Based in Tulsa and raised in Broken Arrow, University of Oklahoma alumnus and former OU Men’s Gymnastics Team member Gabe Hansen works as a stunt coordinator and stuntman. He returned to Tulsa in 2021 and has 20 years of experience performing and planning action for film and television. His previous credits include “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” “I am Legend,” “Shutter Island,” “American Gangster,” “Tulsa King” and “Something to Stand For.”
How did you get started in the film industry?
After competing in the All-Around on the Men’s Gymnastics Team and graduating from the University of Oklahoma, I moved to New York City to perform for an aerial circus company called Anti-Gravity. Anti-Gravity was installing a new circus show in the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City and I earned a spot on the team as a featured performer. NYC is a hub for film and television and I began various specialized trainings to prepare myself for stunt work. After hustling film sets and training for a year I was offered a stunt doubling gig on a episodic television show for Showtime called “The Brotherhood.” I was taft-heartlied and I hit the ground running, pursuing more work and training.
Did you have any formal education or training related to the film industry before starting?
While attending the University of Oklahoma, I enrolled in acting classes to fulfill my upper division electives required for graduation. This really lighted a fire inside me for performing.
Did you have any formal education or training related to your specific department on-set?
As an elite collegiate gymnast you can imagine the crashes, tumbles and saves I’ve gone through in my 14 years of gymnastics that play a pivotal role in body awareness and safety relating to the stunt industry. All my gymnastics training and competition growing up definitely provided a firm foundation to begin stunt training.
What are some of your most recent successes (credits or accolades) related to your career in the industry?
Performing and coordinating stunts back in my hometown is just amazing and gives me so much joy. I’m always looking to grow as a performer and coordinator. Stunt coordinating “A Thousand Tomorrows,” incorporating bull-riding, barrel racing and working with great local animal wranglers like Brian Allison, expanded my reach into western genre film making, which is very popular in our region, so I’m grateful for that experiential knowledge. Stunt coordinating for Tulsa’s own John Swab on “One Day as a Lion” was an excellent experience to see first hand the top level talent Oklahoma produces. Right now I’m stoked to be booked to work with another Tulsa phenom Sterlin Harjo, on his latest show “The Sensitive Kind” starring Ethan Hawke.
What has your career in the state’s film industry taught you?
Oklahoma’s film industry is growing exponentially day by day, project by project. I have been blessed to work on some very large budget films while living in New York and Los Angeles and with some of our industries greatest directors and stunt coordinators. Gathering those treasures to bring home and incorporate them to excel our local film industry is an honor to be a part. Building a firm foundation for a lasting impact here in Oklahoma. Our local film crews are talented, they are problem solvers, they are gracious and kind and a joy to work with.
What is the highlight of your career thus far?
The biggest moments for me so far have been working with Ridley Scott and doing dialogue with Russell Crowe in “American Gangster.” I was cast for a stunt acting role off my headshot early in my career and thrown into the proverbial fire. I was a little awe struck to have lines with Russell as a stunt player but by the grace of God we knocked it our of the park. A few years later I auditioned for another stunt role in “Shutter Island” and I got it. Working with the great Martin Scorsese and sharing the screen with Leo DiCaprio was awesome. Marty and Leo were so gracious, kind and down to earth, I could not have asked for a better experience.
What is your favorite aspect of working in Oklahoma’s film and television industry?
Community is my favorite aspect of Oklahoma’s film and television industry. In larger markets you may never see or work with the same crew for years; not so in Oklahoma. Oklahoma is my home and the film set feels like home, and the crew and people involved are what make it a home. Building lasting friendships, working with fellow Oklahoman’s to produce our art, makes me very proud to call myself an Oklahoman.
What’s the best piece of advice you have for someone starting their career in Oklahoma’s film industry?
My best advice for someone starting a career in the film industry is be a servant, be honest, be humble, have integrity, get familiar with every aspect of set life and every position of a film crew, then focus on what you desire to achieve, and move in that direction with a servants heart.
How does someone in your field/department best promote/market themselves to those hiring in your industry?
In the stunt world we have several breakdown services offering monthly subscriptions to worldwide productions. Reaching out to a stunt coordinator by email is the norm. With stunts, safety is huge, people in the stunt industry are vetted by their experience, performance and who you know or have worked for. For someone with no experience, there are several stunt schools around the U.S. where you can receive basic training and meet other stunt professionals.
Are there any local film organizations, resources or events that have been beneficial to you in your career?
Most recently I attended Corey Eubank’s Car Crashing Clinic in Stephenville Texas. Besides being one of the kindest, genuine human beings you will meet, Corey is one of the world’s foremost knowledgeable wheelmen in the stunt industry, he has multiple Taurus Awards for his vehicular stunts. If you want to learn about crashing cars, take his course.
What’s the one item you can’t live without on set, and why?
One item a stuntman can’t live without on set is his stunt bag, but this question also makes me think of Crafty, and in that case I’m gonna have to say good coffee.
Would your career be impacted without the state’s film incentive program? If so, how?
Without the film incentive program my career would be impacted most definitely. I would need to find another job or move to another film hub like Atlanta or back to New York.
Where do you see yourself – AND – Oklahoma’s film industry in the next five years?
I see Oklahoma’s film industry growing and more production coming to Oklahoma in the next five years. College film programs are growing, local interest in film careers are growing. I’m always interested, and helping out Oklahoma’s next generation of filmmakers broaden their horizons of possibilities and how they can safely incorporate action into their projects to raise the production value and visual impact. My personal goals are to continue stunt coordinating, move into second unit directing and eventual direct action films.
What are you working on now or next?
Coming up, I’m performing stunts on “The Sensitive Kind” directed by Tulsa’s own Sterlin Harjo.
Each featured individual or business is given the provided questions to answer in their own voice. Other than formatting and grammar, the answers are personal to each featured voice, and are not provided by the Oklahoma Film + Music Office.
