Interview: Tommy Chang

Interview by Clint Morris

Interview with Tommy Chang
Stuntman on the film 16 Blocks.

Tommy Chang is a proficient stuntman whose work includes TV classic Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, X-Men, The Day After Tomorrow and The Pacifier. His latest contribution to film can be seen  - or can it? – in the new Bruce Willis film, 16 Blocks. He talks to Clint Morris about it.

OK. So what was the extent of your work on 16 Blocks?
My job was as a stunt performer. I was one of many unseen stuntman.

And you’re listed as doing the ‘utility stunts’ for the movie – what are they?
Utility stunts mean a stunt performer that performs any stunts that are required on the day. It may mean being a stunt double or stunt performer - jack-of-all-trades sort of guy.

Were there any injuries, this time around?
No injuries this time around. Thank God. [Laughs]

Ok fess-up. Just how much of his stunts does Bruce Willis do?
Bruce Willis is a star, and no production company in this world will allow a star to do their own stunts and risk injury. If the star is injured than they would risk that the movie may not get completed.

How did you get into the business?
A friend of mine by the name of Bronko Racki  - a Stunts Coordinator/2nd Unit director - asked if I was interested in getting involved with stunts, over 20 years ago. I can still remember being on set for the first time doing it. He asked if I was ready and I said yes. He than asked if I had pads and I replied ‘what pads’? He checked me and discovered that I did not have arm, elbow or back pads. He quickly put them on me and on action I was shot, squibbed, crashed through a glass door and fell down concrete stairs. All in one take. They only needed that one shot. What a way to break into the business! [Laughs]  Just like a kid in a candy factory. It was fun.

Tell me about some of your favourite film experiences
I was working on a TV show called Side Factor. We were required to go off a device called the air ram. This device propels stuntman high into the air. You would usually see this use when you see a movie with explosions and stunt man getting thrown into the air. We did this take many times, and later on in the day my leg was giving out but they wanted one more take and I did it. What a mistake! I gave them that take and found myself on the ground with a compound fracture - blood spilling everywhere with bones sticking out of my pants. That was not my favourite experience but an experience that helped me become a safe stunt coordinator. I will never forget it.

My favourite show that I worked on so far has to be hands down Behind Enemy Lines 2. The cast and crew were wonderful to work with. It was really fun to work on. There was no ego on set.

What's next for you?
The next project is called Babuji. I am one of the executive producers. It's an Indian/Canadian Co production. Then, another project called Game of Life – I will be Executive Producer and Producer. It will be really exciting to see this come into fruition. But all I can say is that it has been an enjoyable journey - one that started over 20 years ago - first as extra on a movie set to now, as an actor,stuntman,fight coordinator,stunt coordinator, 2nd unit director and now, producer. It has been really enjoyable and exciting journey. Now I can get my stunt team to work and maximize on their unique abilities. Will I be working on Die hard 4? Probably not but who knows? Perhaps I might produce it [Laughs]

16 Blocks opens July 20th, 2006.