HBO is as soon as once more defending its stunt security on the set of Sport of Thrones, after a video of a set accident that occurred in 2014 was leaked. Andy Pilgrim, who served as a stunt performer on the HBO sequence, fractured his ankle whereas engaged on season 5 episode “Hardhome.” He later sued HBO subsidiary Hearth & Blood Productions, settling for £500,000, or $686,000.
Deadline has now acquired and reported on footage of the incident, which got here from Wayne Michaels — the daddy of Casey Michaels, one other stunt performer injured whereas engaged on Sport of Thrones. Though the outlet has not shared the video publicly, it described its contents, which seem like consistent with Pilgrim’s recollection of occasions.
Per Deadline, Pilgrim’s authorized grievance alleged that the stunt inflicting his damage had been altered within the time between rehearsal and filming. The scene being filmed reportedly concerned a 16-foot picket wall, which stunt performers have been presupposed to be on high of because it fell ahead. The preliminary plan was to have a crane decrease the wall, with six performers dealing with the stunt.
Nevertheless, in authorized paperwork, Pilgrim claimed that there have been extra performers than they’d rehearsed with and that the crane wasn’t used to decrease the wall. As a substitute, it allegedly dropped in an “uncontrolled and ungoverned fashion,” which precipitated it to rebound and hit Pilgrim’s ankle. The video leaked to Deadline reportedly reveals the wall hitting the bottom with two seemingly free crane cables within the background.
HBO’s Response To Revived Considerations About Stunt Security On Sport Of Thrones
The Community & Stunt Coordinator Rowley Irlam Insist Security Is A “Top Priority”
Wayne Michaels despatched this leaked stunt video to Deadline so as to “raise awareness” about security on HBO’s units. In an announcement shared with the outlet, HBO acknowledged that it takes “these matters very seriously.” A spokesperson for the community emphasised its dedication to security and stood by Rowley Irlam, the coordinator accountable for the stunt that injured Pilgrim:
“Mr. Irlam is a celebrated and revered stunt coordinator and has an in depth historical past with HBO productions. As an skilled in such a bodily demanding discipline, we stay assured in his skills and know he has at all times accomplished every little thing attainable to take care of the excessive security requirements which are required on our productions.”
Irlam was additionally accountable for overseeing the stunt that injured Casey Michaels. He stays a coordinator on Home of the Dragon, and HBO launched an announcement from him, highlighting his 20-year observe document of designing and managing motion sequences. It went on to notice that he was not discovered to be at fault for Pilgrim’s accident:
“The matter was resolved between Mr Pilgrim and the manufacturing firm and there have been no rulings or findings of fault towards me personally. Mr Pilgrim continued to work inside my workforce for 2 extra seasons following the incident, serving as stunt performer and stunt security skilled solely. The accusations you set ahead are merely unfaithful and unfounded.”
Nonetheless, issues about set security on Sport of Thrones and Home of the Dragon aren’t completely unwarranted, as Casey Michaels shared an analogous story to Pilgrim. And stunt performers have real causes to worry talking out about such experiences, as doing so might negatively influence their careers.
Casey Michaels Shared A Related Expertise Working On Sport Of Thrones
Stunt Performers Could Profit From Extra Oversight
Though HBO is sustaining its stance that stunt security is taken critically on units like Sport of Thrones’, Casey Michaels has a narrative just like the one put forth by Pilgrim. Deadline reported on Michaels’ damage and subsequent lawsuit, which resulted in HBO paying a bit of over $9 million as a part of a settlement.
Michaels was injured whereas filming sequences for Sport of Thrones season 8’s “The Long Night,” the place she was enjoying one of many many members of the Evening King’s military. She and different performers have been tasked with a 12-foot drop right into a touchdown rig. Michaels broke her left ankle throughout the second take, an incident that has since ended her profession.
Like Pilgrim, Michaels alleged that the ultimate setup for the stunt wasn’t adequate. She’d additionally been advised that the touchdown rig was modified in between takes, with thinner crash mats changing the thicker ones that have been initially there. HBO reportedly denied this swap in its authorized protection, however different stunt professionals backed up Michaels’ declare that the rig wasn’t as much as snuff.
Michaels additionally alleged that 26 different stunt performers jumped first, which could have compromised the rig additional. She additionally recalled that they have been advised to “drop like a pencil” — an instruction that may put extra weight on the toes and legs. Irlam denied telling performers this and didn’t declare duty for the incident. He was not included within the lawsuit, although HBO accepted legal responsibility.
Michaels’ claims should not be taken flippantly, particularly with Pilgrim sharing an analogous expertise. Though it is not possible to discern precisely what occurred or who was accountable all these years later, Sport of Thrones’ two comparable incidents actually recommend that stunt performers would profit from extra oversight and protocol on the whole.
Supply: Deadline
Sport Of Thrones
10/10
Launch Date
2011 – 2019-00-00
Showrunner
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
Administrators
David Nutter, Alan Taylor, D.B. Weiss, David Benioff
