Tell about yourself and your background! *
My story began when I was 7 years old and my mother had signed me up for Karate. That's when I was first introduced to the world of martial arts. At the age of 10 to the present I’ve studied various martial arts such as Muay Thai, Capoeira, Kali, Judo, Taekwondo and currently studying To-Shin Do. Martial arts has been one of the loves of my life and is why I got into the action business learning from various mentors, including international action star, Marrese Crump. My career in film began at 17 years old in TV production class in high school filming school commercials and random fight clips with like minded friends at the park. Later I took a daring chance to form my own group specializing in fight choreography and we were discovered by a filmmaker from Full Sail University named, Vidal Acosta who did a documentary on my team. From there my career officially began as an actor, fight choreographer and stunt performer. Here I am 11 years later.
What inspired you to become a stunt performer?
Growing up watching my action heroes, Tony Jaa, Marrese Crump, Bruce Lee, Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Jai White.Some honorable mentions, Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, Lateef Crowder, Cyril Raffaelli, Ray Park…. Ok I’ll stop. We’ll be here all week. Hehe I’ve been influenced by many of the greats. But I also come from a very artistic family from music, modeling and acting. Learning this, it showed me that if my family could do it, then I definitely could do it.
What is your greatest skill as a stunt performer, is there a stunt behind it?
I’m consistently still learning all that I can from who I can. Everyone has a god given gift or trained skill to bring to the table and you could always learn something new from anybody. Just because something works, doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. With that said, I would say it’s my attention to detail of realistic fight choreography and designing it to make sense with the story, the character and the intention of the situation. I never liked to incorporate of move just to do it or fill in the scene unless it made sense to do so. Everyone has their own way of expressing a story. Not one is better than the other, only what you prefer to see.
What is the best part about being a stunt performer?
For me it’s the previs process, designing the scene, being in the action and watching it all unfold. I always enjoy watching behind the scenes features to my favorite movies and always imagine how much fun these talents had putting it together and looking at the hard work that goes into it.
Tell your all-time favorite stunt story!
I have to say that it’s more of a humbling stunt story. I was the lead actor of an independent project and I was already remembering lines, choreographing and performing all my fight scenes. At the time, I was really adamant about performing all of my own stunts and my character drove a motorcycle. I did not know how to ride a motorcycle and the scene required my character being chased by a car and drifting inside a parking garage. I had a bit of an unrealistic expectation of wanting to take time to learn how to ride a motorcycle and practice the scene in the time that I had til shooting. But after talking with my mentor, knowing what my limits were and what my end goal is anyway, we found myself a stunt double and he performed an amazing scene doing bike action that I could never do. I was humbled and thankful to that performer and everyone on set looking out for me.Know what you can and can’t do. Let the stunt performer work and do their job that they are trained and paid to do!
What advice would you give other stunt performers?
Be nice to everyone, learn from everyone, keep training and put your health first.
Anything else you'd like to tell the community about?
I’m looking forward to working and learning from all of you.
Please share your social media handles and how we can follow you!
Vero: anthonygiovannielias
Please include any links to stunt reels or videos you'd like to share!
