Interview with Stuntwoman Luci Romberg (Ghostbusters, Divergent, Spy)

What fun it was to sit down with stunt performer Luci Romberg, who has recently been working as Melissa McCarthy’s stunt double (Ghostbusters, The Boss, Spy, Identity Thief).  She has also performed stunts on over 60 films in the last 10+ years, including Transformers, The Conjuring, Divergent, Zombieland, and Earth to Echo.

Interview with Luci Romberg:

Matthew Toffolo: You have been Melissa McCarthy’s stunt double on more than a few films, including the upcoming “Ghostbusters” film. What does that job entail? Does she appreciate you taking the “bumps” on her films?

Luci Romberg: Melissa is a dream come true!! She is kind, thoughtful, caring, hilarious and so supportive! I love her!! She is an amazing athlete and does a ton of her own stunts! The only ones she doesn’t do are the ones the studio won’t let her. I am truly fortunate to be her double. Aside from loving her as a person, because of her, I have had the opportunity to do some of the coolest stunts of my career and I am forever grateful! From getting hit by a car, to falling down stairs, to hanging from a helicopter, to being thrown against a wall by a bed, etc. I feel like someone needs to pinch me so I know that this is really real 🙂

Watch Video of Melissa McCarthy and director Ben Falcone talking stunts.

PHOTO: Luci “hangs” in the air as Melissa McCarthy looks above: 

MT: You have been a stunt performer on over 60 productions in the last 12+ years. Do you have a favorite experience?

LR: What film/TV show are you most proud of? Hmmmm that’s a good question. Each project is different and unique! I would have to say Ghostbusters is definitely up there. To be a part of such an iconic film is truly special and I am so grateful to have been a part of it!! I wish I could tell you more about it because it was truly the experience of a lifetime!!

MT: Have you suffered a lot of injuries doing stunts? If so, what has been your worst injury?

LR: I have been so fortunate in my career so far (knock on wood). The only real injury was from the second car hit I did on Identity Thief. After the first one I felt pretty darn good but I had to do it again and I unfortunately hit my forehead on the pavement on my way down. I had to get some stitches in my forehead so I feel lucky that’s all I suffered.

MT: Is being a Stunt Coordinator something you aspire to do someday? Are there any female Stunt Coordinators currently in the industry today?

LR: Only recently have I been even considering stunt coordinating. I don’t feel ready yet but it has been on my mind. I’m a member of the Stunt Women’s Association and we have several amazing female coordinators in our group! It’s so cool to be surrounded by a group of women who are getting out there, changing the game, and proving we can coordinate too! They really inspire me!!

MT: Has there been a stunt that you love to perform that you haven’t performed yet?

LR: To be lame and honest, not really. I got to do quite a bit of fighting on Spy. I love fights and hope I get to do more!! As a smaller woman it’s tough to get fight jobs but the few I’ve had the opportunity to do, I have really enjoyed!

MT: How did you get into the stunt performer game? Was there extensive training involved?

LR: I was a national champion gymnast and all-league soccer player in college. I grew up playing every sport I could get my hands on. As a stunt performer it is important to be a well rounded/good athlete! My collegiate gymnastics teammate, Natascha Hopkins, who is a couple years older than me was doing stunts and acting in LA. She came back to visit the gymnastics team my senior year and she basically convinced me to move to LA to pursue stunts. I took her advice and I’m so glad I did! Meeting Tempest Freerunning was a huge milestone as well! Freerunning has helped me in so many aspects of stunts. I love stunts but freerunning is my true passion!!

MT: Where do you see the future of green-screen stunt performing in the motion pictures?

LR: I think it will continue to grow as it has. CGI is being used more and more. I see a need for it but I really hope we don’t continue to use it so much that there is a big disconnect. For me personally, it takes me out of the film when there is too much CGI.

MT: What’s the biggest high risk stunt you’ve performed to date?

LR: Probably the car hit I did on Identity Thief. I literally stood there as a car drove at me at 20 mph. Car hits are very risky and unpredictable. There are so many variables to deal with. I called my family before that stunt and told them I love them just in case anything happened.

MT: Do you have a stunt performer mentor?

LR: I have been very fortunate and have had several amazing mentors. My mentors have changed over the years. What is so great about the stunt community is the willingness of people to help teach, guide, train you, etc. It is a very hard business to break into but I love the fact that most stunt people genuinely want to help the new people learn the tricks of the trade so they can be successful and make their dreams come true.

MT: What movie, besides the ones you worked on, have you seen the most times in your life?

LR: I would have to say either the Sound of Music, Nadia, Tommy Boy, or Princess Bride. I like that question a lot 🙂

PHOTO: Luci flies in the air over wrestler/actor Dave Batista:

Luci Romberg- Stuntwoman
http://www.tempestfreerunning.com/
http://www.luciromberg.com/
http://www.stuntwomen.com/home.htm
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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Fesival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.