Ask "BAMBAM" - Spoilers ALL seasons, all SG Shows/Movies

[David]

James "BAMBAM" Bamford has joined us in GateWorld Forum (under the handle "2BAM") to answer your questions! He is the Stunt Coordinator for Stargate: Atlantis and the Fight Coordinator for Stargate SG-1! You may have recognized him as the Athosian armed with a couple of Bantos Rods, sparring against Teyla in Season One's "The Siege, Part II."

A rule: Because of BAMBAM's limited availability we ask that you only submit one question per post in this thread.

As with Joe and Martin, please be curteous when you ask BAMBAM questions. He is kindly giving up some of his free time to be with you!

[Droops]

Great to see you here Mr. Bamford!

Are there other members of the cast that are training like Rachael is?

[col_oatmeal]

Hey Bam2 I am glad you are spending time with us.

Does training to stick fight have any special religious relatons to the Athosions?

[keshou]

Hi Bam2! Welcome to the forum.

What's the most difficult stunt you've had to coordinate on Atlantis so far?

[MedusA]

Hi BamBam,

Firstly, thanks for joining us.

How does someone get into doing stunts? Does it just come from hurting yourself a lot as a child?

[Hex.FTB.enabled]

What other martial arts (if any) are going to be incorporated into SGA besides the Kali/Arnis? (And thanks for that again, btw! )

[Lord You]

I'm a poor college student, but I'm interested in learning martial arts (i.e. jujitsu). What's the cheapest way of doing so? I've looked into several schools, but they seem to cost an arm and a leg. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[2BAM]

Originally Posted by Droops

Great to see you here Mr. Bamford!

Are there other members of the cast that are training like Rachael is?

Ronon, you will find to be a very talented fighter, yet different from Teyla. I try to keep the characters styles separate. You must watch Season 2 to find out.

[2BAM]

Originally Posted by col_oatmeal

Hey Bam2 I am glad you are spending time with us.

Does training to stick fight have any special religious relatons to the Athosions?

So far, the Athosians traditional martial art is a form of training passed on from generation to generation, to improve the individual's strength, speed, reaction time, and all around combat senses. There has been no mention of any religious connection as yet.

[2BAM]

Originally Posted by Kes

Hi Bam2! Welcome to the forum.

What's the most difficult stunt you've had to coordinate on Atlantis so far?

That is a very hard question to answer as they all have their merits based on different things. Sometimes the smallest gags are the hardest because people overlook details. The only challenge that I would say is "hard" would be the time factor. It is sometimes very hard to find the time to rehearse any given fight scene because of the rigid schedule we keep. The actor's availabilty is sometimes scarce.

[2BAM]

Originally Posted by MedusA

Hi BamBam,

Firstly, thanks for joining us.

How does someone get into doing stunts? Does it just come from hurting yourself a lot as a child?

Many different methods have been used to break into the stunt world. One thing that helps is to come into the industry with a high level athletic skill in the first place. Martial arts, gymnastics, motocross, high diving,..............etc................these are all skills that are applicable to stunt work, and more. You must be a very adaptable athelete, and be able to take a hard hit as well. Stunt people are the ultimate cross-trainers because they have to have such a diverse number of skills to draw on. After having something to get the attention of the Stunt Coordinator in the first place, one must promote him/herself on set by doing background extra work or anything to get near the Coordinator. This can take years. Sometimes an individual may know someone, or be related to someone to get them in the door. This only starts them out. They must continue to shine in order to get re-hired.

[2BAM]

Originally Posted by Hex.FTB.enabled

What other martial arts (if any) are going to be incorporated into SGA besides the Kali/Arnis? (And thanks for that again, btw! )

You will see a variety of practical martial arts including kendo, submission wrestling, Muay Thai, Silat. I try not to limit the choreography to one style............."Knowing is not enough, we must appy................Willing is not enough, we must do."---Bruce Lee.

[2BAM]

Originally Posted by Lord You

I'm a poor college student, but I'm interested in learning martial arts (i.e. jujitsu). What's the cheapest way of doing so? I've looked into several schools, but they seem to cost an arm and a leg. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

That is a hard one, depending on the area you live in. The schools cost what they cost. I do not reccomend learning from a book either. You can learn alot of theory from books and videos, but untested, the art is useless. Keep looking in your area, there will be something affordable. Usually at a college you can find instruction for a low, student rate.

[Dotus5]

Welcome 2BAM.

I know it's hard to find a job that you are happy with and I'm guessing that working on SG1/SGA has been good to you, but what has been the worst job you have ever had?

[2BAM]

Originally Posted by Dotus5

Welcome 2BAM.

I know it's hard to find a job that you are happy with and I'm guessing that working on SG1/SGA has been good to you, but what has been the worst job you have ever had?

I would have to say.............................when I was 14 I worked in a grocery store, sweeping the front walkway, crushing boxes, stocking shelves..............boring, boring, boring!!

[Panther]

In today's technologically advanced world, many argue that martial arts are an anachronism with respect to utility in combat. I believe that the mental and personal benefits they bring can still be greatly useful in preparing someone for combat, and developing their mind to fight, where the real battle lies. What's your view on this?

[hollyshannensangel]

Thank you for taking time out to answer out questions....

Although we have seen Teyla use the sticks in Hot Zone and Suspicion and the knives in The Eye and The Siege part 2, time wise these scenes were short, my question is this: Will we see her use either method in season two for a longer period?




Mandeep

[Cassiopeia]

My question is this:-


I thought the fight scene in the secret chamber in 'The Brotherhood', going in under cover of the flash-bangs, was fantastic. It came across as very realistic - 'get in hard and fast and precise and regain control'. It certainly gave the impression that it really was in a very confined space, and it demonstrated the military component of Sheppard's team working smoothly and lethally together. (Poor McKay!)

Was that scene more difficult to put together than the more 'spread out' action of, for example, the fights with the Wraith in 'Suspicion' or the fights in the corridors of Atlantis in 'The Seige part 2'? And which do you prefer to plan/co-ordinate?


And can I just say thanks for taking time out to answer our questions, I think the stunts and screen fighting on Atlantis are innovative and of the highest standard!

[girlgater]

Thanks for spending time with us. Also, thanks for all the great stunts on SGA!

My question...will you be appearing in additional episodes of SGA?

Thanks again.

[Lord You]

I'd also like to thank you 2B for making the time to answer our questions.

Originally Posted by Cassiopeia

I thought the fight scene in the secret chamber in 'The Brotherhood', going in under cover of the flash-bangs, was fantastic. It came across as very realistic - 'get in hard and fast and precise and regain control'. It certainly gave the impression that it really was in a very confined space, and it demonstrated the military component of Sheppard's team working smoothly and lethally together. (Poor McKay!)

I agree. I think I saw Ford do some submission wrestling move (armbar), but I haven't seen the episode for a long time so I'm unsure.

My final question right now is what's your training schedule look like? I gather it is unusual with the hetic 12-14 hour days that television production demands. How do the actors (and you) keep with it?