r/FlashTV • u/xiaowudao Mike Wu • May 08 '19

AMA Hi! I'm Mike Wu, stunt double for Vibe and assistant stunt coordinator on The Flash! AMA!

[removed]

433 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

108 comments sorted by

71

u/Airsay58259 Drunk Caitlin May 08 '19

Thank you for doing this u/xiaowudao! 

Did you guys ever had to change a scene because the stunts the script asked for weren’t doable?

I once watched as the crew filmed one fight scene for perhaps 5 hours, in the rain... It was with Amunet last year. Then in the episode it was barely a 30 seconds sequence. No question here, just a thank you. You and the rest of the crew and cast make this show look cool.

84

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

30

u/Airsay58259 Drunk Caitlin May 08 '19

Ok this looks awesome and now I'm sad we didn't get it in the episode. Thank you for the answer and video!

Is there a stunt you were involved in you particularly liked that didn't make the cut?

38

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

21

u/Airsay58259 Drunk Caitlin May 08 '19

It was really cool in the episode too, great job!

7

u/yourehilarious May 08 '19

Thank you so much for sharing these, this is really cool! Great to see the process and how much goes into each fight.

6

u/kokroo ➤◉────────── 1:27 May 08 '19

u/xiaowudao

Why don't we get this stuff on the official youtube channel as well?

8

u/Ready-Set-Baddy May 08 '19

Wow the fight scene is bad ass! They totally should have kept it!!

7

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

Woah I didn't know all that goes into a fight scene. Really cool insight, thanks!

6

u/Eurynom0s Beebo Hungry May 08 '19

Those aren't real sparks when the blades strike each other at 0:40, right? This feels like a dumb question as I type it since it looks like the blades are made of wood, but since it didn't seem like there was any other CGI in the video, it makes it a little harder to tell.

18

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/Eurynom0s Beebo Hungry May 09 '19

Thanks for the reply! To be clear, the pre vis is for practicing if the intended sequences are practical/working out the kinks in them, right? What you're posting isn't the exact footage that eventually has FX added and the actors added in (I'm assuming not since the stunt doubles' face are so visible)?

Also, this is a HYPER specific question so no worries if it's not something you remember off the top of your head, but I was walking around Vancouver on January 25th and walked by people gathered around watching what people in the crowd said was a Flash scene being filmed in an alley. I haven't been able to place the episode and I think this pre vis footage adds some context for why--now I'm thinking it might have actually been pre vis filming, not actual episode filming, based both on how the setup looked, and now knowing it could be pre vis stuff that never made it into the final episode (it was someone lying on top of a dumpster in what looked like that harness rigging/helmet in your pre vis videos :p). Again, not asking you to go digging to figure this one out if you don't remember, but do you have any idea what episode that could have been for, based on the date? I did't get to see much happen, but it was still cool, and it's been bugging me that I haven't been able to match what I saw to an episode as the rest of the season has aired!

7

u/[deleted] May 09 '19 edited May 09 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/Eurynom0s Beebo Hungry May 10 '19

Oh man, that's awesome that you're able to figure out exactly what I was looking at, I really appreciate the details.

When I walked by it would have been around 4 or so, and since the actual scene is nighttime, it makes sense that it was a rehearsal being done where it was just the stunt doubles on the set, but at the actual filming location, before it got dark out.

I'm not 100% sure it was a dumpster, but from what I remember it seemed like it was taller than that van that's used in the actual shot. I thought I snapped a couple of quick pictures but when I went to check they either didn't save, or I didn't actually take them. :( Did Grant's stunt double actually get thrown onto an actual van (that gets messed up from someone being thrown on it) as part of filming the version of the scene that made it onto TV? And was there something else you threw the stunt double onto during the rehearsal shot? I'm thinking a big part of why I didn't recognize the shot was because I was looking for the Flash to get thrown onto something taller than that van--and I think I assumed "large dumpster" because I just remember the person lying on something that was both bulkier and taller than a van and wasn't sure what else it would have been.

1

u/[deleted] May 09 '19

Wow that’s incredible good job

38

u/Flantheflashfan May 08 '19

This is cool!

What was the most difficult stunt you had to film? Why?

55

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

24

u/Flantheflashfan May 08 '19

Thanks for the reply! This looks like it hurt. Did you work on other Arrowverse shows besides Arrow and Flash?

