Thursday 3 November 2016

BEHIND THE SCENES: WINDOW CRASHER!


Star Wars Classic Trilogy stuntman veteran Colin Skeaping performs the gymnastics movement sequence that will propel him out of the window during the Bespin duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, from The Empire Strikes Back - his own personal favourite stunt from all his SW work. Only the smallest portion of this scene will make the film- the literal moment where he goes out of the window, which will also be slowed down in post production to make it look like he's been sucked out. As a side note, Skeaping also trained Hamill to do this particular stunt, of which the young actor would have been helped along via a springboard, but insurance soon ruled the opportunity out.



In the Mark Hamill hosted 1980 SPFX documentary, Skeaping is referenced as the stuntman for the scene, and is shown doing the filmed stunt, but for some reason another unknown gymnast is shown in some kind of rehearsal. Who this is and why he's credited as Skeaping, I don't know. If anyone has more info, please get in touch.

Peter Diamond and Colin Skeaping on the Wampa cave set with Hamill.

The mystery gymnast at Elstree, as seen in the SPFX documentary.

Finishing his move, watched by some also unknown colleagues.

No comments: