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. IM 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
Carpenters 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
Stuntwomans 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 |