How to be a 'Fall Guy': Stunt performers on their rough-and-tumble life
Since the early days of Hollywood, stunt performers have fueled the mayhem of movies, playing a vital role in sustaining the illusion of countless car chases, bar fights and rooftop leaps
By Jake Coyle
Published - Apr 30, 2024, 05:16 PM ET
Last Updated - Apr 30, 2024, 05:16 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — There are two things to keep in mind while being burned alive for a movie scene.
The first, says stunt performer Ben Jenkin, is not to breathe in a flame. That would be bad. Jenkin was reminded of that over and over before doing his first fire burn (and then seven more) in David Leitch’s “The Fall Guy,” an action extravaganza that affectionately celebrates the rough-and-tumble lives of stunt performers.
The other thing: Keep moving.
“Moving forward and keeping the fire behind you allows you to breathe and to control the fire,” Jenkin says. “Movement is your friend.”
