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Bronze VIP Archive for February 8, 2000

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Warning! Possible Spoilers!!

Jeff Pruitt says:
(Tue Feb 8 23:59:31 2000 169.132.153.29)
carl - If you recall some time ago PEOPLE magazine pulled a similar trick. They told Sophia they were doing a story on stunts and talked to her for an hour about her Hong Kong work and Buffy. Only at the end did they mention Sarah and asked Sophia how she could double someone so thin. Sophia just told them that Sarah liked to be reall really thin and that she just had to watch out not to do too much weight training. When the article came out it wasn't about stunts at all. They had that quote from Sophia next to big letters that said ANOREXIC HOLLYWOOD or something like that. It was all about how actresses are too thin. They just used Sophia's name even though she told them that she would not answer questions about Sarah.

I can't trust those people at all. They are scummy.

^
Jeff Pruitt says:
(Tue Feb 8 23:49:52 2000 169.132.153.29)
MizA - I love POLICE STORY. That was the one that Brandon Lee copied the most for RAPID FIRE. So check it out.

Kenickie - For the opening fight of BEER BAD I got to have Sophia do a fight in which Buffy DIDN'T get her butt kicked. I used the mini-tramp and had her wipe out the vamps. It was fun.

Later I rigged a wire stunt to allow Sophia to swing up to the window. It was a rig that I came up with that had the cable run between her legs over to her back. The fx guys had never seen it done before. They had told me that it was impossible to rig on that set.

I also did a car it on cuts. My idea was to edit shots that made it appear as if the stuntman was hurled backward from the impact of the car. By doing one shot at a time I was able to save the stuntman some serious pain and still make it effective. I did that because of the lack of pads he had.

Haven - I sometimes ask for special props and sets and sometimes I make my own. For example: The spinning pole, the pole vault hinge, and the stage itself in ANNE I had made from drawings that I did.

I set up the different levels in HUSH and rigged the rope and wire gag. I used bungee cord I brought to make softer landings for my stunt guys when hitting the solid wood and steel.

When Faith was introduced I rigged pipes at head height and had a car brought in to fight on in another episode. Even the spinning stake that you see in the openning credits was something I designed especially for that fight. Joss asked me if there was any way to teach Sarah herself to do something fancy with the stake, like tossing and catching it or twirling it between her fingers somehow. So I drew a pic of a spinning ring similar to the one used by Sam Rami for the EVIL DEAD.

Check out Jackie Chan's MY STUNTS DVD and he talks about using obects in fights. A very good lesson it is to watch him at work.

^
Jeff Pruitt says:
(Tue Feb 8 23:27:42 2000 169.132.153.29)
Karen - Some guys from CBS had talked to me and Stanley Tong (Martial Law producer) about doing a special on how we do our fights. Some of the producers involved kept wanting to make it into yet another daredevil show and so it was sidetracked. I think that one day I'll do something like that. I have written articles on stuntwork for various magazines before. Maybe I'll try that sometime. I'm thinking about an indepth book one day that will include alot of the stunt cordinators I admire explaining how we do what we do.
Any of that would help kids. That's one reason Jackie shows some clips of guys getting hurt. They realize it's an athletic performance and not a real fight when they see this. Plus the fact that you WILL get hurt. That I can promise.

^
Jeff Pruitt says:
(Tue Feb 8 23:18:46 2000 169.132.153.29)
Hope I didn't sound too harsh in trying to explain to Fury what it is that I do on the show. Believe me, none of the fights you see on BUFFY are written out the way you see them. Even if the writer had that kind of foresight and knowledge, it would take pages as long as the script itself to describe accurately. Trust me.

I guess I'm just upset over what happened today at the magazine stand. I know Sophia will be too. It just goes to show you what we go through all the time in this business.

What happened was this:
Sophia was called by the WB publicity people. A magazine called "Fitness" wanted to do an article on her training and diet. Since it came through the WB she said yes. She made it very clear to the interviewer that she does all of the Buffy fighting and that she is not Sarah's trainer. (They had tried to get her to say this and she refused) She gave them a routine that she does. They then told her that they'd do a seperate article on Sarah and then one on Sophia.

