DawnMorningStar

Ahh...thanks, Magnatolia. That's a good idea too.

stiltzkin

I think it depends a lot on what kind of atmosphere you are trying to create. If you are going for gritty realism then I wouldn't recommend most movies since they tend to have a hollywood sheen on conflict (actually I find many war films have unparralled realism when it comes to conflict, especially in one-on-one conflicts).

I know this sounds awfully cliche but when I come to write a scene with individual character actions I let myself become that character, it's no good writing about how they throw punches if it's totally out of character for them.

The furthest I've gone in trying to empathise with a character is hefting a heavy pole around for ten minutes imagining it as a sword - it was fatiguing to say the least. I used how I felt physically to make the character more plausable.

But I totally agree with MisterRaziel, the best battles or conflicts revolve around sensation and emotion rather than focusing on what punches were thrown - though this in itself is important.

__________________
"If you know you're insane then you're not insane" - Mr. Baynes

DawnMorningStar

Thanks, stiltzkin. Yes, I agree with the points you've made. You do have to be careful when consulting Hollywood while trying to write a realistic scene. But I think that it can be helpful in certain ways. I still haven't analyzed any movies to help me with my action scenes, but I'm keeping it as a back-up plan.

I tend to be a very emotional writer. I like to get into my character's heads. So yes, while the action itself is important, you're right--the feelings, emotions and sensations are what really makes the difference.