Gonna take some stunt training

Doc Bernard

Doc Bernard

Indie Arms Member
What the heck, it looks like fun, being a SWAT/military extra. I have been offered some training, basically intro level stunt stuff and some military training (this part will just be for nostalgia, for me). Just trying to broaden my horizons and get a feel for what stunt people do.

I feel like I am going to get my butt kicked this weekend.
 
Oh fun stuff.

We are running a SWAT style tactical entry on a film next weekend. I have no training though - but I think I have a handle on how it works.
 
Oh Lord! I hurt all over. But this course was so worth the money! I got introduced to hand to hand stage fighting (we punched and threw each other to the ground and did rough and tumble for-your-life fighting), did day/night assaults, weapons handling drills, desert patrols, two man fire team assaults, room entries (both covert and frontal assault), team/string entries, room clearing. All of this was geared towards the realistic look for the camera.

We had to show up at 5:30 am, and when we set foot on the lot, we were to be in character and live that character for the next two days.

I am hooked! I want more! Once I get the pics, I will post some.
 
Doc, did you take this through a studio or a indepent stunt company? Im about to start school for Special FX at douglas art for prostetics, animatronics, mold making, makeup, etc, but that sounds like a blast. I live in Michigan, and moving it Pittsburg but we dont have anything like what your got into around here and if we do I've never heard of it. Though they are about to open the biggest production studio in the midwest in my town Focus features has a hand in it. 6 floors of open space it was a furniture factory in the 40's-60's. Huge building.
 
Cook, sorry about not responding, I have been busy! Matter of fact I just did part 2 (at least for me) this weekend.

To answer your question, it's an independent stunt company, yet is is separate from the stunt company. The owner is the same, and a couple of his experienced people help run it. Feel free to check it out on their (deleted)

All I can say for this weekend.................Wow! New muscles are sore, bruises in places I never knew could get bruises, explosions, rolls (with and without weapons), tactics, street brawls, take-downs, out and out hand-to-hand to death type-fighting (yet controlled), dives, minor vehicle work. The list goes on.

There only 6 of us this weekend so things could be more intense, and intense it was! And everyone had experience somewhere or another with the type of work, so the gloves "were taken off".

For the pics of the last training, go (deleted) The guy getting cold-cocked on the second page is me.

The pics from this weekend haven't been posted yet.

I am going to bed!!!!! Since I just got back, I will be back on tomorrow after a good night's sleep.

(PS, I just landed my first fight choreographer job because of this training!)
 
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Sorry, everyone. I am pulling my links and other info for this so-called stunt company. I found out some very disturbing info and I will no longer support nor talk them up to others. I hate being mis-lead!

:angry::angry:
 
Doc Bernard said:
(PS, I just landed my first fight choreographer job because of this training!)
Click to expand...

Doc Bernard said:
Sorry, everyone. I am pulling my links and other info for this so-called stunt company. I found out some very disturbing info and I will no longer support nor talk them up to others. I hate being mis-lead!

:angry::angry:
Click to expand...

Hey Doc, Just stumbled upon your thread. Sorry to hear that something shady has tainted your experience. It sounded like fun.

What is great is that you've landed some work due to the training! Kudos!

I'm curious as hell now to find out what happened though...
 
Sorry for the bad news

Sorry for the bad news

Rats! That's too bad. I guess the bright side is it's better to find out now than later when problems aren't fixable by simple disassociation.

Well, other things will come!
 
It is what it is. I am not going to let it affect my future or what I know and have learned.

But it was unfortunate as I had high hopes through them.

But Se La Vi, or however it is spelled. I learned my lesson not to take people at their face value when I have those little voices and red flags warning me not to. I guess it is more my fault for not listening to my inner BS warning system in the first place.

Anyway, thanks for the congrats! The tentative screening is this Oct. 29th (Weds.) 7:00 pm UCLA for the project I choregraphed for the stunt work/SWAT. Ended up there was no real "fighting" but other minor stunt work and SFX. I was given the opportunity to work with 5 other amazing actors and teach them how a SWAT team should look and act for film. This all in 2 hours time. The director gave me full directorial control in those scenes we were in, which was nice, though if it didn't fit what he was looking for, I had no doubt he would of shut me down in a heartbeat. I like working with professionals, and this was a pro crew, especially for a "student" film.

So hopefully we made the cut. My top credit on this is "Stunt Coordinator/Armorer". I told the Executive Producer, amazing guy BTW, however he wanted to word the credit, I was cool with it. Two other credits were given to me on this film, one of which I had no idea I had and I was complaining to another guy that particular guy was "falling down on the job". Little did I know I was complaining about myself. There's irony for you. The other was "on-screen" as SWAT Team Member #1

UCLA is not telling anyone who made the cut until that night. Good marketing for the film-fest. LOL That is definitely a way to get "butts in the seats".

It is open to the public.........Hint, hint. If you are going to be in the LA area around that time, I would love anybody that could make it, to be there. If we are screened, you won't regret it! The editing on this was really good!

The film name is "Gig". Once the screening is over, it will be posted to youtube and I will link it.
 
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We Took "Best Drama"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!

129 submissions, 16 finalists, 3 winners.

Next stop Western Regionals!
 
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I finally got a chance to watch it with the sound up. Way cool! The main guy has kind of a squeaky voice but I thought the audio was fine.

Great work, Doc; I bet it helps to open some doors for you!
 
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