A profession to die for

Stunt performers enjoy their life threatening but satisfying job

Car crashes and explosion scenes are common for stuntmen, but an accident nearly killed Roger Li when his bike sped into the sea. (Courtesy of Roger Li)

By Cindy Pat

‘Revving his motorcycle, Roger Li readied himself for the stunt that he had to perform. Speeding off, he tried to lift the front end of his motorcycle. Instead, he found himself heading for the sea.

“I was riding on a motorcycle, and it accidentally sped straight into the sea.

“I fainted before I knew what had happened,” said the 40-year-old stuntman, who was doubling in Thief of Shadows, 1996.

“Water entered my lungs and I was in the intensive care unit of a hospital for 4 days.

“I will never forget it,” he added.

Stunt performing is a risky profession. Mistakes can happen and stunts can go terribly wrong.

Top Gun stuntman, Art Scholl, died in an airplane accident.

Brandon Lee lost his life during the filming of The Crow, when a blank from a revolver felled him.

For his job, Mr. Li has to be part of car crashes and explosions. He has been a stuntman for 17 years and has participated in Heroic Duo and New Police Story.

Yeung Ching Ching, a stuntwoman said, “Stunt performing is a profession. Outsiders always describe us as ‘actor substitutes’, but we are much more than that.

“Our performances involve risky actions like ‘flying’ and fighting, and we are the only ones who can do the job, because we have received professional training.”

Ms. Yueng, 39, was a member of China’s National Wushu Team for 6 years.

She came to Hong Kong with her cousin when she was 13, and since then has performed stunts for films like Anna in Kungfu-land and Protege de la Rosa Noire.

Being a stunt performer is no easy job. Ms. Yeung sometimes has to fight with stronger men, jump on trampolines and “fly” with wires around her waist.

“I am used to bruises, fractures and joint dislocations,” she said.

The lives of stunt performers are in the hands of their team members.

Ms. Yeung is rather lax about her life. She said, “I leave my life behind when the director shouts ‘action’.

“When the crew ties a wire on me and pulls me up 10 feet high, I lose control of my life. All I can do is to trust the wire controller, the director and the crew members.”

Mr. Li, on the contrary, is more cautious, in order to avoid fatal accidents.

He said, “My job has taught me to treasure my life.

“It is my responsibility to protect my life, for I am the only one who can.”

Though in a life threatening line of work, they persist in their jobs because of the satisfaction they receive.

Ms. Yeung said, “My job is exciting. I discover new things every day.

“No two scenes are the same. The stage, the story and the people change with each scene.

“I have learnt so much more here than when I was in the National Wushu Team.

“Now, when I go to a movie, I know which scenes tell the story and which scenes hinder the plot.

“I enjoy more than other people do.”

Ms. Yeung is proud of her job.

“Outsiders do not understand our passion for this job. They feel we do not make enough money for all the risks we take.

“In fact, it is not about money.

“Stunt performers play a significant role in movie production, and it involves many people.

“Directors can never finish an action movie without us,” she said.

“I am proud of every shoot I take part in.

“The applause from my colleagues pleases me greatly. I am happy that my performance can improve a movie.

“The satisfaction is immediate.”

She said their contribution is recognized every time the directors shout “good take”.

Mr. Li agrees that stunt performing is a good job.

“I do not think that my job is tough since I truly enjoy it. My passion drives me on,” he said.
However, he has to pay a price for this enjoyable job.

“It is my family,” he said.

“Stuntmen do not have stable working hours.

“I work at least 9 hours a day. I can only be with my family a few hours a week.

For Ms. Yeung, being a female gives her more pressure.

“Being a stuntman is tough. But being a stuntwoman is even tougher.

“People do not give women hard jobs because they think we are incapable.

“To gain the same respect as stuntmen in the industry, women must work extra hard,” she said.

Fortunately, this pressure fades over the years.

“With my 20-year experience, I have the wisdom to discern what staging can best express a scene,” she said.

“I do not feel any pressure now.”

Ms. Yeung and Mr. Li have learnt from their profession.

Ms. Yeung said, “The job has enlightened me.

“I have learned the importance of patience and optimism when I encounter difficulties.”

Mr. Li said, “Every decision we make in our work determines whether we live or die.

“Hence, I learned to be decisive and I always think twice before I act.

“I love my job,” he said.

The devotion of stuntmen, and the risks they take, are profiled in Red Trousers: The Life of the Hong Kong Stuntmen. Produced by Hongkonger Robin Shou, the 90-minute documentary will be featured at this year’s Hawaii International Film Festival.

 

Stunt designers responsible for performers’ lives

A stuntman’s life is in the hands of stunt designer.(Courtesy of Roger Li)

By Cindy Pat

A stuntman’s life is not in the hands of God. It is in the hands of a stunt de-signer.

Stunt designers decide every detail of each stunt, including the amount of explosives, stunt performers’ locations and camera angles.

They are the ones who ensure a stuntman’s safety. Their pressure is no less than that of stuntmen.

Fok Kam Tong, a stunt designer for New Police Story, said, “There are too many uncertainties.

“During a stunt, we know what will happen only after we press the button and the explosion takes place.

“We have nothing to refer to because every scene is different.

“We can only rely on our own experience and learn through trial and error.

“Every astonishing scene you see on screen is a result of a stuntman’s courage to risk his life.”

Mr. Fok describes movies as products of people’s imaginations.

“And we are the ones who make the imaginations come true,” he said.

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