Stuntman Brendan’s impressive CV includes Die Hard and Ripper Street
GROWING up in Templeogue, Brendan Condren was a huge fan of action films but for the last 25 years he has traded watching films on the big screen for being on set in his work as stuntman.
Brendan has an impressive array of film and TV credits to his name, including Intermission, A Good Day to Die Hard and Ripper Street.
The experienced stuntman, who is also the current President of Stunt Guild Ireland, took some time out to talk to his local paper.
When did you first realise that you wanted to pursue a career as a stuntman?
Ever since I was small one of my favourite TV shows as a child was The Fall Guy, so when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I always said ‘stuntman’! Another favourite movie as a kid was Hooper with Burt Reynolds.
You’ve been a stuntman for 25 years – what is one thing that you think would surprise people about working as a stuntman?
The amount of time and preparation that goes into planning stunts – it’s not about just showing up on the day and hoping for the best. My job as a coordinator is to take out the risks as much as possible and to be able to deliver the action scene over and over again, without losing the dramatic effect. There was a persona about stunt guys being ‘gunghoe’ and risk-takers, but nowadays that’s not the case. It’s a very highly skilled profession with very talented people and skilled technicians.
You’re the owner of Stunt Drive Ireland, Ireland’s only stunt driving school. Can you remember what it was like the first time you got behind the wheel to do stunt driving?
I have always been into bikes and off-road buggies. I was into Motocross as a kid, and scrambling. I got my first bike when I was ten. As a teenager I built an off-road buggy from scratch, so cars and driving have always been a passion. The first time I was driving on set, it wasn’t off-putting as I had a skill set from a very young age. I’ve trained extensively with Bobby Ore in America in the skill of precision driving. I love the challenge of driving on set and have driven on productions all over Europe. I now train stunt professionals from Ireland, the UK and Europe. I also teach the skills of precision driving at my school in Arklow, Co. Wicklow and also run fun stunt driving experiences for the general public through Stunt Drive Ireland.
Your teenage son Fionn is following in your footsteps and looks set to be a stuntman, do you think it’s better for people to get into that line of work at a young age?
Yes, if it’s your dream to be a stunt professional it’s never too young to start training. As a profession we are very highly trained in many levels, as stunt requirements can be quite diverse so a wide skill set is required, including things like martial arts, diving, horse riding and gymnastics. Some of theses qualifications can take years to achieve so the earlier the better. Fionn has been a Level 4 precision driver since the age of 12. He also holds an advanced PADI Open Water and is working towards his Dive Master, he has a purple belt in kickboxing and is currently training in stunt horsesmanship. He has already credits on the likes of Vikings, Into The Badlands and First Wave, so by the time he’s 18 he will be well experienced.
Have your other children also been influenced by your work as a stuntman?
I have two other children. My daughter, who is 12, can drive but at the moment her passion is horses so she spends all her free time with her pony Boris. My other son Torin, who is nine, is about to start taking his precision driving levels. He has been driving since he was six, and he is also training in kickboxing. He has worked on Vikings, taking an arrow hit and a fall, and Into The Badlands. Both Fionn and Torin have done some wire work on rigs, trampet flips etc., so he seems to be following in that line.
What’s the best production you’ve worked on so far, and why?
Mrs Browne’s Boys D’Movie was a fun, lighthearted production with fantastic crew and cast – we were like one big family. Another highlight was working A Good Day To Die Hard as the stunt double for Jai Courtney, who played the part of Bruce Willis’s son, as the Die Hard films were such iconic movies that I grew up watching as a kid in Dublin.
What would you say to anyone who’s interested in pursuing a career as a stuntman?
Go for it! It has never been busier in Ireland for TV and film productions, the opportunities are there now that were not available years ago. I’m President of Stunt Guild Ireland, who represent the majority of stunt professionals in Ireland, and whose members and outstanding credits from all across the world speak for themselves. Also there’s our training facility, Stunt School Ireland. But be prepared for hard work, training and dedication – it’s not an easy ticket.
To find out more about Brendan’s work and his stunt school, check out www.stuntdriveireland.ie and www.stuntguildireland.ie