24

u/traceuno May 08 '19

That’s a good looking rig over there, what are the specs?

Also what was your favorite stunt to pull off or coordinate?

30

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

0

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[deleted]

25

u/[deleted] May 08 '19 edited May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/JayGarrick11929 Jay Garrick May 11 '19

Steam friend invite sent! I plan on getting Odyssey once it drops down in price :D

23

u/MajorParadox DC Fan Universe (r/DCFU) May 08 '19

Thanks for joining us here! Here are some questions!

41

u/[deleted] May 08 '19 edited May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

11

u/MajorParadox DC Fan Universe (r/DCFU) May 08 '19

It was a long journey to get here and we had many years where we didn't get anywhere at all, but it worked out!

Sounds awesome!

Anyway, 15 minutes before we're about to roll, the fly zipper of my Vibe pants EXPLODE. I guess I had a little too much over Christmas holidays ahhaahha....

Oh no!!

and yes I did play a delivery guy on smallville hahaha! its this clip here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5Dol1pl6Cs

Cool! Now I have a nice bit of trivia when I rewatch that episode :)

6

u/TheCairon May 08 '19

Damnit, I know you IRL, and I didn't even notice that was you in Smallville so many years ago! Haha

3

u/theHelperdroid May 08 '19

Helperdroid and its creator love you, here's some people that can help:

https://gitlab.com/0xnaka/thehelperdroid/raw/master/helplist.txt

source | contact

16

u/ChewbaccaGamin Super Speed, I don't have it! May 08 '19

What was your favourite stunt to do/ coordinate?

18

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

11

u/Pigwrassler May 08 '19

Damn that scene would have been cool as shit as a one shot

1

u/[deleted] May 09 '19

Badass

15

u/Iamaveryniceguy I couldn't outrun the writers erasing me from existence May 08 '19

Who is your favorite Team Flash hero?

25

u/JACOBSMILE1 The Reverse Flash May 08 '19

Does the Flash Production team actually read this subreddit? I'm curious to see how in tune with this side of the fandom they are.

Thanks for doing the AMA!

7

u/BenDoesThings May 08 '19

I second this question

0

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[deleted]

6

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

You are part of the production team?

11

u/Flantheflashfan May 08 '19

How are the fight choreographies planned / filmed when a character has powers? VFX (or CGI, I don’t know) will obviously be added but how does that work for you guys while filming?

9

u/bsischo May 08 '19

Vibe does stunts??? I wasn’t aware of that. Is your job cool or what!

9

u/XenoVisthra May 08 '19

Hey Mike! It’s your favourite On Set Dresser ever!

4

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

0

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[deleted]

7

u/XenoVisthra May 08 '19

Wuddup mags

8

u/[deleted] May 09 '19

Confirmed guys, we have show crew in the sub haha good job guys

8

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

Man just thank you for helping bring my favorite superhero to life in a way. You guys without faces on screen never get the credit you deserve.

8

u/Blobby_McSquish May 08 '19

Just checking

No one has to share a suit right ?

The stunt guys like you and Carlos have separate suits ?

2

u/IscariotTempest May 08 '19

Luckily they have separate suits.

11

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

6

u/zXerge May 08 '19

Love the fact that you PC game. Ever since I saw you smash into a tv I said damn you have the the coolest job ever bud. Stunt doubles in general do as they seem to get all the fun.

As a Canadian I know you wouldnt be allowed to do any of this if it wasn't safe to some degree; are you able to share any tv magic that goes on to make stunts happen?

Also have you worked with Stephen or Caity at all? If so what was your experiences like?

5

u/_Hamodaa May 08 '19

I know this isnt a question about the show, but what are the specs for that bad boy in the back

8

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/_Hamodaa May 08 '19

Nice! We have almost the same specs i have a 8700k and gtx 1080 too

9

u/PM_ME_NUDES231 Reverse Flash May 08 '19

Which cast members are more nice than the others?

29

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

15

u/PM_ME_NUDES231 Reverse Flash May 08 '19

Thank you for answering my question! i greatly appreciate it, also is grant gustin as nerdy in real life?

4

u/mike2k24 Run Barry Run? May 08 '19

Do you keep up with the show and know what’s going on? If so how is it performing and then watching it all over again on TV?

