Channel 4 has partnered with Honda to launch a brand new original series for All 4. The Evolution of Stunts will see stuntman Damien Walters re-enact some of the most memorable movie stunts across the last ten decades back-to-back in one ambitious stunt with the help of a tumbleator (treadmill), 3D projection and some fellow stunt performers.
As part of Honda’s sponsorship of Film on 4, the three-part series includes: the main feature which shows Damien and entourage preparing for the stunt culminating in its impressive ‘one take’ execution; a history of the stunts featured presented by BBC Radio 1 film critic Ali Plumb; and a standalone film of Damien performing the stunts.
Damien’s performance begins with a homage to the silent film era and Harold Lloyd dangling from the hands of a skyscraper’s clock before recreating Buster Keaton’s close shave with a collapsing house. Iconic stunts from classic movies like North By Northwest, Indiana Jones, The Matrix and 300 feature throughout the film.
The Evolution of Stunts launches on All 4 on Saturday 26th November and will exclusively receive a linear broadcast the same day during the first ad break of The Fast and the Furious 6 on Channel 4. The series was produced by Little Dot Studios and commissioned by Lizzy Keene, Editor, Channel 4. Dentsu Aegis Network’s brand entertainment agency The Story Lab facilitated the project.
Simon Wells, Partnership Controller, Funded Content & Creative Solutions, Channel 4 said: “This epic new All 4 series created in partnership with Honda is an ambitious, and entertaining tribute to some of the greatest stunts in movie history, and a relevant and exhilarating series that embodies Hondas ‘Power of Dreams’ Brand spirit.”
Angus Mitchell, Agency Principal, Channel 4 said: “I think that these films perfectly build on Hondas sponsorship of Films on 4 and show our ambition to create stand out content that positions Honda firmly as an innovative and ground-breaking brand which will resonate well with Channel 4 viewers.”
Philip Crossman, managing director at Honda UK, said: “The Evolution of Stunts showcases a clear link between Honda’s challenging spirit and stuntman Damian Walters’ need to constantly push to the next challenge. Honda has a reputation for creating iconic brand advertising and this new series with All 4 takes it to the next level.”
Robbie Ashcroft, Group Account Director, The Story Lab said: “Brands and channels increasingly want to create the same type of entertainment. The Evolution of Stunts is cinematic, quality short-form content; we know Channel 4’s audience will absolutely love, and it can only have come from Honda.”
The partnership was managed by Simon Kearney, Project & Production Lead and Alexandra Bird, Group Partnership Manager at Channel 4. The Evolution of Stunts was briefed and overseen at Honda by Jennifer Shuker, marketing manager, to maximise Honda’s sponsorship of Film on 4, which was announced in March 2016. Honda were announced as the new sponsors of Film on 4 in March 2016. Their sponsorship was brokered by Melanie Ball, Partnership Account Manager, together with Robbie Ashcroft, Group Account Director and Scott Paige, Senior Manager from The Story Lab.
