Stunt Coordinator Rex Reddick became the first in Los Angeles to rent Velocity Stunts’ high-speed computer winches soon after Velocity moved their operations there.
Rex’s stunt riggers Jimmy Romano and Chris Fletcher were happy to have the winches at their disposal as Rex had tasked them with rigging a number of gags including a four-person performer-flying move. Many of the stunts in I’m In The Band are comedy based and this episode had its share of fun gags. One scene in the script called for a big physical reaction to an exploding set piece from all four cast members simultaneously. Director Shelley Jensen asked Rex for an over the top comedic reaction calling for the stunt doubles to be thrown through the air across the width of the stage!
It was the first time Rex, Jimmy and Chris had used Velocity’s winches, so they were interested to see first hand how the system worked. During rehearsals it became clear to Rex, Jimmy and Chris just how much value the system could add to the production as they all rode the rig for the rehearsals. They were amazed at how smooth Velocity’s rig was to ride!
Dave Lane suggested using vector-rigging techniques for its simplicity, speed of installation and control over the performers flight paths and Jimmy and Chris were interested in seeing the benefits of the rigging technique. Once the rig was installed Rex was happy to learn how efficiently Dave programmed the initial 2D performer flight paths using Velocity’s ultra-intuitive software. Velocity’s winches and controls combined with the vector-rigging techniques provided Dave and the performers the opportunity to move quickly and smoothly through the rehearsal increasing acceleration and velocity in graduated increments to arrive at a finished stunt safely in a time frame that met the compressed prep schedule.
This led to an efficient and solid shoot day, with Shelley very pleased with the results achieved after just a few takes. First AD Sean Mulcahy was also pleased at how quickly the big stunt in the episode was completed.
Velocity Stunts assisted with a number of other stunts involving wire rigs, hand pulls etc. in the episode adding extra value for Rex, Jimmy and Chris. Velocity Stunts is keenly aware that you need to be creative at the production level on big or small projects and were able to provide Rex with the latest in stunt rigging winches to assist him in achieving Shelley’s vision while balancing that with Produce/UPM Julie Tsutsui’s requirements.
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