Two of Canada’s most accomplished high flying stunt professionals are the force behind a brand new inclusivity initiative to give Indigenous athletes in Canada a chance to become action artists in major films and TV shows!
(Montreal, April 8, 2021) – The I.A.A.M.P. (Indigenous Action Artist Mentorship Program) Stunt Training Apprenticeship is a new, groundbreaking initiative for Indigenous men and women to learn basic skills, gain experience as entry-level action artists and be educated on the protocol and etiquette of being on set. This program, which creates opportunities for motivated members of the Indigenous community to empower them to rise to the challenge and acquire a skill set that will be valuable for the rest of their lives, was created by two A-list stuntmen who want to see more diversity on TV & film sets:
Lauro Chartrand Delvalle, known for his work in:
️ Rumble in the Bronx,
️ The Last Samurai,
️ Prison Break,
and many more. See full credits here.
Instagram: @delvalle_films_inc
Bruce Crawford, known for his work in:
️ Predator,
️ Elysium,
️ 2012,
and many more: See full credits here.
Watch a short video here (Password: Amp2)
As passionate cinefiles and stuntmen, Crawford and Delvalle have been working in film and television for over 30 years in British Columbia and around the world, and noticed something was missing. According to Delvalle, “I’ve always noticed, especially here in B.C., a huge lack of Indigenous cast and crew. I always thought to myself, this is their land, their home, why aren’t they participating and working more in film and television?”
For over 10 years Bruce Crawford (along with his wife Johnna) and Delvalle worked on a plan to help include Indigenous people and their culture into the film and TV industries. Johnna was born and raised on the Musqueum reserve in Vancouver, and through her special relationship with the band, Bruce Crawford obtained funding through the Musqueum Employment and Training program to sponsor the first I.A.A.M.P, a 2-day information session that took place in late February for 18 Indigenous participants from across Canada (including participants from Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia). The program was also made possible by aid from the Squamish First Nations Band, the Tsleil-Waututh First Nations Band and Stunts Canada.
As a result of that successful first session, some of the participants are already working on some of the CW productions currently shooting in Vancouver, such as the new series Kung Fu, The Maid and Midnight Mass for Netflix.
The main goal of this initiative is to teach Indigenous participants the importance of creating opportunities for themselves, and how essential it is to show up and do the work. There is so much talent, it is simply a matter of harnessing it, not only to work in film and TV, but also to carve out a space for more Indigenous roles to be created for the talent pool.
The next I.A.A.M.P, takes place May 29 & 30 at Ancient Fire in Vancouver, B.C.. Twenty Indigenous athletes will be enrolled on a first-come first-serve basis, all of who dream of a career as an action artist. Indigenous athletes age 18+ can sign up at the email address below to participate in the next program:
Next up, Crawford and Delvalle are working on the action/comedy Mexican Radio, written by Troy Rudolph. Delvalle finished work on acclaimed horror film director Mike Flanagan’s Netflix series Midnight Mass and is about to begin work on his series Midnight Club.
They have high hopes that they will be able to bring a new vanguard of Indigenous performers along with them for the journey of a lifetime!
Next program: May 29 & 30
Ancient Fire dojo, 15 W. 2nd Ave,
Vancouver B.C.
For inquiries and registration please email Jesse Blue: Ancientfiredojo@gmail.com
Please note that all COVID-19 protocols set out by the B.C. Provincial Health Office, WorkSafeBC and the Motion Picture Pandemic Production Guide will be adhered to.
