WIRE STUNTS WORKSHOP
In January 2008, I arranged a workshop with world class stunt coordinators Eric Chen and Joe Perez, in my home town Tromsø.
The emphasis of this workshop was to be wire work as it is used in complex stunt sequences for film.
Wire work has changed the way we perceive film action. Films like the ”Matrix”-trilogy has upped the standard of movie magic when it comes to fight scenes and acrobatics. However, real knowledge of the craft and logistics of wire effects are hard to come by. Eric Chen is possibly the most skilled wire stunts coordinator outside of Hong Kong, and one of the few true experts on wire work in the western world.
In addition to wire stunts, the workshop covered falls, ratchet jerk effects, armed and unarmed combat, fight choreography, reactions, and how to plan, set up and execute different wire stunts and compose a fight scene incorporating wire effects.
Participants were expected to take part in all stunt work presented, with the demands to general good physique and professionalism that this entailed.
The professional level of the participants was remarkable. 25 people from throughout the Nordic region - stunt people, circus artists, stage fight performers, actors, dancers, choreographers and martial artists - spent 6 very special days together at KULTA Culture Center, Tromsø, who hosted the workshop. KULTA is Norway´s oldest and largest circus school. Here, we had the space and aerial rigging facilities that was necessary for this kind of workshop.
WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR ERIC CHEN
Eric Chen is a noted exponent of both traditional and modern fighting arts, and an accomplished stunt coordinator with many films to his credit. He has worked with action superstars Jackie Chan and Jet li, both as a performer and choreographer, including performing as Jet Li´s action double in the film ”The One”. He has also worked with top Hong Kong action film directors/choreographers Yuen Wo Ping, John Woo, Yuen Biao and Stanley Tong. In addition, Eric Chen was coach of the U.S. National Wushu Team from 1990-2004.
Please read more on Eric Chen and his work at www.usawushu.com and www.impactstunts.com
JOE PEREZ
Eric brought in his long time collaborator, Joe Perez, a seasoned stunt rigger and stunt coordinator in his own right. Joe has been involved with film and stunt work for 20 years, and generously shared his knowledge and experience with us.
Please read more about him at www.ninjoe.com
Stunt maestros Eric Chen and Joe Perez.