SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: How Stuntmen (and -women) Work
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark explore the world of stunt work in film, from its origins in slapstick comedy to its modern-day evolution. The hosts examine how stunt performers create believable action sequences using techniques like fight choreography, specialized equipment for vehicle stunts, and effects like squibs and air rams.
The episode delves into the roles of stunt coordinators and second unit directors who orchestrate these complex sequences, while also addressing the financial and safety challenges faced by stunt performers. Bryant and Clark discuss notable accidents in film history and debate the practice of actors performing their own stunts, highlighting the importance of specialized training in this demanding field.
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1-Page Summary
History and Origins of Stunt Work in Film
Stunt work has been an essential part of filmmaking since the beginning of motion pictures. Early stunt work emerged from slapstick comedy, with performers like Buster Keaton taking significant risks to create visual humor. As films evolved into more complex genres like westerns and action movies, specialized stunt performers became crucial for horseback riding and combat choreography. This evolution led to the emergence of stunt coordinators and second-unit directors to oversee increasingly elaborate sequences.
Techniques and Technologies For Stunts
Modern stunt work combines artistry with advanced technology. In simulated fights, performers create the illusion of combat through precise choreography, enhanced by strategic camera angles and sound effects. For explosive scenes, squibs are used to simulate bullet wounds, while air rams can launch performers up to 20 feet for dramatic effect. Vehicle stunts employ specialized equipment like roll cages and rams for safe execution of high-speed chases and crashes.
Stunt Coordinators' and Second Unit Directors' Roles
Chuck Bryant notes that stunt coordinators, who can win Emmys for their work, are responsible for planning, hiring, and overseeing stunt performances. They work closely with second unit directors, who film action sequences separately from the main unit. Many second unit directors, like Hal Needham, began as stunt performers themselves, bringing valuable expertise to films like "The Cannonball Run" and "Smokey and the Bandit."
Stunt Work Challenges: Financial and Safety Risks
Despite improved safety regulations in California and Hollywood, stunt work remains inherently dangerous. Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark discuss historical accidents, including fatalities during the filming of "Hell's Angels" and "The Twilight Zone: The Movie." Bryant also reveals that despite these risks, stunt work often doesn't pay well due to fierce competition. While some actors like Tom Cruise and Jason Statham perform their own stunts, this practice poses significant risks as they lack the specialized training of professional stunt performers.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Squibs are small explosive devices used in filmmaking to create the effect of bullet hits on actors or objects. They are typically placed under clothing or props and are remotely triggered by a special effects technician. Squibs are carefully controlled for safety and can simulate various degrees of impact depending on the scene's requirements. The use of squibs adds realism to action sequences without posing actual harm to the performers involved.
- Air rams are pneumatic devices used in stunt work to propel performers through the air for dramatic effect. They are controlled mechanisms that can be adjusted to launch performers at varying heights and distances. These devices are commonly used in action sequences to create the illusion of characters being thrown or propelled by an external force. Air rams provide a safe and controlled way to achieve dynamic and visually striking stunts in film and television productions.
- Roll cages are structures installed inside vehicles to protect the driver and passengers in case of a rollover or crash. They are made of strong materials like steel tubing and are designed to maintain the structural integrity of the vehicle during impact. Rams, also known as hydraulic rams, are devices used to create controlled and powerful movements in stunt vehicles. They can be used to propel a vehicle in a specific direction or to simulate a collision with another object safely.
- Stunt coordinators are responsible for planning, hiring, and overseeing stunt performances in films. They work closely with second unit directors, who film action sequences separately from the main unit. Second unit directors often have a background in stunt work, bringing valuable expertise to filming complex action scenes. Their collaboration ensures the safe and effective execution of stunts in movies.
- Second unit directors are responsible for filming supplementary footage that includes action sequences, stunts, and establishing shots. This additional filming is done separately from the main unit, which focuses on principal actors and key scenes. Second unit directors often work closely with stunt coordinators to ensure the action sequences are captured effectively. Their work is crucial in enhancing the overall visual impact and storytelling of the film.
- The historical accidents during the filming of "Hell's Angels" and "The Twilight Zone: The Movie" were tragic incidents that occurred on set, resulting in fatalities. In the case of "Hell's Angels," three pilots lost their lives during aerial filming. "The Twilight Zone: The Movie" tragedy involved a helicopter crash that led to the deaths of actor Vic Morrow and two child actors, Myca Dinh Le and Renee Shin-Yi Chen. These accidents highlighted the inherent risks involved in stunt work and filmmaking.
