Last week, we invited actor and stunt performer, Martin Hub to speak with our students and guests about his experiences working on big-budget Hollywood films, such as Titanic, Saving Private Ryan, Mission Impossible, Gladiator, and many more. The event was open to the public for free as part of our monthly masterclass series.
Hub’s humble enthusiasm for the art of filmmaking was an inspiration for the many young filmmakers in the audience. “For me it is not different: big movies like Titanic or small Czech movies. It is just film. I like film; I like this world.” Hub understands what a privilege it is to work in a field which he is passionate about, and he encourages his students to pursue their dreams too.
He told vivid stories of being on set with Martin Scorsese during the shooting of Gangs of New York. Stories like these demystify the film industry, bringing these experiences within reach of new filmmakers. As an accomplished actor and performer, Hub does not gatekeep, but rather, he invites us, his audience, into the world he loves so much.
Certainly, Hub’s career was not easy. The stunts and action sequences that he performed required great skill and practice. “I was a lucky man, but yeah, I know my work.” This encapsulates what we at Prague Film Institute hope to instill in our students: gratitude for being a part of this world, and preparedness for its challenges.
