Stunt Performer Spotlight: Jarrell Hall

Tell about yourself and your background! *

I am what you would call a Jack of All Trades-Action Actor. I specialize in acting, stunts, motion capture, martial arts, creature performance, weapons, and various other skills related to filmmaking!

What inspired you to become a stunt performer?

I got inspired to get into stunts from the age of 6 watching Jackie Chan films, Arnold Schwarzenegger flicks, and anything from Golden Harvest and the Shaw Brothers. Being a Bay Area kid raised doing music, theatre, martial arts, and dance; stunts became an easy outlet once I realized I could make a living doing it.

What is your greatest skill as a stunt performer, is there a stunt behind it?

I would say that my greatest skill as a stunt performer is my knowledge of the entire production process. Being able to scale and temper what I do as a stunt performer for the camera to maximize what's needed for the shot. That and the fact that I am much more flexible than I look ha ha.

What is the best part about being a stunt performer?

The best part about being a stunt performer is that I've been able to be a part of some of the craziest projects that I would only imagine growing up. Being able to run, jump, scream, fight, become monster and creatures, and tell stories through action is what I grew up doing. And being able to support myself and my family doing it is such an amazing position to be in.

Tell your all-time favorite stunt story!

Oh wow that's hard to pick just one. But I think one of my favorite stories was when I had moved back to LA and got cast as a stunt performer and soldier for an indie film. And one of the biggest stunts was needing to shoot from a moving vehicle and one of us had to take the fall. It was my first time taking that type of fall and I was so pumped that when the cameras rolled and I hit the ground; and just stayed on the ground. After cut, the coordinator sprinted to me thinking I was hurt by the way I rag dolled but I popped up and yelled "shit that was sick!" With dirt in my teeth and everyone just laughed with a big sigh of relief.

What advice would you give other stunt performers?

My advice to other stunt performers outside of the basic things like train and be smart. I would say the best advice would be to learn camera work, acting, production, and editing. Having these skills not only makes you a better performer by helping you become more aware. But it also helps the entire quality of the production and can help land additional work.  

Anything else you'd like to tell the community about?

Help each other out. The Stunt world is both a big and a small place, and is constantly growing. With the number of productions continuing to involve stunts; we all have a place and need people we can rely on. Leave the egos and nonsense with the main cast.

Please share your social media handles and how we can follow you!

You can follow me on Instagram/Twitter: @OhMrHall

Please include any links to stunt reels or videos you'd like to share!

Motion Capture Reel: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/236527526Action Reel: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/287527727

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