Stuntperson-reel. The How to?

Dizkoteck

Dizkoteck

Well-known member
Hello,

I am going to shoot a stuntman reel for this person. He is a pro wrestler and martial artist with partners. I was wondering how I should go about this reel.

Should I shoot and edit as plainly as possible and let his action speak?

Or Should I shoot and edit it with some cinematic camera angles, movements, as though I am actually shooting a movie?

Thanks
 
Re: Stuntperson-reel. The How to?

well most stunt work will probably be shot in dramatic stylized fashion, so it couldn't hurt to present his work in the formula that prospective employers would want to see him in...

I wouldn't go over the top though... don't be obtrusive, but make it interesting.
 
Re: Stuntperson-reel. The How to?

Hey
I havent seen any stunt demo reels but I would think it would be cool to do a few 30 second shorts that would involve a stunt in each one. Hope that helps
Brian
 
Re: Stuntperson-reel. The How to?

So youre saying its better to do a shot by shot of "this is a fall" "this is a hit to the face" kind of shoot?

Well Im gonna opt for the full fledge cinematics cause in that short period of time in the reel, we gotta catch the watchers attention on the spot.

Any of you know any stuntmen? How they can get into the industry the right way?

Thanks my brothas
 
Re: Stuntperson-reel. The How to?

My 3.14159265357 cents....

If you can, get a hold of any footage where he was actually paid to do the stunts. An actual working stuntman is a way more appealing than a talented stuntman who has never done anything. If he hasn't done anything, I would decide which stunts he wants to show off, and put together a short where he does all those things with purpose. Watching a guy do "this is a high fall" is boring. He's trying to get into the entertainment business, so my first thought was "Make sure his video entertains." Make sure the action still speaks for itself, don't cover it with handheld camera work and stuff, but definitely make it fun to watch.

As far as getting into the industry, all the stunt guys I know say the same thing: You gotta know somebody. It's very hard to break in without someone on the inside. Stunt coordinators work with the people they know.

-tm
 
Re: Stuntperson-reel. The How to?

If you're going to shoot a stunt reel, watch Ong Bak, and do it that way. The worst thing you can to do a stunt-person is cover up their talents with jerky camera moves and quick editing.

What tumble said too.
 
Re: Stuntperson-reel. The How to?

It is all well and good that your client wants to become a stuntman. I have been a working stunt coordinator, stuntman and 2nd unit director for over 20 years. Unless your client has some actual footage from working, he won't get very far. If he has, you should cut it like a movie trailer. Use music, fast cuts and keep the thing under 5 minutes. Nobody has any interest in watching mostly homemade stunts, nor do they want to watch it for long.
A stuntman came to "hustle" me on the set of my series about 3 days ago. He left me a headshot, resume' and a vhs copy of his stunt reel. I don't even have a vhs tape machine anymore.
The thing that your client should understand also is this: there are about 5000 so called stunt people out there, the business supports about 400 and is getting smaller every day.
We are very seldom let into other countrys to work, (i.e. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, etc.) And Computers are replacing us at breakneck speed.
If your client doesn't know anyone in the stunt business, he has a tough job ahead of him. Being something like a Navy Seal, Green Beret, or some other sort of special forces member would set him ahead somewhat, but, I know approximately 100 people that have been in the business as long as I have that are bankrupt, and looking for new careers.
Speaking from experience, if I started looking at your client's reel and it was all homemade, after one minute I would stop and toss it.
Also speaking from experience, I very seldom will hire anyone that I don't know, or more importantly have watched work, and that goes double after this past week on the set.
 
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