Stunt Driver Brett Smrz, 2026 Taurus Award nominee for “Hardest Hit”, shares how he got started driving, deciding to focus on stunts vs pro racing, how he trains, and some insight into his role as a stunt coordinator.

I had a blast and am sure you can see/hear it on this episode of “Stunt Talk with Jessica Viviane” - Stunt Driving with Brett Smrz.

Chapters

0:00:00 Preview

0:01:30 Introduction (with first credits & Drivers Inc)

0:06:45 The Pitt (BTS)

0:08:39 How we met

0:09:58 Crime 101 (BTS)

0:10:30 My fascination with stunt driving and how it started

0:12:30 Brett talks me through the Reverse 180

0:14:31 Chitchatting about driving manual vs automatic

0:15:38 Brett’s Origin Story (Go-Karts and Racing)

0:20:54 Being the son of Gregg Smrz and the decision to go pro racing or do stunts

0:24:47 What Brett’s training looks like as a driver

0:27:30 The transition from racing to stunt driving

0:30:00 Driving fast on different terrains and environments

0:38:00 What Brett’s hustle looks like

0:40:12 Stunt Coordinating vs Performing and how Brett responds to submissions

0:48:00 It is still sloooooow with jobs…

0:51:00 Brett’s Stunt (Driver’s) Bag

0:56:00 A little TSA storytime 

0:58:30 Closing words

The Business Side of Stunts with Noelle Kim. She is the CEO of Stunt Contact and President of Stunt Access, and shares what she’s learned over the years in this industry. Functioning as an agent to action professionals, assistant to stunt coordinators, and taking on two major platforms to keep the hustle flowing.

You can see and hear the passion and knowledge that flow through her as we discuss etiquette for performers, how it differs for actors compared to stunts, networking, the digital hustle era (and how to make the most of it), and SO much more!

Websites mentioned:

www.stuntcontact.com

www.stuntaccess.com

www.stuntlisting.com

Chapters

0:00:00 Preview

0:01:06 Awards for stunts and Introduction

0:04:30 How signing up for stunt contact gives you more than you expect

0:09:00 Getting responses from coordinators and how to track them

0:15:00 How your acting headshot might not work for stunts

0:16:15 Height and weight listing

0:23:30 How to stand out in the digital hustle era

0:29:00 Mental and physical aspects of a stunt performer

0:35:00 Noelle's insight from being an Assistant to the Stunt Coordinator

0:45:00 What to know when you do stunts and act

0:49:00 How speed of production impacts submission timelines

0:54:00 Watch what you promise when submitting

01:04:30 Exploring Stunt Access and Stunt Contact for performers

01:09:00 Hustling stunts vs auditioning as an actor

01:15:00 How classes don't make you an expert... yet

01:16:55 Skills to become your own "agent" for stunts

01:26:30 Excitement of making it on all fronts

01:33:10 Beach Bash 2026 and networking skills

01:42:20 Over and Underselling skills and what to focus on

01:51:00 Closing words

Fellow mixed girl and stuntwoman, Selene Hara Shankle, is on the mic with me today. Selene is half-white and half-Japanese, lives and trains in Los Angeles, and is breaking down her routine, habits, and how she uses a no-pressure, go-with-the-flow mentality while navigating her career.

Chapters

0:00:00 Preview

0:00:37 Introduction

0:03:30 Origin Story

0:09:30 The right Training

0:15:00 The right Mindset

0:20:00 Finding your Learning Style

0:25:00 Training-Life Balance

0:30:00 Planning and Priorities

0:45:00 The right Work/Training Combo

0:50:00 Training and Recovery

0:54:00 Dreams and Goals

01:03:00 Plan B?

01:24:56 Stunt Bag

01:29:00 Closing Words

Eric shares how being a generalist might just be the best thing to be when getting into motion capture, as long as you have this one ability...! We also talk about the process of casting for mocap and the difficulties, even after you've made a name for yourself. Eric is a stuntman, mocap performer and coordinator, co-owner of Superalloy Interactive Mocap Studio, and host of the Action Talks with Eric Jacobus podcast.

Eric's Book: "If These Fists Could Talk: A Stuntman's Unflinching Take on Violence" available on Amazon

Eric's Podcast: Action Talks with Eric Jacobus

Everything else about Eric: https://ericjacobus.com/

Chapters

0:00:00 Preview

0:00:39 Introduction

0:02:42 Origin Story

0:20:00 Tekken & Content Creation

0:27:35 Eric’s Podcast & Book

0:31:00 Why and how Mocap?

0:36:00 How to get in?

0:43:00 Video Game Movements

0:56:10 Auditioning for Video Games

1:03:10 Casting & Skills for Video Games

1:09:45 If you would do it all over again…

1:14:31 Stunt Bag & Closing

Josh and I cover everything from his time on America’s Got Talent, how his breakdance background got him into stunts, the importance of being prepared when the “right time and place” come together, the ugly truth about loneliness and true connecting in this business, living in two markets (TX & NY), and sooo much more.

Chapters

0:00:00 Preview

0:00:28 Introduction

0:02:08 Origin Story

0:16:44 Highs and Lows

0:39:34 Prodigal Son Stunts

0:51:08 Post-Covid & Strikes

1:09:59 Stunt Gear & Walking Dead

1:13:42 Training

Today I have Paul Varacchi with me. He's a stunt performer, co-host of the Film Fights with Friends Podcast, and co-owner of Breakfall Studio in NYC. We're talking about the importance of having a full life outside of stunts, camera angles, martial arts and stunts, and how we connect with the people we love through film.

Chapters

0:00:00 Preview

0:00:42 Introduction

0:02:05 Origin Story

0:11:00 Camera Angles

0:17:00 Martial Arts & Stunts

0:20:00 Family

0:24:00 Risks & Safety

0:30:00 Industry Slowdown

0:34:55 Stunt Bag

0:37:00 Precautions

0:48:00 Phone on Set

0:52:00 What's Next

I get to chat it up with Anthony Nanakornpanom, stunt performer and founder of Battlecat Stunts in Los Angeles, CA. We discuss his humble beginnings, the hustle of getting into stunts, and the importance of getting the basics right.

Chapters

0:00:00 Preview

0:00:28 Introduction

0:05:00 Fact Checking

0:09:20 Stunt Bag

0:17:35 Origin Story

0:40:27 Training

0:56:30 Fighting

1:01:57 Acting

Just some of the guests and topics from Season 1 of Stunt Talk.

Kicking off the podcast with Frank Alfano from FJA Fire Stunts. Stunt performer and Fire Rigger out of New York City. We discuss current productions, fire burns, his workshop, AI and stunts, and some nerdy movie talk! Open for discussions in the comments.