One of my favorite stunt teams working today are the guys over at LBP Stunts Chicago, who are responsible for some of the most memorable independent action short film hits of the last several years. Some of these include the unfinished four-segmented noir action series, Those Who Go To Hell, Yo Soy Un Hombre Loco, and their latest internet success, Dogfight.
Today, they’ve unveiled their latest new shortfilm titled Il Y A Toujours Une Solution (There Is Always A Way), featuring LBP martial arts performer, actor and industry stuntman Shawn Bernal (pictured right), and comedian Anthony Pho (left) who flew in all the way from France to visit the stunt team. And not for nothing, seeing as how Anthony himself is also a stunt performer who has been training since 2008 and 2009, working with the likes of Olivier Schneider (Taken, Fast & Furious 6), and currently with French martial arts actors and stuntmen Patrick Vo (Safe House, Fast And Furious 6) and Manu Lanzi (The Transporter, Chinese Zodiac).
It’s funny to look at the title considering the circumstances here, since during the creation of this latest short, it was not without a sense of irony that the name of this piece was given for a reason, as Shawn endured an unfortunate kick to the face during filming, leaving him slightly injured; Ultimately, things like this come with the territory of being a stunt professional.
Leave it to LBP director and cinematographer Emmanuel Manzanares to improvise and find a way to turn a botched concept into something entirely different at the last minute, and still keep it artfully dramatic, action packed and entertaining. Furthermore, the final product seen here illustrates the tenacity and devotion of stunt performers to their craft, and how it all still manages to pay off, one way or another.
Check out the piece below, and share your thoughts in the comment section, or on Facebook or Twitter. And don’t forget to buy your tickets to Man Of Steel out in theaters on June 14, 2013, where Shawn also performs stunts in it. 😉
