Trampoline and Stunt Performers
| April 25, 2012 | Filled under Professional Athletes |
One of our favorite trampoline bloggers, Leigh Hennessy Robson, wrote about some of her experiences with doubling for movie actors with her trampoline stunt abilities! She has also worked in TV ads, and probably a whole lot of other projects as well, but here are a few of her more prominent memories:
From, Trampoline for Stunt Performers
“When I became a stunt performer in the mid-90s, I realized that I was one of the lucky ones because I was a trampolinist. My skills were highly valued. They opened doors for me to double Hollywood stars like Demi Moore and Helen Mirren.
As I gained experience performing for camera to express a story as opposed to performing for judges to win athletic competitions, I learned that there were significant differences. The camera is more forgiving than judges, for one! A stunt performer doesn’t need to have World Class level ability, either. But they must be talented enough to use their athletic skills to transform themselves into a variety of characters, common and fantastical, safely, on cue and consistently.”
As we researched this a little we found there are organizations all over the place that offer training for stunt performers. Here is one local to the Vancouver, BC area that might interest you (if this is something you are considering). They are called the Professional Stunt Training Centre. It’s interesting, after giving a brief introduction about themselves the first thing they speak of is their training in trampolines! 
Seems this skill is marketable! They say “Gymnastic skills are the building blocks for becoming an accomplished stunt performer. Knowing what your body is doing and controlling it in the air is called “air sense”. Not everyone has it, but having this “sense” will make you a valuable commodity in the stunt business.”
We have the utmost respect for someone like Leigh, and are proud of what she has done with her life based around the trampoline!!
Perhaps there’s another “Leigh” out there in our audience! Is it you?
Remember, stay safe and have fun!
