'Look for a good car with a strong e-brake; it's going to be essential for this one.' I'd just arrived at work around 7:00 pm on a Friday night. Several thoughts ran through my head when the stunt coordinator stated this to me. To start with I was looking forward to a great night. My next thought was that I hoped I'd locate a car that still had a good e-brake.



I picked up the bag with my driving gear and walked toward the picture cars that were lined up at the rear of the location area. Cars of various shapes and sizes were to be used in the shoot that evening and my eyes were drawn to the Crown Victorias parked there. Police lights were set up on the cars and I was excited to be playing a 'goodie' that evening.

Checking each car to see how the e-brake responded, I decided that there were two that were a little squashy, but two were ok. I wasn't entirely happy with any of them, but felt that while they weren't as firm as I'd like, at least they didn't slide to the floor. Selecting the one that I believed had the strongest e-brake I turned the key in the ignition and reversed out of the park.

Thinking it would be best to give the e-brake a test run, I asked a friend to help me check the brakes. While my friend stood back to watch the tire on the passenger side, I revved the car and hit the e-brake when I reached 30km per hour. By leaning out the driver's window I was able to check the rear tire and could see it lock, which my friend confirmed the other rear tire did as well. I was set to go! The initial challenge was behind me.

Coming to a halt, I got out and looked at the pressure in the tires. Feeling it was too low I collected my portable compression pump and plugged it into the car cigarette lighter socket. Placing the opposite end in the tire I then began filling the tires. As the compressor did its work I pulled out a length of garden hose, plus my trusty duct tape and prepared the e-brake release handle so that it couldn't go back in. This was important to ensure that the brakes wouldn't lock when the e-brake was used in the stunts.

Once the e-brake was ready and the tires in suitable shape, I adjusted my car seat into the desired position. Seeing a few things lying around on the floor I gathered them up so I could be sure that nothing would slide around under my feet while I drove.

I double-checked that the tire pressure was set to an appropriate 38 lbs. in the rear tires and 32 in the front. Proper air pressure was essential for the precision slow speed sequences, especially with the featured 90 and 180 degree turns that where to be shot. The correct tire pressure would be a key factor in making sure the car would come to a stop at the right angle.

With checks of the first car out of the way I then went through the whole routine on the second best car, just to be sure I had a fall-back option if the car I was in encountered any problems. By the time I finished it was getting dark and I went to get 'breakfast'. My 'work day' on set was only just beginning.