Playing Injured

This is a picture of me lining up a jump over that chain link fence and over the DP, running full speed. The drop was about 8 feet onto concrete and the shoes I was wearing had no cushion in them whatsoever. I did the stunt 9 times so they could get it from different angles and at some point I landed hard on the ball of my left foot, bruising it badly. At the time, I didn't realize the extent of the injury and kept doing the jump. By the last jump, I could barely walk.

That was 2 months ago and the injury is still a problem. Because it's the ball of my foot, I re-injure it a few times a week (like on Wednesday nights when I play basketball). It's like getting a paper cut on your thumb - it takes forever to heal because you use it constantly. I walk around my house in thick flip flops to ease the pain of walking on it.

I don't regret it one bit though. Stunts are really fun to do. Part of what makes them fun is the danger and sometimes you get hurt. But doing stunts isn't about never getting hurt, it's about minimizing the potential injuries. Even the best stunt guys in the industry get injured. They just get injured in ways that they can fully heal from and come back for more.

It was fun to do despite the pain. I've seen some of the footage and the shot looks great. I've since done several fight scenes on other projects and played a lot of basketball. I'm not exactly speeding up my recovery, but there's no rest for the weary...or injured.

 

What's the most fun stunt you've done? Have you hurt yourself doing something for a shoot?

(photo courtesy of Will Wallace)

-- Gabriel Voss

Comments

[amy]

I hit my head on the floor during a rehearsal for a fight scene in a theatre show. It actually was a really good thing - it showed my fight partner and me that we weren't doing all we could to make it safe and I'm glad it happened in rehearsal and not during the run. It really made us do a good job after that of looking after each other on tour!

[Gabriel Voss]

Amy - Glad you are okay! You're totally right too that sometimes a smaller injury is a good thing when it reminds you how dangerous what you're doing really is and you start taking it more seriously. Hopefully the tour had no injuries. Congratulations on the tour by the way!

[Kathleen Sauer]

Hi Gabriel.... I am doing extra work on a period TV show and had to wear these vintage shoes for hours and hours. The next day, my one heel hurt so much, despite the fact that in between shots i took them off and rested. I even had gels pads in them. I am scheduled to do the show again and will be wearing the same shoes. I think I'm just going to get some extra cushy Dr. Scholls heel pads for the next time.
Also,,, in between dates, I have been wearing good laceup walking shoes around the house instead of my usual flats/ barefeet. Good Luck to you on the healing process.

[Gabriel Voss]

Kathleen - That's impressive that you thought ahead enough to bring the gel pads in the first place. Who knew wearing shoes could be an occupational hazard? Smart of you too to wear good shoes around the house. I've decided to pass on basketball this week to let my foot heal faster. I've also added to my injuries a ruptured ear drum from diving in my pool. That was 3 days ago and I still have water in my ear. Hope your feet feel better!

[Seregon O'Dassey]

I did all of my own stunts and fight choreography for my sci-fi film "Cleric". By the end of the 11 day shoot I was covered in cuts and black and blue marks! It was fun, though, and I wouldn't trade one single "battle scar" I earned!

[Gabriel Voss]

Seregon - That's awesome! Congrats on the film and getting to do some serious fight work. Hopefully none of the cuts and bruises left permanent marks. Keep it up!

[Grace Davis]

Hello, i really enjoy reading your articles. As a stage actor in high school theatre i witness many injuries. How often would you say you get injured on the job? Does acting ever positively affect your health (Mental, Physical, or Spiritual)?

Thank You,
Grace

[---------]

hey

[---------]

Grace- I don't sustain injuries from acting very often, due to safety precautions. Acting is positive for me though injuries remind you how dangerous what you're doing really is and you start taking it more seriously. Keep it up!