Brian Keaulana was born and raised in Makaha. The son of famous surfer Richard “Buffalo” Keaulana, it’s no surprise he took to the ocean growing up. But Hawaii’s go-to water guy didn’t start out doing stunts.
“I started as an actor and I did a lot of SAG extra work,” he recalls. “I got hired as a surfer/model principal for a national Sears commercial with Cheryl Tiegs when I was 18 years old.”
His first job in stunts was Hart to Hart in the early ’80s, and the first time as stunt coordinator was on the 1998 film In God’s Hands. But Keaulana’s favorite gig to date is the 1995 post-apocalyptic Waterworld, in which he spent eight months doing stunts both in and out of the water. A few years later, he was working steadily as stunt coordinator on Baywatch: Hawaii and pretty much any other production that has come to town.
A member of DGA, Keaulana is able to take the helm on a production as second unit director, in addition to being stunt coordinator. His work takes him around the world.
Brian Keaulana and shark
What’s his advice for getting started in the stunt business?
“The stunt industry is really small, meaning everyone knows who’s who. Traveling to the mainland is a great way to meet and experience a lot of different stunt people and stunt coordinators. Another great thing is to learn about camera angles, screen directions, blocking, movie protocol … be well rounded in multiple skills on land or in the water. Train with different stunt people. Be on time, prepared, respectful; say yes to the stunts where you know your performance will have a high degree of success. And say no to stunts if you have any doubts in your ability. Let the stunt coordinator know early on to find the right person. You will gain his or her trust and respect.”
This item was originally featured in the October 2014 local newsletter.
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