Here’s all the thrills on Acrobatics Sports TV. If you have any feedback about the commentary, please let me know. I would like to improve the next time around.

Thanks!

Nissen Trampoline World Cup 2010

The Risk Gene, Stunt-performers & Borderline Personality Disorders

By

Leigh Hennessy

According to Art Linkletter, kids say the darndest things. According to every terrified parent around the globe, kids do the dumbest things. How many daredevil young boys do you know that have endeavored to fly off the roof of their house in a make-shift Superman cape? Or, stubbornly rammed their banana-seat stingray bicycle into a brick wall convinced they could pierce a hole through it? We’ve all taken a whack at defying gravity or inertia at one time or another in our young lives. We were courageous and we were invulnerable. We thought: Where’s the danger in it all? And, stunt people were no different.

However in adulthood, precarious pursuits diminish over time. Adults learn to protect themselves from danger. All modern research shows that the inclination to throw all caution to the wind declines with age. Humm? Why haven’t stunt people been affected?

Blame our fathers. When I was around 4 years old and still getting my fashion advice from diaper commercials, my father caught me standing on the edge of a high diving board contemplating a leap into the cool water below. When he discovered his topless tot on top of the ten-foot tower, his paralyzing screech from across the pool abruptly broke my concentration. But oddly unlike most parents, instead of forcing me to climb down to safety, he made me jump. The death-defying drop took intense coaxing, but I finally stepped off performing my first less than perfect cannonball. Weeeeeee! What fun! After a wimpy splash and labored dog-paddle to the side (of course, he wouldn’t help me swim to the side), nothing could stop me from climbing right back up.

A Southern AAU Diving Champion, Dad taught me early on to take the plunge, so to speak.  But that’s only part of the equation. The other part is genetic. Stunt performers have a rare gene that affects about one in five people, mostly young males. In the world of psychological research, it is known as the Risk Gene.

The Risk Gene is a DNA concoction of three neurotransmitters that make up the enzyme Monoamine Oxidase, what we commonly call MAO. The three neurotransmitters play a role in regulating arousal, inhibition and pleasure. Norepinephrine arouses the brain in response to incoming stimuli. For example, as a racecar increases in speed, norepinephrine allows the driver to experience an adrenaline rush, otherwise known as a thrill.  Dopamine is involved with the sensation of pleasure in response to arousal, letting the driver feel excitement as the speed increases. And serotonine acts as a brake inhibiting arousal, telling the driver to slow down when it gets too dangerous. A person with the Risk Gene has lower levels of MAO, causing a need for more stimuli than the average person to reach a desired level of excitement. In other words, a car has to go twice as fast for a person with the Risk Gene to experience excitement than for a person without it.

Dr. Frank Farley, from the University of Wisconsin and former President of the American Psychological Association, developed personality types similar to the familiar Type A and Type B. Most stunt people would classify themselves as a Type A since we can’t seem to keep still. However, Farley’s new personality type better exemplifies stunt people.  We are Type T – T for Thrills. He divides Type Ts into four categories: T-Mental, T-Physical, T-Positive and T-Negative. Obviously, we fall into the T-Physical category and most of the time we are T-Positive since we take risks safely and for good reason: to earn a living.

Risk-takers are also known as High Sensation Seekers or HSS. Dr. Marvin Zuckerman from the University of Delaware and pioneer in the study of risk-taking, calls HSS individuals an ironic moniker.  He calls them “Highs.” Since Highs have an excitement deficit, they get bored easily. They tend to be impulsive, uninhibited, social and prefer high stimulus activities. They prefer friends with offbeat or exciting lifestyles while avoiding boring people. Here’s a kicker: they have trouble keeping full-time jobs. They are more apt to succeed on Wall Street than in a factory or should I say, more likely to succeed in a film career rather than to that in a 9-5 office.

They are also the ones who buck the system. As our society increasingly imposes controls on risky behaviors, Highs seek new ways to achieve thrills. Case in point: In the past 30 years, as a result of unceasing liability lawsuits, new laws like seatbelt and helmet laws were recorded in the safety books. At the same time, so-called “Extreme Sports” were born.

So, while researchers have been working hard to decipher the roles of nature and nurture in risk-taking behavior, many see a dark side of taking risks. Risk-takers not only represent a limited sample of society, they often don’t have the resources or role-models for T-Positive behavior. Therefore, to fulfill their need for thrills, Highs often resort to drugs, sex, gambling, reckless driving or various crimes. The dominant conclusion of the psychological community is that risk-takers are abnormal. Prominent researcher from UC Davis, Dr. Salvadore Maddi,  feels that well-adjusted people are “good at turning everyday experience into something interesting.” Dr. Randy Larsen, psychologist from the University of Michigan, takes it to another level. He thinks risk-takers are a little sociopathic.