- Stunt work not paying well due to fierce competition: Stunt performers often face intense competition for jobs in the industry, leading to lower pay rates. The demand for skilled stunt professionals can sometimes exceed the available opportunities, driving wages down. Additionally, the physically demanding nature of stunt work and the risks involved may not always be commensurate with the compensation offered. As a result, despite the high level of skill and training required, many stunt performers struggle to secure well-paying and consistent work.
- Performing stunts in films requires specialized training to ensure safety and execution. Professional stunt performers undergo rigorous training to handle the physical demands and risks involved in stunt work. While actors like Tom Cruise and Jason Statham have performed their own stunts in some films, they may lack the extensive training and experience of dedicated stunt professionals. This can increase the likelihood of accidents or injuries during stunt sequences.
Counterarguments
- While stunt work originated from slapstick comedy, it's also worth noting that it has roots in physical performances from circuses and vaudeville, which predate film.
- The assertion that stunt work often doesn't pay well could be nuanced by acknowledging that top stunt performers, especially those who double for major stars or coordinate large sequences, can command high salaries.
- The idea that actors like Tom Cruise and Jason Statham performing their own stunts lack specialized training might be misleading, as these actors often undergo extensive training for their roles, although it's true they may not have the same level of experience as career stunt performers.
- The text implies that stunt coordinators and second-unit directors are a modern development, but these roles have been around for quite some time and evolved with the industry.
- The mention of historical accidents could be balanced by highlighting the advancements in safety and technology that have significantly reduced the number of such incidents in recent years.
- The text could be seen as underestimating the role of digital effects in modern stunts, which can further enhance safety by reducing the need for physical stunts.
- The focus on California and Hollywood might overlook the global nature of the film industry and the varying safety standards and practices in stunt work around the world.
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History and Origins of Stunt Work in Film
Since the inception of motion pictures, filmmakers have realized the necessity for thrilling but hazardous scenes. Stunt work has been an integral component in bringing dynamic action and excitement to the big screen.
Stunt Work Has Existed Since Motion Pictures Began With Early Slapstick Stunts
From the beginning of cinema, there has been a need for stunts. As the film industry rapidly grew, so did the creativity and daring of stunts.
Stunt Work Arose From Filmmakers' Need for Dangerous Action Alternatives
Filmmakers quickly discovered that they needed individuals who could perform the dangerous acts that they envisioned for their stories. These stunts were a way to generate thrills and laughter without risking the stars of the films.
Early Comedians Performed Risky Stunts for the Camera
The earliest stunt performers were often the slapstick comedians themselves. They took significant risks to deliver impactful humor visually. Buster Keaton famously performed an early stunt involving a falling house facade; he narrowly avoided injury by standing in just the right spot where an open attic window fell around him instead of onto him.
Stunt Profession Arose With Westerns and Action Films
As motion pictures evolved from simple slapstick comedies to more elaborate genres such as westerns and action flicks, there was a natural progression in the art of stunts.
Specialized Stunt Performers For Horseback Riding and Combat Choreography Became Integral To Filmmaking
The increasing complexity of cinematic sequences necessitated the involvement of specialized stunt performers. These individuals became essential to the illusion, making it appear as if the actors themselves were performing death-defying feats.
As Stunts Grew Complex, Stunt Coordinators and Second Unit Directors Emerged to ...
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History and Origins of Stunt Work in Film
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Early slapstick stunts in cinema were physical comedy routines characterized by exaggerated, boisterous actions and situations designed to provoke laughter. These stunts often involved performers engaging in exaggerated, humorous mishaps and physical feats, such as falls, collisions, and other comedic actions. Slapstick comedy was a popular genre in the early days of cinema, with performers like Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin known for their mastery of physical comedy and daring stunts. These stunts were essential in creating entertainment value and engaging audiences in the silent film era.
- Buster Keaton's falling house facade stunt involved a two-ton prop house facade collapsing around him. Keaton's precise positioning saved him from being crushed as he stood in the exact spot where an open attic window fell. This stunt showcased Keaton's impeccable timing and physical comedy skills, solidifying his reputation as a master of silent film-era stunts. The scene was from the 1928 film "Steamboat Bill, Jr.," and it remains a classic example of early cinematic stunt work.
- Second unit directors in fil ...
Counterarguments
- While stunt work has been integral since the inception of cinema, it's worth noting that the earliest films were often without stunts or had very minimal stunt work, focusing more on narrative and visual storytelling.
- The text implies that stunt work has always been about bringing excitement to the screen, but it also serves practical purposes, such as ensuring the safety of actors and enabling the filming of scenes that would otherwise be impossible or unethical to perform.
- The assertion that stunt work arose from a need for dangerous action alternatives simplifies the evolution of the industry, which was also influenced by technological advancements, audience expectations, and the development of safety regulations.
