I'm really exciting to be spotlighting Lisa Loving Dalton's new book which made it as a #1 Bestseller on Amazon soon after it was released. Who is Lisa? She is an actress, a stunt woman who doubled for and worked with celebrity stars such as Cher, Meryl Streep, Katherine Hepburn, Sean Connery and many more. She has been in over 200 films and has now written her behind-the-scenes tell-all memoir.
Check out my interview with her and be sure to enter the giveaway to win a copy of her book and other goodies. And if you are thinking of becoming an actor, she gives great advice. Just scroll down and see what she says. Surprisingly acting is not just about talent.
Book Details:
Book Title: Falling For The Stars: A Stunt Gal's Tattle Tales
Author: Lisa Loving Dalton
Category: Adult Nonfiction, 224 pages
Genre: Memoir, Performing Arts
Publisher: Peak Performance Living
Release date: Oct 27, 2016
Tour dates: Nov 21 to Dec 9, 2016
Content Rating: PG-13 + M
Book Description:
AMAZON #1 BESTSELLER!
This Behind-the-Scenes Tell-All About Doubling for Celebrity Superstars Also Reveals the Compelling Life Story of an Insecure Hollywood Arrival Who Rises to the Top of Her Field, But Pays a Hefty Price.
- Addiction
- Chauvinism
- Big Egos collide with the surprising kindness of superstars.
The resulting career-ending spinal injury has a story of its own, how she researched medical and alternative paths that form the heart of what she shares with the world today. "What stands out in this book is the indomitable spirit the author has, despite the extraordinary price she paid for her stellar career--including misogyny, a miscarriage, and a life-long back injury. And each juicy story she relays in her fascinating chronicle, brings home an important life lesson for the reader--one that she learned the hard way.
- Stunt Gal Lisa Dalton tattles about humorous and harrowing tales culled from over 200 films, television shows and commercials including
- Ghostbusters
- Money Pit
- Crocodile Dundee
- Married to the Mob
- FX
- Legal Eagles
- The Last Dragon
- Saturday Night Live
- Splash
- The Highlander
- World According To Garp
Visit the Book's Page for more info
My Interview with Lisa Loving Dalton:
LCR: Can you describe your book in 20 words or less?
LLD: A stuntwoman tattles about Superstars and Blockbusters – the good, bad, scary, fun, and painful – along with the life lessons learned.
LCR: What was the most difficult stunt job you ever did?
LLD: I think the most difficult stunt I ever did was a simulated motorcycle crash. I was a passenger on a motorcycle that was supposed to crash head on into a guardrail. The motorcycle was rigged on a mechanism kind of like a mechanical bull. An air pump was supposed to kick the backend of the bike ninety degrees up as the front tire dipped. My driver and I were to launch over the handlebars into pads. Well, the air pump didn’t have enough force so instead of bucking like the bronco is should have, it only went about forty-five degrees. The driver was able to use the handlebars to launch himself clear, but I crashed right into the bars, ending up with deep bruised across my thighs.
LCR: Can you share a short anecdote of a kind gesture toward you by a well-known actor you worked with?
LLD: I was working with Meryl Streep on a movie called Still Of The Night. While we were chatting in the makeup room, I was asked by production to do a stunt. They tried to convince me to do it as an extra instead of on a stunt contract. I was embarrassed that they were doing this in front of Meryl and took the conversation outside. Eventually, I got the contract and did the stunt.
When I finished, Meryl had already gone home for the day. I was bummed at not getting to say goodbye. As I was leaving, the makeup artist caught me and told me that Meryl made sure I had my contract before she left. I was deeply moved. Meryl Streep, along with Cher, who also stepped up on my behalf, are my favorite stars I have worked with.
LCR: Your advice to budding actors?
LLD: I love offering wisdom to up and coming artists. Here are seven points for budding actors:
- Train in Michael Chekhov’s Acting Technique because it prepares you emotionally, physically and psychologically to achieve peak performances in a healthy way.
