Batman Stuntman Helps Direct Dark Knight Short Film

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Brock’s Alley in downtown Bakersfield was a real-life Gotham for “Batman Darkness,” a Hectic Films and Dark Knight Productions short film shot Monday night. This time around they had a helping hand from retired stuntman Jeff Smolek, a former body double in the 1995 film “Batman Forever.”

On the set to help direct fight scenes, including stunts off buildings, Smolek, a retired 26-year veteran of stunt-making, sat in an alley filled with a production crew, a cast of thug vampires, and Batman himself. “We’ve been actually rehearsing for the last two months,” Smolek said. “We have no stunt doubles. So the actors have to do everything themselves.”

As well as having performed martial arts stunts as the Batman body double in “Batman Forever,” Smolek has worked on films such as the Oscar award-winning film “Glory,” “The ‘Burbs,” “Leaving Las Vegas,” “Star Trek Insurrection” and “Drowning Mona.” He has also worked on television shows such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

Smolek helped direct shots alongside Rickey Bird of Hectic Films. He didn’t seem worried about anyone getting hurt from the impact of punches and kicks. “They’re going to take a little bit of abuse, but they’re well-padded. Everything is safe,” Smolek said.

Bird said he met Smolek while working as a bartender at Ethel’s Corral on Alfred Harrell Highway. “He watched some of our videos and was really intrigued with what we were doing in our passion to make movies work with no budget,” Bird said. “We’re really blessed that we have Jeff’s talents working on this movie.”

“Batman Darkness” is the brainchild of Dark Knight Productions Rod Reed. who said he'd wanted to create a Batman fan film for more than two years.

Set in Gotham, the plot sees Batman battling vampires who want to convert the already dark hero to their deathly version of the dark side. Most of the film takes place in one of Gotham’s dark city alleyways.

YouTube It! Watch Batman Blow Out His Knee During Filming

The film crews used the alley to film scenes for the film previously, but took a break as Smolek worked with actors to prepare for Monday night's filming.

Hectic Films originally consisted of Bird and Jason Sanders, though Bird said they expanded to include people like local filmmaker Andrew Waite and his sound assistant. Waite is doing cinematography on related film work.

The Hectic Films production crew includes more than a dozen other members. Together they’re working on three feature-length films in 2008, along with many film shorts and webisodes.

KRAB Radio’s Jarad “Meathead” Mann, also an avid amateur filmmaker, was on the set to lend a hand with consultation and gripping. He said he was just happy to be helping local filmmakers in any capacity. “They’ve (Hectic Films) really kind of brought a lot of filmmakers here in town together and made a little community,” Mann said.

Mann carried equipment and helped an actor portraying a vampire onto a fence. The actor leaned on Mann before each shot was taken. “I’m like an apple box,” Mann laughed as Smolek directed a scene.

Asked why he would lend a hand to amateur filmmakers such as those, Smolek said, “Because I love film. And I see a lot of anticipation and eagerness … If they didn’t have the enthusiasm, I wouldn’t be helping them.”

Unfortunately, during filming, Rod Reed, who plays Batman, wrenched his knee during a fight scene. So there will at least be one more night of shooting.