CynbytheSea Interview
with Malcolm Xerxes
(Owen Tell)
1965 - 2005
Ian Malcolm
M.X.-
The number of blows which land on me are entirely dependent upon what my opponent is comfortable with. I find that when I ask someone to really let me have it, my job is made easier, but that non-Stunt Personnel become reluctant to honor my request, whereas when the Stunt Co-ordinator is
insistent that combat be simulated, rather than Full Contact, non-Stunt Personnel tend toward overzealousness.
The scene wherein NIKITA drops down from a door onto OWEN TELL while she is in Close Quarters Standby was an especially solid hit, I am happy to report, thanks to MS. WILSON'S Stunt Double. That was 1 of the few instances where we shot a stunt more than 3 times, due to the peculiar conditions of lighting & camera placement within NIKITA'S cell. I am happiest when H2H combat involves actual contact on my person, for I find
that the sting of each blow compels my muscle memory to react far better & sooner than when I must simulate contact.
Q33.) How long is your average work day, and
how many stunts would your workday require you to do?
M.X.-
My average workday is @ least 16H long, not including the 1H mealbreak.
Stunt sequences are generally shot last in an episode, so it is important to maintain one's mental alertness as well as one's physical readiness, particularly on an outdoor Winter shoot, as was the case with "BEYOND THE PALE".
Q34.) Shooting out a window to jump through,
looks so intense, have you had the opportunity to do it?
M.X.-
I have not yet had occasion to shoot out a window before jumping through it, but my favourite example of that stunt is in THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHTT, wherein MS. GEENA DAVIS, as CHARLIE BALTIMORE, exfiltrates from a multi-storey building onto a frozen body of water
Q35.) Do you have to work as hard as regular actors, or are there methods to simplify what you do?
M.X.-
I think that stuntwork is more difficult than that of "regular actors'" because they are literally pampered, especially while on location outside the confines of a studio. They have the ear of the Director, Stand-ins,
personal Make-up & Hairdressers, Wardrobe personnel who provide them with down-filled coats between takes, chairs with their names on them, spacious dressing room trailers, et cetera. Stunt Personnel are generally not treated with that same level of concern unless we are seen to sustain an injury. After that, everyone wants to be "your New Best Friend", especially
if they didn't get the shot! ;)
So far as "simplification" is concerned, it was my practise not to read the entire script or sides wherein a given stunt sequence was taking place on LFN, for 2 reasons:
1) Dependent upon the Director, it might change drastically. If one is mentally prepared for something that is not going to happen, then it can be demoralising, particularly when one has been waiting around all day, freezing to death on standby.
2) I wanted to remain unspoiled against the time when the episodes would be broadcast! ;) On a more serious note, I just think about the story that the scene must tell, rather than getting all Method about what OWEN TELL ate
for breakfast, what sort of toothpaste he uses, et cetera. Whenever I am asked about such things, I can provide the answers in the moment, but I prefer not to dwell on such matters consciously, for I find that those actors who do so tend to look quite mad, muttering to themselves all the time, usually to no good effect. Either one knows one's lines or one does
not. The Writer's word is Law.
Q36.) Do you get to give any input into what stunts could rev up a scene?
M.X.-
The degree of my personal input toward any given stunt or sequence thereof is dictated by 2 things:
1) Has the Stunt Co-ordinator has sought my advice or opinion about it? MR. MIC JONES is very good about this, for he recognizes that his job is a constant learning process, & that one is more likely to execute a stunt safely when is working together with him, rather than being dictated to by him.
2) If the other Stunt Personnel are not "team players", they can ruin a good scene by turning everything into a p*ss*ng contest, preferring instead to serve their own Egos rather than the needs of the scene. There are 2 men in particular whom I find to be very bad for this, each of whom can be counted
upon to undermine the Stunt Co-ordinator, neither of whom can follow the orders they have been issued.
April Guzman-Spokane, Washington
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M.X.-
CINDY, Howdy welcome, darlin', I been expectin' ya! ;)
Q37.) What is your personal status?
M.X.-
If by "personal status" you mean "marital status", I am a single, unmarried Heterosexual Man who has no children & has never been married or divorced
Q38.) What got you interested in stunt work?
