Knowledge, wisdom and strategy for stunt men and women around the world. Augie Davis shares what he's learned from building a successful career as a stunt man, stunt coordinator and action director in the motion picture industry. Augie is an active stunt coordinator and action director and his goal is to provide the audience creative, entertaining and thought-provoking ideas on how to make it and stay at it. Augie focuses on start-ups, however you can also expect to be challenged to think differently on how you as a leader or a seasoned artist can shape your career and the industry.
Sala Baker is a Stuntman and Actor best known for playing Sauron in The Lord Of The Rings movies. We discuss his move to Hollywood twenty years ago during and while still in his early days in the Industry and the challenges he faced navigating a new life. We talk about values and habits that get us through the grind of finding success. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1019674/?ref_=nm_mv_close
Steve grew up on a King Country sheep & beef farm using horses for stock work. Pony Club & Polo Cross. Whilein Melbourne during the mid 90’s Steve helped a friend organise a week long charity horse ride & decided this could work in NZ. Introduced the Great NZ Trail Ride 1996 with 483 riders around Coromandel for a week raising $40,000 for Multiple Sclerosis. Set up as annual event building Potable showers from a container. Offered to LOTR producers for use for free at Hobbiton while building the sets. Conversation with UPM lead to the role as Horse Coordinator/HOD for the LOTR trilogy. Three years later Steve was the Horse Coordinator for The Last Samurai leading to more features overseas as a Coordinator & Performer. Enough said the rest is history. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0646070/
Stuntman Carl Van Roon is an 11 x ITF World Champion and Sport Scientist (MSc) with a passion for sharing the benefits of Martial Arts with people of all backgrounds, experience levels and styles. Taekwon-Do Hall of Fame 2020, Best Overall Competitor of the ITF World Championships 2009 & 2011, ISKA Sport Karate World Champion 2010 & 2016, All Japan Seishinkan Karate Champion 2007, Former Captain of the NZ National WAKO Kickboxing team.
Three stunt performers Tori Marsh who has worked on The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014), Adrift (2018) and The Meg (2018), Ashlee Fidow is known for her work on Mulan (2020), Alien: Covenant (2017) and The Meg (2018) and Sateki Finau-Baas is known for his work on The Legend of Baron To'a (2020), The New Legends of Monkey (2018),The Shannara Chronicle meet up and talk with Augie Davis while away on shoot in the middle of New Zealand.
Stuntman and Horsemaster Rory McTavish has trained stunt horses for Film TV and advertising to a very high standard and performed the action himself in front of camera. A stuntman with a strong martial arts background and developing a love for horses in his twenties Rory is on the verge of becoming one of the industries action horse coordinators. Rory is one to watch. A member of the Stunt Guild of New Zealand Rory has worked with some of the worlds most experienced performers and coordinators and is now putting his money and time where it needs to be, HORSES. "Horses have become my life, they have fed my family and put a roof over our heads, they have taught me the value of perseverance and will forever keep me humble."
Stuntman Tony Marsh is a well respected and known performer, rigger and team player.. He has doubled for many actors including Ryan Gosling, Jason Statham. He left School at sixteen to continue with a stunt career that paid more then his teachers. Other stunt roles/movies: Spartacus, The Lovely Bones, The Hurt Locker (stunt double/performer – Jeremy Renner, 2007), King Kong (stunt double- Adrian Brody, 2004-2005), The Lord of the Rings , The Hobbit, The Meg, The Mechanic, Wrecked, Avatar..
Adventurer and Stunt Woman Lori O'Connells interests and inclinations have taken her all across the map, both figuratively and literally. In her career, she has settled into a few roles that combine her natural inclinations and trained skills. She is a stunt performer working out of Vancouver, Canada. Some of her most recent work including being the stunt double for the lead on the Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House, the lead mermaid in the TV series Siren. Some of her main proclivities include fighting, water work (free diving, cold water, etc), wire work, and she LOVES doing horror movie performance of all kinds. See Lori's IMDb page. Lori has practiced martial arts for 27 years, with her primary discipline being Can-ryu Jiu-jitsu (a Canadian style of Japanese Jiu-jitsu), in which she holds a 5th Degree black belt. She has also taught this art locally and internationally for over twenty years, having run her own dojo and been invited to teach and national and local conferences. Lori is also a blogger and author, having published two books, including When the Fight Goes to the Ground with Tuttle Publishing, and Weapons of Opportunity: One Woman's Casual Crusade through the World of Dojos and Low Blows. Lori also wrote, produced and stunt doubled on her short film Inner Demon, which was included in several film festivals, received several award nominations, won two awards, the "Angels in Action" award at the Urban Action Film Festival and Best Director at the Artemis Film Festival. She is currently writing her first feature film, a comedy-thriller in which a wannabe actress, stunt performer. Lori has a wide range of hobbies that she actively pursues, including outdoor adventure (hiking, backpacking, kayaking, snowshoeing, swimming, freediving/scuba, etc), cooking and baking, and she loves to unwind playing board games, singing karaoke, doing a variety of YouTube dance classes, and watching sci-fi, horror and comedy TV shows and movies. She currently writes on her blog FeedNFlow.com daily, with the main topics being keto lifestyle and recipes, as well as outdoor adventures.
