Though things have undeniably improved, stuntmen and women are still battling to get recognition. A new book goes behind the scenes of the reality of getting your kicks in Hollywood. John Kreng reports…
How much would you pay if you had the rare chance to meet up with an award winning, world class, “A-List”, Hollywood Stunt Professional? $2000? $1000? $500? How about $11.95 (on Amazon or at www.angela-meryl.com)? You’re thinking to yourself, “Are you kidding? You must’ve been kicked in the head one time too often, John!” True! I’ve been kicked in the head more than I’d like to admit. But, you’ll have to believe me on this one!
Angela Meryl (Kill Bill, Skyfall, Fast & Furious 7 and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End) has written STUNTS: THE HOW TO HANDBOOK. SECRETS FROM AN AWARD WINNING HOLLYWOOD STUNT WOMAN. With 20 years’ experience of being a stunt professional, one who has doubled Vivica A. Fox, Beyonce, and Vanessa Williams (to name but a few), Ms. Meryl provides us with 140 pages of practical advice and guidelines on what to do in order to be successful in the stunt industry.
She also does a great service to the readers by talking about the stunt industry with a lot of honesty that dispels a lot of the general myths the public thinks of what a “Stunt Professional” does and what it takes to get you working. In the book, we get to hear her thoughts as she prepares and goes through a stunt. For example, when she jumped off a 4–story building onto an air bag on live TV for The Oprah Winfrey Show and what she did when she just got out of the hospital for a hernia operation and was told to rest, but was given the opportunity to audition for Master Yuen Woo Ping for Kill Bill.
It’s refreshing that there are no arrogant braggadocios tall tales told here or any ‘fire and brimstone‘ cautionary allegories to scare anyone off. All we get here are just honest experiences. She stays positive and explains how a good strong work ethic and being honest about your skillset will help you get you further along in the business. I feel this is really important because recently there have been a rash of “actors” who claim they were stunt professionals on big name films, only to be exposed about their lies.
The book is highly recommended to anyone who wants to get in the industry and also good for anyone just curious about what the business is about. Being a stunt professional myself, I am often asked by people I meet about how they can get into the stunt industry. Now I can easily and honestly reply, “Get Angela Meryl’s book!”
As well as a book review, we decided to get an interview with Angela Meryl herself. Because of her busy schedule, it took us a few tries to finally get a chance to sit and get a few minutes with her, but it was worth it…
IMPACT: Angela, congratulations on getting a book completed and out in the book stores It’s a Herculean task in itself. Unless you have written a book, you don’t know how hard and time consuming it is to write a book. You are constantly thinking about it 24/7. So can you tell us… What made you decide to write the book?
ANGELA: I wanted to write the book to give back to upcoming stunt performers. Also to motivate people to get over some hurdles they may face in their lives. We as stunt performers always get asked “How did you get in the business and how do I get in’? I decided that was time to share on how I got into this business. Everyone’s path is different.
IMPACT: How long did it take to write it?
ANGELA: It took me and my Editor Michael Andre Adams about 2 years.
IMPACT: Any interesting stories happened to you while writing the book?
ANGELA: It was definitely a learning process. We edited the book way too early the first time around. The book was nowhere near completed. Till this day I have no idea why we did that. It longer than expected with all the re-writes.
IMPACT: In your book, you described in detail, the serious physical pain you went through to get the part of Vivica A. Fox’s double in Kill Bill., Vol.1. It showed your strong desire and determination to get the job as well as what you are mentally and emotionally made of. To me, the fight with Vivica (and you) vs. Uma was one of the better fights in the movie, and it definitely kicked the movie off with a huge bang! Can you tell us what your experience was like for you to work with Master Yuen Woo Ping on the fight scene?
ANGELA: Master Yuen did not talk that much. He had his Beijing team do most of the talking. But when he did talk, I stopped and listened very intently, because I wanted to give him everything I could. He was very specific in what he wanted and how he wanted it done. He is a very humble man.
IMPACT: How many days did it take to rehearse and shoot the fight?
ANGELA: We trained and rehearsed for about 3 weeks. Shooting the fight was about another 2 weeks. The main thing for me was clearing that couch so I could land on the table! Building up my leg strength was key. Two different locations. Part of the fight was shot at an actual house in Pasadena and the other half on stage.
IMPACT: What was Quentin Tarantino’s creative input for the fight?
ANGELA: As I mentioned in the book when I got the call to audition I was told it was not going to be a “girl” fight it was going to be low down and dirty. He wanted it to be a nasty fight. Not the typical pull my hair and maybe get pushed in a pool.
IMPACT: What was Master Yuen’s creative process like? Was it different from a Westerner’s approach to a fight scene?