Others view us as normal, but with a common unique personality profile. One such expert is Dr. Keith Johnsgard, a professor of clinical and sports psychology at San Jose State University. He has spent more than a decade studying HSS personalities. Some common traits he found include that they tend to have a higher tolerance for pain, they tend to minimize risk when evaluating situations and experience less anxiety, and they have a facility for assimilating figures and symbols faster. In addition, he finds that they are tough-minded and unsentimental, they have a high drive to be the best, they are fiercely independent, non-conformists, don’t like to be told what to do, and are exhibitionistic and creative. All research also concludes that they have a higher sex drive. Intriguing, but perhaps it’s a subject better suited for a different magazine.

While researchers squabble over character traits and labels, the reality is that the world depends on risk-taking behavior. Survival requires it. Society provides abundant opportunities for constructive risks such as investing in business ventures, running for political office, taking an unpopular stand or perhaps making more conventional choices like changing careers, going back to school, getting married or having children. Our history is shaped by Type-T personalities. Would there be a United States of America if not for the pilgrims? Would there be Christianity without Jesus of Nazarus? Would women have the right to vote without the Suffragettes? And how far would the civil rights movement have gone without Martin Luther King? The world needs risk-takers.  The Dalai Lama reminds us, “Take into account that great love and great achievement involves great risk.”

Quite frankly, if no willing cowboy back in the first half of the 20^th century didn’t jump up and proclaim, “I can fall off that horse, Mr. Director,” there would be no stunts in pictures. It took some brave souls to establish and develop the creative and exciting craft of stunts that magically enhance the art of filmmaking as we know it.

However, ultimately, the greatest benefit to taking risks is personal. “Taking a risk, stepping away from the guardrails, from the rules and the status quo, that’s when you get a sense of who you are,” affirms Dr. Farley, former APA President. You have to push beyond the boundaries to know that. Challenging your limits increases your self-esteem. The satisfaction achieved from that step off the platform awesomely fulfills your soul, giving you a reason to believe in yourself.

A great little book we should all read called “Right Risk” by a former high-diver Bill Treasurer is filled with intriguing thoughts on the subject. His answer to why climb the mountain is not ‘because it’s there.’ It’s more profound. It’s because IT means more than the mountain’s location. To Treasurer, “IT is all the lessons to be gleamed by going through the ordeal of taking a risk. It is the gratification derived from learning character-building lessons about fortification, courage, sacrifice and persistence. It is the personal fulfillment you feel when you withstand strength-sapping pain and find out what you are truly made of … And, ultimately, it is the self-confidence gained from experiencing first hand the pre-eminent value of your own worth.”

So, stunt performers have lucky genes. We challenge ourselves every day. We take it to the limit regularly. Sometimes we succeed. Sometimes we fail. But, ultimately, we learn. Therefore, the next time a parent in your neighborhood panics over their child attempting to fly off the roof, assure them that it’s OK. It’s not the dumbest thing they can do (but, it could be the darndest). Foremost, remind them that it’s their first stab at self-discovery. Better yet, quote Anonymous who said, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

My “catch o’ the day” was a set of three rare, vintage glass beads from Czechoslovakia. They hit my foot and when I picked them up, I couldn’t believe my luck. Apparently, Czech glass beads were the original throws. But, in the 70’s they were replaced with cheap plastic Chinese beads to save money.

THE LUCK OF THE IRISH!

That said, here’s one last video from the crazy 2010 Mardi Gras season. We took our dog to the Krewe of Barkus parade which was held on the afternoon of Superbowl Sunday. I made a video featuring him while harnessing the theme of the parade and finding a funny narrative.

When we travel to Scotland, it is traditional for Mark to drive past fields or farms with Highland cows to let me take photos. This trip was particularly special because of the heavy snowfall. These amazing beasts completely intrigue me.

That said, enjoy watching these Highland cows in snow in my little video I call “Highland Cows in Winter, 2010.”

It’s just simple fun … no explanation needed.

We’ve been in New Orleans several weeks considering and planning the move. Finally, we did it.  We flew to L.A., tied up loose ends by reducing our obligations there significantly, drove back to New Orleans with all our worldly possessions (truck broke down twice in the Texas heat! Ugh!) and moved into our own little cottage in the Garden District.

