KALDE SPOR
"Kalde spor" ("Cold Tracks") was an experimental short film made at the Norwegian National Film School, Lillehammer. The artistic idea was to fuse Hong Kong action with the familiar iconography (for Norwegians, at least) of skis, snow and winter. I believe this was the first production in Norway featuring extensive use of wire stunts.
I was approached by writer/director/photographer Trond Tønder to be the stunt coordinator/fight choreographer because we knew each other from a previous production. Trond wanted something along the lines of "Hero" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", with skis on. A challenge indeed.
My favorite still from the shoot. Tim and Julie fight it out with skis and staves. You can barely make out the wires suspending Julie from the hip. These were removed in post-production.
I´ll be the first to admit that, at the time, I had only limited experience with wire stunts. I´d done some flying effects for film and theatre, but nothing as ambitious as this.
The project was made possible through good will from Seth Ericsson and the Swedish Stunt Group, who cordially rented us the equipment we needed, and through the participation of stunt man/actor Tim Man who has a lot of experience with both martial arts fighting and wire work.
As the stunt coordinator, my task was getting the team together, devicing stunts and choreography and oversee the execution of everything, from training to performance. I brought Tim into the project, together with circus performer Julie Heir and rigger Thomas Isak Johansen. They are all professionals I know and respect, and so I was confident that we could make this happen.
Rigger Thomas Isak Johansen strikes a familiar pose as he tests the equipment.
The film was shot entirely in the main studio at the National Film School at Lillehammer. Set designer Signe Gerda Langfald had buildt an incredible set with 10 or so real size fir trees, and when artificial snow and a white back drop was added, the illusion of actually being in a forest in mid-winter was astounding.
Blocking the fight. Note the camera tracks on the floor; film fighting adds the dimension of getting the camera angles right for the action, and vice versa.
Tim has done a lot of film fighting, but Julie was new to it. originally, she was cast primarily for her aerial acrobatics skills. Fortunately, I had the chance to practice some with her the week before coming to Lillehammer. There, we had about a day or so together with Tim before principal photography stared. They worked well together, and they worked hard.
With less formidable performers, this would be dangerous. The addition of skis still made kicks something of a challenge, especially as some of the moves - like this one - were choreographed in distance. Concerned stunt coordinator to the left.
Tim can actually stand in that position for some time! Director/photographer Trond Tønder in the foreground.
Picking artificial snow out of Tim´s hair as we adjust for the next shot. Set designer Signe Gerda Langfald to the right.
Here, you see part of the rig with wires running from Julie`s body harness up to a spreader. This rigging with 2 separate wires allows for sommersault moves in mid air - even with skis on your feet.
Here, Julie is suspended from 1 wire only, running up to a trolley on a track, allowing for a steady horisontal movement - in the film it will look as though she is running from one treetop to another. You can also see a thin rope running behind her so someone can guide her direction, otherwise she might spin.
Adjusting the harness.
Ready, steady...