I'm a stuntwoman who played the Catching Fire District 9 tribute, and I've been in The Terminator, Reservoir Dogs, Air Force One, and many others. AMA!

Recently Jason Statham said there should be an Oscar for stunts. What are your thoughts?

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/11/jason-statham-stunt-oscars

It's a question that's been around for 30 years, and there are already so many Oscars. My opinion is that I still like the idea that stunt people are anonymous. I like my anonymity (even though I'm doing this AMA).

Thanks for doing this! Which actress was the worst to work with, either for yourself or a colleague?

Demi Moore. She's hypercritical of herself. She's obsessed with her image.

What was working on the Terminator like? Did you get to meet... The One?

How was the Anchorman like? Was the cast just as funny off the camera as they were on the camera?

Finally, is Jennifer Lawrence as attractive in person as she seems on camera?

1. Of course I met Arnold! Arnold wasn't famous yet, and James Cameron wasn't famous yet. It was a low budget film and we worked all nights. It wasn't until the screening that we realized that we were in a hit.

2. The cast of Anchorman 2 was funnier to me off-screen than on! And David Koechner was so nice and the funniest of the bunch.

3. What you see of Jennifer Lawrence on TV and in the movies is EXACTLY how she is in person. She's not fake at all. She's genuine.

What was your worst injury?

My worst injury was when I jumped off a second story balcony and when I landed I ruptured a disk in my back. It was from a movie called Midnight's Child. And then the jump was never even used in the movie.

And then the jump was never even used in the movie.

Does that upset you ?

Yes. It's very disappointing. I would have at least liked to have the footage for my demo reel.

How was it, working with the legendary Alan Ritchson AKA Thad Castle?

Alan had THE best sense of humor of all the tributes. He'd sing funny songs in the van after work and kept us laughing all the time. He looks intimidating until you find out he's an all around great guy.

What did you enjoy about filming Catching Fire?

Besides the paycheck? I liked working with Finnick and Peeta and Finnick and Finnick and Finnick.

How's (read: what's) the pay?

SAG scale

Three questions:

1. Have you 'doubled' for any big-name celebrities?
2. Whats your favorite stunt that you've done?
3. How would you advise someone who wanted to get into the stunting business?

1. Demi Moore, Sandra Bullock, Mariska Hargitay, Marcia Gay Harden, Rachel Weisz, Ally Sheedy, lots of others!

2. I love doing car hits for the 'wow' factor!

3. Train, train, train! Know as many various athletic abilities as you can, like martial arts and gymnastics. Go to stunt school!

Have you ever been treated coldly or negatively by the person you were doubling for?

To clarify my question, a couple years back I was working as a PA on a pretty big movie. The film had four "name" actors (2 men, 2 women). The main actor and actress were REALLY big movie stars at the time. To put this bluntly, the stand-ins for all four of them were younger and more attractive.

The two stars acted in a very cold and passive-aggressive manner towards their stand-ins. For the actress, I chalked this up to jealousy over the stand-in's youth and beauty. She looked like the star's twin sister, but 10 years younger. The actor's "twin" was better built. He had more muscle, was younger, and was probably stronger. Given the relationships on set, it really seemed like these two movie stars perceived these stand-ins as a threat. Like someone that could replace them.

In my view, this thinking was illogical of course. The movie stars had a talent that neither of the stand-ins possessed, and that's why they swapped places when the cameras started rolling. But I find it interesting that these movie stars were (apparently) that insecure about these superficial traits. The other two name-actors (cast as the less-attractive best friends) laughed and chatted with their stand-ins.

The actors I've known who've had the longest careers have always been the nicest to everyone.

Thanks for doing an AMA. I was a makeup intern on catching fire in Atlanta last year. I don't have a question, just wanted to say Hi! :)

Hi Donnie!

Hey Mama Hof, just wishing you well :)

Hey Austin! What are you up to? How's NYC?

How did you get 58 comments and questions in such a short period of time (51 minutes)? You are a social media superstar AND hella bad stuntwoman!

Oh, you know me!

Do you get to know the actors/actresses you are doubling for, or is there more of a distance between you?

I keep a distance from them, but that's a personal preference. Some stuntwomen become friends with their actresses.

Curious why you prefer to keep your distance. Does it help you to concentrate more on the stunt work?

I respect the actor's privacy. Acting can be very demanding and they need to be able to concentrate. I've also seen stunt people try to be cozy with their actors and it backfires in their faces.

Looks like you've been doing this for almost 30 years. What kind of toll has it taken on your body over the years? Do you have any "permanent" injuries? Also, what got you into this industry?