- While early comedians did perform risky stunts, it's important to acknowledge that not all did their own stunts, and some relied on camera tricks and editing to create the illusion of danger.
- The text suggests that specialized stunt performers became integral as genres evolved, but it's also true that economic factors and the professionalization of the film industry played a role in the specialization of labor, includ ...
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Techniques and Technologies For Stunts
Stunt people are artists of illusion, striving to create the most realistic action scenes possible for audiences worldwide. Below, we delve into the intricacies of this craft.
Choreographed Techniques in Simulated Fights
In the realm of simulated combat, stunt performers are trained to perfection in the art of feigned violence.
Stunt Performers Create the Illusion of Violence Without Real Strikes
Stunt performers meticulously learn the choreography of combat, understanding how to throw a punch and react to it convincingly without any actual contact. The illusion they create is aided by sound effects, which add a visceral impact to each hit, and by carefully chosen camera angles that obscure the gap between fist and face, lending credibility to the artifice of the fight.
Explosive Stunts Use Squibs, Air Rams, and More Technology
The science of stunts is never static and has witnessed significant advancements in technology over the years.
Squibs Mimic Bullet Wounds and Explosions
One of the key technologies in action filmmaking is the squib, an ingenious device used to simulate the gruesome appearance of bullet wounds. A squib is essentially a blood packet rigged with an electronic trigger that explodes on cue. These squibs are strategically placed on the performer, protected by a plate to prevent injury. They can be deployed manually or remotely, and when detonated, they rupture, releasing theatrical blood and tearing a hole in the performer's attire to create a believable gunshot effect. Similarly, bullet holes in walls are pre-drilled and covered, only to be dramatically revealed by squib detonation, simulating real-world ballistic impacts.
Air Rams Launch Stunt Performers For Dramatic Effect
Another dramatic tool is the air ram, used to launch stunt performers through the air, significantly following an explosion or a powerful punch. This equipment can propel a person as high as 20 feet, making for an enthralling visual spectacle that has become a staple in Hollywood action sequences.
Stunt Driving Techniques for Realistic Car Chases
When it comes to wheel-based stunts, technology ...
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Techniques and Technologies For Stunts
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Counterarguments
- While sound effects and camera angles are crucial, the physical fitness and precision timing of stunt performers are equally important to the illusion of violence.
- Squibs, while effective, have limitations in terms of safety and can only be used once, requiring careful planning and potentially increasing production costs.
- Air rams, though they can create dramatic effects, carry inherent risks and require extensive safety measures to prevent injury to performers.
- The use of roll cages and safety enhancements in stunt vehicles is essential, but it does not eliminate all risks associated with high-speed stunts, and accidents can still occur.
- Rams used to initiate car flips or jumps can be ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your home videos by using camera angles and sound effects to create action scenes. For instance, if you're filming a playful mock fight with friends, position the camera so that it hides the lack of contact and add punch sounds in post-production to make it seem real.
- Experiment with DIY special effects by simulating a dramatic scene using household items. For example, you could create a fake bullet wound with makeup and a small balloon filled with fake blood that you can burst at the right moment, mimicking the effect of a squib without the need for complex equipment.
- Use creative editing techniques to simulate movement ...
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Stunt Coordinators' and Second Unit Directors' Roles and Responsibilities
Understanding the film industry takes an appreciation for the unsung heroes behind the scenes, namely stunt coordinators and second unit directors, who ensure that high-octane action sequences are both spectacular and safe.
Stunt Coordinators Plan, Hire, and Oversee Stunt Performers
Rehearse and Choreograph Stunts Safely and Effectively
Chuck Bryant makes an implicit reference to the critical role of stunt coordinators, noting that they are eligible to win an Emmy for their contribution to a production. These professionals bear the responsibility for planning, hiring stunt people, and overseeing the execution of stunts. Their work involves meticulous rehearsal and choreography to ensure that every stunt is conducted safely and effectively. Considering the dangerous nature of their work, it's understandable that stunt coordinators can sometimes be a bit testy, given that there is so much at stake regarding safety and the success of the sequences they orchestrate.
Stunt Coordinators Collaborate With Second Unit Directors Filming Stunts
The collaboration between stunt coordinators and second unit directors is pivotal in filming action sequences that maintain the director’s overall vision while also ensuring safety and authenticity.
Second Unit Directors Film Stunts Separately From Main Unit
Second unit directors specialize in capturing the action-packed sequences of a film separate from the main unit. For instance, while the primary unit might focus on filming an actor inside a vehicle pretending to drive, the second unit handles the actual high-speed chase.
