The Folks Backstage - Austin Action fest & market
- Lexter Santana
- Aug 24
- 6 min read
I recently wrote about the Austin Action Fest & Market Stunt Intensive that took place August 10th, 2025. While it describes the event and my experience coordinating, it lacked details pertaining who was responsible for pulling off such an action packed stunt intensive. I would also like to note that the intensive was only a part of what was an entire weekend festival and market. I could only imagine what these folks had to do to pull off such a festival, let alone the intensive. Since I was only there for the stunts, this article will focus more so on the individuals that made the action possible. Here's a closer look at the folks responsible.
Benjamin Nathaniel Redic iii
Benjamin Nathaniel Redic III, or Ben as I like to call him, is the man behind the curtain. While he does not stand alone, he is surely the master mind behind the Austin Action Fest & Market Stunt Intensive. It takes a very special person to pull something like this off. One must be well versed in the subject of stunts, know a considerable amount of people working within the field, an equal if not greater number of people wanting to do the thing, and the grit to form an actionable plan for getting everyone together.
When Ben reached out about wanting to put together a stunt intensive, I never pictured this! His idea was simple: Give people what they want! In the past, we discussed the deep hunger for creative expression that exists in Austin, Texas. With this hunger to create, came the search for knowledge among other things. What we noticed was that people were interested in learning stunts. Not only were they asking, they were demanding!
Ben here, layed that foundation. He knew exacly how to enact his plan and executed it wonderfully. HIRE THIS MAN!
ANTHONY PAUL PURVIS
Knowledgable in his craft, down to earth and just an all around badass with a great smile. If you read my previous article, you'll remember I mentioned Paul being "one of the pillars that made this event possible." Well that statement is nothing short from the truth. Let me break this down for you.
Paul was the person in charge of arranging a cohesive schedule for the event. We couldn't all be teaching at once! He was also our point of contact should we need to get things ready at The Jungle prior to the date. (He's one of the coaches there.) As if that wasnt enough, Paul had to get his own lesson plan ready for the deadman pulls class he was scheduled to give. Talk about being busy. I'd also like to thank Paul for helping me splice together some of my rope and leaving a set up rigged and ready to go for me all on his personal time. It takes a great deal of dedication to do what Paul did not just for me, but for everyone there. HIRE THIS MAN!
kisha cg
Elusive as can be. We weren't able to get a picture of Kisha during the intensive. She definitely had a hand in all of this. Owner of III Productions, local filmmaker and producer for the Austin Action Fest & Market. As one of the festival producers, Kisha works year round to make sure everything happens according to plan leading up to and during the event. I don't just mean the stunt intensive either. Kisha collaborates with the filmmakers looking to make their projects a part of the festival, the production team working the festival, as well as potential partners. Her focus and attention to detail is tremendous. HIRE THIS WOMAN!
DANYELLE CAVANESS-WEATHERFORD
This beautiful woman packs a punch! Mrs. Danyelle is also one of the festival producers. She does a little (more like a lot) of just about everything. From promotion and ticket sales, to guiding people in and making sure everyone has what they need on the day.
Mrs. Danyelles' enthusiastic energy and years of experience in the entertainment industry make her an extremely valuable asset. Did I mention she's not afraid to get her hands dirty? Don't play with Mrs. Danyelle... HIRE THIS WOMAN! (She is a sweetheart IRL)
Steffany Overby
Steffanys' dedication will never go unnoticed. While her work allows her to be one of the folks backstage, she's been involved in most if not all preparation aspects of the Austin Action Fest & Market. We didn't get any pictures of her because she was running around taking pictures of everyone else. Truely an essential part of the collective.
HIRE THIS WOMAN!
JOSH GRANT & Matthew Johnson
Josh and Matt wore two hats during this event. They hosted the intensive at The Jungle Movement Academy at what I understand was an affordable price, and were both coaches teaching parkour for stunts. For anyone looking to train, play, or hold events; these guys' facility is an impressive work of art. Literally! As you enter the doors at Jungle, you'll notice this isn't any ole gym. The walls are alive. Bright and colorful depictions of what I can only describe to be the collective of plants, animals and creatures that make a Jungle just that.
It should go without saying that having the proper venue could make or break an event, but i'll say this; The Jungle Movement Academy made it happen! Not only is it a eye catching facility, but a spacious and useful one after their recent expansion. I personally enjoyed how many fly points they have ready to go! Different set ups for different training applications and all fairly user friendly. No matter your needs, i'm almost certain they got you and the kids covered. BOOK WITH THESE GUYS!
lindsay Walker
I don't want to brag about my friend too much, but that's kinda what this whole thing was about right? Well, Lindsay is easily one of the most talented people on this list! All im saying is she can sing, she can act, SHE CAN FLY?! The first time I put this woman on wires, she blew my mind due to how easy she made it seem! Just flipping and flowing like nobodies business. Lindsay and her skills really came in handy while rehearsing for the stunt intensive as well as on the day of the event. I was very lucky and fortunate she volunteered to be there as my example for the class. A true natural in every way!
HIRE THIS WOMAN AND HER DAUGHTER! (She works nation wide.)
Brian "Tree" Fisher
The tall gentleman you see dressed in blue, is Tree. Tree is without a doubt one of the most badass human beings I happen to know. Soft spoken and courteous, he is a fierce fighter and a master of the sword. During the stunt intensive, Tree was kind enough to lend us his strength when it came to pulling the flyers. He was our leading pull man, helping performers who wanted to "learn the ropes" and made sure they were safe while suspended mid air. Definitely made me feel a lot safer to have Tree on my team. HIRE THIS MAN!
Thank you, good sir!
Armando martinez
Armando can usually be found strolling with his camera at any worthwhile film event. The man does not play about his footage. Bro is just a cool dude with a natural ability to capture the present action in a way that is visually pleasing. During the Austin Action Fest & Market, Armando just showed up and began filming. No one stopped him because everybody wants the footage. HIRE THIS MAN!
Edwin "kid empanada" quinones
A core member of Ballistic Blade Entertainment, and a major help in the action department. Edwin ran camera during practice as well as during the intensive. He also edited the footage adding any additional clips the coordinators sent in. This was extremely important to ensure we would have promotional footage while pushing for ticket sales. He can be too modest to admit it at times but Edwin is a jack of all trades! He shoots, edits, acts and fights.
HIRE THIS MAN!
did i miss anyone?
Who am I kidding? Chances are there is someone I didn't mention. Wether a production assistant or a super secret producer we can't know about; a great number of people came together in an effort to form this event. What a better way to recognize these filmmakers, or "The Folks Backstage", than to shed light on what they do, their talents, and abilities.
The Austin filmmaking community is on the rise and growing fast. They are hungry to create. A few of those filmmakers are on this list. An even bigger number were at the Stunt Intensive. But I guess an important question to ask is: Where will YOU be this time next year? Better say the Austin Action Fest & Market.
Stunts Ready?
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