Nito Larioza Interview
Nito Larioza is a Filipino-American stunt performer and a stunt coordinator, from Hawaii.
Stunts are multi-faceted and there are many aspects that someone in stunts can do to impact and better a film, whether through performance, coordinating, choreography, motion capture or stunt rigging. Stunts are useful in many genres and many formats, whether film, TV, music videos, video games or live performances. As a stunt performer, you may have seen Nito on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Divergent, Now You See Me and many more. As fight choreographer, he’s worked with the iconic Madonna on her Drowned World Tour in 2001, as well as a fight choreographer, he is a dance choreographer; you can see his work on Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. His work as a stunt coordinator includes I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, Summertime, Astronomy Club and more. He’s also worked on Triple Threat, which if you follow the film festival, you’ll remember we screened Triple Threat at Fighting Spirit Film Festival Birmingham 2019.
Images courtesy of Nito Larioza
Describe yourself in three fictional characters.
Nito and Tony Jaa on Triple Threat
Images courtesy of Nito Larioza
My personality is like Avatar peaceful and family orientated, but my work ethic is like Wolverine, to the point, say what’s on my mind and don’t give a f*ck. But the way I wanna live is like Mowgli enjoying nature, people, animals and being a kid.
How did you get into stunts?
I got into stunts through my cousin Sonny and his friends. They would always train gymnastics and martial arts at Valley College in Van Nuys and I would go meet them there and train gymnastics and breakdancing.
Was there specific training you did to prepare for getting into stunts?
I did alot of Running,Filipino Martial Arts, Capoeira, Wushu, gymnastics, swimming & motorcycle training. But the most important I did was take YOGA! Yoga is amazing because it helps you stretch your body, gives you more oxygen and mentally gets you in that mind frame and place where you need to be calm and focus.
Also HUSTLE! Know your brand! YOU! If you don’t hustle, promote and market yourself the learning curve is gonna be twice as long. So having piers and mentors is key. You must learn how to walk before you run so knowledge and experience is key! You just need to know when to use it.
Could you tell us about what your first stunt job was like? What was your experience like on set?
My first stunt job was working with Stunt Coordinator Andy Cheng. Andy was Jackie Chan’s stunt double and a part of Jackie’s Stunt Team. The movie was The Rundown with Dwayne Johnson and the scene was a jungle fight. We were on wires swinging on ropes and kicking The Rock’s ass!
I booked the job because the stunt coord liked my look and Andy loved the fact that I danced with Madonna. He said if he danced for Madonna he must be good.
Nito working on the animacs of Godzilla. This gives the animators ideas and choreography for the fight and movement they need for the scene.
Images courtesy of Nito Larioza
The experience was awesome and painful but I enjoyed it because you get to be creative and try different things. Brainstorming ideas with a bunch of talented performers is amazing and that’s where the magic happens.
How do stunt performers and stunt coordinators get booked for jobs/find roles, what does the process entail? Is it word of mouth, auditions, SAG-AFTRA or another way?
You get hired through your peers and friends. It’s all who you know.
How do you prepare for a role?
I always prepare for a role by reading the script and then putting some beats and ideas in the scene. To me it’s like choreography you pick and choose what works in the scene and then show it to the fight or stunt coordinator.
What’s the most important thing to know as a stunt performer?
Most important thing as a stunt performer is to be a professional & safety. It’s a job at the end of the day so always show respect and be safe.
What was your favourite stunt that you’ve ever done?
Nito performing with Kendrick Lamar during the VMAs
Images courtesy of Nito Larioza
My favourite Ssunt I ever did was doing a full fire burn for Kendrick Lamar’s live performance on the VMAs. I was a NINJA and was on fire for one minute. This was live so I couldn’t f*ck this up. It was so intense the tough part was waiting and being wet for hours. Ughhh so I had to be calm and mentally prepare myself for this. It was awesome and my boss and Kendrick loved it.
What is the most difficult stunt you've ever done?
The most difficult job I ever did was doing motion capture for Transformers. Getting beaten up all day and doing wires can be exhausting! What made me get through this job was hot yoga! It made me strong and ready for any beat down I was getting at work.
How did you get started as a stunt coordinator?
I got into stunt-coordinating through my friend Garrett Warren, he would always let me watch the beginning process of pre production. Pre-Viz, budgets, casting, choreography, reading the script and how to talk to producers, actors and directors. Once I saw that I asked him if I think I can do it so he gave me an opportunity to film and the rest is history.
As a stunt coordinator, how do you work together with the director to put together a scene that requires stunts?
Nito and Madonna doing a dance/fight routine to Nobody’s Perfect, on her Drowned World Tour.
Images courtesy of Nito Larioza
As a stunt coord you want to see what the director’s vision is for the scene and try to execute it so there’s meetings, scouting, stunt doubles, rehearsals, pre-vis and casting. I always try to come up with different ideas so we always have a back up plan for that scene.
How do you think the stunt industry could improve?
I think the stunt industry can improve by having a stronger union that takes care of our health benefits, older/retired stunt performers, having the academy recognise stunts and negotiating better deals for new media contracts “residuals”.
You have done stunts and stunt coordination for a vast array of genres, how has your experience been with different genres? Which is your favourite genre to do? And are there any genres of film or TV that you want to explore?
I’ve been in stunts for 19 years, so I like the old school 80s stunts where there was no CGI and wires. Everything was physical and real.
I love my job so doing anything from, physical comedy, superheroes, western, motion capture or musicals would be awesome! As long as I get to be a part of the creative process..
Where’s your favourite place, your career has taken you?
Nito and other stunt performers doing Motion Capture for Avatar. This scene is the Viperwolf scene with fire.
Images courtesy of Nito Larioza
My favourite place I worked would be Vancouver. It reminded me of Hawaii and the summers and winters are gorgeous and the people are nice. Plus the stunt community in Canada is Awesome! Good peeps.
Do you have any projects coming soon that we can look out for?
A couple of projects I got to perform is Suicide Squad 2, Shang-Chi and the Legends of the 10 Rings and West Side Story. I also stunt-coordinated a TV series for Disney called The Quest.
Nito on West Side Story
Images courtesy of Nito Larioza
Nito as a zombie on Fear Of The Walking Dead
Images courtesy of Nito Larioza
Speed Round. Pick one film for each category.
What was the first film you ever watched?
Star Wars
What is your favourite film by your favourite director?
Raiders of The Lost Ark by Steven Spielberg
Which cinematic universe would you like to live in? (e.g. The Grand Budapest Hotel, X-Men, MCU)
I would have loved to live in Pandora and be an Avatar.
What film has the best soundtrack?
Planet Of The Apes soundtrack!
What film are you excited to see in 2021?
West Side Story
Nito as the Blue Power Ranger in the Power Ranger Live Tour
Images courtesy of Nito Larioza