Here’s a great behind the scenes twitter thread from Nick Kellington, who performed SkekMal The Hunter on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
Give him a follow at www.twitter.com/NickKellington
…afternoon vs both Neil and Dave Chapman.
— Nick Kellington (@NickKellington) 10 September 2019
I’d had one day’s rehearsal to learn the sequence with Stunt coordinator @ianpkay (who also choreographed the awesome fight) and then we were on. It wasn’t much rehearsal but Ian was a great teacher and was very patient with me. …2/?
… myself wielding these massive #Hunter swords!
— Nick Kellington (@NickKellington) 10 September 2019
Director Louis Leterrier kept asking for more power and aggression from me and poor Neil was on the receiving end hanging onto puppet and sword for dear life AND giving and incredible performance as Rian at the same time … 4/?
… notes about what he wanted from SkekMal as a character. It was a lot of info to take in on top of remembering/performing the fight (in a heavy creature suit with limited vision) but that’s just part of my job.
— Nick Kellington (@NickKellington) 10 September 2019
SkekMal’s claws don’t allow me to close my grip fully so I… 6/?
… whipped Neil in the face! (He was wearing goggles). It must have stung mightily but he took it like a champ and after a few seconds we went again for another take.
— Nick Kellington (@NickKellington) 10 September 2019
In the afternoon we were joined by Dave, and Matt Lyons and Callum Dixon who puppeteered SkekMal’s extra … 8/?
… lighter stunt head and the fully animatronic head so that Kevin could perform the dialogue and SkekMal’s facial reactions in the sequence.
— Nick Kellington (@NickKellington) 10 September 2019
I was pushed both physically and mentally that day (and sore at the end of it) but it is an on set experience that I will … 10/?
If you enjoyed this BTS story (and would like some more) please RT the Thread to share some #SkekMal love.
— Nick Kellington (@NickKellington) 10 September 2019
And cheers for taking the time to read it 🙏
Take it easy 🙂 12/12