Stunt driving also involves precise timing. You must be able to make it all happen at the right time and at the right place. And finally you must have the ability to adapt and bring energy into each new and challenging situation.
Stunt driving is undoubtedly a precision exercise. A good stunt driver needs to share a bit of that vision with the director to bring something fresh to the physical challenge of the situation; as well as ensure that the timing and placement of the stunt is spot on.
A perfect example of required stunt driver skills is the story of my friend's experiences while working on a car commercial. The sequence was to show the car racing through very heavy rain. The creation of this effect was something new. To create the right look necessitated mounting a jet engine at the rear of a truck, shooting water out of a tank and across the car (a true 'film' moment!)
To make the torrential downpour scene work successfully, my friend, the driver, was tearing along a mere foot from the truck - driving a convertible with the roof back and no windshield wipers! With water streaming over the car, in the car, in his face - suffice to say he couldn't see much and recalls the jet fumes made it all the more difficult.
To this day I recall that stunt driving story, as a good example of the punishing circumstances that stunt drivers must be prepared for. To reflect on a crazy situation of my own - I remember during the filming of My Boss's Daughter, I was behind the wheel of a BMW when I had to contend with an Owl shooting in the passenger window, bumping the head of my 'passenger' onto me, before hovering frantically directly in front of my face.
As a result of the owl 'attack' the car veered off the road, over medians, into oncoming traffic and ended up smashing through the side of a house. There just isn't any way to practice for something like that!
Get involved in stunt driving and you can be sure of only one thing - you will need to draw on every driving skill you have and a few you couldn't imagine you would ever need!
The best preparation for a career in stunt driving is to have as wide and diverse a driving background as you can and be prepared for anything!
About the Author:
Mark Aisbett has years of experience at stunt car driving. He can teach you everything you need to know to be professional stunt driver. If you want to be hired to drive as a professional stunt driver, Mark can show you how to stand out from the crowd.
