Introducing... Parkour
You've probably never heard of David Belle (unless, of course, you've heard my song "Natalie" on johndeguzman.com), but you've seen David's work. See, David developed a type of urban gymnastics called parkour, and it's almost a given that a Hollywood action movie will include a parkour scene, most notably, the opening sequence of James Bond's last movie. They were scaling walls, leaping between massive gaps and running on the narrow beams of a crane. The actor who "Bond, James Bond" is chasing is one of David's pupils.Watching a pro do parkour is a sight that's hard to understand and hard to forget. Check out this video for a quick parkour introduction. When watching, note no safety wires, no pads and no helmets. Needless to say, do not try this at home. I just watched that video again, and I'm all dizzy.
It might sound cheap to say someone "developed" urban gymnastics because teenagers have been jumping over benches since benches were invented. Jackie Chan's been doing this for years. But, when you find out that David is a total recluse who shies away from any press coverage, you realize he's not doing this to get famous. It was just a hobby he came up with as he looked at urban development in Paris and was a chance for him to challenge his body and mind. David would say, "Why take the sidewalk, when there are so many other paths to get from here to there."
Creativity is the key to parkour. David developed some basic maneuvering steps that take years to perfect, then it is up to the performer to combine them as he sees fit. There would be thousands of ways for a parkour artist to take advantage of any given terrain. No two would manage a building with the same path and moves. It's like a jazz musician moving through a solo, they would navigate the chord changes differently than another soloist. The idea is just to keep moving and let your body explore the environment as you make your way to your goal.
All there is to do from now on but watch videos and get to know what these people are capable of:
David's gone from moving through the streets of France to choreographing chase scenes in Hollywood movies. It's funny, because the only reason we know about David is the internet and the home videos these men made to capture them leaping from building to building. He never intended to make money with parkour. He never intended to be a household name. Honestly? I don't think he ever will be.
Kids, don't try any of this at home.
Parkour? HAWT action [hot ak-shuh
n].
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All there is to do from now on but watch videos and get to know what these people are capable of:
- The New Yorker had an amazing article about parkour and David Belle on their April 16th, 2007 issue. I recommend the read, if you happen to have that issue just hanging around. Check out this link for an article summary and these videos, including one where David wipes out (the second one).
- Want more videos?
David's gone from moving through the streets of France to choreographing chase scenes in Hollywood movies. It's funny, because the only reason we know about David is the internet and the home videos these men made to capture them leaping from building to building. He never intended to make money with parkour. He never intended to be a household name. Honestly? I don't think he ever will be.
Kids, don't try any of this at home.
Parkour? HAWT action [hot ak-shuh
n].Join the HAWTaction reader group on Facebook.
Holy nuggets.
Although, to be fair, my cat has been doing things like this alot longer than David Belle.
* snore * Read my post from yesterday instead of trudging through John's boring post. I'm the best blogger ever.
LJF: The FCC SUCKS
http://hawtaction.com/2008/01/jlf-the-fcc-sucks.html
You're a pain in my arse, JLF. People like a little LEVITY in their posts sometimes. Readers don't always want to dig through the content you heap on us, as pleasant as it may be.
Just calm down and leave my posts alone.
I'm the best blogger ever. Just check out the Tag Cloud on HAWTaction.com and click on JLF or Johnny Lead Foot to see the best posts on the web.
Also, find me on Facebook: Johnny LeadFoot and join the HAWTaction.com Reader Group.
John, don't get made because the readers like me more than they like you.
John, you're a fine blogger. Keep practicing, and you might get some people to actually visit our site. Is anyone visiting this blog to see John's posts? If so, post a comment. If not, you'll just confirm that you all love me.