WILD WOMAN: TALKING STUNTS AND
HORROR WITH DANIELLE BURGIO
by Owen Keehnen
Danielle Burgio started off as a dancer and hey – she did have a role in ‘Showgirls’. However, in the decade since that film she has found great success as one of Hollywood (and horror’s) top stuntwomen. She did awesome work in ‘John Carpenter’s Vampires’ as well as his flick ‘Ghosts of Mars’. She played Esmerelda in ‘All Souls Day’ and has appeared in several episodes of ‘24’ as Carrie Bendis among other roles. Some of her outstanding stunt work can also be seen in ‘When a Stranger Calls’ (2006), ‘Cellular’, ‘Daredevil’, ‘The Matrix Revolutions’, ‘The Matrix Reloaded’, ‘Blade’, and ‘The Green Mile’. She’s also a lot of fun to talk too as you’ll see in this exclusive www.racksandrazors.com interview.Danielle, let's start off with a visual. Can you describe forthe readers the room where you are answering these questions? WELL THAT'S
A FIRST BUT I MUST SAY I LIKE THE QUESTION. I’M IN MY HOME OFFICE, WHICH HAS DARK RED WALLS AND A PURPLE VELVET COUCH. I BILLOWED FABRIC FROM THE CEILING SO IT KINDA LOOKS LIKE A CIRCUS TENT....YES, THAT'S THE TRUTH.


 

 

Danielle, let's start off with a visual. Can you describe for the readers the room where you are answering these questions?

WELL THAT'S A FIRST BUT I MUST SAY I LIKE THE QUESTION. I’M IN MY HOME OFFICE, WHICH HAS DARK RED WALLS AND A PURPLE VELVET COUCH. I BILLOWED FABRIC FROM THE CEILING SO IT KINDA LOOKS LIKE A CIRCUS TENT. ...YES, THAT'S THE TRUTH.

First off I know you started as a dancer. I'm sure your precision paid off when you started doing stunts -- but how exactly did you move from dancer to stunt woman?

I NEVER MEANT TO GET INTO STUNTS. IT WAS A COMPLETE ACCIDENT (PUN INTENDED). THE TRANSITION CAME FROM BEING ON MOVIE SETS AS AN ACTRESS / DANCER AND MEETING SOME STUNT GUYS. IT'S ACTUALLY NOT SO STRANGE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT. IT'S ALL BODY MECHANICS.

In addition to stunts, you're also an accomplished actress. Do you have a preference? Is dancing still your true love?

DANCING WAS ALWAYS A PASSION BUT I NEVER WANTED THE CAREER. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A PERFORMER AND AM HAPPY FOR ALL THE WORK I'VE HAD BUT THE ACTING GIGS ARE THE MOST SATISFYING. I STILL DANCE (I GO TO A KILLER CLASS) BUT I DO IT FOR ME.

First off I want to hear about your role as Alicia in 'House of the Dead 2: Dead Aim'. What was your favorite part about your character?

GETTING THE PROSTETICS OFF! I WAS COVERED IN ZOMBIE SKIN. IT TOOK HOURS TO PUT ON AND WHAT SEEMED LIKE FOREVER TO TAKE OFF. THE TEETH WERE BUILT IN SO I COULDN'T TALK (WHICH THE PRODUCERS PROBABLLY LIKED) AND I WAS DROOLING ON MYSELF ALL DAY.

You were awesome as Esmerelda in 'All Souls Day'. What was the most memorable thing for you about that shoot?

HMMM, LET ME THINK...OH YEAH, BEING DROPPED OUT OF A COFFIN, NAKED WITH MY TONGUE CUT OUT.

Speaking of memorable your work (death scene) in ‘John Carpenter’s Vampires’ is insane! What was the toughest thing about that shoot for you?

THAT WAS SERIOUSLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE ALL TIME JOBS. IT WAS MY FIRST REAL STUNT GIG AND INVOLVED AIRRAMS, SQUIBS, RATCHETS, ETC. WE SHOT THAT IN 2 DAYS AND IT WAS NONSTOP ACTION FOR ME. I FINISHED BLOODY AND BRUISED AND ECSTATIC. THAT MOVIE CATAPULTED MY CAREER AND WAS SO POWERFUL THAT I GAVE UP ACTING FOR 5 YEARS TO PURSUE STUNTS FULL TIME.

