Alicia Vela-Bailey soars in 'Avatar'

The Kailua stuntwoman appears in Hollywood blockbuster

By Tracy Chan

Posted January 22, 2010

Metromix

Alicia Vela-Bailey's career literally has taken flight.

The 27-year-old Kailua dancer and gymnast appears as a stuntwoman in the blockbuster "Avatar," and also performs stunts in Tim Burton's highly anticipated flick "Alice in Wonderland," which lands in theaters in March.

We recently had a chance to talk to the Kalaheo High School grad and former 24-VII Danceforce member about "Avatar," dancing and rubbing noses with big Hollywood stars.

How'd you end up working on "Avatar"?

I was working in Vegas as a Pussycat Doll for eight months. My friend Nito called me up and said, "You need to go audition for this movie." So after I was done working at 2 a.m., I'd drive overnight to L.A. to audition, and then drive back to Vegas.

What was it like working with James Cameron?

You're in a gray room; we call it The Volume. There are little cameras everywhere, and you're in a full body suit with these little silver markers on you. All the cameras in the room capture your movement. It was amazing to be in there with James Cameron, Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver. We were all in this new environment where you have to imagine everything. Jim helped us out a lot and explained to us what was happening, and what we were seeing. It was just so much fun.

Is it hard to do stunts for an animated character?

Actually, no. We had to become the character. It was weird seeing it. We'd do an action, and after the take was done, we'd see it on the screen, but it would be in the "Avatar" world.

What roles did you do stunts for?

I did all the stunts for Neytiri, Zoe Saldana's character, a little for Sigourney Weaver's character, and played my own Na'vi characters toward the end, where they go ask different clans for help. In the last clan they go to, the warrior covered in red warpaint was me. I was the banshee girl. I loved flying on the banshee.

What was a typical day like for you on the "Avatar" set?

Every day was different. You'd show up, get into your suit, go into makeup, which is basically these green and blue dots all over your face to capture facial movement. Then we'd go into The Volume and do whatever the scene was. If it was running on the branches, they'd bring props out and we'd run and jump on them. It kept it really fun and exciting. There were some 16-hour days and some really long nights, but it was all worth it.

Have you ever thought about becoming an actress?

It's starting to cross my mind now, but at first, no. I never thought about being a stunt person or an actress. My mind was set on dancing, and that's all I wanted to do. On this movie, though, we had to act and do everything.

How did being a dancer help you become a stuntwoman?

It helped so much. Body awareness, being able to move gracefully, picking up fight choreography. ... "Ultraviolet" was my first movie, and they taught me martial arts, sword work, wire work, falling, just everything you could think of. I was also a gymnast, so that helped out, too.

When you moved to Vegas in 2006, did you see yourself ending up where you are now?

No way! I didn't know what to expect. When "Avatar" came up, it got me back into stunts again. Working on "Avatar" from the very beginning, I had no idea how big it was going to be.

Before I saw the movie, I knew I was going to love it, just because we put our blood, sweat and tears into it. But after seeing it, I was overwhelmed.

Who are your heroes and inspirations?

Michael Jackson was my biggest inspiration ever ... I'm so bummed that he's not around anymore. As a dancer and music-wise, he was just amazing.

Do you ever get starstruck being around all those big actors?

I used to when I first started, but I got used to it. You become friends with them, and after a while, they're just people.

How do you stay in shape?

Dancing! I go to the gym when I'm bored. I'm kind of lazy sometimes. I'd rather sit at home and relax.

Any really scary moments as a stunt woman?

Yes, but the thought of quitting never crossed my mind. I've been in extreme pain, but that's our job. As a stuntperson, you have to just suck it up. I've broken ribs, fractured my wrist ... but at the same time, you know you'll get through it.

Any advice for young people trying to get into the stunt business?

Never get your hopes up. Every audition is a learning experience. Always keep trying. You never know, someone might see you and ask you to audition for them. Just be ready for anything, because anything can happen.

What do you miss the most about Hawaii?

Local food, oh my gosh! ... The other day I was craving Cinnamon's for breakfast. I love that place.
And the beaches. The water's so cold out here, the beaches just do not compare.

ALICIA'S FILMS AND STUNT WORK

“Alice in Wonderland” (post-production, 2010) - stunts
“Avatar” (2009) – stunt double for Zoe Saldania and various other stunts and characters
 “The Fourth Kind” (2009) – stunt double for Milla Jovovich
“Ultraviolet” (2006) - stunt double for Milla Jovovich
“BloodRayne” (2005)- stunt double for Kristanna Loken and various stunts

If you haven't seen "Avatar" already, or even if you have, check out the trailer, and a few of the stunts in it. (Is that Alicia at 1:45?)