New Brunswick actors are expanding their skill sets to include taking a punch and falling on camera. A specialized stunt training workshop in Moncton is helping local talent prepare for future television and film productions right here in the Maritimes.

If you watch local film productions, you will soon see homegrown talent performing their own stunts. Hosted by Halifax company Connexions Productions and the New Brunswick Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, the event gives actors practical experience with professional stunt techniques. According to CTV News Atlantic, participants learned how to execute realistic television punches, safe falls and stunt parkour.

Learning from the Pros

Professional stunt performers Alex Soldatov and Margaryta Soldatova lead the training sessions. Soldatov is an Emmy winning stunt performer who sees great potential in the local acting community.

“They are very keen to learn and you can see the ambition behind it,” Soldatov says. “It is going better than expected because they are listening and they are actually doing their homework.”

Soldatov notes that New Brunswick currently has very few stunt actors. He brought this workshop to the province to change that reality. With more productions slated for the Maritimes, having trained locals saves production companies from outsourcing talent from Montreal, Halifax or Toronto.

“As a stunt coordinator, I can come and take local talent instead of going out there,” Soldatov says. “We want to keep it in the province.”

Actors Step Out of Their Comfort Zones

The workshop attracts a wide range of participants. Hayley Bowen is an actor returning to her passion after a long career in marketing. She finds the physical demands challenging but rewarding as she keeps pace with younger talent.

“My initial goal was just to feel comfortable in my body,” Bowen says. “But I think what I actually got out of it is that I can pretty much do anything I want.”

Bowen says her favorite part of the training involves throwing younger men around during stunt fight practice. She jokes that her family will not let her practice her new throwing skills on them at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who hosted the Moncton stunt workshop?

Connexions Productions hosted the event in collaboration with the New Brunswick Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture.

What skills do actors learn in stunt training?

Participants learn how to take a fake punch, execute realistic falls and perform stunt parkour safely.

Why is stunt training important for New Brunswick actors?

Training local actors in stunt work allows production companies to hire within the province rather than bringing in talent from larger cities.