Fury Diamond
05-08-2011, 06:33 AM
Here is a fan interview with Steven A. Davis. Steven has been a stunt performer in Power Rangers: Jungle Fury, R.P.M., and Samurai. He recently played the role of Jayden's Father in the "Jayden's Challenge" episode.
Fun Facts
Q: Favorite foods?
A: I try to eat healthy when I can, and I've always had a fondness for Japanese food, teriyaki chicken dishes with rice being my favorite. Once a week I allow myself to eat bad food and I have a soft spot for chocolate brownies with whipped cream and ice cream.
Q: Favorite Drinks?
A: Dr Pepper and Coke Zero. Or Myofusion Chocolate Protein Shakes when I'm training.
Q: Favorite Movies?
A: Tough question. I have so many favorites its hard to nail down. My favorite martial arts movie of all time is Drunken Master 2, made back in 1993 starring Jackie Chan at his absolute prime! I recommend it to any fan of martial arts films!
Q: Favorite Shows?
A: Easier. I am a massive sci-fi fanboy and as such a very big fan of the latest 'Battlestar Galattica!' The original show was something I was a big fan of when I was a kid, and I love the reboot even more.
Q: Favorite Songs?
A: My tastes are often driven by my love of film. I listen to a lot of soundtracks and so my tastes in music is quite varied. I do have a soft spot for the song 'Knights of Cydonia' by Muse, helped greatly by the fact that it has my favorite music video of all time.
Q: Favorite place in the world?
A: I love Tokyo in Japan. What a cool city. Also Queenstown in New Zealand is amazingly beautiful. But, as I'm spending a lot of time away for work at the moment, I'd have to say my favorite place is home with my family.
Power Rangers Questions:
Q: How did you hear about the audition?
A: Red's father was only a small role, and at the time I was already working on Samurai as a member of the stunt team. I had just finished working with the director of episode one, a very cool guy called Peter Salmon, as an actor on another show called 'This is Not My Life' which was a sci-fi thriller. Pete thought I'd be good for the role so offered me the part. Although it was only a small role, getting to wear the Red Ranger outfit was a childhood dream come true, so I jumped at the part.
Q: Which was your favorite season to work in?
A: RPM. Of the three seasons I was lucky enough to work on, I'd have to say RPM was my favorite. I got to work closely with Koichi Sakomoto, who I idolized from films such as 'Drive,' but I also loved the story. I thought RPM's plot had found greater maturity than previous seasons and as such was something I was very proud to be apart of. Also my best friend was cast as Hicks and I doubled him on a couple of episodes. Which is always fun.
Q: How would you compare Power Rangers with your other roles?
A: Fun. A realization of a childhood dream! I prepare for all acting roles in much the same way, where as most roles I do, like in 'Spartacus' or 'This is Not My Life' are far more serious in nature, I find my approach to all roles are basically the same. From learning lines, to accents, to finding my wants, points of view, and finally injecting myself into the character. Whether a hero or villain, kids show or adult thriller, I think my approach is the same. Its just the character thats different!
Q: Have you ever done a non-stunt role in Power Rangers?
A: It's funny but the role of Red's Father in Samurai, which is essentially Red Ranger, involved no stunt work and was entirely an acting only gig.
Q: How did you get into Stunts?
A: Back in 1998 I auditioned to work on a show called Xena as a stuntman. I got in and learnt basics on the job. I left to study Acting at the Auckland Performing Arts School in New Zealand in 2000 and pursed acting after that. I continued to train stunts and develop screen fighting techniques until 2008 when a co-ordinator friend of mine pulled me back into the business to work on a film called 'Warriors Way' as the lead bad guy's stunt double. That same year I did my first season of Power Rangers and have been working constantly ever since!
Q: How long have you been training for?
A: I've been an athlete since I was thirteen years old. I took up Martial Arts when I was 17 and have been doing that for 15 years now. I've studied Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Caporiea, and my favorite, Wu Shu. As a stunt performer I've also spent years training basic gymnastic skills and spent a fair amount of time learning Parkour, or free running.
Q: What was your best stunt?
A: 'Warriors Way' saw myself and a female performer take a two person high fall out a two story saloon window to the ground. We both walked away unharmed. Still the best stunt so far. And the scariest!
Q: How much import do you have for your work?
A: Depends on the job and who you're working for. Sometimes its good to trust in your peers and defer to their areas of expertese. I've been lucky to work on some jobs where choreographers are very encouraging of ideas. but like with most things you have to be aware of having too many chiefs and too many suggestions. Again I've had some great jobs and worked with some great and talented people. And I hope I can continue to do this job for a long time to come!
