326 Moving Images: Making Movies, Understanding Media

Nash Edgerton

Close-Up

Q

How did you start getting into stunt performing and fi lmmaking?

A

I kind of got into stunts in an old-fashioned approach, learning from

people that had done it before. I would get the concept by helping out,

and then get training by working with diff erent people. I think one of

the most important aspects of it is being adaptable because there are

things that are always changing and things don’t always go to plan or

you’re working against time or weather or various other things. As

you work, you can get better at fi nding solutions. Having learned to be

adaptable, as director you can get better ideas on that day when you’re

in actual situations.

Q

What lessons did you learn as you moved into directing?

A

It’s quite daunting running the show, so the fact that I was already

comfortable being around a crew really helped. I think it’s always kind

of scary trying to get your head around how to tell the story. You have

to make sure to do as much homework as possible so you can approach

the day of fi lming with fresh ideas.

Th e best thing I learned is to be open to accidents, to things going

wrong or not your way. Instead of resisting it, maybe it’s meant to be

that way. If you’re open to things that change or don’t go your way,

maybe you’ll fi nd a better idea. Rather than just being disappointed

because it’s raining or you can’t have this tool or something is broken,

there is always a solution. It’s good to have a plan, but ideas are always

evolving and part of it is always out of your control.

Filmmaking is such a collaborative process. You try to hire the right

people to be around you because they’re going to bring something to it

and help you get the best of your day. What I like about fi lmmaking in

general is that it does take more than just one person to do it. It’s working

as a team made of diff erent people who all have diff erent skills. It’s a

Behind the Scenes with Film Director

Just another day on the

set for director Nash

Edgerton. He has served

as actor, stunt performer,

editor, writer, director, and

other roles on a long list

of movies including music

videos for Bob Dylan, Ben

Lee, and other artists,

the shorts Spider and

Fuel, and his feature The

Square. (Courtesy of Nash

Edgerton and

Blue-Tongue Films)

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