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Film & TV Production

Classic, Dangerous, and Still In Demand

<p>One of the most exciting, dangerous, and technically complex <strong>cinematic stunts</strong> is the “<strong>fire stunt</strong>,” when the shot requires a character to be engulfed in flames. Most of these stunts are performed for <strong>action</strong> or <strong>horror</strong> movies and <strong>tv series</strong> when the production calls for a hero or villain to use <strong>fire as a weapon</strong>, or in <strong>disaster scenarios</strong> (buildings on fire and so on).<br /><br />Over the long history of experimenting with stunts for <strong>film</strong> and <strong>video</strong>, the fire stunt has produced some of the most impressive and innovative costume designs and advances in <strong>special effects art</strong>. It has also produced a number of serious burns and mishaps. In a fire stunt for <strong>Flareup</strong> (1969) a stunt double received second-degree burns on his hands. His suit protected him from the fire, but he got so hot that he was scalded by his own sweat as it dripped out and was exposed to the fire.<br /><br />Several people on a production are directly involved when a fire stunt is necessary. The <strong>stunt coordinator</strong> has to figure out how to do the stunt safely and convincingly. This might involve consulting a <strong>safety or medical expert</strong>, the <strong>costume designer</strong>, and the <strong>set designer</strong>. Then there is the <strong>stunt man or woman</strong> actually performing the stunt, and the <strong>cast members</strong> who will be nearby if they are not replaced by <strong>stunt doubles</strong>. Making the stunt seem real might also involve <strong>special effects makeup</strong> and <strong>computer-generated effects</strong> in <strong>post-production</strong>.<br /><br />For many years the amount of protective clothing required made stunt performers look strange and bulky in fire scenes. The <strong>Towering Inferno</strong> (1974) is credited with the first use of lightweight fire retardent suits that made the stunt much more realistic. <br /><br />Now computer-generated special effects make some stunts easier and less dangerous, but the <strong>live fire stunt</strong> is still more realistic than a <strong>computer-generated fire</strong>, and it’s only one of the many pieces of <strong>creative filmmaking</strong> that challenge professionals in many areas of production to come together and produce a convincing effect. <br /><br />If you are interesting in solving creative and logistical problems, film and video provide endless opportunities for invention. <strong>Just don’t try this one at home</strong>. </p>

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Description

One of the most exciting, dangerous, and technically complex cinematic stunts is the “fire stunt,” when the shot requires a character to be engulfed in flames. Most of these stunts are performed for action or horror movies and tv series when the production calls for a hero or villain to use fire as a weapon, or in disaster scenarios (buildings on fire and so on).

Over the long history of experimenting with stunts for film and video, the fire stunt has produced some of the most impressive and innovative costume designs and advances in special effects art. It has also produced a number of serious burns and mishaps. In a fire stunt for Flareup (1969) a stunt double received second-degree burns on his hands. His suit protected him from the fire, but he got so hot that he was scalded by his own sweat as it dripped out and was exposed to the fire.

Several people on a production are directly involved when a fire stunt is necessary. The stunt coordinator has to figure out how to do the stunt safely and convincingly. This might involve consulting a safety or medical expert, the costume designer, and the set designer. Then there is the stunt man or woman actually performing the stunt, and the cast members who will be nearby if they are not replaced by stunt doubles. Making the stunt seem real might also involve special effects makeup and computer-generated effects in post-production.

For many years the amount of protective clothing required made stunt performers look strange and bulky in fire scenes. The Towering Inferno (1974) is credited with the first use of lightweight fire retardent suits that made the stunt much more realistic.

Now computer-generated special effects make some stunts easier and less dangerous, but the live fire stunt is still more realistic than a computer-generated fire, and it’s only one of the many pieces of creative filmmaking that challenge professionals in many areas of production to come together and produce a convincing effect.

If you are interesting in solving creative and logistical problems, film and video provide endless opportunities for invention. Just don’t try this one at home.