Part 2: Shane Rangi is a New Zealand born actor, Stuntman, Creature Suit performer from Ngati Porou. He has played many characters in The Chronicles of Narnia film series. In The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe he played General Otmin, general of the White Witch's army, In Prince Caspian, he played the werewolf, Asterius the Minotaur, the Wild Bear and the Physical Aslan. In the movie Voyager of the Dawn Treader he plays Tavros the Minotaur. Shane also appears in the miniseries Spartacus: Gods of the Arena as Dagan – a gladiatorial Syrian recruit. When Not in a creature suit or acting he is also one of New Zealand most respected stuntman. Shane discusses his journey from growing up in the country to pursue a carreer as a performer.
Shane Rangi is a New Zealand born actor, Stuntman, Creature Suit performer from Ngati Porou. He has played many characters in The Chronicles of Narnia film series. In The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe he played General Otmin, general of the White Witch's army, In Prince Caspian, he played the werewolf, Asterius the Minotaur, the Wild Bear and the Physical Aslan. In the movie Voyager of the Dawn Treader he plays Tavros the Minotaur. Shane also appears in the miniseries Spartacus: Gods of the Arena as Dagan – a gladiatorial Syrian recruit. When Not in a creature suit or acting he is also one of New Zealand most respected stuntman. Shane discusses his journey from growing up in the coutry to pursue a carreer as a performer.
Stuntman Stuart Williamson was born in South Africa. Stuart did parkour and gymnastics with his friend Dyllon Davidson who is the owner of Concrete Foundation Parkour Academy when 15 years old. Stunts started when he was invited in 2012 by Brandon Livanos to do a physical casting in Cape Town, only to find out it was for Mad Max Fury Road. Stuart made it through the physical casting and became part of the Fury Road stunt team. He went went to work in Namibia for 7 months, playing the part of a War-Boy as well as various other characters and after about 3 months was asked to be one of the stunt doubles for Tom Hardy. Stuart was mentored by stunt doubles Jacob Tomuri and Adrian Philip McGaw and learned enormously from their vast experience. After that everything "kind" of kicked off for Stuart to fully focus on becoming the stunt performer he is today.
Actor, Writer, Stuntman,Trainer, Body builder, Barry Duffield was a young boy growing up in Australia's Northern Territory when he fell in love with all things cinematic. His first job was the projectionist in the Nhulunbuy cinema. It eventually led to a successful career as an actor, screenwriter, and now the author of his first graphic novels Deadman’s Land and Tandoori Apocalypse. He began his acting career in 1987, most recently playing Lugo on the highly regarded and successful ‘Spartacus’ TV series. Barry graduated with a degree in screenwriting and directing. In 2009 he was selected for the New Zealand Film Commission First Writers Initiative and served on the New Zealand Writers Guild Board. His spec screenplay Deadman's Land was a 2013 Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Competition quarterfinalist and a 2014 Scriptapalooza Screenwriting quarterfinalist. Hard Out was a 2015 Screencraft Screenwriting quarterfinalist.
Stunt Coordinator and Second Unit Director Brett Chan's recent work includes Warrior, Snow Piercer, Marco Polo and Iron Fist. A leader and a visionary Fight Choreographer who is stepping into directing his first feature film. He has over thirty years experience in Martial arts, He has a 7th degree in Shotokan Karate and has trained in several other martial Arts. A personal trainer, a background in Kinesiology and sports rehab. Brett Chan is is highly respected stunt coordinator and second unit director.
Stuntman Rob grew up as a sporty and clever kid, an academic overachiever and representing his school and village in various sports. Had all the intentions of becoming a banker and making loads of money while he studied Maths and Economics at university and competed in gymnastics and snowboarding as well. It wasn’t all easy as Rob’s dad died when he was 19 and he got meningitis and encephalitis during his third year at university. Rob was told he would need constant care and would never walk again. Nine months after that, Rob was able to walk without the aid of crutches though suffered from pretty severe ME or post-viral fatigue. When Rob started working in banking he decided that he couldn’t sit behind a desk for the rest of his life and became a weekend warrior. Pushing through it to take up Muay Thai, a lot of running (doing ultra-marathons and a multi-day race in the arctic circle), as well as loads of random sports. It wasn’t until Rob started training with a stunt man at gymnastics that he even considered the film industry as a career path. He worked as a special action extra on various tv shows and eventually on Edge of Tomorrow and Guardians of the Galaxy. He was hooked and decided to work in the film industry. He quit his job and travelled to pursue a career in stunts. The rest is NOW!
