Tell about yourself and your background! *
I am a mechanical engineer, stunt coordinator and stuntman. I am qualified to design and build the machinery necessary to perform most any stunt your production requires. I have a complete understanding of Special Effects and Pyrotechnics. I adapt to things very quickly. I have a license to drive formula racing cars. I hold a chauffeurs license and a American Motorcyclist Association pro motorcycle racing license. In 1989, I set a world record for the highest temperature endured by a human, just a bit of my past history. Protecting the production company, talent, crew and stunt performer has always been my goal
What inspired you to become a stunt performer?
I became a mechanical engineer but, it bored me to death. In 1989, I moved to L.A. and figured my engineering degree would aid me in doing stunt work. I was always doing things for fun that would be considered stunts, motorcycle racing and car racing. I love the adrenaline and the challenge of performing stunts.
What is your greatest skill as a stunt performer, is there a stunt behind it?
My greatest skill is performing fire burns, I started out doing burns in front of a live audience back in the late 1980s. I work with my local fire departments teaching fire skills, far beyond what firefighters are trained to do.
What is the best part about being a stunt performer?
The travel, the adrenaline, the challenge of setting a stunt up. A complete understanding of what I am performing.
Tell your all-time favorite stunt story!
When I lived in L.A. I lived around the corner from Gary Davis, in Woodland Hills. I worked up the nerve to knock on Gary's door. I explained that I just moved into the area and was wanting to get into stunts. Gary invited me back to his house and we spent time working on motorcycles. Gary explained to me the business side of doing stunt work. Gary ask me if I knew how to ride a motorcycle, I said a little. Gary invited me out to the desert, I never told him I had a pro racing license, needless to say, when we started riding, Gary made the comment, shit, you are not a beginner! Gary talked me into racing flat track, the no brake class, never raced flat track before but, I did come home with a trophy. I will never race flat track again!!
What advice would you give other stunt performers?
Learn, show up early. Do what you say you can do. Don't challenge the stunt coordinator!
Anything else you'd like to tell the community about?
I moved back to the mid-west. I have coordinated a few films. There is a lot left in me to perform. I would love to do more complicated stunts, I am not being challenged with the small films I do. I have went into High Schools and spoke to students about the math and science of stunts.
Please share your social media handles and how we can follow you!
Stuntman Rick Shaw......Facebook.shaw_richard@yahoo.comrick.shaw.stunts@gmail.com
Please include any links to stunt reels or videos you'd like to share!
https://youtu.be/dSwTtP9Hg4k
