 'Deadpool' movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/the-completely-irreverent-tone-was-the-thing-that-won-me-over-about/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [As a director, just to be able to jump in to do something that's different, and to explore comedy and be challenged by that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/as-a-director-just-to-be-able-to-jump-in-to-do-something-that-s/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [I think the biggest thing you take from the stunt world is your understanding of the filmmaking process. For years, you've worked with every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/i-think-the-biggest-thing-you-take-from-the-stunt-world-is-your/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [You can sometimes break rules in comics that you can't necessarily break in cinema. It's fun to find something cool in a comic and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/you-can-sometimes-break-rules-in-comics-that-you-can-t-necessarily/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) > [I think in the 'Deadpool' franchise, the writers are really good at distilling the good stuff and applying that to the material in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/i-think-in-the-deadpool-franchise-the-writers-are-really-good-at/) [David Leitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) [Explore all 55 David Leitch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You always start a fight scene or an action scene with, 'What are we learning about this character at the moment, and how are we gonna arc him or her in the next three minutes,' and it's no different with 'Deadpool' or 'Atomic Blonde' or 'John Wick.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "David Leitch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/you-always-start-a-fight-scene-or-an-action-scene-with-what-are-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/you-always-start-a-fight-scene-or-an-action-scene-with-what-are-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/david-leitch-12294_action_you-always-start-a-fight-scene-or-an-act_1257516.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/david-leitch-12294_action_you-always-start-a-fight-scene-or-an-act_1257516.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/david-leitch-12294_action_you-always-start-a-fight-scene-or-an-act_1257516.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You always start a fight scene or an action scene with, 'What are we learning about this character at the…” — David Leitch", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "David Leitch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leitch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You always start a fight scene...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/you-always-start-a-fight-scene-or-an-action-scene-with-what-are-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leitch/you-always-start-a-fight-scene-or-an-action-scene-with-what-are-we/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```