Collaborate With Director on Final Stunt Filming
This collaboration is c ...
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Stunt Coordinators' and Second Unit Directors' Roles and Responsibilities
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Counterarguments
- While stunt coordinators are responsible for planning and overseeing stunts, the success of these stunts also heavily depends on the skills and professionalism of the stunt performers themselves.
- Rehearsing and choreographing stunts safely is crucial, but there can be a tension between safety and the desire for increasingly spectacular stunts, which can push the boundaries of what is considered safe.
- The collaboration between stunt coordinators and second unit directors is important, but it can sometimes lead to conflicts regarding creative control and the balance between action and narrative.
- Second unit directors do film stunts separately, but their work must be seamlessly integrated with the main unit's footage, which can be a complex and challenging process that isn't solely the responsibility of the second unit director.
- The collaboration between second unit directors and the main director is essential ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your problem-solving skills by planning and executing a complex task, such as organizing a small event or a game night, where you're responsible for all the details, similar to how a stunt coordinator plans stunts. This will help you understand the intricacies of planning, hiring, and overseeing a project, albeit on a smaller scale. For example, you might organize a treasure hunt that requires careful planning of clues and coordination with participants to ensure safety and fun.
- Improve your collaboration skills by partnering with a friend to create a short video project, where one of you acts as the director and the other as the second unit director, focusing on a specific part of the project like action scenes or special effects. This mirrors the collaboration between stunt coordinators and second unit directors. You could use a smartphone to film and edit the video, learning to communicate effectively and integrate different perspectives into a cohesive final product.
- Develop your choreography skills by desi ...
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Stunt Work Challenges: Financial and Safety Risks
Stunt work in the film industry remains high-risk with a harrowing history of injuries and fatalities. The financial compensation for these risky roles, however, does not always reflect the dangers involved.
Stunt Work Is High-Risk, With a History of On-set Injuries and Fatalities
Safety for stunt performers has improved due to stringent California state laws and Hollywood union rules. Even with these improvements, injuries and occasional deaths on set still occur. Notable historic examples include the real dogfights in Howard Hughes' "Hell's Angels," which resulted in multiple fatalities, and the tragic accident on the set of "The Twilight Zone: The Movie" where actor Vic Morrow and two children died in a helicopter crash.
Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark recollect these incidents, noting that they went "totally out of control." Today, assistant directors are responsible for on-set safety, and thorough protocols are observed, such as those concerning the use of fake guns. The use of multiple cameras to capture stunts helps to reduce the need to repeat dangerous acts, though the profession inherently carries risk with every performance.
Stunt Work Is Not High-Paying, Despite the Danger
Bryant remarks that stunt work doesn't pay as well as some might think. With more stunt performers seeking work than available jobs, competition is fierce. From Bryant's past interactions with stunt people in LA, it's clear they often struggle with the scarcity of opportunities and long hours on set for relatively low pay. Stunt people from various backgrounds, such as motocross racers or car enthusiasts, turn ...
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Stunt Work Challenges: Financial and Safety Risks
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The tragic accident on the set of "The Twilight Zone: The Movie" involved a helicopter crash that resulted in the deaths of actor Vic Morrow and two child actors, Myca Dinh Le and Renee Shin-Yi Chen. The incident occurred during the filming of a segment directed by John Landis. The accident led to significant changes in safety regulations and practices within the film industry.
- Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark's statement about incidents going "totally out of control" likely refers to situations on film sets where the planned stunts or actions became chaotic or dangerous beyond what was intended or expected. This could involve stunts not going as planned, safety measures failing, or unforeseen accidents occurring, leading to a loss of control over the situation. The phrase suggests a sense of disorder, unpredictability, and heightened risk during the filming of certain scenes or stunts in the context of the film industry.
- Zoë Bell is a renowned stuntwoman and actress known for her work in various action films. I ...
Counterarguments
- While safety has improved, it could be argued that the current measures are still not sufficient to ensure the well-being of stunt performers, suggesting a need for even stricter regulations or innovative safety technologies.
- The assertion that stunt work does not pay well might be too general, as top-tier stunt performers can earn substantial amounts, especially when they double for lead actors or coordinate stunts.
- The competition in the stunt industry could be seen as a driving force for performers to continually improve their skills and maintain high standards, which could ultimately benefit the industry.
- The idea that actors lack the specialized training of stunt performers might overlook the efforts of some dedicated actors who train extensively to perform their own stunts safely and effectively.
- The use of multiple cameras to reduce the repetition of stunts might not always decrease risk, as the complexity of coordinating multiple angles can introduce new challenges and potential hazards.
- The fo ...
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