Actually, it's 33 years! I don't really like to talk about the injuries, but my back does hurt most days.

In general, what kind of money do stunt doubles make? Is it a career that can support a family? Or, is it something on the side to make some extra cash?

Yes, you can definitely support a family as a stunt double, ESPECIALLY if you're a stuntman. They can have very long, successful careers. Not so much with women. I wouldn't consider it a career on the side to make some extra cash, because it takes a lot of dedication.

We get paid by the day/week/etc, but then if a stunt is particularly difficult, we get something called a stunt adjustment that is pay tied to the difficulty of the stunt.

How do you train for a job like this?

Train in martial arts, gymnastics, and as many different skills as possible.

How much of your potential business is taken away by stuntmen in wigs?

Not much. That hasn't really happened since 1980.

Do you ever get the feeling you are doing everyone else's dirty work?

No, I love my job!

Does it bother you to be uncredited in a movie? Is the pay different if you are credited?

Pay's not different if I'm credited or not. I'm usually credited, but the producer will tell the stunt coordinator that they can only put down a certain number of names in the credits. It's disappointing if I'm not there, but I can always prove I worked on the show through pay stubs and call sheets.

Do most actor's respect those that do stunts?

I'd say so. There's mutual respect between actors and stuntpeople.

How did you come into the stunt profession, and what's your recommendation for those who aspire to enter the profession at an entry level?

I was in college and I went to a stunt school, and from there I got additional training and met other stunt people. I began working as an extra to get on-set experience. When I was given an opportunity to do a stunt, I was able to get my SAG card. One job leads to the next in this business through word-of-mouth. My recommendation is to be 100% focused on the goal if that's really what you want to do.

How consistent is your job? Do you do big projects for a while and then take a break or is it a regular thing?

I take a job when it comes up! They're fairly regular, though they were much more regular when I was younger ;)

What was your favorite movie that you have worked on so far been?

I loved working on Hunger Games and Anchorman 2, for different reasons. On Hunger Games, I felt like I was an integral part of the show. Anchorman 2 was just so much fun and I was laughing ALL the time on set!

What was your experience on a Tarantino set like?

He wasn't famous yet, and it was a low-budget movie that we filmed in North Hollywood. It seemed like any other low-budget movie I'd worked on ;)

What part did you play in Reservoir Dogs?

I shot Mr. Orange (Tim Roth) from a car, and then he shot me back.

Awesome scene! What was it like working with Tarantino so early in his career?

He was wacky even then!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wo-S-5DZkDU#t=201 Nice death!

Cool! Thanks!

Any close calls?

Skiing away from an avalanche during a TV show in the 80's called The Fall Guy!

Do you keep any momentos from projects?

Call sheets, the script, and I kept my husband from The Fall Guy.

Is he a stuntman as well? Did you have a stuntperson meet cute?

No, my husband is a cinematographer and a director. And all stuntmen are cute!

Get off my plane!!!

Air Force One!

Did any of the "leading" actors do their own stunts? If so, who was it and what was the most impressive stunt they did?

For legal reasons, the main actor is not usually allowed to do a dangerous (i.e., impressive) stunt.

I have no questions, I just want to say this is amazing and you are amazing. Movies often make those supersexystripperheroines do all sorts of crazy stuff, and then you get out there and actually do it. That's awesome.

Thank you so much!

2 questions:

1. It seems like most of the stuff on your IMBD page is all this relatively high-profile, blockbuster stuff. Is that just the stuff that sort of floats to the surface on IMDB, or do you generally only tend to work on bigger stuff?

2. At some point, I assume you'll get to an age where you probably won't be interested in standing in front of moving cars, getting blown up, etc. Do you think you'll retire, or would you try to transition into acting?

1. Lately, I've been fortunate to get high profile stuff, but I've clearly worked on not high-profile films and TV shows!

2. I'll retire and transition into producing, and I've already begun producing! Probably in the next few years I'll retire, but I won't pass up something amazing if it comes along.

I know it's unfair to ask a second question.... but, i just read you worked on anchorman 2, are there any cool stories from that experience (or is it confidential until release)?

There are so many cool stories, but I did sign an NDA, so I'll just give you one. I was racing with a minotaur through the battle. He reached over and scooped me up just so I wouldn't trip over someone who'd fallen in front of me!

What was the most dangerous stunt you performed?

Any car hit I did (and I did a lot of them!). There's a 50% chance I'd end up in the hospital, based on the people I knew who also did car hits and how many times they'd end up in the hospital. I was also pregnant on one of my biggest car hits, but I didn't know it at the time, otherwise I wouldn't have done it.

