In Conversation: George Harris, Professional Stuntman
From high-speed car chases to rooftop fight scenes, George Harris has made a career out of defying gravity and dodging danger. Based in London, George has lent his talents to some of the biggest blockbusters of the past decade, including The Batman, Fast & Furious 9, Black Widow, and Alex Rider. Most recently, he’s been in the driver’s seat - literally - stunt driving in the highly anticipated F1 movie - if you see the car crashing and spinning, that is most likely George.
We caught up with George for a quick Q&A about life on set.
Why did you decide to be a stuntman? Was there a specific moment or film that made you say, “I want to do that”?
I decided to be a stuntman from a young age inspired by FMX riders at live events/shows but wasn’t really sure how to actually achieve it. Seeing them perform crazy tricks on motorcycles and people being set on fire for the amusement of the crowd really opened up my eyes to performing. I then had a crash on my bike, severely breaking my shoulder and left ankle which was during a live show…
I then re-evaluated if I wanted to continue down the live show route or if I wanted to chase my real dream of performing on camera for motion pictures. There was something about the performances being immortalised that I loved and the creativity of the scripts being so vast and different, topped with the general magical atmosphere of film/tv that just really drew me in, so I had to get involved.
How has personal branding across social media played a role in building your career as a stuntman?
I think it’s helped in a way of staying current and present in people’s minds. It’s sort of acted like a continuously evolving showreel. Some performers are really able to hone in on creating a brand but I’ve not put as much into it as I suppose I could do. Ultimately, nothing beats showing up to work early, doing a great job and being personable. I’m an oldschool mind in a young man’s body…
How important is trust in the gear and brands you’re using on set - Is it something you think about, or have any say in?
Very important. There are hundreds of branded protective products out there but all stunt performers tend to discuss what they like and don’t like about their latest purchase, so generally the cream rises to the top and we all use the best kit. When it comes to more specific serious stunts, I’m able to work with other departments such as Costume to enable me to wear brands that I like and trust.
Did working on the upcoming ‘F1® The Movie’ change how you view F1 as a sport?
Yes, working on the film gave me a direct insight into not only the physicality of driving such high performance cars but more than anything, the capacity you need in order to calmly focus on so many things. Corners come at you at an insane pace and if you make one tiny error, death/serious injury is staring right at you! The fact those drivers can perform at their level for 60+laps week in, week out, is honestly remarkable.
I did have a meeting with the tyre wall at Silverstone, but that was on purpose and you will have to watch the movie to see how that went. I was an F1 fan since birth but I am now an F1 fan for life….
What advice would you give to marketers trying to create more compelling, real-feeling action content?
Focus on showcasing the emotions an athlete goes through while carrying out their skill. Heart rate, body awareness, fear, relief, pain…
What advice would you give to brands looking to work with action sports or stunt professionals?
I would say be prepared to be flexible with meetings or any fixed dates because the working environment is so hard to predict and work around. But also, brands that see worth/growth in working with an athlete should consider letting the athlete take on the lead creative role. If they are passionate enough to become a professional in their specific field, they are likely to think of unique, new ideas for the brand to successfully market.