The magazine came out today and guess what? The article is about how Sophia trains Sarah and has quotes from Sophia. She was talking about herself and her own training. They made it appear as if she was talking about Sarah. They even used her workout and pretened that it was Sarah's. And no pic of Sophia anywhere either.

So that got to me. Stunts is the only part of show business where someone else is given credit for your creativity and hard work on a regular basis. Somehow this has to change or things will never improve for stunt people.

^
Marc B says:
(Tue Feb 8 23:04:17 2000 205.188.199.161)
Well I am feeling guilty for not answering everyone's questions...sorry about that--first night and all--need to get the hang of it.
And for those who asked about Riley details and Buffy and Angel stuff...well, tune in next time...if I ever return...or more like, if I am welcomed back!!
Goodnight everyone and thanks again--be well...mb

^
Jeff Pruitt says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:56:37 2000 169.132.153.29)
Fury - I did read it. And I discussed it with the director before choreographing and shooting. I've learned that aside from the script, the other important things involved include:
Which direction the actors will enter and exit from. What angles can be shot successfully without showing the wrong background. And not to mention what kind of time constraints I may be under at the time. It also matters what people are involved stuntwise as to how good we can make it. Not to mention the moods that various people in front and behind the camera might be in at any time. All these come into play when choreographing a good fight on BUFFY.

The story points included were: Riley taking aim and yelling at Buffy as she gets out of the way.

The dangling feet that you wanted to use to cut away from to go to the feet of Riley and Buffy in bed. (which we shot, but wasn't used in the final edit)

The fact that Riley is supposed to pull out his baton and use it.

And the fact that two of the Commandos have a net. Those were the things from the script that related to the fight.

What I did was this:
I choreographed some fight action between the Demon and the net guys that would make it impossible for the "Mason" character to shoot the demon without risking hitting the guys.
This included swiping hand combos that struck both guys and Buffy during the same movements. The net guys performed back-dive and HK spin stunts and I had them use the net in a way that would allow Chris Palermo (my Demon stuntman) to wrap them in it and spin them. They weere either on the ground or being hit. They never stood there and watched.

I kept Buffy involved at all times using switch footwork and trapping hands. This kept her too close to the monster for Riley or Mason to shoot.

The only difficlut thing was when I wanted Sophia to pull off a round kick/spin wheel kick combo while stepping over Riley. This was difficult but she pulled it off every time.

The techniques I used for Riley's baton come from Escrima. I used Wing Chun technique to trap the Demon's arm while executing the baton combo.

These a some of the things I put into the fight. None of which are on paper because it would never occur to someone sitting in front of a computer that any of this detail would be needed to be thought of. It's a different world.

Writing is one thing. Actually performing is altogether different. That's why they have pros who choreograph these things. Most of what I read in scripts not only doesn't work well, but would just look lame if we tried to do it. Often the techniques described don't even exist. I agree with Joss. Just write "fighty mcfight" and leave it up to me. Those are the best fights on BUFFY. Too much detail doesn't really help us to get the job done and be creative. Which is what I was hired to do.

^
Marc B says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:56:31 2000 205.188.199.161)
Devil--sounds like we missed--I was the same year as Grant--and had to guard the guy--whew that was a rough day. But we won--swept you both jr and sr years in fact-- :-) (sorry, had to get that little dig in)

Fav scene--is probably the Willow/Spike scene in the dorm room when he can't get it up--hilarious....
And thanks to those who have made the websites--for a small town guy to have been this lucky and then to top it all off by actually having sites dedicated to him--whew, yes very overwhelming. Everyone should be able to experience that feeling once...thank you all again.
well, since i'm not dead yet, i do have lines to learn for tomorrow..and need to get my rest...

