The Moth: You Can Lead a Horse to Water - Sam Shepard

TL;DR

While filming a movie, Sam Shepard insisted on using his own horse for a stunt, resulting in a serious accident involving a cactus and ultimately teaching him the importance of not using personal livestock for professional purposes.

Transcript

our last Storyteller has a really good invention he said that his invention would be free gas that's good Sam Shephard undecided whether to sit or stand um all right I'll Stand um I'm not a scientist um I'm not a mathematician or phys I'm very flattered to be here with these distinguished people um I wish I had some of the credentials they have uh ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏇 Sam Shepard had a passion for horses and rodeo events in his personal life.
• 😤 The production team warned against using Shepard's own horse due to safety concerns.
• 🏇 Despite the warnings, Shepard insisted on using his horse for the stunt, resulting in a serious accident.
• 🧑‍🏫 The accident taught Shepard the importance of not mixing personal livestock with professional endeavors.
• 🎥 The injuries sustained by the stuntman highlighted the risks involved in film stunts.
• 😤 The production team took precautions to make the stunt look realistic while ensuring the safety of the performers.
• ❓ Stuntmen like Chuchu Chambers were known for their resilience and willingness to endure injuries for their craft.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Sam Shepard want to use his own horse for the movie stunt?

Sam Shepard wanted to use his own horse for the movie stunt because he loved his horse and felt a personal connection to it. He thought it would enhance his performance and make the scene more authentic.

Q: What were the injuries sustained by the stuntman during the accident?

The stuntman, Chuchu, suffered multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone, three broken ribs, a dislocated hip, and serious lacerations. He also lost half of his ear in the accident.

Q: Why did the production team advise against using Sam Shepard's horse?

The production team was concerned about not having a horse double that looked like Shepard's horse. In case of any dangerous stunts, they needed a similar-looking horse to ensure the safety of the stunt performers.

Q: How did the accident impact Sam Shepard's decision regarding his own livestock in the future?

The accident with his horse taught Sam Shepard a lesson. He realized the importance of not using his own livestock for professional purposes, especially in potentially dangerous situations like stunts.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sam Shepard shot a film called "The Right Stuff" in the Mojave Desert and wanted to use his own horse for a chase scene.

• The production team was concerned about the lack of a horse double for Shepard's unique horse's appearance, but he insisted on using it.

• During the stunt, Shepard's horse crashed into a cactus, causing serious injuries to the stuntman riding it.