- May 26, 2010
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I've always been surprised that I didn't hear of more issues with stilt walkers being pushed. If a stilt walker is pushed/falls.. there's literally no way to brace for that fall. They're smacking hard right into the concrete.
Interested to see where they are in the houses though! Garraka?
Stilt walkers are (supposed to be) trained in how to fall “safely,” even when the fall is unexpected. It’s still dangerous and can result in injury, which is why stilt walkers are paid more in addition to the fact they have a specialized skill. It’s effectively hazard pay.
In Hollywood, every stilt performer has a dedicated PA that follows them when on set to help mitigate the risk of unruly guests trying something. I’m not sure if Orlando ever did that, but they should.
I am disappointed they are pulling stilts from the streets, but I’m also not surprised. Orlando appears to use cheaper stilts that are harder to effectively move in, and the scope and density of the crowds limit what the performers can actually do.