^
Marc B says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:47:51 2000 205.188.199.161)
Oh--and as for the leather camos--well, they'd have to kill a herd. Not to mention, I'd look like a new militant member of the Village People. Plus, Sarah holds our leather torch quite wonderfully. If I must say.

^
Marc B says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:45:28 2000 205.188.199.161)
I wish I had some good dirt for you, or some good story of embarrassment--but truth be told, none exists--maybe that is just me being out of the loop. I don't want to sound like a total kiss*ss here, but everyone at that place has been great--probably a set-up for an unrespectful death--which will make many of you happy--but I have felt welcome from day one.

And sorry, my recipes will stay with me until I die!! which will happen in ep 19. or was it 20?

^
Marc B says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:37:24 2000 205.188.199.161)
Carl--broken hearts = unlikely...broken bones = another story.

Someinfo...favortie cookie : tough one, but the Snickerdoodle has always held a place near to my heart. I'm 6'2--but they put me on a few apple boxes so SMG doesn't look so big next to me. And to address some earlier comments--yes, I am the luckiest man alive b/c of where I work and who I work with--esp Sarah. And Fury and Pruitt of course. And in case he is lurking, Joss. (have to kiss the ring you know guys?)

^
Marc B says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:30:33 2000 205.188.199.161)
Hey--thanks everyone for the comments--I'm having a great time--thanks for welcoming and just nibbling...

XG--you're killing me....
Chi--who do you know in GIRARD?!?! Home sweet home...

Devil--asking me to date myself huh--I played at Wake from 90-94..the good old days. Of course, after playing at Duke and getting grilled by the Cameron Crazies, this is a walk in the park. OK, maybe not...actually, not at all.

^
Jeff Pruitt says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:29:01 2000 169.132.153.29)
Sorry I can't type fast enough ...

On ANGEL Wesley is doubled by Dane Falwell. The guy I used to use for him now doubles Marc. His name is Brain Macleit.

I forget Bai Ling's double at the moment. I think it's Mei. She's the Wu Shu instructor to a few of my stunt guys and has just started doing stunts. She's only the third Asian girl to go into stunt work in Hollywood.

^
Jeff Pruitt says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:19:36 2000 169.132.153.29)
chi - Well using furniture and props is a fave thing of Jackies and I like it too. It all depends on the story and whether it fits. Not to mention the fact that often times I can't touch anything in the room. On most shows I just use whatever I want. On this one I often have to go to great lengths to try and NOT break or bend anything. Not always easy.

Jeff Imada doesn't choreograph his own fights, however. If you are talking about RAPID FIRE, Brandon came over to my place and watched tons of HK movies and then made copies to show the director. He imitated those. On Imadas other films a guy named Al Leong does the choreography. Jeff mainly handles the hiring. Similar to the way Spiro coordinates ANGEL, but has the other guys do the actual fight choreography.

WebmMK - That scene was done in record time. They'd spent all day shooting other stuff and by the time they got to us they were many hours behind. So we did a quicky in two takes.

LJC - Bai Ling's stunt double is currently shooting CHARLIE'S ANGELS doing the action for Lucy Lui. She'll get to really show off her Wu Shu skills on it.

^
Marc B says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:19:34 2000 205.188.199.161)
Fury--yes it is me--and thank goodness my apartment door is locked, the alarm is on, I've hired a security guard (from the Initiative) to watch out front--please, please be up all night.

Chi--caramel ice cream and suggestive notes--Fury, things looking up.
Myslayr--half naked for now, may be pulling sheets over head later..but thanks
Buffy Sheridan--yes A Team fan--liked them all, but Peppard was the man...

^
Marc B says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:11:58 2000 205.188.199.161)
DSP--Brave? More like ignorant.
Jeff--stop making it out like I have a stunt double--we ALL know I do my own stunts! (You gave me the knee and elbow pads, and I gave them back to my stunt double, Brian)
XG--yes, you warned, but in true BtVS fashion, I went against the grain.
Malista--thanksfor the invite...I have a sneaky suspicion this may be a one time deal :-)

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:08:55 2000 152.163.207.51)
Blu! Is that you? (I'll never get to sleep.)

