07 07 sports u4a

Module

4A

Film Fest

Stunts

300 / Warner Bros Pictures

need to use to guarantee their safety.
Lately, the uses of technology and special
effects have had a beneficial influence on
stunts’ performances, making some activities
safer and, in some cases, even unnecessary. It
is also true that the latest developments have
reduced the number of stunts on stage. For
example, in the film 300 –in which the
Spartan Army of 300 troops defeat a Persian
invasion– only 44 stunt people acted in fighting
scenes. The images were reproduced and
included in the film, giving the idea that there
were thousand of warriors.
But working as a stunt has many other
advantages too. Many activities require to train
in groups and give performers the opportunity
to learn from other people’s experience and
knowledge. Moreover, they take lessons while
engaging in thrilling adventures. And the best
part is that it is a well-paid job!

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

Action, adventure, crime, epics, horror and
many other film genres are fraught with perils.
Some stars dare to take the risk and face
the hazards of their jobs, like Tom Cruise in
Mission Impossible and Viggo Mortensen in
The Lord of the Rings, for instance. However,
they are an exception.
Most of the times, their roles are played by
stunt doubles. They replace film stars in scenes
that are very dangerous and also demand
great skills. During a film, they are exposed to
situations that threaten their lives. They may be
set on fire or get shot. Due to this reason, stunts
need specialised training in different activities.
There are institutions that prepare them in a
variety of extreme sports, such as skydiving,
acrobatics and martial arts. In this way, they
improve their abilities and acquire new skills
too. Some stunts try to cover a wide range
of activities while others specialise in a few.
Whatever they do, they all have to be prepared
to work with caution since their lives are
continuously at risk. While training, stunts
become aware of body movements, roping
techniques and film fighting. Besides, they
become acquainted with the equipment they

Activities

1Read the text and complete the phrases.
aStunt performers are

.

bStunts do some hazardous sports like

.

c Some advantages of being a stunt are

.

English Toolkit 1 - Sports


Module

4A
2Match the verb in column A with its complement in column B.
A

B

atake

1their safety

bthreaten

2their abilities

c engage

3the risk

dguarantee

4the hazards

eface

5their lives

f improve

6in thrilling adventures

Films

4Discuss the following question in groups,
take down notes and then share your ideas
with the rest of the class.
Why do you think that stunts replace film
stars in scenes that involve risk?

5Work in groups. Write an advertisement asking for stunts to work in an action film.
What activities will they have to do? What skills are required?

English Toolkit 1 - Sports

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

3Find words related to the topic of films.