BEHIND THE SCENES: SKELETON CREW

This entry was posted on 2/4/2007 10:14 AM and is filed under production.

If you look closely, you still may not be able to recognize me stunt doubling for Star Santiago Craig climbing along the side of the moving big rig when "Lionel" pokes his M-4 through the driver side window and blasts the Diseased Truck Driver, played by Assistant Director Paul Adkins, then jump from the moving truck.

Being Superbowl weekend, we didn't stop working. Sunday, I'm going up in a helicopter to film our aerial shots of an "abandoned" downtown. And on Saturday, we got some solid action footage with a very small crew (most of the producers unit) consisting of just our Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra driving the camera car, my Producer Gabriele Andres operating camera, my Assistant Director Paul Adkins driving the big rig, and me doing the stunt work while directing. This wasn't FEAR FACTOR where they have a comforting safety line attached to you or a conveniently placed net for you to fall into; if I would have fallen off the truck, I would have been under the rear wheels and crushed. I have never done stunts before, so I knew I was taking a chance but I planned it out, rehearsed it before the truck was moving then did it over a dozen times with the truck moving and the rear wheels churning up the ground behind me. It was tiring but it was also a whole lot of fun. I mean, when does anyone ever get the chance to climb along the outside of a moving big rig with an M-4 while directing an action movie in the wind?

Every bad movie has a lame walk-on "cameo" by the director which they always blame on Hitchcock, so I was determined to avoid that. But on Superbowl weekend, it suddenly became possible to film a scene with a big rig truck. The only problem was, we couldn't arrange for our cast and crew to be there, so we had to do it ourselves. Being no-budget indie filmmakers, we always have to remain flexible and take great opportunities whenever they present themselves. I had no idea what we were going to film until we got there and I had a chance to look over the truck for foot and hand holds. I improvised the entire sequence in less than five minutes, and since I was the only one who remotely resembled Star Santiago Craig at a distance and also fit into his costume, I knew it was my stunt to pull off before I got there. I may not have been able to avoid the director "cameo" but at least it wasn't some lame walk-on, it was doing a stunt I've never seen any director dare to do before. As always, no one got hurt, and we all went home smiling with another great filming day behind us. I love my job.

Below are some behind the scenes photographs of our filming day with the big rig:

Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra applying FX makup to Assistant Director Paul Adkins in the back of the big rig which doubled for the makeup room.
Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra applying FX makup to Assistant Director Paul Adkins in the back of the big rig which doubled for the makeup room.
Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra applying FX makup to Assistant Director Paul Adkins in the back of the big rig which doubled for the makeup room.
James Arnett going over the plan with Gabriele Andres, Paul Adkins and Frank Guerra in the morning.

James Arnett going over the plan with Gabriele Andres, Paul Adkins and Frank Guerra in the morning.
Looking for all of the foot and hand holds on the outside of the truck.
Checking all of the foot and hand holds for any weak points.
With the wheels right behind him, there was no margin of error if anything went wrong.
James Arnett designing the stunt sequence on the spot, before the truck is set into motion.
Designing the stunt sequence, before the truck is set into motion.
Designing the stunt sequence, before the truck is set into motion.
Designing the stunt sequence, before the truck is set into motion. Blocking all of the action was finished in about five minutes.
James Arnett getting into Star Santiago Craig's costume for the stunt sequence inside the big rig.
Ready to begin filming and get it done.
Setting the collapable stock length on the M-4 to raise and fire it with one hand.
Getting into position on the back of the big rig.
Producer Gabriele Andres was operating camera and Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra was driving the camera car with Assistant Director Paul Adkins driving the big rig, so the only images of the stunt were recorded on the movie camera (see top).
James Arnett, Assistant Director Paul Adkins and Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra reviewing the footage between takes.
James Arnett reviewing the footage between takes.
James Arnett and Assistant Director Paul Adkins reviewing the footage between takes.
Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra taking a few stills while Producer Gabriele Andres operates the movie camera.
Producer Gabriele Andres operating the movie camera.
Director James Arnett climbing along the outside of the big rig driven by Assistant Director Paul Adkins .
Producer Gabriele Andres operating the movie camera.
Producer Gabriele Andres operating the movie camera.
The big rig, driven by Assistant Director Paul Adkins.
The big rig, driven by Assistant Director Paul Adkins.
James Arnett and Producer Gabriele Andres reviewing the footage between takes.
Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra standing-by with the M-4 carbine.
Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra standing-by with the M-4 carbine.
Assistant Director Paul Adkins driving the big rig.
James Arnett filming Assistant Director Paul Adkins shutting the hood of the big rig and climbing in.
James Arnett filming Assistant Director Paul Adkins driving the big rig.
James Arnett filming Assistant Director Paul Adkins driving the big rig.
Setting up to film the driver climbing into the big rig.
Filming rearview mirror shots of the driver looking back at "Lionel".
Filming rearview mirror shots of the driver looking back at "Lionel".
Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra removing the FX makeup from Assistant Director Paul Adkins.
Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra, Producer Gabriele Andres and Assistant Director Paul Adkins with the Tucson Weekly feature article written by Steve Adelson. which Frank framed for us.
Assistant Director Paul Adkins, Makeup FX Supervisor Frank Guerra and Director James Arnett with the Tucson Weekly feature article written by Steve Adelson. which Frank framed for us.
 

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