^
Marc B says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:07:29 2000 205.188.199.161)
Angle Man--my friend--as promised, a posting I will go in 2000. Heck of a night to pick, wouldn't you say J?

And Jasmen--thanks--making me blush....

^
Jeff Pruitt says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:07:21 2000 169.132.153.29)
Yeah ... I guess you are all right and I'm wrong again. High falutin' indeed. College girls are very sweet. What with their tight little sweaters and ... oh never mind.

Hey Mark! If that is really you then tell me one thing ... When we shot a pick-up for something that's going to be shown next week we did the ending of a stunt that I'd already done with your stunt double. What pads did I give you?

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:06:54 2000 152.163.207.51)
Mr. Pruit - Not to take anything away from your excellent fight choreography, but had you read the shooting script you would have seen it was all on story points, including visual counterpoints to the bedroom action.

In any event, it worked out fine in the editing. Thank you, Jeff. And, again, good night.

^
Marc B says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:05:53 2000 205.188.199.161)
Whelk--doorknob? Slammed shut and locked I assume.

Jasmen--

^
Marc B says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:02:31 2000 205.188.199.161)
Fury...you leaving me?

^
Marc B--Riley says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:01:23 2000 205.188.199.161)
Well, I just got tabbed "imposter"--trust me--it is really me--Marc B--besides, who in their right mind would pretend to be me tonight?

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 22:00:40 2000 152.163.207.51)
Clarification - No, Carl, I scripted the bedroom moves and the fight moves. Joss supplied the idea.

AjO - And Anya's "spanking" line was Joss'. For the record.

Nite, all.

^
imposter says:
(Tue Feb 8 21:59:50 2000 205.188.199.161)
Hello everyone!! I picked a beauty of an episode to do my first ever post huh? Well, I guess I'll just say that I have officially just booked a flight out of LA the weekend of the PBP.

^
Jeff Pruitt says:
(Tue Feb 8 21:58:42 2000 169.132.153.29)
Sorry Mr. Fury. But you won't find any of those fight moves in your script. I choreographed those myself. The part of the script that I kept was the information about Riley and the guns. That was story-related. The actual moves I had to choreograph so that it would make sense. And look cool. The fight we actually shot was much bigger than what you see in the final edit. I knew it had to be intercut with the bedroom scene, but I also knew that I couldn't just have all the commandos standing around and doing nothing. That's why in the wide shots you see them getting involved in the fight more. In the complete version you would see EVERYONE in motion at all times trying to battle the Demon.

Even though I figured it would be cut way down and rely more on slow-mo close-ups, I still made a complete fight with a beginning/middle/ and end - just in case the footage was needed. Otherwise we'd have what we call in the fight game "major egg." That means guys standing still and waiting while the fighter works over someone else. And that's the one thing Joss hates the most in any fight. And that's why I never go by any choreography that's written in any script unless it has to do with a story point.

But on a more important note: I'm very upset at this whole thing of Marc sleeping with that girl. She's way too worldly for him. He's a nice boy from Iowa. He doesn't know anything about the sexual games that those high falutin' college gals play.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 21:55:23 2000 152.163.213.209)
Okay, lots of good questions, and thoughtful comments... which, unfortunately, I can't address right now as I'm going to bed.

Please forgive me. I'm glad most of you seemed to enjoy the show. Have a good night and pleasant debates.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 21:47:32 2000 152.163.213.209)
Swoop - Always knew ep. 13 was Walsh's unlucky number.

Mesu - Sure. Always a possibility.

Thoin - Who can hear the difference. It's spelled ANGLEMAN in the script. Can I help it people have Chicago accents?

Thanks, Erin. I'll tell Marc.

Very astute, DSP.

Angus - We've shown Buffy being slowly seduced into bed twice, in a tender romantic way. Couldn't very well do it again (and certainly not as well).

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 21:35:16 2000 152.163.213.182)
Pilgrim - Thanks. She died well though. And yes... there is that Forrest thing, isn't there?

