EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Stuntman Jhonathan Florez Talks Challenges of Working on 'Point Break' at CinemaCon
Warner Bros. is getting ready to launch their upcoming remake of the classic film "Point Break."
The studio held a press conference at CinemaCon this week, where it showed behind-the-scenes footage, and invited its stars, director and stuntmen to speak about the process of making the film.
Latin Post had a chance to speak with Jhonathan Florez, a Colombian air athlete who specializes in the disciplines of skydiving, base jumping and wingsuit flying, who performed some of the stunts for "Point Break." The actor spoke about the challenges of making the film and the experience of working on his first Hollywood production.
Latin Post: Is this the first film you have ever made?
Jhonathan Florez: No, I have made some films before. However, this my first Hollywood film.
LP: What kind of films have you made prior to "Point Break?"
JF: I have made independent films that I edited and some documentaries, as well as some commercials. They were never of this magnitude and none of those films were ever seen on the big screen.
LP: There is an impressive scene that required five wingsuit pilots. You mentioned in the press conference that while doing this scene you had to carry a 12lb RED Camera. What were the challenges?
JF: In the scene, there are four people flying side-by-side. What we don't see is that there is a camera flying beside them doing exactly what the others are doing. I had that camera and I alternated with James, another stuntman. So everything the other stuntmen had to do, I had to do it but with a 12lb camera on my head.
LP: What were the experiences of working with the actors, especially Edgar Ramirez?
JF: It was great because, at times, filming a movie in Hollywood could be stressful and irritating. A lot of productions require long hours, early call times and stressful situations. So being with Edgar Ramirez and the rest of the cast was great because we became friends. I was able to speak with Edgar in Spanish and we would talk about anecdotes from our countries Colombia and Venezuela. It was really great and it allowed the shoot to be less stressful.
LP: How long were you on set for?
JF: I was on set for almost three weeks.
LP: How long did it take you to prepare for the film and what was your process like?
JF: It was an easy process because I have been doing this for almost 11 years. In those 11 years, I had to learn to control my body, move through the air and be alongside other people. It's a process that I have been doing since I started jumping and that process has led me to be in this fabulous film.
LP: When did you realize you wanted to do this type of extreme sport?
JF: I think that is the most beautiful and paradoxical thing about being involved with this movie. One of the films that really made me curious about skydiving was the 1991 film "Point Break." The original film with Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves has such a great skydiving scene that really made me curious about this sport. And I said, "Hopefully, one day I will be able to that." So having filmed this movie has been an honor.