ANGELA: To me, the process was a lot faster it was very fluid like a dance. Like Chris Tucker said in Rush Hour 2, “Who just kicked me?” It was so fast he never saw it coming! Yes, ours it’s like a dance but its slower more intent.
IMPACT: You also worked on a James Bond movie, Skyfall. The Bond movies are traditionally known to be the pinnacle or gold standard for stunts. What stunts did you do?
ANGELA: I got called to double Money Penny and do some of the driving. When I arrived in Turkey, they already had 2 professional Rally racing drivers for her. I got to rehearse some stuff but never got to actually drive for her. I did get to do part of a driving sequence as a non-descript driver. I did near misses with other cars as they were speeding by and jumping out of the way of the motorcycles. Also as a stunt performer, keeping the extras out of the way of major stunts where they could get hurt.
IMPACT: Can you describe to us your experiences on set?
ANGELA: My experience on set was good. One of the assistant coordinators told me I fit in good with their group of core stunt performers. I was the only American stunt performer. From what I was told its very hard for an American to get hired. You have to have a specific skill set. They called me to double Naomi Harris and I had doubled her in “Miami Vice” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End.” They needed an African-American woman that could drive for some close up shots. In Europe, they have very specific training that their stunt performers have to go through, and at the time there wasn’t anyone that had been through the driving training. It was the experience of a lifetime. It was also my first time working out of the country and I wouldn’t have traded it for the world!
IMPACT: What do you think they do with the stunts that sets them apart from other action films?
ANGELA: It’s James Bond! There is a very long history with the franchise. It’s a sexy action film. I believe it’s all the gadgets and the cars their all so cool!!
IMPACT: Since you worked on a Bond film and The Fast & Furious 7, are there any differences in those franchises with their approach to designing and executing the action?
ANGELA: Working on FF7 was totally different for me because I was more involved. I was one of the doubles for Nathalie Emmanuel. We shot here in the US and I knew everyone already except for Spiro Razatos. The Coordinators used match box cars and they asked the drivers to add their input on quite a few occasions.
IMPACT: You talked in your book about doubling Beyonce in Goldmember and Obsessed. What are some of the things you have to do in order to be an effective ‘double’? Can you tell us some of the things what a ‘Stunt Professional’ needs to understand about doubling an actor?
ANGELA: One thing you have to remember is that they (the actor you are doubling) are getting direction from the Director and the Stunt Coordinator. Give them their space but be close enough if they need something you are right there. Every actor is different. Some want your help and some don’t.
IMPACT: You tell us in your book that you accomplished almost everything and more on your bucket list. How do you stay motivated every day to hustle and get work?
ANGELA: This business is for ever changing and you have to learn and grow with it. I have added new things to my bucket list now that I am going after! I always look ahead to see what’s next because you are employed one day and unemployed the very next day. So if you want to work you can’t stay home and wait of the phone to ring!
IMPACT: Has “hustling a set” become easier for you now that you are an “A-list stunt performer” than when you first started and no one knew you?
ANGELA: Thank you for the compliment. It has not, because I am still very shy at times I have to push myself to get out because I never assume that everyone knows me. There are so many new coordinators popping up, you have to get out and introduce yourself.
IMPACT: The book is primarily written for someone want getting involved in stunts under the Western film-making standards and hierarchy. How does your book benefit someone who wants to get involved in stunts in other countries where the film-making standards and pecking order is not like what we have here in the states?
ANGELA: It gives them insight on what it took for me to get where I am today. Hard work and determination is the same everywhere. If you want to work in this field or any job for that matter you have to have a goal and map out how you are going to get there. Also with Social Media, the way to is today all these tools are necessary no matter where you are in the world. The book can be used in many different ways not just for stunts. In life everyone has challenges to overcome.
IMPACT: What advice would you give top women if they wanted to follow in your footsteps?
ANGELA: Train. Train. And Train! Be yourself and be HONEST about your skills.
IMPACT: More and more CGI work coming into play for many big action sequences. Do you feel too much CGI causes the audiences to think it’s not a real stunt and just a ‘computer drawing…’ taking away from the actual physical performance?
ANGELA: Yes I do.
IMPACT: Where do you see stunts going in the next 5-10 years?
ANGELA: I see more CGI being used. If you notice its being used more now than it was 10 years ago.
IMPACT: What is next for you that you can talk to us about?
ANGELA: I am working on booking more acting roles and continuing doing stunts. I truly love my job. Maybe writing a script or possibly producing. I am working on expanding my public speaking. Also buying and flipping properties.
IMPACT: Thank you Angela for taking time out and talking to the readers at Impact.
ANGELA: It was my pleasure. Thank you.