Interview with Stuntman Matthew Staley

This interview with Matthew Staley was particularly interesting. I feel that in a way, stunt work is largely overlooked, but it is in fact a big deal in major films. Also, the experience of a stuntman is unlike anyone else on a movie set, so they offer an interesting perspective on the movie business. Matthew has done stunt work in Gods and Generals, The Sopranos, Medium, The Other Guys, and The Next Three Days, to name a few titles. He currently resides in Northern Virginia.

1.) A stunt performer or stunt double typically performs on behalf of an actor in any scenes where action or implied violence happens to that actor's character in a film or television show. Stunt performers are generally highly trained, highly skilled athletes who use their physicality to help tell a story while often putting themselves in harm's way so that actors don't risk injury themselves. Stunt professionals train hard and make calculated risks that enable them to repeatedly perform dangerous actions safely opposed to daredevils who also perform dangerous stunts but purely for the sake of the stunt itself and often only once.

2.) My background is in gymnastics and most stunt professionals either began there or in martial arts, racecar driving, equestrian, etc. Having been a gymnast my whole life and simultaneously been in school plays and such, it seemed a natural progression to me to continue working in a profession that enabled me to utilize both schools. My first professional stunt job was working in a Wild West stunt show at a themepark. For two years, I performed the same Western stunts five times a day and really learned my craft. That lead to performing stunts in a Civil War tv series for The History Channel and from there, I got my Union cards and have been working in major Film and Television ever since.

3.) With stunts, honesty is key and such a conversation should only happen when a prospective boss calls you about a prospective stunt. The professional thing to do when asked if you can perform a certain gag is to be honest and answer yes or no. Black and white. Too many lives have been lost and careers have been ruined by budding stunt performers lying about their abilities only to find out the hard way. Ours is a profession where lives are on the line and trust is at stake so we have no room or toleration for harmless, little white lies like other professions. If you found yourself already on a set and the director came up with a last-minute stunt in mind that you were not capable of performing, the right thing to do would be to discuss alternatives with your coordinator or recommending someone who can do it in your place.