Fresh Air

A Veteran Stunt Performer Shares Tricks Of The Trade

5 snips
May 30, 2025
Filmmaker and stunt coordinator David Leitch shares insights from his thrilling career, where he often prefers performing stunts himself to directing others. He describes the heart-pounding fear of ensuring his crew's safety while navigating high-risk stunts, from barrel rolling cars to being set on fire. Leitch's upcoming film, The Fall Guy, explores the unsung heroes of the stunt world, revealing the emotional and physical challenges they face. He also reflects on the evolution of stunt performance in Hollywood and the camaraderie formed within the stunt community.
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INSIGHT

Stunts: Skill Beyond Daredevilry

  • Stunt work is a mix of daredevil spirit, physics, math, and passed-down legacy tricks.
  • Secrecy exists but stunt techniques balance mystery with safety and practical science.
ADVICE

Trust Team and Prepare Mentally

  • Before a high fall stunt, trust your team and rehearsal fully.
  • Enter a meditative state to focus on performance and react calmly to the action cue.
ANECDOTE

Coordinator's Heart Pounding Fear

  • David Leitch finds it more nerve-wracking to watch others do stunts than to perform them himself.
  • As stunt coordinator, he feels deep responsibility for the safety of performers.
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