Stunt woman and actress has twenty years experience in the Australian film industry, Talayna has always been on set but not always in stunts. The daughter of New Zealand born Stunt Co ordinator and SAS soldier, Rangi Nikora, made for tales of a unique and exciting childhood setting out her career path at early age. She’s a trained actor and graded stunt actor with both big credits and small but prides herself on the connections she made along the way.
Jace started training martial arts (Karate) at age 7 with his mum as his instructor-( hard discipline) haha! He started training in kickboxing and later Muay Thai at 16 years. Received his first Black belt in Aikibujitsu in early 1997, after being a "Uchideshi" - live in student and where Jace accredit many of his skills with weapons etc. In 1991 Studied Sports & Exercise science at uni and moved to do fitness leader/ personal trainer. Jace was introduces to stunts while working as a lifeguard at movie world and was graded into the Australian stunt register in 2007 Since his first Job, Jace has gone on to work The Hobbit, Hacksaw Ridge,Ghost in the Shell and Mortal Engines. Other Feature Film credits include Aquaman, Pacific Rim Uprising, Danger Close, King Kong v Godzilla, Australian TV series and local productions. Currently Jiujitsu Instructor, Stunt Actor and upcoming Assistant Coord.
Jason is a Stuntman working succesfully around the world. He is 29 years old, born in the USA raised in Hong Kong. Growing up Jason watched a lot of TV, mainly HK action movies, Japanese animation, and Tokusatsu which sparked his interest in the martial arts. Jason took up Tae Kwon Do and Wushu during this time and heading into the teenage years he discovered martial arts tricking, and hasn't stopped since. Jason initially thinking about being a physiotherapist, but in the back of his mind, he really wanted to be a power ranger. Jason trained in tricking and martial arts at a gym called White lotus and JAM (Joining all Movement), and that was where he started thinking about doing stunts. Many people he trained with were also aspiring stunt performers. Jason witnessed many of those people fulfill their goals and managed to get onto some really big jobs. After a few small indie projects, Jason started to gear his training towards stunts (trying new martial arts: Kali, BJJ, Boxing, MMA, Wing Chun. and doing a lot of fall practice and filming fight scenes. Recently stepped up into an assisting coordinator role on the largest film in China The Fengshen Trilogy. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8667354/
Stunt Coordinator - Stunt Performer - Rigger - Horse Master. Multi award winning (SAG & Artemis winner, Taurus nominee) Dayna is the ultimate all-round kiwi stunt woman. From her dancing & fitness background starting a career as Xena: Warrior Princess double, to gaining multiple lead stunt double roles over the last 20 years for Charlize Theron, Tilda Swinton, Lynda Carter, Gwyneth Paltrow, Bridget Regan, Ingrid Bolso Berdal, Lucy Lawless, plus staring lately in Wonder Woman 1984 and much more.
Stage combat coordinator Alexander grew up in the very multicultural Birmingham in the UK. His journey started at college training as an actor. His acting teacher's best mate was a guy called Scott Adkins (who also went to the same college) Scott would come in fairly regularly and give talks on stunting and acting which inspired Alexander to become one. Alexander was lucky enough to get into the only drama school in the world where you can get a degree in acting and stage combat. Alexander worked with Scott briefly on Green Street 3 as soon as he graduated and started straight into working at the East End for the Royal Opera House as a resident fighters and then fight directing for a huge company called “secret cinema” Later he decided to visit New Zealand to "door knock" after falling in love with the Lord of the Rings films and started hustling like he did in the UK messaging everyone in the Stunt Guild of New Zealand. Within a year Alexander was Teaching/ choreographing for most of the training institutions for actors and theaters in New Zealand. http://thenewzealandstagecombatschool.com/
Jason Day started combat sport in 2000. He took to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu very quickly but his stand up game didn't come around until he learned to box. In 2008 Jason was signed to the UFC where he had three fights, the first against Alan Belcher at the first UFC ever held in Canada. In 2011 he was hit by a range rover while riding his bike and the resulting injuries ended his fight career. Jason has been a full time stunt man since about 2013 and loves his job. His credits includes Warrior, Sniper - Assasins End, Altered Carbon, Batwoman, Van Helsing and Skyscrapper and more. He is the man behind webby: https://webbyagility.com/?fbclid=IwAR33z0pMXNBW6czF5zzf8WzbkXQx1M0djODGhn2tdV1jZRMDc8O40tjMlh0
Peter spent a year as a trainee public relations executive, after university degree. He later returned to Uni for a post grad diploma in education. He worked as High School teacher,teaching German & Geography. He Studied Chinese martial arts (Hood Khar Shaolin 1987 - 1990 / Nan Shaolin Wuzu Quan 1990 - present. Current grade 5th degree black belt equivalent) This was the door to his greatest adventures in learning. He soon began traveling to Asia to train in 1988, quickly became his second home. He became scuba dive master in Malaysia and then scuba instructor in Thailand in 1998 to support longer periods of travel and training. Peter arrived NZ 1999 work on his first job 2001 on The Lord of the Rings. Part time teaching / part time stunts Peter went on to work on some of the biggest projects in the past twenty years including, Avatar, The Hobbit, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Waterhorse, Vikings and many more. He has stepped back from stunts in 2019 to return to his roots. He lives in West Cork and built training hall where he lives, now teaching Wuzu Quan & Qigong.
