Late last year, I was part of a group of journalists to visit the Supergirl sets in Vancouver, British Columbia — and on that day included an experience that was out of this world.
Stunt coordinator Simon Burnett and members of his team demonstrated how some of the magic was made while we were there. Meagan Damore from the website CBR got to see first hand what it was like to fly like Supergirl in a rig… and myself? I got to fight as The Guardian. It was pretty incredible and not as seamless as one would think. Basically, those who fight in sequences are actors in themselves, with each move being like learning a “line.” I’d imagine that when someone is doubling there is also an attempt to obscure a face when not in close-up, which can be another thing to have to remember.
In a sequence done where I would get “attacked” by the Supergirl stunt team, there were numerous moves that had to be remembered… and honestly, not every time did I remember to go “all the way around,” to the amusement of my fellow journalists. Burnett and his team had a lot of patience, and were incredibly welcome to visitors.
Those team members I was fighting included fight choreographer James Michalopoulos and the usual “Guardian” stunt double Mike Lewinson. Both very talented, patient, and giving with their time.
So, here you have it: On the same day that Kara is going to learn some new training moves from Mon-El in the Supergirl episode “In Search of Lost Time” at 8PM on The CW, you can see what it was like when this journalist became National City’s new Guardian… for a few minutes, at least.
This great Supergirl video was put together by the editor and cinematographer Stanton Chong – you can see some of his other very impressive work here. It’s a great look at what a “practice session” might look like as they prepare to make TV magic.