Fighting, falling, horse riding and swordplay – they’re just some of the things that make up a normal day at the office for stuntman Vincent Roxburgh. So too, does training actors in weapon safety, strength, fitness and flexibility and it’s in that area that SIT2LRN has helped him. We caught up with Vincent while he was working in Namibia on the next instalment of the blockbuster Mad Max movie series.
Vincent Roxburgh practically stumbled into stunt work – probably the one time that he hasn’t made a calculated move. The Invercargill-born lad, who now calls Auckland home, was preparing for the Wrestling World Championships in 1999 at the team’s training gym, when he was introduced to the Lord of the Rings stunt team.
“They would use the gym after our training sessions. I would hang around after wrestling to train with them. One thing led to another and they offered me a job.”
Now he sports a CV that boasts the titles of all the great feature films made in New Zealand during the past decade – including the LOTR trilogy, King Kong, The Lovely Bones, Avatar and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – and several TV series, including Spartacus.
But as a qualified sports massage therapist, with several years’ experience of physical training and coaching behind him, Vincent felt there was a gap in his skill set. He decided to study for a Certificate in Sports Training and Development.
“I chose to do this course as I am constantly training actors, whether that's in how to use a weapon safely or taking them through a strength/fitness workout in the gym (we often have our own gyms set up at work), running them through basic gymnastics or taking stretching sessions. I had never done any formal exercise prescription training and I felt that it could help me with that aspect of my job.
“I chose SIT2LRN to do it through because, at the time, I was working on The Hobbit and there was no way I could get to a regular classroom-based course.”
Instead, he was able to download the course material onto his computer and work on the content during downtime on the job.
“At one point I was on location in the middle of the Southern Alps - where it was helicopter access only - and there I was, doing anatomy and physiology in an easy-up tent! It was so convenient.”
Vincent says he really enjoyed the SIT2LRN experience because the course covered all the elements he wanted it to.
“It is an entry level course which really served to whet my appetite and I really want to advance my study in this area.”
Just when that study will take place is the question. “One thing about working in film and TV is you need to be flexible, because you can get a call up for a job and they may want you on a plane today for destinations unknown. “
Vincent was based in Wellington for 18 months while he worked on The Hobbit, finishing there in June. Once he completes his Mad Max commitments in Namibia, he’ll be heading to Hong Kong with his wife who has secured a new job there. “I need to try and break into the industry over there. It feels a bit like starting again but it's an exciting prospect.”
And what about those brows?
“The eyebrows are natural. I've had them since birth and I had to grow into them as they've always been this big.”