Norman A Kent
Encyclopedia
Norman Albert Kent is an aerial cinematographer and skydiver best known for his aerial videography in films such as Cutaway
, Drop Zone
and Terminal Velocity
.
His first skydiving film was entitled Ride a Cloud, and Kent went on to make numerous films targeted at the skydiving fraternity, such as Kinisthesia, Wings, Willing to Fly and From Wings came Flight.
Kent has been one of the official photographers verifying many skydiving word records in all parts of the globe.
Kent's notoriety for his aerial photography led to a demand for his services in Hollywood and he provided cinematography and coordinated aerial sequences in films such as Cliffhanger
, Terminal Velocity
, Eraser
and Cutaway
.
Kent was awarded the USPA
Gold Medal for Meritorious Achievement in 2006 in recognition of his "contributions to skydiving and the USPA".
Kent periodically offers aerial videography workshops. In addition to videography considerations such as lighting, backdrop, and composition, his classes also cover camera suits, canopy openings, and the special safety considerations unique to videography in freefall.
.
Cutaway (2000 film)
Cutaway is a 2000 action film about skydiving, directed by Guy Manos and starring Tom Berenger, Stephen Baldwin, Dennis Rodman, Maxine Bahns, Ron Silver, Casper Van Dien, and Thomas Ian Nicholas. The film features numerous aerial stunts and much of the film was shot in Miami. This was Dennis...
, Drop Zone
Drop Zone (film)
Drop Zone is a 1994 action movie directed by John Badham. It stars Wesley Snipes, Gary Busey and Yancy Butler.-Plot:Aboard a commercial airliner, U.S...
and Terminal Velocity
Terminal Velocity (film)
Terminal Velocity is a 1994 action movie starring Charlie Sheen as a daredevil skydiver who becomes mixed up with Russian spies. It was written by David Twohy and directed by Deran Sarafian. Originally, Sheen's role was written for Tom Cruise, although William Baldwin was also considered. The...
.
Childhood
Born in El Paso, Texas, Kent grew up in Mexico City. His interest in photography developed as a young teenager after an excursion into the Mexican jungle when he was so taken with the beauty of the experience he wanted a way to share it.Aerial photography
When nineteen, Kent made his first parachute jump and found skydiving to be an opportunity to fulfil his passions for both adventure and photography. While still relatively inexperienced Kent had a photograph published as the centrefold of “Parachutist” Magazine which led to offers of commission to shoot for movies, television and various print media.His first skydiving film was entitled Ride a Cloud, and Kent went on to make numerous films targeted at the skydiving fraternity, such as Kinisthesia, Wings, Willing to Fly and From Wings came Flight.
Kent has been one of the official photographers verifying many skydiving word records in all parts of the globe.
Kent's notoriety for his aerial photography led to a demand for his services in Hollywood and he provided cinematography and coordinated aerial sequences in films such as Cliffhanger
Cliffhanger (film)
Cliffhanger is a 1993 American action film directed by Renny Harlin and starring Sylvester Stallone and John Lithgow. Stallone plays a mountain climber, who becomes embroiled in a failed heist set in a U.S. Treasury plane flying through the Rocky Mountains...
, Terminal Velocity
Terminal Velocity (film)
Terminal Velocity is a 1994 action movie starring Charlie Sheen as a daredevil skydiver who becomes mixed up with Russian spies. It was written by David Twohy and directed by Deran Sarafian. Originally, Sheen's role was written for Tom Cruise, although William Baldwin was also considered. The...
, Eraser
Eraser (film)
Eraser is a 1996 American action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Caan and Vanessa L. Williams. It was directed by Chuck Russell. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Sound Effects Editing in 1996.-Plot:...
and Cutaway
Cutaway (2000 film)
Cutaway is a 2000 action film about skydiving, directed by Guy Manos and starring Tom Berenger, Stephen Baldwin, Dennis Rodman, Maxine Bahns, Ron Silver, Casper Van Dien, and Thomas Ian Nicholas. The film features numerous aerial stunts and much of the film was shot in Miami. This was Dennis...
.
Stunt work
Kent's skydiving expertise and connections in Hollywood have led to skydiving-related stunt work in numerous movies and TV shows. These include:- Get Smart (film)Get Smart (film)Get Smart is a 2008 American spy-fi comedy film based on Mel Brooks and Buck Henry's 1960s spy parody television series of the same name. The film stars Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart and Anne Hathaway as Agent 99...
- Extreme OpsExtreme OpsExtreme Ops is a 2002 action thriller film directed by Christian Duguay, written by Michael Zaidan, Timothy Scott Bogart, and Mark Mullin, and starring Devon Sawa, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Rupert Graves, and Rufus Sewell.-Premise:...
- xXxXXXXXX may refer to:* The number 30 in Roman numerals* The year 30 AD* Games of the XXX Olympiad, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England* Super Bowl XXX, held on January 28, 1996* A mark indicating "extra strong"* Alcoholic beverages...
- Cutaway (2000 film)Cutaway (2000 film)Cutaway is a 2000 action film about skydiving, directed by Guy Manos and starring Tom Berenger, Stephen Baldwin, Dennis Rodman, Maxine Bahns, Ron Silver, Casper Van Dien, and Thomas Ian Nicholas. The film features numerous aerial stunts and much of the film was shot in Miami. This was Dennis...
- Drop Zone (film)Drop Zone (film)Drop Zone is a 1994 action movie directed by John Badham. It stars Wesley Snipes, Gary Busey and Yancy Butler.-Plot:Aboard a commercial airliner, U.S...
- Cliffhanger (film)Cliffhanger (film)Cliffhanger is a 1993 American action film directed by Renny Harlin and starring Sylvester Stallone and John Lithgow. Stallone plays a mountain climber, who becomes embroiled in a failed heist set in a U.S. Treasury plane flying through the Rocky Mountains...
Skydiving
Norman Kent has made over 19,000 skydives during a career spanning over 30 years.Kent was awarded the USPA
United States Parachute Association
thumb|180px|right|USPA logoThe United States Parachute Association is a self-governing body for the sport of skydiving. Its headquarters are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia parallel to I-95...
Gold Medal for Meritorious Achievement in 2006 in recognition of his "contributions to skydiving and the USPA".
Kent periodically offers aerial videography workshops. In addition to videography considerations such as lighting, backdrop, and composition, his classes also cover camera suits, canopy openings, and the special safety considerations unique to videography in freefall.
Recent work
Kent most recently served as director of photography and stunt coordinator for the skydiving unit for the action comedy Get SmartGet Smart (film)
Get Smart is a 2008 American spy-fi comedy film based on Mel Brooks and Buck Henry's 1960s spy parody television series of the same name. The film stars Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart and Anne Hathaway as Agent 99...
.
External links
- Norman Kent at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- Norman Kent's website