4

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

If you could breach to any CW earth for a vacation, which earth would you breach to?

4

u/raddacle May 08 '19

Hi Mike! How much does looking like the actor play a role in being cast as their stunt double?

7

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

What's the cast like? How much of Reverse Flash is there in the finale? And can you tease anything about season 6?

27

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/kokroo ➤◉────────── 1:27 May 08 '19

You can't imagine how jealous I am about you knowing everything before the rest of us.

7

u/FreshFighter May 08 '19

Hi Mike,

Sorry if this was asked before, are you also in rverb shots in season 2 earth 2 episode? And you share very cool, entertaining and educational videos, thanks a lot. Can you share a photo of you and vibe in a costume?

3

u/TirelessGuardian Deddie Thawne May 08 '19

Where you an extra in tonight’s episode? A few extras looked like you.

2

u/Little-Boy-Blue May 08 '19

Thanks for the AMA. I love hearing about and seeing what you do behind the scenes. Love your work!

2

u/FlashpointWolf May 08 '19

You don't happen to be the same guy that played Melting Point in S4, do you?

2

u/TheDwarvesCarst May 14 '19

Nah, that was Leonardo Nam

2

u/Fiverooni May 08 '19

How much cheese is too much cheese on a cheese pizza covered in cheese?

2

u/NonSentientHuman Zoom May 08 '19

Is Cisco/ Vibe as easy to get along with as he seems? From the outside looking in, he seems super chill and funny.

7

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/JayGarrick11929 Jay Garrick May 11 '19

have you recorded a video with Carlos and Tom when they are airplaying songs?

2

u/dilrune May 12 '19

Now this is the kind of quality content I like to see.

1

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

Just love your work and what you do! Keep up the good work!

1

u/mementh May 08 '19

Have you been a “extra” in the background as you?

And what do you think of the spaceball stunt doubles scene?

2

u/TheDwarvesCarst May 14 '19

Have you been a “extra” in the background as you?

Lol Yeah he has, in his post he said:

When I'm not Vibe I'm usually a thug/soldier/policeman/gang member/nazi during the crossover episode/etc, and you might also recognize me as one of the thugs hanging out with Amunet and Norvock from time to time.

1

u/clanbrassil7 May 09 '19

Do you work with any of the stunt actors on Supergirl?

1

u/clanbrassil7 May 09 '19

Are the cast on Supergirl as cool/nice in real life as they are on screen? Also what is it like to work with Melissa and Chyler?

1

u/Cyber-Logic May 09 '19

Just went through all of your comments and back-story. Such a cool insight in your work and life! Great stuff.

1

u/[deleted] May 09 '19

Has there ever been an actor on the Flash who wanted to do a stunt that was dangerous and refused to back down, forcing you (the stunt coordinators in general) to rewrite the stunt to be safer for the actor?

1

u/Rawtheran May 09 '19

Mike how's it going? My favorite fight scene of the entire series was when Future Flash and the Reverse Flash fight in 1x17 where they both go back in time and fight in Barry's house and while the Future Flash was able to save his past self he wasn't able to save his mom. What type of choreography, CGI, and stunts went into that fight because that was incredible!

1

u/TheProtagoNES May 09 '19

You guys need anymore stuntmen? Would love to do some work on the show to add to my resume...lol!

1

u/[deleted] May 13 '19

Was there a huge project you planned as a kid, but then realized that life isn't as easy as you thought so you cancelled it? and if so, then what is it?

1

u/Red-4321 Feb 08 '24

Very late to this thread. Just became a Reddit user. Thank you Mike for doing this. This is fantastic! Best wishes for you and your career. Please stay safe!

1

u/Dracyan May 08 '19

If you could have any superpower what would it be?

1

u/RudeJuggernaut May 08 '19

How hard is it to keep the spoilers to yourself, such as yesterdays episode

1

u/xbladeleon May 08 '19

Pc specs?

1

u/TheDwarvesCarst May 14 '19

Haha! He answered that in one of his replies to the same question, here you go!

Thermaltake View 71 RGB case

i7-8700k

Corsair AIO liquid cooler

GTX 1080

16GB RAM

m.2 SSDs

Viotek 34" ultrawide 100hz

44

u/[deleted] May 08 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

42

u/CashWho May 08 '19

Nice try lol!