Gums also worked as a systems operator/programmer for the IRS while
studying computer science at GMU. "They required this incredibly high
level math and crazy amounts of calculus. My math isn't that strong, so it
was difficult for me. It was really frustrating because I was doing the job I
was supposedly going to school for, and I didn't need all the math they
were trying to teach me." He finally determined to change his major to
individual studies, which allowed him to devise his own course of study:
film and video production.
Still attending GMU, Gums earned certification as an emergency medical
technician from Northern Virginia Community College, enabling him to
land work as a medic on the feature Born Yesterday. Continuing to progress
toward his goal of becoming a stuntman, he also perfected skills in rock
climbing and weaponry, and
earned a black belt in American
sport karate and geng-lung-do.
Through his martial arts instruc-
tor, he gained stunt experience
performing a fight sequence in
the made-for-video sci-fi film
Invader.
Gums' first paying stunt job
was on an industrial video
about rock climbing safety. "I
was hired to do some falls. The
stunts were pretty minor, but it
didn't matter; I was pretty
ecstatic because this was my
first professional gig. I was
actually going to get paid for
something that my brother and
I had done on our video proj-
ects. Everything went perfectly;
there were no injuries. The
reason I won't forget it, though,
is the stunt coordinator kept my money. I never got paid anything for
that job. It wasn't an encouraging introduction to the business."
When not working stunts, Gums served as a grip, electrician, and
Steadicam assistant. To make ends meet, he also worked as a bouncer, as
a rigger for rock and roll concerts and theatrical shows, and he ran secu-
rity for a club owned by Mick Fleetwood.
Gums' next feature was Pelican Brief, working special effects and stunt
safety team. "I didn't get any credit for it. If you look at the credits, it
What do you like
least about your job?
"At times, this business
is completely selfish. It
doesn't matter how good
you are or what you
know, a person usually
gets hired because of who they know. You can
be better for the job and repeatedly not get
it."--Steve Gums
What do you love most
about your job?
"What I like most about the job is the ever-
changing mental and physical challenges. I
like the incredible feeling of teamwork when
you're lucky enough to work with a truly
good group of stunt people."--Steve Gums
VOICES OF
EXPERIENCE
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