Exclusive interview with Jason Bell

August 23, 2016 | Since 2010 Jason Bell works as a stunt performer and can be seen on shows like "Arrow", "The Flash", "Legends of Tomorrow" and "The 100". His work also includes movies like "Star Trek Beyond" and "X-Men: Apocalypse". In this exclusive interview Jason Bell gives us an insight into his work and reveals his favorite stunt role so far.

Foto: Jason Bell - Copyright: Dan Rizzuto
Jason Bell
© Dan Rizzuto
Note: © myFanbase 2016 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first two questions (up to 180 words) if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the link to this site.

German translation of the interview.

Looking at your resume you have already done a lot of stunt work for TV and film and all that in only six years. How much has your life changed since you've started working as a stunt performer?

Before I got into film, I was in the military which is a very regimented lifestyle. When I made the transition into film, I was thrown into a completely opposite world. The biggest change is that no job is ever the same and I'm always working on different shows with different people which is one of my favorite parts about this industry.

And looking back at your work as a stunt performer, which job was the most fun for you personally and why?

I'm going to go with Star Trek Beyond. I can't put into words how much fun I had on that production. I had an ear to ear grin every time I put my uniform on and stepped onto the Starship Enterprise. I was privileged to work with everyone from the cast and crew to my amazing stunt team. It was an awesome experience.

Before working as a stunt performer you started martial arts training and took some acting classes to prepare. Is there any advice you can give future stunt performers on what is most important to prepare for the job?

I would first and foremost say go get some martial arts training, whether it be through boxing, kickboxing or taekwondo. Any sort of martial arts and movement will be your friend once you start getting work. Acting classes are also a huge bonus because you're still playing a character and you want to sell the character to the audience.

What does a typical day on set look like for you?

A typical day on set doesn't exist. My day could start at 5:00 AM and end at 10:00 AM the next day or it could start at 4:00 AM and end at 10:00 PM that night. This is one of the biggest reasons I love this industry.

Currently you are mostly working on The CW shows like "Arrow", "The Flash" and "Legends of Tomorrow" but you also did stunts on "Star Trek Beyond". Is there a difference between working on TV show sets compared to film sets? Do you have more or less time to prepare a stunt?

On the surface you'd think TV and film would be one in the same and similar but everything from the prep, the way they shoot and usually the budgeting couldn't be any more different. For a movie, we'd probably rehearse a complex stunt scene for a week and take at least two weeks to shoot it. For TV, we may have one day to rehearse and two days to shoot. I love working in TV because it's fast and efficient, but I prefer working on movies because I get the time to rehearse and prep massive scenes.

Foto: Jason Bell - Copyright: Jason Bell
Jason Bell
© Jason Bell

What did working on "The 100" involve? Can you tell us a little more about the work on this particular set and the collaboration with stunt coordinator Marshall Virtue?

"The 100" has created their own little world all over the Greater Vancouver area in remote locations. It's a great show to be on. They usually do very early days on location, so I can always expect to be up very early in the morning when I get a call for it. Marshall Virtue is an amazing and experienced stuntman with years of experience under his belt. He came from a family of stuntmen, so it's safe to say it's in his blood.

Is there a difference between working on the set of shows that are based on comics like "Arrow" or "The Flash" compared to shows like "The 100" or "Prison Break" regarding the kind of stunts you are able to do?

"Arrow" and "The Flash" feature more flashy stunts including big fight scenes and wire work gags. "The 100" features more practical type guerrilla fighting with sword-like weapons or bow and arrows and "Prison Break" features more gun fire, squibs and smaller fights.

Speaking of comics - if you could have any super power what would it be?

Tough question! I've asked myself this a million times and I would like the ability to fly. Super powers don't get much cooler than that.

I read that you are a big UFO nerd so it must have been a dream come true to do some stunts on "The X-Files". Do you think the show will be back for another round and if so, would you be a part of it again?

Oh I for sure think the X-Files will be back. I just love the ambiance of the show and the tone they set. I would absolutely love to work on it again if and when it returns.

Is there any kind of stunt you would like to do that you didn't have the chance to try yet? And is there one you are not so keen on doing again?

I have yet to do a full fire burn as a stunt. I'm not going to lie, it definitely gives me sweaty palms thinking about it. It's the one stunt I want to do so badly, but also not in a hurry to do either.

When you are not working what do you like to do in your free time?

Spend time with my wife and daughter who is 2 1/2. When I'm not with them you'll find me training with my taekwondo master, lifting weights in the gym, rock climbing or cruising on my motorbike. I have to constantly stay active or I go crazy.

Since myFanbase is an online magazine about TV shows, we would like to know what your favorite shows are?

Right now I'm really into Showtime's "Billions" and Netflix's "Stranger Things". Two completely different shows but I'm obsessed with them both.

Thank you so much for making time of us, Jason, we wish you all the best for your future!

Thank you!

Catherine Bühnsack - myFanbase

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