The Fall Guy has developed from Roy’s talented and varied stunt work in film and television. Working alongside some of the world’s most talented and successful Directors, 2nd Unit Directors and Stunt Coordinators, Roy has had the opportunity to learn from the very best in the business.
Since 2003 Roy has been working on huge Hollywood blockbusters and has amassed a wealth of knowledge and skills looking over the shoulder of the very best Filmmakers and working shoulder to shoulder with the very best in Action. Fortune really does favour the bold and Roy has been fortunate enough to work with Steven Spielberg, Sam Mendes, J.J. Abrams, Christopher Nolan, Tim Burton, Kenneth Brannagh, Oliver Stone, Vic Armstrong, Greg Powell and Gary Powell to name a few.
ROY TAYLOR
Roy’s made his first big career move at the tender age of seven when he started Karate training and decided that he would become a Stunt Man. He trained hard and made it onto the illustrious list of the British JISC Equity Stunt Register in 2005.
At performing arts college and as an athlete in various disciplines, Roy has developed the many skills required to perform stunts on screen and has thoroughly enjoyed his time at the stunt school of hard knocks.
To fund his training Roy took to various jobs and found he had a real affinity for security work. Initially as a doorman, Roy bore witness to real people in real fights on the streets and in bars every night, and he is now able to use this experience to bring a great realism to his fight choreography.
Roy has a calming quality about him and as a close protection operative has looked after celebrities and VIPs in a variety of threatening situations.
Now, as then, Roy uses his amiable and calming demeanor to reassure anxious actors and set them at ease, whilst keeping them safe.
Roy really enjoys being part of an effective team and as a covert surveillance team leader and later as manager of his own security firm, Roy’s people management skills became well honed and are put to good use on set.
Likened to the Honey Badger for his fearless attitude, in all things, Roy generally punches above his weight – and kicks above his height!
ANOUSKA TAYLOR
Anouska began working with Roy initially to establish him as a film and television Stunt Performer and later incorporating ‘The Fall Guy Ltd’ in 2012.
Her previous experience was predominantly in events management where she created and delivered conference and networking events for a financial sector market leader in Central London and a National Association.
The organisation, planning, budgeting and logistical skills she brings to the team guarantees the show gets on the road. Anouska has worked supporting Roy since 2005, casting her eye for detail over everything and adding a touch of finesse here and there.
At The Fall Guy we have an understanding of the pressures of Production and the art of Direction. There’s no ‘resting’ with us, so when not busy ‘Stunting’ our creative bent drives us to Produce and Direct our own pieces under the banner of Sugar Glass Productions.
This gives us an invaluable understanding of the many and varied aspects and considerations you face making your film. We aim to work with you to make the process of capturing the action sequences and stunts you need for your production as pain free (for you) as possible.
We’ll take the fall for you and we’ll make you look great at the same time – that’s our job, that’s what we do.
A fellow Stunt Coordinator and legendary stuntman, Paul Weston wrote this moving poem, which sums up what it’s like to be a stunt performer. The poem is beautifully written and explains the feelings and emotions that run through a stunt performer’s head, as they put their body on the line for the entertainment of others. So if you’ve ever wondered what goes through the minds of people like us, as we fall for you, read on;
'Moments of Truth’
By Paul Weston
I lay in the bed, exhausted and spent,
Happy to be there, finally content.
Body still tingling, from so close an embrace,
With someone I’ve long courted, but not seen his face.
As I roll off my comfortable bed,
Then, come the words I knew I would dread.
“If you’re ready, I’d like to shoot it again,
Only this time higher, and maybe with flame.”
Who’d be a stuntman with all the bruises and breaks?
But for the moments of truth, when life is at stake.
I climb again, to that high place,
My heart starts pounding, my pulses race.
The adrenaline pumping, mouth gone dry,
I look over the edge and then up to the sky.
My mind going through what has to be done,
Then a voice from below shouts “We’re losing the sun”.
Then, “Stand by”, “Roll cameras” and “Set him alight”,
What if the wind gusts when I’m in mid flight?
Will it blow me away from my welcoming bed?
The flames wrap around me, was that “Action”
they said?
Oh! God! the flames I can’t see the bed,
If I lean forwards they will clear my head,
But if I do, there’ll be no return,
And if don’t go now, I’ll stand here and burn.
2
So I topple forwards, all ‘action’ and screams,
Laying in space like a slow motion dream,
Floating down to an open mouth crew,
Why am I doing this? For me, or for you?
It’s not for the money, for what price a life?
If you get it wrong once, you can’t do it twice,
And what would you charge, for being maimed?
A smashed body and vegetable brain?
I shrug such thoughts from my troubled mind,
And marvel at this ‘unique’ moment in time,
I’m privileged to say, it has happened before,
Time seems suspended against all law.
But I have a theory, that it’s not time that slows down,
But a natural instinct when dangers around,
To pump in adrenaline and accelerate the brain,
To be ahead of the danger, avoid the pain.
But just as suddenly the moment has gone,
My fireball body plummets on and on,
Now I’m at speed and I must react,
Spin into a somersault and get onto my back.
So I throw my head forward and look at my feet,
But as I do I start feeling the heat,
All I see is flames rushing by,
Hurtling upwards towards the sky.
I can’t breath, there is no air!
Then the heart stopping thought, is my bed still there?
--Something is wrong! –Somewhere there’s pain!
I can’t even breathe, less I breathe in flame!
Why do we do it? –Why don’t we say no?
Truth in a moment –only a few feet to go!
Dear God, please forgive me,
For the bad things I have said -- and –
With one hell of a crash I’m into my bed!
Then comes the cheers, the howls! and the shouts.
“Ok! that’s a wrap! You can now put him out”
“That’s Show business Kid”