007, Superman, Charlie's Angeles and the Man Behind the Action, Vic Armstrong

MONDAY MORNING HOLLYWOOD

You’ve seen his action work in seven James Bond films, Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York, Charlie’s Angels and the first two Superman films. He’s been honored with a “Technical Achievement Award” Oscar, the BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award, numerous World Stunt Awards and even a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Needless to say Vic Armstrong is at the top of his game and a legendary Stunt Coordinator and 2^nd Unit/Action Director. He is living a life most of us only dream about. Blowing up buildings, racing cars and pulling off jaw-dropping stunts is how he makes a living, and in his spare time Vic has written a book about his Hollywood adventures due out in the spring of 2011 spring. With the book ready to print, Vic has had some time on his hands, which he's spent working as the 2^nd Unit/Action Director on Marvel’s upcoming Thor and Salt staring Angelina Jolie.

What was the first job you ever had?
Riding racehorses.  I started riding racehorses when I was nine years old.  That was when I galloped my first racehorse, a lovely quiet horse called Roy.  I rode in my first race in Hampshire when I was fourteen years old. I won on a wonderful horse called Trebor, which coincidently was my father’s name backwards. So I was basically working with racehorses from then on.

What made you pursue a career in Hollywood?
Fate really, I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. I had been riding racehorses in the UK when a stuntman asked me to lend him a horse for a chase sequence in a huge movie called, Arabesque starring Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren. The next day he asked if I would like to be a stunt rider in the chase. I jumped at the idea and that got me into the stunt world. I was 17. I pursued the job of a stunt man from then on and did all sorts of stunts not just on horseback. My first job in the film business was on Superman 1 in New York in the 70s.
 
Do you have a favorite story from the trenches?
Too many to mention and they will all be in my book.

What is your dream job?
Directing. I would love to direct a Bond film and Thailand would be my ideal location. I love the crews there and the climate.
 
What or who makes you laugh?
John Cleese.
 
What do you do on a typical day off?
I work around my farm if I am in the UK or play golf if I am at my LA house.
 
What inspires you?
Originality and creativeness.
 
What advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers?
Trust your judgment and be original.

What are you doing now?
Working around my farm in the UK and preparing to come back to LA to start work on a sequel to a big franchise.  I am sworn to secrecy on the title until it’s announced.

If you won the lottery today, what would you be doing tomorrow?
Working around my farm and preparing to bring my Grandson Robert to Disneyland and SixFlagsMagicMountain.

What do you hope to be doing ten years from now?
Working around my farm with my Grandson.

To learn more about and get the latest news on the release of his book Vic Armstrong visit www.vicarmstrong.com

The Column: From the Interns to the Talent to the Financiers everyone has a dream, and everyone has a story… and that's what Monday Morning Hollywood is all about. Subscribe to the feed or check back at Examiner.com every Monday to see who and what's coming up next in Hollywood.