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 21:32:35 2000 152.163.213.182)
carl - The intercutty thing (Joss' idea) was entirely scripted. Fight moves as well as bedroom moves.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 21:30:11 2000 152.163.213.182)
vampire_a - All will be revealed about the significance of 730 in time. And thanks.

Trb - The last thing you said.

Myslayre - Mixed emotions always more interesting.

Mesuvius - Actually, very little had to be edited. A minute or two, I think.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 21:12:57 2000 152.163.213.182)
Okay, start hitting...

But remember... I'm a bleeder.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 20:21:31 2000 205.188.200.36)
Hi. Me. Drive-by. Can't post now. Later. After 9 PST. Thanks for the comments. See you soon...

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:56:38 2000 152.163.201.193)
Okay, I'm awaying again. But I'll check in later, in case anyone has questions about tonight's ep or just wants to hit me.

Bye for now.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:52:04 2000 152.163.201.193)
Trying to find a way to make the PBP. But thanks, Cosmic Bob, for the option.

Autumn - Actually, I don't find any of the characters hard to write for. They've been so clearly realized by Joss.

Neil - I'll tell you this... Oz will return. With an interesting announcement.

And Mr. Pointy will not appear in ep. 17. Sorry, Mr. P fans.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:46:46 2000 152.163.201.193)
A blanket post to all those who have a B/R problem...

Yes, we all know Angel is Buffy's great love, her first love... But sometimes you don't end up with your great love, or at the very least, you're separated by circumstances, like one going off to war.

Buffy is a healthy, young woman (with a short life-expectancy). And Riley is a nice, handsome guy...

There's an ancient Babylonian saying: "If you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with."

There's no reason you can't root for a little happiness in our slayer's life.

There's no reason not to think Buffy and Angel will come back together, even if it happens off-camera after both shows are no longer on the air.

The point is, relax... And let Riley and Buffy have their time.

That is all.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:35:15 2000 152.163.201.193)
Sure, X-Lander, I'll be one of your lifelines.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:33:48 2000 152.163.201.193)
As to why I have time on my hands to be posting right now... we succeeded in breaking BUFFY 19 and ANGEL 19 yesterday, so we're on kind of a breather for the rest of the week. Hanging out, if you will, until we start on BUFFY 20 and 21 next week.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:30:08 2000 152.163.201.193)
Hello - French?! Hello, French people! Hello to everyone in the world. (Please don't make me name all the countries.)

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:28:37 2000 152.163.201.193)
Could be, X-Lander. Is that your final answer?

(Sorryfor that.)

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:27:17 2000 152.163.201.193)
Motorcycle - Jarlsberg, Definitely.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:26:22 2000 152.163.201.193)
Dutch?! We have Dutch fans?! I couldn't be more happy.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:25:19 2000 152.163.201.193)
Horizon - The current ep we're filming is ep. 17, which features a surprising return of a beloved (well, by us, anyway)character from Buffy's past.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:22:56 2000 152.163.201.193)
Kenickie - To show our deep, abiding love for our Welshman brothers, of course.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:21:54 2000 152.163.201.193)
And Canadians. Mustn't forget the Canadians.

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Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:21:09 2000 152.163.201.193)
Not to mention Australian and New Zealanders.

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Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:21:01 2000 152.163.201.193)
Not to meantion Australian and New Zealanders.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:19:46 2000 152.163.201.193)
I thought I'd post while some of our English, Irish, Scottish fans were on.

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:18:15 2000 152.163.201.193)
Thank you, Kristen, for your words and for the FF site. You're great.

C-Word - That was yesterday, it's a whole new day. (And I said I'd be back).

^
Fury says:
(Tue Feb 8 11:12:34 2000 152.163.201.193)
Hello, friends across the pond.

^
RD says:
(Tue Feb 8 09:26:54 2000 209.178.155.105)
morning bronzers!

new eps tonight... the Angel ep directed by David Greenwalt... it rocks...

off to scroll,

RD

^