In the Crew we Trust...

Perry’s Blog

In the Crew we Trust…

"Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death." – General Omar N. Bradley

Of course I have seen many brave acts over the years – usually, stunt-related activities that defy most people’s perceptions of what the human body can be subjected to.  But these stuntmen are professional, and their bravery is to a certain extent learned and mastered.  However, I remember one act of cool-handed action several years ago by an up-and-coming actor, Steven McColl, on location for Dead Eye Dick. 

I was rigging the action sequence alongside the Stunt Co-ordinator, Andy Bradford. We were filming on one of the tallest buildings in Glasgow city centre, and I was responsible for putting steel deck round the roof, and wiring the actor to a safe point.  As part of the action, Steven was expected to stand with his toes over the edge, facing the skyline and – although we had him on a wire and he was, in every respect, safe – I was very much taken with the young lad’s bravery (and trust in us).

On many occasions I have had the lives of actors and stunt personnel in my hands… but they always know that I have their safety at the top of my list – and I suppose they wouldn’t do the scene or the stunt if they didn’t trust me implicitly.