M.X.-
My interest in stuntwork arose organically from the films that my adoptive father & I would watch, mainly on BBC 1T. He is a big fan of Westerns, especially the films of RANDOLPH SCOTT, ALAN LADD & AUDIE MURPHY.
I lean more toward people like MESSRS. KIRK DOUGLAS, BURT LANCASTER & TYRONE POWER, blokes whose roles required them to be athletic as well as articulate for the soundstage.
My adoptive mother is a great fan of Musicals, so I became entranced by people like MR. GENE KELLY, who was also quite an athlete in his day. His work as D'ARTAGNAN in THE 3 MUSKETEERS was of particular note to me.
Q39.) Where did you train? And what type of training is involved?
M.X.-
I trained @ a Performing Arts primary school in Manchester, England, then @ a Performing Arts secondary school in Mississauga, Canada. My training consisted of Fencing, Ballet, Movement, Voice, Theatre History, English, Vocal Music, et cetera, as well as the standard subjects that every
English schoolboy must absorb: Geography, History, Physical Training, Music, et cetera. I also did Solo Figure Skating & other extra-curricular activities like Wolf Cubs, Judo, Kit Drums, Guitar, et cetera. I continue to supplement my knowledge with weekend workshops, ongoing classes & lots of
private reading.
Cynthia Wilkerson-Texas USA
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Q40.) Did you ever get hurt on the set of LFN and if so, which
episode?
M.X.-
SUSY, Hola, muchacha!
No, I was not seriously hurt on LFN, although I lobbied long & hard to be CARLO ROTA'S Stunt Double for the scene wherein MICK SCHTOPPEL has NIKITA'S thighs locked about his head!
Q41.) Was there a time you bumped heads with anyone on LFN, a
disagreement perhaps?
M.X.-
There was a conflict with someone in 2001 that nearly resulted in my committing Grievous Bodily Harm, but since LFN had ceased production in Dec. 2000, I don't think it counts. We encountered each other again early this year, but the individual was so terrified that they pretended not to recognize me, despite the fact that we were no more than 6" away from each
other's faces. Eventually, I was recognized, & they fled. It was disappointing because the person had been someone I respected, but one has to expect this sort of thing from people who are addicted to illicit pharmaceutical narcotics.
Q42.) With all the beautiful people on La Femme Nikita, did you ever have a romantic relationship with anyone there?
M.X.-
As far as "romantic relationships" while engaged on LFN, no, it is my rule not to become involved with colleagues, for it has been my experience that nothing good can come of it. If you get into an argument with each other in your private lives, then it bleeds over into the workplace, forcing people to take sides, which leads inevitably to people giving unwanted, unsolicited advice.
I would have been willing to make an exception for MS. ALBERTA WATSON, however, since I have lusted after her since 1982, but she had a bloke, already.the jammy b*st*rd! ;) MS. MARGOT KIDDER could have had me on toast, if she wanted, for I have desired her since 1974. MS. SIAN PHILIPS had only
to raise an imperious eyebrow & her wish would have been my command. I mean no disrespect to these 3 women, nor do I wish to embarrass anyone who is reading these words: I am simply being straightforward & honest in as PG-13 a manner as I can manage! ;)
Susy Seturino-Dallas, Texas USA
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Thank you Sir, from all of us at CynbytheSea
COMMENTS: In conclusion, I should like to thank you all for continuing to support LFN, with which I am most proud to have been involved. I was sorry it had to end. You have all been most gracious & candid with your respective questions, so I hope that you will forgive my prolix verbosity as I
adressed them.
MALCOLMXERXES.COM will be back online within the coming month, so I hope that you will feel comfortable visiting our virtual community there. Also, that will be the domain where exclusive pix & intel about FINNEGAN'S SQUAD may be found. We are all very excited about it, & while LFN is unique in Television History - - despite the best efforts of the highly
entertaining ALAST! ;) - - we are confident that those of us who enjoy THE PRISONER, FARSCAPE & BABYLON 5 will find something in FSQ that will serve them in the years to come.
"Be seeing you!"
MALCOLM XERXES
Stuntman/Actor
OWEN TELL, Deep Cover SECTION ONE Operative
La Femme NIKITA (Seasons II -- V)
FINNEGAN'S SQUAD
http://www.geocities.com/malcolmxerxes/index.html
http://www.MALCOLMXERXES.COM (Pending)
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