Written by MEXICALI Director Q&A Luke LaFontaine Part 1
Luke LaFontaine talks to Soo Cole of Fighting Spirit Film Festival at the UK Film Premiere of his film Mexicali and about his journey from stunt coordinator to film director, insights into fight choreography, and the making of the high energy, action film Mexicali. Discover how collaboration, planning, and real martial arts expertise shape compelling fight scenes and storytelling.
Fighting Spirit Film Festival celebrates martial arts cinema as entertainment and inspiration, promotes martial arts culture, and recognises, connects, and supports those who have chosen it as a career.
Key topics
Luke Lafontaine’s transition from stunt coordinator to director
The role of Bren Foster and collaboration in fight scenes
Choreographing and filming fight sequences in one day
Influences from Karate Kid and real martial arts
The importance of camera work and organic transitions in fight scenes
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and guest background
01:00 Transition from stunt coordinator to film director
02:00 Collaborating with Bren Foster and fight scene development
03:57 Designing the underground fight scene
04:55 Choreographing with Bren Foster and emphasizing martial arts spectrum
05:53 Camera work and organic fight sequences
06:52 Gavin Teregawa and the grappling fight scene
07:50 Shooting all fight scenes in one day
08:48 Influences from Karate Kid and character relationships
09:47 Rehearsals and filming logistics
11:14 Memories of early martial arts and film experiences
12:13 Upcoming projects and closing remarks
From Action to Feature: Luke Lafontaine’s Directorial Journey
A deep dive into the making of ‘Mexicali’ and its standout fight scenes.
In this edition, we explore the fascinating transition of Luke Lafontaine frm action director to feature film director with his debut film, Mexicali. With insights into the collaborative process behind the film and the creation of its standout fight scenes, this newsletter will take you behind the scenes of a thrilling cinematic journey.
A New Chapter in Directing
Luke Lafontaine shares his story of moving into feature film directing, a shift he initially hesitated to embrace. “Jesse was the one to suggest to me to move into directing,” he recalls. After much encouragement, he took the leap, proving that sometimes, a little push from a friend can change the course of your career.
Crafting Mexicali
The script for Mexicali, originally titled The Farmer, was born from a desire to address topical issues through storytelling. Luke explains, “Jesse wrote this piece out of the newspaper pages and adapted it.” The collaborative spirit continued as they worked together to bring the film to life, capturing a narrative that resonates with real-world themes.
The Fight Scene Collaboration
One of the film’s highlights is a gripping fight scene set in an underground pit. Luke emphasizes the importance of collaboration in crafting this sequence. “It was a collaboration,” he states, detailing how he worked closely with Bren Foster to choreograph the fights. Luke wanted to create a visceral experience, saying, “I did not want a bunch of edits in a fight.”
The choreography aimed to showcase the depth of Bren’s character, Joe, a former military fighter. Luke believed in demonstrating a range of martial arts styles, ensuring that each moment told a story. “Anything that tells the story I love,” he remarked, highlighting his dedication to narrative-driven action.
Capturing Authenticity
In pursuit of authenticity, Luke opted for minimal edits during the fight scenes, aiming to capture real moments. “I wanted the organic transitions and the real moments and telling the story,” he explains. This approach not only engaged audiences familiar with martial arts but also created excitement for those new to the genre.
A Remarkable Accomplishment
Astoundingly, all fight scenes were shot in just one day, a feat made possible by the skill and dedication of Bren Foster. Luke reflects, “If I hadn’t had Bren, there’s no way we would have gotten all four of those fights in one day.” This dedication to crafting exhilarating action sequences demonstrates the high level of talent behind Mexicali.
Luke Lafontaine’s journey into directing and the making of Mexicali highlights the power of collaboration, storytelling, and authenticity in film. For those interested in action cinema and the intricacies of filmmaking, this episode offers insightful takeaways and behind-the-scenes revelations.
If you want to dive deeper into the making of Mexicali, be sure to catch the full conversation with Luke Lafontaine.
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The post MEXICALI Director Q&A Luke LaFontaine Part 1 first appeared on World of Martial Arts | WOMA.