All Of It – The Stunt Designer Behind ‘The Fall Guy’

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Host: Kusha Navadar (in for Alison Stewart)
Guest: Chris O’Hara, Stunt Designer for The Fall Guy
Date: August 2, 2024

Episode Overview

This episode explores the world of stunt performers through the eyes of Chris O’Hara, the first person credited as a “stunt designer” in a feature film for his work on The Fall Guy. O’Hara discusses his journey into the industry, the remarkable planning involved in blockbuster stunts, the technical evolution of his craft, and the industry’s ongoing push for greater recognition, including hope for an Oscar category for stunts. The conversation covers everything from jaw-dropping car flips to the career’s hidden dangers and the unique camaraderie of stunt professionals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Becoming a Stuntman (02:58)

• O’Hara’s Background:
  • Started as a college gymnast at Temple University.
  • After college, pursued aerial skiing but wanted something “bigger.”
  • “So I packed up my car, left the east coast, and moved to California. That was 1995, so 29 years ago.” (Chris O’Hara, 03:38)
• Career Path:
  • Noticed parallels between athleticism in sports and stunt work.
  • Recognizes most stunt performers as “professional athletes.”

2. Training for Stunts (05:02)

• Training Evolution:
  • Learned martial arts from peers with extensive backgrounds, exchanged skills as a gymnast.
  • Much is “on the job” learning: “You start with fights and falls… building a name for yourself… hopefully you get bigger and bigger things as your career progresses.” (05:19)
• Specialization vs. Versatility:
  • A “jack of all trades” is essential to a sustained career, but productions like The Fall Guy also require specialists (e.g., top car stunt drivers, high-fall experts).

3. Collaboration & History with Director David Leitch (07:04)

• O’Hara and director David Leitch were part of a core training group upon arrival in California:
  • “Dave is actually one of the guys I mentioned… one of the first guys I met when I moved out to California…” (07:33)
  • Worked their way up together on shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and movies like Hobbs and Shaw.

4. Designing Iconic Stunts for The Fall Guy (09:51, 12:29)

• World Record Cannon Roll:
  • Broke the previous car roll record (previously 7 rolls in Casino Royale) with 8½ rolls.
    • “We did eight and a half.” (Chris O’Hara, 12:12)
  • Chose a Jeep Grand Cherokee for its “cylinder-like” shape, optimal for rolling.
  • Months of development: “Four months of development, all the way down to choice of car… specifics of cage design, sand compaction, and camera tracking needed for the roll.” (12:29–15:05)
  • Paid homage to the origin of cannon rolls, referencing McQ (1974) and Gary McLarty’s pioneering stunt.
• Behind the Science:
  • “We had guys on the beach from 4:00am, laying down water, rolling the beach… for five hours until we did the shot.” (Chris O’Hara, 14:15)
  • Stresses the blend of creativity and engineering.

5. Safety and Risk in Stunt Work (17:36)

• Union Representation & Safety Measures:
  • Stunt performers are members of Screen Actors Guild (SAG).
  • “Ultimate goal is—we want to create the illusion of danger by minimizing the risks.” (Chris O’Hara, 17:44)
  • Safety involves: caged vehicles, containment seats, seat belts, fuel containment, pads, rigorous testing, and baby-step rehearsals.
• Acknowledgment of Danger:
  • “Nobody wants to ever get hurt, but we do everything we can to make that not happen.” (18:30)
  • References tragic accidents, e.g., Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in Harry Potter.

6. Industry Recognition & The New Title “Stunt Designer” (22:18)

• Why “Designer” Matters:
  • “People look at stunt coordinator like you coordinate… Stunt designer is taking it from nothing and turning into what you see at the end product.” (22:26)
  • In The Fall Guy, designed complex set pieces like the bin chase after scouting locations and drawing inspiration from his environment.
  • Title is meant to highlight creative and scientific contributions to the filmmaking process.
• Push for an Oscar Category:
  • “Other departments get Academy Awards… Hopefully having this [title] will enlighten people in the Academy—it’s like, we really are integral…” (24:04–24:31)

7. Awards and Community Support (25:27)

• Current Recognition:
  • Red Bull Taurus Awards: “A very stunt-specific award ceremony that Red Bull’s put on for us every year.” (Chris O’Hara, 25:33)
  • Red Bull Taurus Foundation supports injured stunt performers.

8. What Makes a Great Stunt Performer? (27:00)

• Professional Traits:
  • “I think we’re all professional athletes. I think we have a common goal of making it look amazing.” (Chris O’Hara, 27:01)
  • Emphasizes taking direction, executing plans, and working as part of a “traveling circus.”
• Diversity & Toughness:
  • “Stuntwomen… they tend to be in dresses or wardrobe that doesn’t allow for the pads to cover stuff… My hat’s off to them—they are super tough, super calculated, and amazing performers.” (Chris O’Hara, 28:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On accepting the job for The Fall Guy:

  • “You had me at hello… What better movie to want to be involved in as a stunt coordinator and stunt designer than The Fall Guy?” (08:51)

• On the illusion of danger:

  • “We want to create the illusion of danger by minimizing the risks…” (17:43)

• On the science of stunts:

  • “It looks amazing, but it’s well thought out and well practiced…” (27:35)

• On women in stunt work:

  • “The stuntwomen... my hat’s off to them because they are super tough, super calculated and... amazing performers.” (28:24)

• Hopes for industry recognition:

  • “We are creative and we’re not just a bunch of stunt guys just doing stunts. We are really integral to the whole film process.” (24:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:58 — Chris describes getting into stunts and his athletic background.
• 05:02 — Training and learning on the job; jack-of-all-trades vs. specialists.
• 07:33 — O’Hara’s friendship and collaboration with director David Leitch.
• 09:51, 12:29 — Breaking the world record for car rolls; design and execution of the cannon roll.
• 17:36 — Safety measures and real risks in stunt work.
• 22:18 — The distinction and importance of being credited as “stunt designer.”
• 24:51 — Industry recognition, Oscar hopes, and the Red Bull Taurus Awards.
• 27:00 — What makes a great stunt performer and the evolving field, including stuntwomen.

Conclusion

This episode pulls back the curtain on stunt work, blending anecdotes, technical explanations, and thoughtful industry critique. Chris O’Hara’s insights reveal the athleticism, science, and artistry essential to modern stunt work—and his hope that the profession gets its due recognition, both onscreen and off. As The Fall Guy hits screens, O’Hara invites audiences to see not only the spectacle, but also the craftsmanship beneath the action.

For more conversations about culture and the creative minds behind the scenes, stream “All Of It” on WNYC.