Stunt
Stunts are dramatic physical feats performed for artistic purposes.
A stunt is an unusual, difficult, dramatic physical feat that may require a special skill, performed for artistic purposes usually for a public audience, as on television or in theaters or cinema. Stunts are a feature of many action films. Before computer-generated imagery special effects, these depictions were limited to the use of models, false perspective and other in-camera effects, unless the creator could find someone willing to carry them out, even such dangerous acts as jumping from car to car in motion or hanging from the edge of a skyscraper: the stunt performer or stunt double.
- field
- Stunt performance
- known_for
- Performing dangerous physical feats for film, television, and theater
Lore & Background
Stunt performances are highly choreographed and may be rigorously rehearsed for hours, days and sometimes weeks before a performance. Seasoned professionals will commonly treat a performance as if they have never done it before, since the risks in stunt work are high, every move and position must be correct to reduce risk of injury from accidents. Examples of practical effects include tripping and falling down, high jumps, extreme sporting moves, acrobatics and high diving, spins, gainer falls, "suicide backflips," and other martial arts stunts. Stunt airbags (or "stunt mats"), large deep airbags that may be the size of a small swimming pool, are typically used by professional stunt performers to cushion their landings from staged falls from heights. Mechanical effects involve the use of harnesses, aircraft high tension wire, and other rigging. Vehicular stunts require extensive training and may employ specially adapted vehicles, ranging from handbrake turns to car chases, jumps and crashes involving dozens of vehicles. Ormer Locklear invented or helped develop many of the basic tricks of stunt flying, which included wing walking and transferring between airplanes in mid-air. In the late 20th century stunt men were often placed in dangerous situations less and less as filmmakers turned to relatively inexpensive (and much safer) computer graphics effects using harnesses, fans, blue- or green screens, and a huge array of other devices and digital effects. The Lord of the Rings film series and the Star Wars prequel films often display stunts that are entirely computer generated.
Reader's Guide
Stunt work has been a crucial element of action cinema, enabling filmmakers to depict dangerous feats before the widespread use of computer-generated imagery. The practice encompasses practical effects like stage combat and high falls, mechanical effects using wires and harnesses, vehicular stunts, and aviation stunts. Hong Kong action cinema, particularly through Jackie Chan and his stunt team, elevated the art with elaborate, dangerous sequences that often resulted in injuries. Despite the rise of CGI, stunt performers remain essential to provide a human quality to the action. Recognition for stunt performers has been limited; repeated campaigns for a "Best Stunts" Academy Award have been rejected. The status of stuntmen in Hollywood is still low, though they are indispensable to film production across genres.
Did You Know?
- During a stunt in Police Story (1985), Jackie Chan slid down a pole from several stories up that had been heated by lights, resulting in second-degree burns, a back injury, and dislocation of his pelvis.
- Ormer Locklear invented or helped develop many basic tricks of stunt flying, including wing walking and transferring between airplanes in mid-air.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a stunt in the context of performance arts?
A stunt is a physically demanding and often dangerous feat designed to create dramatic visual impact for an audience. It is performed as an artistic element rather than for sport or practical purposes.
Where do stunt performers typically work?
Stunt work appears across film, television, and live theater, with action movies being the most well-known venue. Performers carry out feats like leaping between moving vehicles or scaling building edges in front of cameras or live audiences.
What are stunt performers also called?
They are commonly referred to as stunt doubles, since they stand in for the principal actor to execute the risky physical sequences safely.
How did the rise of CGI affect stunt work?
Computer-generated imagery now handles many effects that once required a human to physically execute a dangerous act. However, stunts remain a valued craft because many productions still prefer the authenticity of a real person performing the feat on camera.
Why are stunts considered a distinct performance art?
They demand specialized physical skill, precise timing, and a willingness to risk serious injury, all in service of storytelling. This combination of athleticism, artistry, and danger sets them apart from ordinary acting or athletic display.
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