How does it go down when an actor wants to do their own stunts?

It's not the actor's decision. The stunt coordinator will work with the actor to see how much he/she can handle, and then the coordinator will determine how capable the actor is.

I know that it would be bad for your career to not be called in, but have you ever been called in to do a "stunt" that you thought "Really? They need a stuntwoman for this?" If so, what was it?

I can think of lots of stuff! When I worked on Escape from LA with Kurt Russell, all I had to do was lie on the ground. Sure, there were explosions and fire all around me, but all I had to do was lay there.

Any time I had to play a dead body, that's fun because I get to be paid to take a nap.

Intersting! I have a followup question. Is there a "Stuntworkers Union" or anything of the sort that dictates where a stuntperson should be used? Or more importantly, to make sure that you are relatively safe when you perform the stunt?

It's all part of the same guild as the actors--SAG/AFTRA. They dictate pay, safety guidelines, etc.

Is there some type of stunt you have not done?

I've never turned over a car. Few women have.

What was your proudest moment? (In stunts) :)

I received an Action Icon Award for my career as a stuntwoman this month. Awards for stunts have only been around for 10 years or so, and it's nice to be recognized by my peers.

Congrats!

Thank you!

[deleted]

We filmed all of September, October, and November of 2012. We were training and shooting simultaneously.

Since you played a minor character in CF, did you invent a backstory for her before filming? :) I know some of the other cast members did that!

Absolutely! And I even left some of the details up to the fans! I held a contest for naming my character (Sylva Mayleaf), and my preferred weapon (pitchfork). My publicist and I filled in the rest of the story (we had a fun time discussing that!). I sent the winners a personally autographed photo.

Have you noticed any decrease in work overall in the past fifteen years or so since CGI has become so much more prevalent in film?

There's still a lot of work, but the biggest difference has been that stunts are now safer because we can use cables and CGI will be able to remove them for the final cut. When I used to jump off buildings, it was just me and a mat below to catch me. Now, safety cables are always used. When I used to get hit by cars, it was just me and the car, but now we use cables for that, too. It's made many less injuries, and for that, we're grateful.

Have you ever pulled off an epic prank, using your stunt skills?

On Halloween, I love dressing up as Austin Powers.

Greetings! You are a huge inspiration for me, I am just getting out of collage and was wondering what stunt school would you recommend. Being a stuntman has always been a dream of mine, keep up the good work and stay safe!

Thank you! There's a stunt school called LA Stunts Training Center. It's a good place for beginners. Michael Long is a friend of mine (we went to stunt school together back in the 70's), and he's where I would go if I wanted to learn new tricks. He also hires people onto his shows. Good luck!

On average how many takes to get a stunt right? I dont quite remember which one was the District 9 tribute or what she did, but was tedious to get that perfect manueveur and what not?

Usually it's just one take, covered by multiple cameras.

your funniest fart?

The one that made /u/GovSchwarzenegger say, "I won't be back."

Do you ever get star struck?

Only once, with Tom Selleck on Magnum, P.I.!

Which movie had you worked on did you dislike the most in terms of the quality of the final product?

Which movie have you worked on is your favorite?

Favorite: Magnum, P.I. I know it's not a movie, but I LOVE that TV show! Dislike: Nothing But Trouble

(if applicable) Where did you go to college and what did you study?

I studied kinesiology at UCLA. I originally wanted to be a physical therapist.

What stunt was necessary for Reservoir Dogs? Person being pulled from a car?

There were two stunts for women. I was the one that shot Tim Roth (Mr. Orange).

What is your favorite stunt you've ever done?

I love doing car hits!

What is your favorite type of movie to work on? It seems stunt doubles are used almost everywhere nowadays.

Comedies, because I love to laugh!

Hi my mom lives in ringwood nj, part of it was filmed there, do you know where they were filmed? And how was ringwood?

I wasn't actually in Ringwood, but my daughter told me they were filming there. They actually filmed on a trail she has hiked before. She calls it "the Castle trail."

Was this the toughest role you've had to play, and if so why. If not, what was it and why?

My toughest role was Innocent Blood, because I had to work outside in the winter in a dress.

Hi! How did Sam Claflin almost blind himself?

He broke a finger in a fight, but I've never heard about him getting almost blinded.

if you die doing a stunt do you hope it makes it into the film?

Absolutely NOT! That would be disturbing.

How hard is it to get into stunt work? Its my dream job and I wouldnt even know where to start

Like most great jobs, it takes 100% focused dedication. To get started, you need to live where movies/tv shows are made. You need to get training and meet other stunt people. Working as an extra is a great way to learn "set etiquette." There are several good books written by stunt people: Vic Armstrong, Julie Ann Johnson, Hal Needham, Angela Meryl that will give you insight into the business. Good luck!