- NEVER allow any teachers, directors or fellow actors to abuse you. You deserve to respect yourself for loving this art and you must demand that same respect from all others.
- Cultivate your relationships to all of the arts as they feed each other. Great Acting is like music and sports, like painting and sculpting.
- It’s not who YOU know, it is who knows you and LIKES you. So, if you live your life fully, with appreciation for your art, and if you go the extra mile for others, with kindness, professionalism and build strong skill sets, you will work.
- Talent is the least important ingredient to success. Knowing what you truly want, engaging self-discipline and staying focused are more important than whether you have “it.”
- If you LOVE doing this, then you have it and should do it, whether it is in community theatre, churches, or professionally. The world needs great healthy actors to inspire them.
- Acting is among the oldest professions in humanity, found carved into the caves. It uplifts, educates and unites the tribe. It defends more causes than any lawyer. It heals more than doctors do. Five minutes appreciating your performance gives the audience a six-hour immune system boost. So be proud of your love of acting and train like an athlete of thoughts, feelings, and desires.
LCR: How is teaching different from acting?
LLD: Teaching for me requires tuning into each student and opening their hearts and minds to growth. In classes, I am constantly looking to support and encourage the whole group to elevate each other.
As an actor, I am looking first and foremost, to tell a good story. To do that, I need to connect to the larger whole. In film, where everything is broken into small chunks, sometimes you don’t even meet the other actors except for at your rehearsal just before you shoot. So it takes a lot of detective work to figure out how to fit into the style of the story and play the “part” of the whole story convincingly.
LCR: Can you share a life lesson learned from your career as a stunt gal?
LLD: I think the most important life lesson I learned was to listen to the signs the universe is sending you. I truly believe I knew that I had overstayed my welcome in the stunt industry. But I was so caught in the ego, income, and fun that I just didn’t want to walk away. Then, I crashed into a cliff and literally couldn’t walk anywhere, much less away. So, please listen to the signs the universe gives you and don’t be afraid to change your whole world and identity when your true pathway calls.
LCR: If you could go back in time, where would you go? Who would you see?
LLD: I would go back about three thousand years to the Temple of Isis in Egypt. I would speak with the high priests and priestesses about their spiritual initiation practice. I have always been fascinated by that period.
LCR: Thank you so much Lisa for chatting with me about your career!
Meet the Author:
From a bullied, dyslexic, messy, freckle-faced, klutzy pixie, Lisa Loving Dalton grew into a statuesque and skillful stuntwoman, actor, director, teacher, author, filmmaker, leadership and life coach, and ceremonial minister. Always seeking and finding the silver lining, she has made the most of whatever life threw at her. She says, “I spill stuff, trip and drip all of the time so I made a career out of it. My advice: Embrace what is as perfect.”
Dalton appeared in more than 200 films, television shows and commercials in New York, Hollywood and Texas, including work in Ghostbusters, Money Pit, Crocodile Dundee, Married to the Mob, FX, Legal Eagles, and Splash on the big screen and ER, HBO’s Carnivale, Dr. Quinn and Melrose Place among her many TV credits.
Connect with the author:
Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Youtube ~ Instagram
Enter the Giveaway!
Grand Prize Package: one winner will receive:
1) a paperback copy of Falling For the Stars by Lisa Loving Dalton with autographed Last Dragon Pic
2) a paperback copy of A Balancing Act by Emmanuelle Chaulet
3) an e-copy of Murder of Talent
4) a 30-min video chat with author
2nd and 3rd Prize Packages: 2 winners will each get:
1) a Kindle copy of Falling for the Stars by Lisa Loving Dalton with an autographed Last Dragon pic
2) a paperback copy of A Balancing Act by Emmanuelle Chaulet
3) an e-copy of Murder of Talent
USA only
Giveaway ends Dec 17
Thank you Laura for the Interview!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! And thanks for stopping by.
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