Random Stunt Performers Share Their Behind-The-Scenes Secrets (23 items)

• (#16) Veteran Stunt People Don't Mess Around

  From Redditor /u/ kellock71:

  Old-school stuntmen are hardcore. They came up in a time when you had no choice, but just had to do the thing. That still exists today, and you won't make it far without a "Yes, I'll do that sir" attitude. But I feel like us up-and-comers have it way easier due to the use of CG and VFX which can help hide pads, wires, etc.
• (#1) He Has Been Injured Nearly 100 Times

  From Redditor /u/ NickMckinless:

  I have had full paralysis down my left side from a fall onto rocks (found out about 2 weeks later when I couldn't click the fingers on my left hand!).

  On Troy I was burned quite badly and hospitalised for 5 days then got a severe chest infection from such a worn out immune system which lasted for 4 months.

  I could list probably 100 injuries...my back is a mess, hips, feet, ankles, wrists...multiple concussions, whiplash on a consistent basis when doing wire work...it goes on...

  The job isn't for the faint hearted!
• (#7) Tom Cruise Lives Up To His Fearless Reputation

  From Redditor /u/ NickMckinless:

  Without a doubt the most willing and capable actor I have worked with (and there are many) is Tom Cruise. I worked with him on Edge of Tomorrow and although he had a full-time stunt-double (Chris Gordon) who rehearsed everything for Tom, Tom did 99% of the stunts on that film and on most others, too, and he is now over 50! The guy is driven like no one I have ever seen. Meticulous and brilliant.
• (#9) Falling From A Cliff Is Harder Than It Looks

  From Redditor /u/kellock71:

  The hardest stunts that don't get much credit I would say are the high falls. They aren't done as often in today's movies, but they're still there. Basically a stunt performer falls off a height into an air bag, could be coming out of a window or being thrown in a weird way. High falls are scary in general, and since the camera has to frame out the air bag, you don't get to see the full height as a viewer.

  High falls are also often under-estimated when the performer is doing a 'face-off,' which is where they're flying forwards and down (looking like they're about to face-plant the ground) but have to turn at the last second to hit the airbag with their back. Face-offs are hard because you're supposed to wait until the very last split second, so the camera doesn't see you start turning.

  And that is why there are high falls specialists today!
• (#2) She Almost Lost Her Eye

  From Redditor /u/ LauraDash:

  I worked on Halloween 4. In the the scene, Michael Myers is up on the roof, and Rachel is lowering Jamie (Danielle Harris)'s character off of it. At some point as the Rachel lowers Jamie, she drops the rope - it's supposed to be a rope - and I'm actually on a cable. The FX people are supposed to cut the cable and I fall like three feet and the sister falls off the roof (a high fall).

  When I was dropped, they cut the cable. When they cut it, the cable snapped and hit me in the face. And I had this whip-mark on my face, almost like if you got hit with a rock in the face. It came really, really close to my eye, but I'm very, very lucky I didn't lose my eye.

  It was very painful, and everyone was like "OMG! We're sorry, that wasn't supposed to happen!"
• (#8) They Fall Back Onto Their Stunt Skills In Their Everyday Lives

  From Redditor /u/kellock71:

  I have saved myself numerous times falling over, tripping, and falling off my dirt bike. One time I was riding a bicycle to the auto parts store with a beer in one hand. I tried going off a curb, and the front wheel accidentally turned sideways, which sent me flying forwards.

  Luckily I was able to roll out of it and stand back up to take a sip... then I look over and there's an old man walking a dog staring at me. LOL.

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