How to Make Your Own Movie Stunts
Slams, punches and falls make action movies more exciting by staging realistic pretend violence. Big-budget movies pay out large sums of money for slam-bang stunts to wow audiences. But there are two ways to solve problems in the world of movies. The popular answer in Hollywood is money, but oftentimes a dazzling effect can be achieved by creative problem-solving. Even a low-budget movie can feature convincing stunts with appropriate planning, adequate safety precautions and wise editing choices.
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Things You'll Need
- Drawing pad
- Pencils
- Video camera
- Tarp
- Gymnastics mat
- Chalk dust
- Sawhorses
- Plywood
- Wood carving knife
- Stock sound effects album
- Nonlinear editing software
Instructions
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1
Storyboard your stunt in detail. Draw the action scene how you envision it appearing on screen with a separate frame for each key moment. Note the logistics of executing the stunt with the ideal balance of safety and realism. Diagram the safety precautions you will need to take.
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Set up safety precautions on your set. Lay down mats where you plan to include a fall. Block off public access to sets where outside wanderers could potentially pose a danger. Keep a first aid kit with antiseptic, bandages and gauze close at hand any time you're shooting---even if it's not a stunt scene.
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3
Talk to your cast and crew before shooting to clearly communicate the logistics of the stunt and your expectations for the scene. Explain each person's individual role clearly, leaving nothing open to interpretation. Rehearse the stunt step by step several times, if possible.
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4
Shoot the stunt omitting the moment of impact. Place the ground---and mat---out of frame on falls. Direct your actors to pull punches or vertical body momentum just short of the intended point of impact.
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Shoot the moment of impact intended in the last shot. Frame your shot close to the surface the actor will hit. Have the actor begin just out of frame and propel close-range to the target.
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6
Edit the two shots together in your nonlinear editor. Trim off the end and the beginning of the respective shots until the momentum matches, creating the illusion of continuity. Lay an appropriate sound effect as an audio track at the moment of impact.
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Tips & Warnings
When a shot allows it, replace gym mats with a tarp. It should be anchored to the ground at one end and held up by a crew member at the other. This will create a diagonal target for the actors, helping them avoid the natural instinct to fold and break their fall.
For punches, have your impact shot begin with the punching actor's fist in contact with the punched actor's body and direct them to pull back quickly. That way you will avoid staged punches that accidentally become real punches.
Coat your mat or tarp in chalk dust. When actors fall off-screen, a small storm of dust will puff into frame, creating the illusion of a hard impact for the audience.
Never block off a public area without authorization from your local government.
Visit your local permit office to find out how to obtain a filming permit.
Ad-lib is great for dialogue but can be dangerous to stunts. Create a plan that works and don't deviate. If an actor or crew member has a new idea for a scene, tell them you'll consider it after you complete the scene as planned.
Don't breach trust by forcing an actor to perform a stunt he believes is beyond his ability. Either write out the stunt, find a stand-in or find a new actor.
References
- Photo Credit filming image by katja kodba from Fotolia.com
