I recently did an email interview with Revolution's stunt coordinator, Jeff Wolfe. Jeff is extremely enthusiastic about his work and was even able to give us a small sneak peek of episode 10. See below.
1. What type of training did you receive for your job as a stunt coordinator?
The training has mostly consisted of the last eighteen years of being a stuntman. Watching and learning what works and what doesn't is a big advantage. You know what you're expecting from someone else, because you've been there yourself!
2. How is being a stunt coordinator different for you than doing the stunts?
It hurts less!!! As a stuntman, you get to put your two cents in around choreography and such. But the final decision always falls on the coordinator. I enjoy actively creating elements that are going to hopefully move the story along, and not just look cool.
3. Was it easy to move from behind the camera to acting on the show?
Yes. I started my career as an actor in martial arts movies. Once upon a time in china and America, Knock Off, etc. so it's like riding a bicycle for me..
4. What has been the most challenging stunt on the show so far?
The horse to train transfer of Miles and Charlie... Horses aren't fond of running next to moving trains!!
5. Any good stunt scenes in upcoming episodes we should look out for?
Lets just say the action is getting bigger and bigger! Watch for some serious explosions incorporating stuntmen. The kind of stuff we see in films but not normally television...:)
6. Which actor(s) on Revolution are most comfortable with the stunt work?
Billy Burke, David Lyons and Tracy Spiridakos are amazing! Unless its ridiculously dangerous, they end up doing most of the action!
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| Jeff Wolfe (center) |
7. How is the work that you do on this show different from other projects that you have done?
The mythology of the show is so on the same page with my style, I get to create without compromising what I'd like to see. You can't do a crazy sword brawl on a cop show!!
8. What is your favorite type of fight scene to do? Hand to hand? Swords? Guns?
Swords are my favorite. They're an extension of hand to hand fights, but with added danger, and reach. But I love the pummeling you can to with hand to hand. The gut punches, etc, that add impact without finishing the fight. That's why I added the brass knuckle style handles to the swords.
9. What has been your favorite action scene this season?
A fight that's coming up in episode ten. It's very climatic. Can't give any details, but you'll see what I mean in a few weeks!
10. How does the blackout that occurred in the show affect your job as a stunt coordinator? Any limitations?
Well, it definitely limits the car chases! It makes you think. You don't have a lot of elements that having power in the world would bring to the action, so you have to come up with different ways than the "norm" to do things. It's challenging but I'm loving it!
11. Have there been any stunts this season that, as a stuntman, you would have liked to have done?
When I choreograph the fights, I play both sides in order to decide what to use. So I get to do everything in a way! Other than that, I enjoy watching from the monitors to see what I've thought up come to life.
12. How do you decide whether a stuntman is needed for a scene?
It all depends on the perceived danger level. I'll speak to the actors about it. Sometimes it's an obvious no, even though they want to! Protecting them is a big part of the job!!
In closing, I would like to thank Jeff Wolfe for answering my questions and wish him the best of luck.
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