So close and yet so far

In my past, before I joined the US Army, I was trained in and pursued a career in stunt work. Unfortunately, I never actually got a gig. Every time I was offered a job, something would come up that would take precedence. I would be out of town and physically not able to make it, or had no way to get to the location. It was very frustrating, and seemed as if the fates were conspiring to keep me out of the industry. I don't believe in fate, but for lack of a better phrase, that's how I think of it.

So this weekend, I was brought onto another thesis film for school, as the armorer. I wound up as one of the military advisers as well, which was fun. The set was run very professionally, and I really enjoyed working on it. The same set that Scenes from Iron Man and Transformers, which was so cool. I love working in this town. 

I was a little put off for one reason, which brings me back to my old stunt days. I was not brought on to be the stunt coordinator, that job went to the director's cousin. He had more experience than me, but was friendly. I introduced myself, and gave him my background, a expressed that I wanted to be a stuntman, and that I'd like to help him any way I could. 

When it came to the stunt work, which was only a fight, and a wire pull, he decided to go with the actor that I brought with me. Who is not really an actor, and not a stuntman. But he fit the physical profile of what the director wanted. I know that's how the game is played, and I accept that. BUT it's hard to swallow, when you're an aspiring stuntman, you get onto a set that has stunts that need to be done, and you aren't involved. It's just disheartening. I'll get there though, and I'll be do it right when I do. 

All in all it was still a great day. I made some good contacts, I got some screen time as a Taliban war fighter, and I did some good training for the actors playing Marines. Damn, we had those poor guys on edge, they were in character all day, and my other mil adviser would just screw with them and run them through scenarios. It was a very good exercise for me in working with actors. 

Though I didn't get much for my stunt reel, I still call the day a huge success. 

More to follow soon, 

Stay tuned, and stay sharp.

Thoughts late at night

It's late and I can't sleep. I have an appointment with my VA disability people in the morning. I guess I'll just be exhausted when I get there. I've got a zero calorie monster in the fridge so I'll be alright. By the way, those things are awesome! They really get me jacked in the morning! Like power thirst!!! I'll go fight a tiger...

Any way, through the VA folks at my school I got into a group for veterans in film and television. It's a very legit group that I think will be a real benefit to my career. However, something came of it, that I was not expecting, but should have.

I've let my ego get a little too big. For the last few months, I've had big fish in a little pond syndrome. Since I'm the only guy that I know of at my school that is interested in stunt work, I've had a lot of demand. I've started calling myself a stunt coordinator, for lack of a better term and it's gone to my head.

On my facebook, my occupation read stunt coordinator as well. When I signed up with this group for vets, I introduced myself as a stunt coordinator. Almost immediately I got a message from a real stunt coordinator that I actually know if and admire a great deal. He advised that I not call myself a stunt coordinator, because I will probably piss off the people who have devoted years and years to actually earn the credit of stunt coordinator. Especially when I have no real credits even as a stuntman. I immediately heeded his advice and amended the introduction and my profile; to aspiring stuntman.

It was a reminder that I really truly am starting at the bottom if the ladder. At 26 years old, I'm starting over at something. I thought six years ago that I would be at least decent at a job and be working my way to the top. It's a little disheartening to think about. But I guess there is no choice, since I don't want to go back to the Army. I'll just attack this new venture and make it my bitch.

I know that not any one can do anything. Those stories that parents tell their kids are a bunch if crap. You either don't have the intelligence, the genes, or the means. But stunts is something that I AM good at, and definitely see myself excelling at.

For a while I thought that I would make my living as a magician. But I never really saw myself doing that seriously. Maybe as a side job instead if waiting tables or tending bars, but not full time. If you see me bringing food to your table, I've hit Rock bottom. Bit that I'm hating on waiters, it's just not something I could do and smile. Unless I worked at a rude restaurant like Dicks. But they would just be too wearied to say I work in dicks, or I'm a dick waiter.

So until next time, stay tuned and stay sharp.

Head shots!

There it is! My head shot, that's going to be the money maker. The one below is nice, but doesn't give enough feeling, but it's still a nice picture.

A lot of things are going on now! Thesis month is coming up at school, and I've booked seven gigs. I'll be second unit directing a Vietnam battle scene, stunt coordinating for five, and being a 2nd AD for another. So April is going to be a very busy month for me. So I'll have a lot of material for my reel.

I also had a meeting with the leaders of "Urban Fist" stunt team. The team manager was a student at the same school as me, so I decided to drop them an email. We met in Santa Monica and talked about bringing me onto the team as a military consultant and armorer. They are a great group of guys, and I'm very excited to work with them. We are looking for a day to set up a small weapons manipulation course for the team, so I can show case my skills.Very exciting.
Also Check out my website www.danielrathaus.com and look at the new additions to the arsenal. I picked up two new AK 47s and a new chrome 1911.  They are going to be popular in he short films that I'm going to be involved with. Things are starting to pick up!

The roots of it all

Today was a great day, I got back in touch with my roots.
I helped my mentor teach his stunt class: www.stuntkids.com. Mike Cassidy is a great man, he taught me everything I know about performing stunts and how to get into the industry. I went through stunt kids in 1999, and have recalled bits and pieces of that training ever since, not necessarily while performing.

So today I went back to see Mike, to assist him while teaching a new class of stunt kids; today's class was falls. Mike has a tower set up in his yard, you climb the ladder, and jump into an airbag. These kids climb the tower, up to 28 feet and leap. Brave for some of these little ones. I did the class when I was 17, and it was scary. But then again, when I went through the class there were two higher levels, so I've jumped from 38 feet. which was quite exhilarating. Today I got to play around on the tower a little too.

It felt so good to touch base with Mike again, an added treat was seeing an old stunt kids class mate of mine, Matthew Kennedy. Matthew's been doing well while I've been gone. He just wrapped the new Spider Man movie on the stunt stunt team. He's making his living as a stunt man, and living the dream. I can't wait till I can pay the bills solely by performing.

I also was asked to coordinate a short shoot out for a thesis film for a Los Angeles Film School student. I do these thesis films for free, for several reasons. I'm still a student, and I would want some one to help me out if I were shooting a thesis, I still need the experience and things to add to my resume.

Finally, I saw my headshot. It looks great, it's getting re touched, and I should have the final product by Monday. I'll post it up here once I get it.


So stay tuned, and stay sharp.
Daniel