Thanks for doing the AMA, hope I didn't miss it!

You're in some of my favorite movies, I need to rewatch a few and look for you - got a favorite movie of yours that shows your best work?

Most of my "best" work was on TV shows that are hard to find now... Here's my demo reel - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65SGHrpQYa4

What was you're reaction when they told you you were going to act on Catching Fire?

In the film business there's a lot of auditions, and a stunt person or actor will only book a small percentage of them. I was surprised to receive the initial phone call, and ecstatic when I learned that I was given the role.

To name a few from IMDB:

Terminator, night Rider, Matlock, Magnum, P.I., The Rocketeer, Reservoir Dogs, Basic Instinct, Batman Returns, Naked Gun 33 1/3, The Net, Nick of Time, Broken Arrow, Spy Hard, The Nutty Professor, Vagas Vacation, Seinfeld, Batman & Robin, Air Force One, Thats My Bush, Pearl Harbor, Buffy, 24, Lizzie McGuire, Drop Dead Diva, Homeland, The Hunger Games, Anchorman 2, Spongebob SquarePants 2.

Quite a career, How do you get picked for stuff usualy, by looks (look alike) talents or History? Have any lucky breaks or chance opertunities that played out?

I get chosen by all of the above!

Is there one stunt that you've seen in another movie and thought "Wow! I wish I could have done that one!"

Any time I see people performing parkour, I say I wish I could do that! To be able to move like that would be so awesome!

How do you feel about Jason Statham advocating for an Oscar for stunt performances?

My opinion is that I still like the idea that stunt people are anonymous. I like my anonymity (even though I'm doing this AMA).

Which stunts did you do in catching fire? I just watched it but I can't remember who the District 9 tribute was. Did Jennifer Lawrence have a stunt woman?

We did the big bloodbath at the Cornucopia, which was not used in the film. It might be because the scene was so violent that it would have ruined the PG-13 rating. I also doubled Wiress when she's killed by having her throat slit and I doubled for Greasy Sae when she gets roughed up by the Peacekeepers.

Yes, Jennifer had a stunt double. Renae Moneymaker. She's amazing!

What did you do in The Terminator and which scenes can we catch glimpse of you?

Tech Noir (club scene) when Terminator shoots me in the back and I land on top of Sarah Connor. See demo reel - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65SGHrpQYa4

Hi Marian! Other than more of the Cornucopia battle, were there any other scenes you filmed that were trimmed or eliminated, like the interviews? Do you recall any other deleted scenes from other parts or the film that aren't in the final cut? Do you have a copy of the script? Thanks :)

1. I wasn't interviewed by Caesar Flickerman (none of the stunt people was).

2. The blood bath was the most notable scene deleted. Many scenes were trimmed way down to keep the story moving.

3. The script was top secret and I wasn't given the full copy.

What do you think of the idea of an Oscar for "Best Stunt Performance in a Feature Film"?

I like it...but I am not in the industry.

There are many stunt people who are for it but I prefer the old days when stunt people were anonymous. It keeps movie making more mysterious and glamorous.

What's you favorite color?

Purple!

Were you the stunt double for the actress who played Sarah Connor in the Terminator?

No, but I was actually hired to double Sarah Connor. I turned down the role because I didn't feel like I was the proper body type for the actress and I recommended my friend instead, Jeannie Malahni, to double her and she got the job.

Big magnum PI fan here! Any stories from the set?

When Tom first met the woman who would become his eventual real-life wife...well, let's just say it was a big surprise and a big disappointment to the women on the show, because up until that time he'd been the constant bachelor.

Tic toc?

It's a clock.

Any job you wish you had gotten but missed out on?

GI Jane! I was offered the role, but I had an injury from a previous show so I couldn't take the role.

I just watched catching fire last sunday with my mom and loved it. Sorry you had to be from the district who's tributes all died on the first day!

Thank you for your concern! I'm feeling much better now!

How did you get your start in your career? Was there a pronounced moment or did you stumble upon it?

There was a pronounced moment. Can't remember the exact day, but I think I was 19 years old and saw the movie "Hooper." It was the ah-ha moment!

What was your role in Air Force One? Seriously one of my favorite movies ever

I worked for the president as one of his assistants and jumped out of the airplane.

This might sound weird, but i looked you up on IMDb and it says you are filming spongebob squarepants 2? What? Are you alowed to say anything about that?

I signed an NDA and can't talk about it right now.