Ditto for your gruesome death scene in Mr. Carpenter's 'Ghosts of Mars’. How was that "shoot" for you?

I WAS SO PSYCHED TO GO BACK TO WORK FOR JOHN CARPENTER AND I WOULD AGAIN AND AGAIN. WE HAD A BLAST FILMING IN NEW MEXICO, ALL NIGHTS, RUNNING AROUND LIKE A BUNCH OF CRAZY MARTIANS...I MEAN, COME ON - WHO GETS TO MAKE MONEY FOR HAVING SO MUCH FUN?

You also did some stunt work in the just released ‘When a Stranger Calls’ 2006). For those watching closely where can we see Danielle in action?

I HAVEN'T SEEN THE FINAL CUT YET SO IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SAY. I'VE WORKED MONTHS ON SOME FILMS AND NEVER MADE THE MOVIE. ON "STRANGER" I WAS THE STUNT DOUBLE FOR THE BABYSITTER. THE ACTRESS CAMILLA WAS GREAT AND DID A LOT HERSELF BUT IF YOU SEE HER HITTING THE GROUND HARD IT'S LIKELY TO BE ME. IN GENERAL YOU CAN USUALLY TELL WHEN IT'S THE DOUBLE BECAUSE OUR FACES ARE TURNED AWAY FROM THE CAMERA.

What is the most insane stunt you have ever done?

I CLIMBED A 26 STORY BUILDING WITH A SUCTION CUP DEVISE THAT WAS ONLY A PROTOTYPE.

Has there ever been a stunt you were asked to do but said "Uh, thanks, but no thanks"?

ALL THE TIME, I JUST GOT CALLED FOR A FULL BODY FIRE BURN AND SAID THAT VERY THING.

You're cross merchandizing too. Tell me about your book The Stuntwoman’s Workout. How did that project come about? What is different or unique about a stuntwoman's workout?

THE PUBLISHERS FROM "WORST CASE SCENARIO" AND I DID THE TV SERIES TOGETHER AND THEY PRESENTED THE IDEA TO ME FOR THE BOOK. IT SEEMED LIKE TURNING DOWN A BOOK DEAL MIGHT BE A DUMB THING TO DO, SO..... I'M REALLY PROUD OF "THE STUNTWOMAN'S WORKOUT" ALTHOUGH I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THE FACT THAT IT IS A BOOK FOR EVERYONE. IT'S NOT ABOUT GETTING INTO STUNTS, IT'S ABOUT FINDING ADVENTURE OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR AND HOPEFULLY INSPIRING PEOPLE TO MAKE MORE ACTIVE CHOICES IN THEIR LIVES. I'M SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE WORKED WITH SO MANY GREAT ATHLETES AND PICKED UP SO MANY GREAT SKILLS. IT'S ALL BECOME SO MUCH FUN AND IT NEVER FEELS LIKE I'M WORKING OUT. I JUST HAPPEN TO BE IN GREAT SHAPE BECAUSE I'VE FOUND MY PASSIONS. AND YOU CAN TOO...OK THAT'S MY SPIEL AND I'M STICKING TO IT.

We're pulling the car into the Danielle Burgio Drive In. What three horror films are going to be in the triple bill and what goodies are they going to be serving up at the concession stand?

FOR SURE, JC'S VAMPIRES.... MY FAVORITE! SECOND, WHEN A STRANGER CALLS.... THE ORIGINAL AND SHOWGIRLS.... THE SCARIEST MOVIE I'VE EVER WORKED ON! AS FAR AS THE TREATS GO.... THERE HAD BETTER BE POPCORN BECAUSE I GET VIOLENT IF I DON'T HAVE IT FOR MY MOVIE. BESIDES THAT, I DON'T REALLY CARE.... I CAN PASS ON THE CANDY. BUT IF THERE IS A PINT OF BEN AND JERRY'S I'LL FIGHT YOU FOR IT.

What makes you go psycho in real life?

DUDE, I HURL MY BODY INTO BRICK WALLS FOR A LIVING, IS THAT NOT PSYCHO ENOUGH FOR YOU?

What scares you in real life? 
POLITICS