Stuntman, Actor, Dancer, Fitness freak, mentor, 4 foot 9 and all of it. Fiji born Ravi Narayan's career highlights include performing as a scale/stunt double for Aidan Turner in The Hobbit Trilogy: An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Desolation of Smaug (2013) and Battle of the Five Armies (2014), directed by Sir Peter Jackson. During the shooting of "The Unexpected Journey" Ravi was chosen by Peter Jackson and his Team to play a Stunt Goblin who fought Gollum in his cave. Kiwi Christmas(2017) - Played the character Stufur. I played a Hero Dark Elf in Krampus (2015) directed by Michael Dougherty. Some of Ravis's other works includes Yogi Bear, Shortland Street, Power Rangers and Sir Edmund Hillary. He has featured on TV commercials for Moola, Georgie Pie, SRS Clinic and Hyundai. He has appeared on live TV as a contestant for ‘New Zealand’s Got Talent’
Willie Ying is the Kiwi Chinese filmmaker, he immigrated to New Zealand from China at 12 years of age. He took up martial arts when he found himself the target of bullies and this later turned into a career as a stuntman specializing in Chinese martial arts. What started out as small roles in film turned into a passion for directing. Willie developed his filmmaking career alongside a busy professional practice as an Auckland-based stunt coordinator and choreographer, specializing in high-wire acrobatic stunts. Willie moved his base back to Beijing from year 2012 and started to be a director or action director on his own. His fluency in English and Mandarin and ability to work with people from many different backgrounds was good grounding for his career trajectory. During a hurricane in Dominican Republic Augie and Willie discuss, movies, stunt, leadership, starting and making a decision to go to China ...
Stunt Woman Vanessa Cater's Father was in the Entertainment industry (stand up comedian and Stage Hypnotist). Vanessa was on stage by 5yrs -14yrs old as a magician. Started acting at 14, which was all she ever wanted to do. Got into stunts 11yrs ago when she worked with all the amazing Stunties on Narnia The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe. Vanessa met Dayna Grant who suggested to her that she should consider stunts, but it took about 3 more yearrs to finally make it on The Legend of the seeker. Later Vanesse worked on Spartacus, Ash vs Evil and soon decided to risk it all and "TRY" the LA thing. Better to try and fail than not, and always wonder!!! 6yrs and a GREENCARD later, Vanessa is finally making headway over in Hollywood.
Ron Smoorenburg (46) holds the world record record highest kick (11 feet) is mainly known for the end fight in Jackie Chan's 'Who am I?' (1998) which got a Hong Kong Oscar for the best action scene of the year. Over the last 20 plus years Ron worked with a lot of well known martial art action stars like; Jackie Chan, Tony Jaa, Jean Claude van Damme, Donnie Yen, Iko Uwais, Michael Jay White, Gary Daniels, Marko Zaror, Steven Seagal, Kane Kosugi and Scott Adkins and developed himself in the last 20 years as an actor which with a versatile and experienced action background. Not long after Ron was discovered by the world in the award winning Jackie Chan movie Who am I? He was quickly undiscovered in the Jackie Chan My Stunts documentary. In our first meet, Ron talks openly about his love for the movies and martial arts and how quickly things can change and the steps he took to become and still one of the most wanted bad guys in Martial Arts films.
Augie Davis, who is well-known for his work on The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit (2012) is a Stunt coordinator and Action Director. Born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand and working everywhere.
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