Stunt Talk with Jessica Viviane

From training with Power Rangers to doing stunts for superheroes. Wendy Gutierrez is an Atlanta-based stuntwoman with a fun backstory: she's the sister of a Power Ranger, has a martial arts background, and is a mom to a teenage boy when she got started.Super chill vibes on this episode, talking about what it was like training with her brother and his team, how she keeps up her skills now, what it was like booking her first stunt job as a double, having a son with such a unique job, and what the hustle looks like for her.

Stunt Driver Brett Smrz, 2026 Taurus Award nominee for “Hardest Hit”, shares how he got started driving, deciding to focus on stunts vs pro racing, how he trains, and some insight into his role as a stunt coordinator.I had a blast and am sure you can see/hear it on this episode of “Stunt Talk with Jessica Viviane” - Stunt Driving with Brett Smrz.Chapters0:00:00 Preview0:01:30 Introduction (with first credits & Drivers Inc)0:06:45 The Pitt (BTS)0:08:39 How we met0:09:58 Crime 101 (BTS)0:10:30 My fascination with stunt driving and how it started0:12:30 Brett talks me through the Reverse 1800:14:31 Chitchatting about driving manual vs automatic0:15:38 Brett’s Origin Story (Go-Karts and Racing)0:20:54 Being the son of Gregg Smrz and the decision to go pro racing or do stunts0:24:47 What Brett’s training looks like as a driver0:27:30 The transition from racing to stunt driving0:30:00 Driving fast on different terrains and environments0:38:00 What Brett’s hustle looks like0:40:12 Stunt Coordinating vs Performing and how Brett responds to submissions0:48:00 It is still sloooooow with jobs…0:51:00 Brett’s Stunt (Driver’s) Bag0:56:00 A little TSA storytime 0:58:30 Closing words

The Business Side of Stunts with Noelle Kim. She is the CEO of Stunt Contact and President of Stunt Access, and shares what she’s learned over the years in this industry. Functioning as an agent to action professionals, assistant to stunt coordinators, and taking on two major platforms to keep the hustle flowing.You can see and hear the passion and knowledge that flow through her as we discuss etiquette for performers, how it differs for actors compared to stunts, networking, the digital hustle era (and how to make the most of it), and SO much more!Websites mentioned:www.stuntcontact.comwww.stuntaccess.comwww.stuntlisting.comChapters0:00:00 Preview0:01:06 Awards for stunts and Introduction0:04:30 How signing up for stunt contact gives you more than you expect0:09:00 Getting responses from coordinators and how to track them0:15:00 How your acting headshot might not work for stunts0:16:15 Height and weight listing0:23:30 How to stand out in the digital hustle era0:29:00 Mental and physical aspects of a stunt performer0:35:00 Noelle's insight from being an Assistant to the Stunt Coordinator0:45:00 What to know when you do stunts and act0:49:00 How speed of production impacts submission timelines0:54:00 Watch what you promise when submitting01:04:30 Exploring Stunt Access and Stunt Contact for performers01:09:00 Hustling stunts vs auditioning as an actor01:15:00 How classes don't make you an expert... yet01:16:55 Skills to become your own "agent" for stunts01:26:30 Excitement of making it on all fronts01:33:10 Beach Bash 2026 and networking skills01:42:20 Over and Underselling skills and what to focus on01:51:00 Closing words

Fellow mixed girl and stuntwoman, Selene Hara Shankle, is on the mic with me today. Selene is half-white and half-Japanese, lives and trains in Los Angeles, and is breaking down her routine, habits, and how she uses a no-pressure, go-with-the-flow mentality while navigating her career.Chapters0:00:00 Preview0:00:37 Introduction0:03:30 Origin Story0:09:30 The right Training0:15:00 The right Mindset0:20:00 Finding your Learning Style0:25:00 Training-Life Balance0:30:00 Planning and Priorities0:45:00 The right Work/Training Combo0:50:00 Training and Recovery0:54:00 Dreams and Goals01:03:00 Plan B?01:24:56 Stunt Bag01:29:00 Closing Words

Eric shares how being a generalist might just be the best thing to be when getting into motion capture, as long as you have this one ability...! We also talk about the process of casting for mocap and the difficulties, even after you've made a name for yourself. Eric is a stuntman, mocap performer and coordinator, co-owner of Superalloy Interactive Mocap Studio, and host of the Action Talks with Eric Jacobus podcast. Eric's Book: "If These Fists Could Talk: A Stuntman's Unflinching Take on Violence" available on AmazonEric's Podcast: Action Talks with Eric JacobusEverything else about Eric: https://ericjacobus.com/Chapters0:00:00 Preview0:00:39 Introduction0:02:42 Origin Story0:20:00 Tekken & Content Creation0:27:35 Eric’s Podcast & Book0:31:00 Why and how Mocap?0:36:00 How to get in?0:43:00 Video Game Movements0:56:10 Auditioning for Video Games1:03:10 Casting & Skills for Video Games1:09:45 If you would do it all over again…1:14:31 Stunt Bag & Closing

Josh and I cover everything from his time on America’s Got Talent, how his breakdance background got him into stunts, the importance of being prepared when the “right time and place” come together, the ugly truth about loneliness and true connecting in this business, living in two markets (TX & NY), and sooo much more.Chapters0:00:00 Preview0:00:28 Introduction0:02:08 Origin Story0:16:44 Highs and Lows0:39:34 Prodigal Son Stunts0:51:08 Post-Covid & Strikes1:09:59 Stunt Gear & Walking Dead1:13:42 Training

Today I have Paul Varacchi with me. He's a stunt performer, co-host of the Film Fights with Friends Podcast, and co-owner of Breakfall Studio in NYC. We're talking about the importance of having a full life outside of stunts, camera angles, martial arts and stunts, and how we connect with the people we love through film.Chapters0:00:00 Preview0:00:42 Introduction0:02:05 Origin Story0:11:00 Camera Angles0:17:00 Martial Arts & Stunts0:20:00 Family0:24:00 Risks & Safety0:30:00 Industry Slowdown0:34:55 Stunt Bag0:37:00 Precautions0:48:00 Phone on Set0:52:00 What's Next

I get to chat it up with Anthony Nanakornpanom, stunt performer and founder of Battlecat Stunts in Los Angeles, CA. We discuss his humble beginnings, the hustle of getting into stunts, and the importance of getting the basics right.Chapters0:00:00 Preview0:00:28 Introduction0:05:00 Fact Checking0:09:20 Stunt Bag0:17:35 Origin Story0:40:27 Training0:56:30 Fighting1:01:57 Acting

Just some of the guests and topics from Season 1 of Stunt Talk.

Kicking off the podcast with Frank Alfano from FJA Fire Stunts. Stunt performer and Fire Rigger out of New York City. We discuss current productions, fire burns, his workshop, AI and stunts, and some nerdy movie talk! Open for discussions in the comments.