The Training Montage Explained — Creed 2 Training Scene vs. Kill Bill's Pai Mei Training

Training montage breakdowns — an analysis of the Creed 2 training scene as well as the Kill Bill Pai Mei training montage.

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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:45 - Elements of a Training Montage
01:59 - Technique 1: Master & Apprentice - Kill Bill Vol. 2
04:20 - Technique 2: Hero & Villain - Creed 2
07:12 - Wrap Up

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The training montage was certainly “a thing” in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Ignited by the Rocky training montage, these sequences became a dime a dozen, so much so that these days they exist mostly as parodies. But that’s not to say that there isn’t still an opportunity to use the training montage in unique and powerful ways. In this video, we’re going to look at two scenes in particular: the Creed 2 training scene and “The Cruel Tutelage of Pai Mei” sequence from Kill Bill Vol. 2.

There are three elements that you can always count on in a training montage — the use of repetition to show progress, an inspirational soundtrack, and a triumphant conclusion. Just like the traditional montage, a training montage is designed to accelerate the storytelling in a short amount of time. We obviously don’t have time to watch characters study for a test, or master a particular skill, or train for the big fight. And, so, repetition is a technique that gives us the impression of time and progress. To bring real momentum to the training montage, filmmakers use some adrenaline-pumping music with motivational lyrics to help push the hero through their training. And, finally, the capper that brings the sequence to a close is the triumphant conclusion: that moment when the hero is now ready to face the challenge ahead.

One variation of the typical training scene is the “Master and Apprentice” training montage. Think of Yoda training Luke, or Mr. Miyagi training Daniel — not only do we follow a hero’s transformation, we also often see an evolution in the relationship between master and apprentice. In Kill Bill Vol. 2, we get a quick training montage as Beatrix is trained by the legendary Pai Mei. Director Quentin Tarantino uses crash zooms to make Pai Mei as intimidating as possible, along with high and low angles to show his power over his apprentice. But as the Pai Mei training montage continues with repetition and more eye level camera angles, we see Pai Mei finally accept his apprentice.

In the Creed 2 training scene, we have an example of a “Hero and Villain” training montage. This is when we see both protagonist and the antagonist training simultaneously. As Adonis Creed toils away in the desert in a grueling training regimen, we also see Viktor Drago pushing himself just as hard in a top of the line training facility. For even more contrast, we see two distinct color palettes — orange for the Adonis scenes and blue for Viktor. The parallel editing between these two sequences allows the viewer to assess the progress of both challengers as they head into the climactic battle.

There are certain aspects one expects from a training montage but there are also ways to keep them fresh and exhilarating. We can see that creativity in sequences like the Creed 2 training scene and the Kill Bill training montage.

#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking

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VIDEO EDITOR: BRANDON SCULLION
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♬ SONGS USED:

“Eye of the Tiger” - Survivor
Rocky Theme Song
“You’re The Best” - Joe Esposito
“The Chase” - Clinic
Kill Bill Soundtrack Selection - RZA
“Burning Heart” - Survivor
“Runnin” - A$AP Rocky
“Drago” - Creed II Original Score
“Scarface (Push It to the Limit)” - Paul Engemann

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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:45 - Elements of a Training Montage
01:59 - Technique 1: Master & Apprentice - Kill Bill Vol. 2
04:20 - Technique 2: Hero & Villain - Creed 2
07:12 - Wrap Up

[dmfuerte]

The training montage is probably the most satisfying part of a sports or action movie. It's the mental tromploi of achieving months of works in minutes.

[evanthia]

You know a training scene is strong when it makes you want to get up and start kicking and punching along with the characters. I still think Kung fu panda is the best example but I see your point.

[yawlastreet]

Stallone's influence on modern filmmaking is deeply underated. He deserves a more serious critical appraisal without the prejudice of politics or personal attacks.

[aviewerman]

I'd love a video on heist preparation (or plan exposition) vs. how is executed! Like expectation vs. reality in a movie and how to keep it dynamic

[soft]

Studio binder team, thanks for all this teaching, you are all the best, really appreciate it.

[anirbanguha]

The training montage in the film "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" (Run Milkha, Run) of Bollywood, based on the story of Indian athlete, Milkha Singh, starring actor Fahran Akhtar is one of my favourite.

[teacherofteachers]

Now I know why I didn't lose weight the last two years: I should have been filming a training montage to document my transformation into badassness! But seriously I think this might be a good idea for a gym - "Join our one year program and at the end receive a custom training montage."

[tturnquest]

My favorite training montage is Creed (2015), because it honors the original Rocky montage while adding it’s own flavor to the franchise.

[dulamprasadcreativevideos]

Studiobinder is a MASTER & Iam their APPRENTICE
Each episode is very useful

[CarletonTorpin]

7:37 - I'd never noticed the subtle depth-of-field effect on that staff from Mulan!

[CinematicGestures]

Clicked on this solely to check that Wet Hot American Summer was included. Thumb's up.

[cinemalover]

Side note:
Congratulations on your journey to 1million subs. You are one of the reasons I started to love cinema.

[risavsahu]

7:41 Y'all really snuck Steven Seagal in there 💀😂

Amazing content as always!! :D

[tylerpurrden]

Montage! (such a great word, and these clips always remind me if that South Park episode where Stan has to train and they make a song about training montages)

[HieuTran-pwck]

I love how you include Rei traning montage as an bad example when putting along all this movies. Great work! 👏

[arslandurraniofficial]

My most favorite channel for filmmaking, ,,learnt a lot from this channel

[ajberinguela]

The training montage in Fighter in the Wind is one of the best I've seen

[DJLA]

The fact Team America didn't get a shoutout is borderline criminal 😂

[leonardkuper]

I loooove this channel, pls never stop producing these kind videos

I love the voice, the editing (insanely good pacing), the music (always so satisfying) the examples and the story itself its just perfect! I can‘t but watch every god damn video hundreds of times.

This one was one of my favourites, but my number one still is, the analysis of the opening scene of inglorious bastards. No need to mention that its one of my absolute favourite movies😅

Keep it up lovin it💪🙏