Fun Facts
Q: Favorite foods?
A: I try to eat healthy when I can, and I've always had a fondness for Japanese food, teriyaki chicken dishes with rice being my favorite. Once a week I allow myself to eat bad food and I have a soft spot for chocolate brownies with whipped cream and ice cream.
Q: Favorite Drinks?
A: Dr Pepper and Coke Zero. Or Myofusion Chocolate Protein Shakes when I'm training.
Q: Favorite Movies?
A: Tough question. I have so many favorites its hard to nail down. My favorite martial arts movie of all time is Drunken Master 2, made back in 1993 starring Jackie Chan at his absolute prime! I recommend it to any fan of martial arts films!
Q: Favorite Shows?
A: Easier. I am a massive sci-fi fanboy and as such a very big fan of the latest 'Battlestar Galattica!' The original show was something I was a big fan of when I was a kid, and I love the reboot even more.
Q: Favorite Songs?
A: My tastes are often driven by my love of film. I listen to a lot of soundtracks and so my tastes in music is quite varied. I do have a soft spot for the song 'Knights of Cydonia' by Muse, helped greatly by the fact that it has my favorite music video of all time.
Q: Favorite place in the world?
A: I love Tokyo in Japan. What a cool city. Also Queenstown in New Zealand is amazingly beautiful. But, as I'm spending a lot of time away for work at the moment, I'd have to say my favorite place is home with my family.
Power Rangers Questions:
Q: How did you hear about the audition?
A: Red's father was only a small role, and at the time I was already working on Samurai as a member of the stunt team. I had just finished working with the director of episode one, a very cool guy called Peter Salmon, as an actor on another show called 'This is Not My Life' which was a sci-fi thriller. Pete thought I'd be good for the role so offered me the part. Although it was only a small role, getting to wear the Red Ranger outfit was a childhood dream come true, so I jumped at the part.
Q: Which was your favorite season to work in?
A: RPM. Of the three seasons I was lucky enough to work on, I'd have to say RPM was my favorite. I got to work closely with Koichi Sakomoto, who I idolized from films such as 'Drive,' but I also loved the story. I thought RPM's plot had found greater maturity than previous seasons and as such was something I was very proud to be apart of. Also my best friend was cast as Hicks and I doubled him on a couple of episodes. Which is always fun.
Q: How would you compare Power Rangers with your other roles?
A: Fun. A realization of a childhood dream! I prepare for all acting roles in much the same way, where as most roles I do, like in 'Spartacus' or 'This is Not My Life' are far more serious in nature, I find my approach to all roles are basically the same. From learning lines, to accents, to finding my wants, points of view, and finally injecting myself into the character. Whether a hero or villain, kids show or adult thriller, I think my approach is the same. Its just the character thats different!
Q: Have you ever done a non-stunt role in Power Rangers?
A: It's funny but the role of Red's Father in Samurai, which is essentially Red Ranger, involved no stunt work and was entirely an acting only gig.
Q: How did you get into Stunts?
A: Back in 1998 I auditioned to work on a show called Xena as a stuntman. I got in and learnt basics on the job. I left to study Acting at the Auckland Performing Arts School in New Zealand in 2000 and pursed acting after that. I continued to train stunts and develop screen fighting techniques until 2008 when a co-ordinator friend of mine pulled me back into the business to work on a film called 'Warriors Way' as the lead bad guy's stunt double. That same year I did my first season of Power Rangers and have been working constantly ever since!
Q: How long have you been training for?
A: I've been an athlete since I was thirteen years old. I took up Martial Arts when I was 17 and have been doing that for 15 years now. I've studied Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Caporiea, and my favorite, Wu Shu. As a stunt performer I've also spent years training basic gymnastic skills and spent a fair amount of time learning Parkour, or free running.
Q: What was your best stunt?
A: 'Warriors Way' saw myself and a female performer take a two person high fall out a two story saloon window to the ground. We both walked away unharmed. Still the best stunt so far. And the scariest!
Q: How much import do you have for your work?
A: Depends on the job and who you're working for. Sometimes its good to trust in your peers and defer to their areas of expertese. I've been lucky to work on some jobs where choreographers are very encouraging of ideas. but like with most things you have to be aware of having too many chiefs and too many suggestions. Again I've had some great jobs and worked with some great and talented people. And I hope I can continue to do this job for a long time to come!