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Ready for 'Battle'
An Exclusive Q & A with Stuntwoman Michelle Rae
by: Leigh Lewallen (www.michelle-rodriguez.com)
June 2, 2007

How long have you been doing stuntwork, and what made you enter such an often
dangerous field?

"I have been involved in stuntwork since 2002. Prior to that, I was involved in law enforcement,
public safety and security for over a decade. I felt it was time for a change, so I immersed
myself in every aspect of the entertainment business: modeling, production, acting and eventually
stunts. After doing my first stunt on America's Most Wanted, I was hooked! I have now
combined my law enforcement background and the entertianment business so I can technical
advise, handle weapons and perform stunts.

I think being a police officer is more dangerous than stuntwork. You know what to expect in
stunts most of the time because it involves rehearsals, working on skills and knowing your
limitations. You know when your gonna get hit, attacked or your next move. Cops, don't have
that luxury of knowing what's gonna happen next. It also depends on the type of stunt you are
going to do? But a stunt performer's goal is to make the action look believable. Hitting your
mark and making it look good."

You recently wrapped filming on Stuart Townsend's debut film Battle in Seattle. How
much stuntwork actually went into this project considering it's more of a political drama
than an action piece?

"This film came down from Canada and finished up the last week in Seattle, Washington. That's
when I came in on the project from Los Angeles to double Michelle. Me and another stunt guy
from California flew up there for four days. Basically, we worked on the protests and rioting
scenes. I had to climb on top of a bus and jump off a few times."

While you doubled for Michelle Rodriguez, did she do her own stunts?

"Oh yeah, she did jump off the bus a few times herself."

What was it like working with Michelle?

"I had a very positive experience with Michelle and have nothing but good things to say about
her! We worked together for a day and she was just an all around cool person. Approachable,
friendly and professional. We were doing plenty of exterior shots on a cold, rainy day in
downtown, Seattle. It was a blast!"

So now that Battle in Seattle is behind you, what's next?

"I have a few projects I am getting involved with this year. I would like to work on a feature
film(s) this year too. Until my next gig, I'm always working on my skills including weapons and
technical advising skills. For over a year now, I have been involved with a company, Strategic
Operations in San Diego, CA. This training facility uses "Hollywood" special effects explosives,
make-up and actors to create a realistic training environement for the military before they are
deployed to combat in Iraq. Since I don't have a military background this gives me the
opportunity to experience and learn about our current conflict and save lives at the same time.
I'm learning from the best of the best!"

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