Yikes! Don’t Miss the History of Movie Stunts with Clive Young at the Greenburgh Public Library

Every day, men and women risk their lives creating and performing death-defying stunts so that the films we watch and love are exciting, action-packed, and most of all, REAL. But who are the people who put their lives on the line for our entertainment? What drives them to push the envelope ever further? What makes them do it?

Yikes! The History of Movie Stunts is a fun, visual program that mixes some of the most exciting moments in history of cinema with an educational primer on movie stunts, explaining how filmmakers have used technology and derring-do to thrill movie-goers with amazing action for over a century. The program is also part of the SURFING INTO SUMMER series of events at the Greenburgh Public Library.

Yikes! The History of Movie Stunts traces the action-packed evolution of jaw-dropping stunt work in movies. From car chases, explosions, leaping off bridges, to sword fights, motorboat jumps and hanging from helicopters, Hollywood stunt men and women risk their lives daily to bring excitement to the silver screen. Starting with seat-of-their-pants feats in the early 1900's, Mr. Young's presentation follows a timeline of movie stunts throughout the ages, presenting some of the most spectacular acts ever put to celluloid while explaining the advancements in technology, training and safety that made them possible.

Amazing stories and profiles reveal how and why top stunt men and women do what they do. Why is the divorce rate among them so high? What feats are they most afraid of performing? How do they focus when they know their next move could be their last? Illustrating the program are legendary stunts from throughout film history, from the work of pioneers like Harold Lloyd and the Keystone Kops, to clips from The French Connection, The Bourne Identity, The Road Warrior, Smokey and the Bandit, Terminator II the James Bond series and many more.

Clive Young is an author/lecturer covering the crossroads between high tech and popular culture. While he has covered the music industry as the senior editor of Pro Sound News for more than 15 years, he has also written for MTV, VH1, American Songwriter, Music Business International, Wine Enthusiast and other outlets. His latest book, Homemade Hollywood (Continuum; 2008), covers the emerging 'fan film' culture, and received rave reviews from Total Film, the Times Literary Supplement and others, including Cory Doctorow, who called it "real treasure, an inspiration." His first book, Crank It Up (Backbeat Books; 2004), profiled the world's top roadies, receiving strong reviews from Billboard, Hit Parader, and specialist press. Clive Young has been a popular speaker at dozens of universities, libraries and conventions across the USA.

Clive Young's presentation includes many "don't try this at home" reminders. For film fans of all ages, the program is free to attend and takes place at the Greenburgh Public Library on Tuesday, July 20, at 7:00 p.m. The Library is located at 300 Tarrytown Road in Elmsford. Questions about the program can be answered by calling the Library at (914) 721-8224.