Training

Curriculum

People train with Asylum Stunts’ for a wealth of reasons: some to become a movie stunt person, some to learn stage combat, some just to gain agility and body confidence.

Some companies offer “Stunt Camps” or seminars where you may spend 2 weeks or even only a few days (not to mention huge sums of money) to get “certified.” Be warned: No one recognizes these certifications, and with good reason. Doing two or three high falls doesn’t make you good at it.

At Asylum, we train over time to become proficient at each skill, rather than demonstrating it once or twice and moving on. Before anyone who trains with us does a stunt in front of a camera or an audience, they’ll have done it dozens (if not hundreds) of times in a supervised and safe environment.

Below is just a sample of what we cover in the core curriculum.

      Tumbling: Learn fundamental tumbling skills and gain strength, agility, coordination, and self confidence. Progress to more advanced techniques over time as your interest and skill levels build

      Stage and screen combat: Learn open-hand and weapons fights for both stage and screen. You'll start by learning the De Longis method for sword work and then advance on to our own techniques for sword, staff, knife, and more obscure weapons (e.g., sai, kama, light-saber styles, found-weapons, etc.)

      Gun work and gun ballet: Learn how to work with guns firing blanks and how to handle ammunition, live guns, and prop guns. You'll learn about different types of rifles, pistols, shotguns, and more, and how to incorporate them into fight choreography. PLEASE NOTE: You MUST have a firearm owner’s ID card (FOID card) in order to work with guns

      Mini-tramped and cabled explosions: Learn to free fly and gain air sense

      High falls: Learn various high falls including suicides, headers, and face offs

      Cable work: Learn to fly, fight, and be jerked back while in a full harness.

      Choreography: Learn how to understand and quickly pick up choreography. Once students show a firm grasp choreography, they begin developing their own choreography through different exercises.

      Safety: Learn how to assist fellow performers with spotting and rigging

Training schedule

Current stunt training schedule:

      Tuesdays 8 pm to 10 pm

      Saturdays 5 pm to 7 pm

Additional days during the week may be added according to demand.

All sessions take place at Skyline Gym, 4121 North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, unless otherwise arranged.

Training sessions are ongoing and can be tailored to the individual or in preparation for upcoming events or projects.

Gym fees

Standard rates for regular, 2-hour sessions are as follows:

      Pay as you go: $20 per session

      10-session punch card: $160

This option saves you $40, giving you a 20% discount, or two training sessions for free – your choice. The card is only marked for sessions you attend, so no need to worry about missing any. This option includes a free Asylum Stunts T-Shirt with the first card purchased.

There are special rates for private training, specialty sessions, etc:

      $10 per participant per session, in addition to $25.00 per hour per instructor

Certain specialty sessions may have a materials charge as well.

Participation Requirements

As we’ve mentioned, safety is priority #1. With this in mind, there are a few things that everyone must have to participate in our training sessions:

1. Elbow pads (soft foam, not hard plastic)

2. Knee pads (soft foam, not hard plastic)

3. Wrestling shoes, dance shoes, or martial arts shoes – note that these can never be worn outside

All of these items can be purchased at most sporting goods stores like Sportmart and Play It Again Sports.