Explosions, death-defying leaps, and high-octane motorcycle chases are all part and parcel on today’s movies. The multiplexes wouldn’t be half the thrill ride they are without such spectacle. Whilst we suspend our disbelief at the action that plays out on the silver screen, it’s easy to overlook the guys and gals that make it happen. That’s right – the stunt performers – the ones that escape the explosions, make the death-defying leaps, and race across the screen in said motorcycle chases.
This month sees the DVD release of Knight and Day, one of the biggest action spectacles to have hit our screens this year, and The Hollywood News got chance to talk with Kimberly Shannon Murphy, one of the movie’s leading stunt performers.
With an impressive resume that includes such blockbusters as Zombieland, I am Legend, and Spider-man 3, Kimberly is one of Hollywood’s leading stunt performers. With a background in gymnastics and acrobatics, Kimberly found her big break in movies through a stunt coordinator whilst working in New York. And she takes her stunt work seriously.
‘I take a lot of pride in it,’ says Kimberly. ‘It takes a lot of work to make a movie on every level. Anybody who works in the film industry is really passionate about what they do and I’m very passionate about what I do. When a film comes out I’m definitely proud of the work that I’ve done.’
When asked if there is any film she is particularly proud of, Kimberly answers straight off, clearly excited about her recent collaboration with a certain Mr. Cruise and Ms. Diaz.
Knight and Day is one of my best films, it was such a great experience to be a part of. To work with Tom and Cameron was so great, it’s definitely one of my favourites.’
And it sounds as if Tom and Cameron aren’t afraid of a little stunt work themselves, as Kimberly considers they didn’t mind getting their hands dirty for the all-action spectacle.
‘As far as action goes they’re so involved,’ Kimberly assures the Hollywood News. ‘It was really great to have them be as hands on as they were.’
Across her star-studded resume, Kimberly’s worked with a number of Hollywood leading ladies, including Uma Thurman and Susan Sarandon. She maintains that she has no favourites though, stating that ‘All of the actresses I’ve doubled have been really great to work with.’
But it’s clear from the enthusiasm with which she speaks of Knight and Day, that this is one of her proudest moments so far. When asked which sequences she is particularly pleased with, Kimberly quickly cites the breath-taking motorcycle sequence from the movie.
‘We worked really hard on that sequence for a long time and it came out really well. We got to work with live animals which threw a different element into it.’ It seems that this stunt performer is truly fearless, throwing caution to the wind regarding that old rule about never working with animals…
But these sequences don’t come easy, as Kimberly says it took up to two months to prepare and rehearse the sequence. But she doesn’t seem fazed by such intense work, in fact, it’s clear that she has a genuine passion for it. When questioned about the possibility of moving into more traditional acting roles, she is quick to reply ‘I’m very happy with what I do. I love doing the stunt work so I’m gonna stick around…’
For those of you that ever considered breaking into the stunt game, Kimberly advises that ‘It’s a hard business to break into but its not impossible, you just really have to want to do it.’ But all that hard work has clearly paid off, as Kimberly considers that ‘I have no complaints, my job is great!’
For now, The Hollywood News is most comfortable in the safety of the cinema seat, but it’s worth remembering the guys and gals that make those action spectacles possible for our entertainment. Hats off to the ones that escape the explosions make the death-defying leaps, and, of course, the high-octane motorcycle chases…
Knight and Day is out on DVD and Blu-Ray now.