During this time, the Louisiana Legislature passed the updated film tax incentive bills and the Governor signed them into law. With the new incentives and new home and new life, my hopes hinge on the theory that more features will be produced in Louisiana opening opportunities for my film career as a local talent in the Pelican State. By the end of the year, if this theory does not prove true, it’s OK. New Orleans is an exciting and lively town ripe with opportunity for creative individuals. Besides, the fun never ends. I feel very good about moving here.

What a year this has been! Change is good.

]]> http://www.leighhennessy.com/lagniappe/2009/07/17/moved-in/feed/ 0 http://www.leighhennessy.com/lagniappe/2009/05/21/parkour-a-video-movement/ http://www.leighhennessy.com/lagniappe/2009/05/21/parkour-a-video-movement/#comments Thu, 21 May 2009 19:46:34 +0000 admin http://www.leighhennessy.com/lagniappe/?p=391 Parkour is not a competitive sport. Instead it depends on internet videos as it’s performance venue. The parkour athletes, or traceurs, or freerunners – or whatever! – must also be innovative filmmakers of the short subject genre. They are creative and adventurous.

The style of parkour videos is evolving daily. Here’s a favorite  that veers off the beaten path of the more common rock or rap ones. The artist/filmmaker is one of the WFPF’s Official Athletes, Danny Arroyo. 

Therefore, please enjoy his story, Leigh Hennessy – Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki.

Please show your love. Support Louisiana’s Film Tax Incentives by contacting Louisiana legislators and the Gov.  Ask them to continue the incentives or increase them so the state can continue to gain much needed jobs and revenue.

The economic impact study completed by Economics Research Associates – commissioned by the Louisiana Economic Development Department – presents ample evidence to support the success of the film industry incentive program. These numbers clearly bolster the argument to increase our production incentive to 30% to remain competitive. 

These are the facts: 

1. In 2007, the year that $115 million in tax credits were paid, the economic impact to the State of the industry as a whole was $763 million. 

2. Employment in Louisiana’s film industry increased at a compound annual growth rate of 22 percent from 2001-2007. This compares to a national growth rate of 1.8 percent annually. Wages have increase at an average annual rate of 8.2%, much faster than inflation. 

3. In 2007, the total spend of the film industry in Louisiana supported 3,310 jobs directly and an additional 2,920 jobs indirectly. That is 6,230 jobs in Louisiana created because of the film incentive program.

4. In 2007, the total value added to the Louisiana economy as a result of qualified spending on motion picture productions was $303.1 million. 

5. According to the most recent MPAA economic impact report, the film industry currently provides 2.5 million American jobs with an average salary of $74,700. That is $41 billion in wages to American workers, $13 billion in income and sales taxes and $13 billion in trade surplus. 

ERA goes on to point out several significant indirect impacts of film production – those impacts that are not immediately evidenced by economic data: 

1. “Perhaps the most notable secondary impact associated with film production in increased tourism. An exported film product helps to sell the culture.” Isn’t this especially notable in a State which is so dependent upon the tourism industry? Especially as tourism has suffered so significantly from a series of debilitating hurricanes? 

2. Infrastructure impacts – “film production occasionally creates infrastructure that is left behind for future utilization”. IE, the wave pool left by Disney, the Year One set left by Sony – these were incredibly expensive pieces of infrastructure paid for by studios and left to be re-utilized on future projects – they represent many millions of dollars in capital investment. 

3. Creation of Industry Clusters – “There is a strong, statistically significant correlation between vibrant and creative city milieus and the presence of high-paying knowledge intensive industries. … 

Here is another fact: we are losing the film industry in Louisiana: 

1. According to the Louisiana Film Office, last April there were 20 projects prepping and filming in Louisiana. This April there were 6. 

2. There are no projects currently shooting in Shreveport, one ultra low budget feature shooting in Baton Rouge and five projects shooting in New Orleans. 

3. According to local union representatives, local producers and production companies, there are “no projects in the pipeline” for Louisiana at this point. That includes New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Shreveport. NO PROJECTS ON BOARD FOR LOUISIANA. 

4. Between them, Michigan and Georgia have approximately 30 films prepping, shooting or slated to start. 20 in Georgia alone. 

“Maintaining” the film incentives is basically telling the studios, independent producers, vendors and film industry workers that it is over in Louisiana. That means a loss of $300 million in total value added to the economy and the loss of 6,000+ jobs. This does not make any sense. We need a 30% Production Incentive to remain competitive.