It is hard to explain the Banzai Vitale’s Stunt Performers Academy because it is so amazing and so much more than just doing really cool and fun stuff. It changed my life for the better and gave me a clue as to what I was getting myself into. Even though I took the course over a year ago it still plays a major role in my life. It is not a one and done situation where you pay your money, do your time, and then go out into the Hollywood circus never to hear from Banzai again. It is a mentor ship. He explained this to me before I got to my first day of class but I didn’t really understand until after I had finished the course. I see or hear from Banzai at least once every two weeks. The actual course is amazing you get to do all of the fun things you would expect: high falls, fights, parkour, wire work, fire safety etc. However the real magic of the course is learning about the community you are getting yourself into. He shows you the colorful history of stunts that got us to where we are today, which instills in you an appreciation for the values, sacrifices, and innovations the ‘Old Timers’ made. As well as gives you a perspective of how the new generation of stunt performers has taken that knowledge and really “ran with it” creating more complicated action sequences while also upping the ante on staying safe. The course is intense and not for just any body (just like the stunt business). To get through it your mental game needs to be on high. Banzai asks you to stay focused, calm and remember your abilities. He uses his Jedi mind tricks to remind you that “You are what you believe you are.” While also asking you to check your ego at the door. He is not just in the business of teaching people how to hit the ground. He is in the business of of teaching people how to be well rounded and someone that coordinators want to work with. He is the Yoda of stunts.