Podcast Summary

All Of It – WNYC

Episode: "The Fall Guy" Stunt Designer Chris O'Hara

Aired: May 10, 2024

Host: Kusha Navadar (in for Alison Stewart)

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode delves into the world of stunt performers in Hollywood, centering on Chris O’Hara—the stunt designer for the summer action film The Fall Guy. The discussion reveals both the artistry and science behind designing movie stunts, the evolution and recognition of stunt work, and the push for greater acknowledgment of the profession, alongside behind-the-scenes stories and listener Q&A.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Getting into Stunt Work: From Gymnastics to Hollywood

• Chris O’Hara’s Journey (04:19–06:11)

  • Started as a college gymnast at Temple University, then tried aerial skiing.
  • Wanted more out of life than competitive sports—transitioned into stunts in 1995 after moving to California.
  • His coach participated in stunt work on the side, influencing Chris's path.
  • “I basically consider [stunt performers] professional athletes. So it’s just basically taking one discipline... and transitioning it into stunt work.” (05:23, Chris O’Hara)

• Training & Skill Development (06:11–07:11)

  • Collaborated with a group of peers skilled in martial arts.
  • Exchange of skills: teaching gymnastics in return for learning martial arts.
  • Stunt performers need to be adaptable—much is learned on the job.

Specialization vs. Jack of All Trades

• Stunt Training Spectrum (07:11–08:24)
  • To have a career, being a jack of all trades is important.
  • On large productions, specialists (best in car work, high falls, etc.) are secured for high-risk sequences.

Collaboration & Relationships in Hollywood

• Working with Director David Leitch (09:14–10:24)
  • Chris and David Leitch (director of The Fall Guy and a former stuntman) have a nearly 30-year friendship.
  • Early projects together: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Martial Law.
  • “We lived together. We started off… doing like, Buffy the Vampire Slayer… cut your teeth for early stunt guys.” (09:14, Chris O’Hara)
  • Previous film collaborations: Hobbs and Shaw, The Fall Guy.

Designing "The Fall Guy" and Breaking Records

• World-Record Stunt: The Cannon Roll (11:23–13:54)

  • Drew Pearce (screenwriter) wrote breaking a world record into the script.
  • Chris focused on illusion of danger and safety over breaking records, but ultimately achieved an eight-and-a-half-roll car cannon roll (previous record: seven, Casino Royale).
  • Homage to earlier stunts: First cannon roll in film history (“McQ” with John Wayne).
  • Quote: “...if we couldn’t break a world record, I knew that we could pay homage to my predecessors in the stunt business.” (12:24, Chris O’Hara)

• What Is a Cannon Roll? (12:50)

  • Device under car driven by compressed air triggers a pole to flip the car (previously: black powder).
  • Rolled on sand, making it more challenging than previous record (done downhill on hard surface).

• Engineering and Science of Stunt Design (13:54–16:46)

  • Months of preparation: car choice (Jeep Grand Cherokee for cylindrical shape), custom roll cages, extensive sand compaction.
  • Testing informs all modifications and safety measures.
  • “...had guys on the beach from 4am… laying down water, rolling the beach… for five hours until we actually did the shot.” (14:50, Chris O’Hara)

Safety, Risk & Recognition

• Safety Protocols & Unionization (19:22–21:17)

  • All stunt performers are members of the Screen Actors Guild.
  • Safety is central: “We want to create the illusion of danger by minimizing the risks.” (19:28, Chris O’Hara)
  • Layered approach: testing, baby steps, special equipment (cages, seat belts, containment seats, fuel containment, etc.)
  • Candid discussion of tragedies, e.g., Harry Potter stunt gone wrong.

• Recognizing Stunt Work (24:12–26:45)

  • The Fall Guy is the first to credit “Stunt Designer” (vs. traditional “Stunt Coordinator”).
  • Designer role signals creative input and holistic contribution to filmmaking—mirroring production/costume designers.
  • Chris describes his process as generating ideas from real locations, integrating stunts into story and worldbuilding.
  • Push for Oscar recognition—no Academy Award yet, but much hope.
  • Quote: “Having this title as stunt designer is just a way of educating those people that we are creative, we are integral to the process of making movies.” (25:51, Chris O’Hara)

• Other Awards & Industry Support (27:27–28:06)

  • Red Bull Taurus Awards: major, longstanding stunt-specific honors.
  • Also features the Taurus Foundation, aiding injured stunt performers.

The People Behind the Action

• What Makes a Great Stunt Performer? (28:54–29:39)

  • Beyond courage: being professional athletes, good collaborators, and able to execute creative vision.
  • “We’re all professional athletes. I think we have a common goal of making it look amazing… take direction and execute the plan.” (28:54, Chris O’Hara)
  • Culture likened to a traveling circus—tight-knit, driven, creative.

• Women in Stunt Performing (29:52–30:36)

  • Female stunt performers just as prevalent (“actors and actresses both do stunts”).
  • Greater challenge: often less padding due to costumes.
  • “My hats off to them because they are… super tough, super calculated…” (30:17, Chris O’Hara)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chris O’Hara on the weight of representing stunt performers:

  • “It was a heavy weight to have on our shoulders because we want to make sure that… we represent the stunt community and highlight what we do. So going through it, it was a big, big weight on our shoulders. But I think we created something really great… mission accomplished.” (10:32)

• On history and innovation:

  • “If we couldn’t break a world record, I knew that we could pay homage to my predecessors…” (12:24)

• On the science of stunts:

  • “People think it’s just chaos, but really it’s months of preparation, engineering, testing, and… you’re only as good as your slowest car.” (paraphrased from 14:11–16:46)

• On the campaign for Oscar recognition:

  • “We are creative, we are integral to the process of making movies. And this kind of leads into a little bit of the Academy Awards and… why don’t stunts have an Oscar?...” (25:51)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:28 — Chris O’Hara joins, shares origins
• 04:19 — How he became a stuntman
• 06:11–07:11 — Training, on-the-job learning
• 07:38 — Specialization vs jack-of-all-trades
• 09:14–10:24 — Meeting and working with David Leitch
• 11:32 — Breaking a world stunt record in “The Fall Guy”
• 12:45–14:11 — Explaining and designing the cannon roll
• 14:11–16:46 — The math and physical science behind stunts
• 19:22–21:17 — Safety, unions, discussion of risk
• 24:12 — First credit as “Stunt Designer”
• 25:51 — Academy Awards and stunt recognition
• 27:27 — Stunt-specific awards like Red Bull Taurus
• 28:54 — What great stunt people have in common
• 29:52 — Discussion on stunt women

Listener Questions & Audience Engagement

• Jessica, Montclair (18:41) — Ask about stunt dangers, safety, and tragic incidents; prompts discussion on union protections and multi-layered safety measures.
• Bob, Union City (21:35) — Shares favorite car flip stunt from “McQ” (1974); Chris connects this to the original cannon roll and The Fall Guy’s homage.
• Frank, Avenel (28:06) — Shout-out to classic and creative stunts.

Conclusion

The episode gives a lively, insightful overview of what it takes to design and coordinate film stunts. Chris O’Hara articulates both the athleticism and the creative vision needed in his craft, demystifies the technical and safety aspects, and advocates for recognition of stunt work as a central part of filmmaking. Listeners gain a newfound appreciation for the people behind movie magic, and the evolving status of their essential contributions to cinema.

“We just want to perform and do a great job… well thought out and well practiced and hopefully the audience enjoys all of the hard work that stunt performers put in to entertain them.”—Chris O’Hara (29:16)