Akihiro Yuji Noguchi knows a thing or two about stunts: he’s been doing stunts or coaching stunt performers for 3 years. And not just any stunt; Mr. Noguchi was involved in one of the most stunt-heavy franchises of all time, Power Rangers, first as an actor and then as a second unit director.
You can see his latest creation, Power Rangers: Rage of the Dinosaurs, available now on Netflix. We’ve already spoken to Mr. Noguchi about the series and how he planned the stunts, and in the third and final part of the conversation, we asked how he trained and worked out when he was actively doing stunts in the ’90s.
“In movement training, all movements start with muscle relaxation,” he says. “When you want to perform sharp tricks, immediately increase the use of muscle strength from 0% to 100%.” One person How do you train to achieve this level of muscle activation? Does Mr. Noguchi have any advice for fledgling stuntmen? We asked him.
Akihiro Yuji Noguchi Training and Workout Advice
“My movements are based on Gōjū-ryū, the traditional Japanese karate,” Mr. Noguchi said. “When practicing my hand and foot technique, the main idea was how to make my karate technique look good in the video. When shooting my own videos, I Double checked and fixed my front and side forms in front of the mirror.”
He also examines every kick, such as forward kicks, roundhouse kicks, and maneuvers such as thrusts, punches, blocks, and dodges to see how to make them look the most powerful and fastest. As Mr. Nogischi explained, “Martial arts fight scenes are a combination of basic techniques.”
“If each technique is done well, it combines into a convincing fight scene,” he added. “Plus, I think I spend more time analyzing how my body is used than the technique. itself, like moving smoothly and quickly when connected. Technology.”
(Image credit: Netflix)
But the Power Rangers action scene isn’t just karate kicks and punches. To be able to jump very high and perform various summer jumps, actors must also become familiar with a unique training tool: the trampoline.
“Another part of my routine is trampoline practice. I practice very carefully on the trampoline because if I make a mistake in the landing position, it can lead to a major accident,” Mr. Noguchi gave an example. “But if you’re afraid, You can’t do anything, so you need courage.”
He also practiced on set the techniques he wanted to do, such as double front flips and double back flips: “Power Rangers put on masks and performed techniques, and this visual limitation also heightened the sense of fear. [in the perfomer], and therefore must develop a sense of body and balance that is not dependent on vision. “
(Image credit: Netflix)
When asked about any high-profile performances he’s done in the past, Mr. Noguchi said he was most proud of one of the sequences he did as Black Ranger in Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers.
“During that action sequence, I used the trampoline to demonstrate a double backflip, a double front flip, and a half-spin,” he elaborated on the incredible stunt, “At the time, I didn’t think anyone was wearing a mask doing this technique. is a ninja character, so I think it’s a perfect technique.
Another notable scene he still remembers is in Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, where he places a mini trampoline (!) on top of his truck. The car was then blown up and he landed with two front flips. “This is my favorite fall from the sky, and I’ve shown it in other works,” he concluded.