Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 684 FOCUS - JULY 2016 sated for her lack of experience. “I’d played on the National Volleyball team. So I had an athletic background, plus a competitive na- ture. Those factors and my height put me to work. My career took off and twenty years later, I’m still working regularly.” Thrill-seeking, Mary Ann insists, played no part in her decision. “You might assume I’m a dare- devil at heart, pursuing that line of work, but that’s not true at all. Stunt people take ‘calculated risks.’ Myself, I visualize ahead of time the actions required to complete the stunt safely.” And if she’s ever fearful, nobody on the set is the wiser. “I just do what’s required, without hesitation. Of course, you don’t want others, especially other stunt people, to sense your fear.” “Then there’s the practical side: there’s huge cost to the production company to set up scenes, for instance, an explosion. I’ve only got one chance to do it right, so I commit to the stunt and just do it. I’m in a different frame of mind when I’m working.” “I remember doing a stunt where I fell down some stairs, then later went back to the same set, just as an observer. I looked at those stairs and wondered: ‘I fell down those??’” This mind-over-matter fearlessness has not increased over time. In fact, Mary Ann suggests just the opposite. “You might think you’d get numb to danger through experience, but it’s the opposite. I’m more aware now of the things that can go wrong.” Naturally, not everything does go according to plan, illustrating another aspect of her skill set. “When something goes wrong, you have to adjust quickly and not panic. You’ve got to think under pressure and adapt to the changed situation.” The risks of injury, she says, are greater for stunt women. “There are protective devices, like gel packs and armadillo back pads, that you can slip under clothes to pro- tect you. But if I’m wearing a sum- mer dress, I’ve got no place to hide protective gear.” Time introduces another potential complication. “Often, stunts are left to the end of the shooting day. It makes sense, right…? If you’re going to smash ta- bles and glasses in a bar fight, you’re going to hold that scene until all the others are done. “So with overtime looming, there’s increased pressure. You’re under the gun.” Mary Ann cites her jump off Toronto’s Eaton Centre along a zip line, as her most dangerous stunt. “For more dangerous stunts like that one, I do get advance notice. I may be able to prepare at home with physical practice and with feature films, rehearsals. “I do check my equipment before- hand, but that’s when you have to trust in the Stunt Coordinator who sets it up. Your life’s in their hands.” But Mary Ann emphasizes that her work’s not all dangerous. “Since 90% of my work is doubling for an actress, some of the require- ments may be as simple as driving or running in her place. Those are my ‘gravy days!’” Naturally, Mary Ann has had close contact with numerous celebrities. “I’ve doubled for Sharon Stone, Kelly McGillis, Lynda Carter, Kathleen Turner, and right now, Brooke Shields. And sure, there’s time to chat between takes.” She’s appeared in movies like X-Men, remakes of Total Recall and Incredible Hulk and has been a zombie in the Resident Evil series. On televi- sion, she’s worked on Hemlock Grove, Rookie Blue, Lost Girls, Covert Affairs and the original Nikita. Stunt woman Mary Ann Stevens has been a lot higher than this! Here she hangs out with her children, 11-year-old Ben, and 7-year-old Claire, who have also been bitten by the acting bug. Day’s Work (continued from page 3) Operated by Rogers Communications Readers’ Choice Awards PORTPERRYSTAR 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards PORTPERRYSTAR 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards PORTPERRYSTAR 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards PORTPERRYSTAR 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards PORTPERRYSTAR 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards PORTPERRYSTAR 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards PORTPERRYSTAR 2015 (905) 985-8171 customerservice@compton.net www.compton.net GET YOUR BUSINESS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH HIGH SPEED INTERNET AND PHONE SERVICE FROM BUSINESS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE! Voted Best Internet Provider 7 years in a row A D APPROVED FOR USE BY M ETROLANDMEDIA