February 19 Dinner Meeting

Entertainment Safety with Paul Holehouse

Paul Holehouse, past President of ASSE LA and current Entertainment Risk Consultant with FIREMAN’S FUND ENTERTAINMENT. Paul spent 14 years as Corporate Director of Safety and Environmental Affairs at UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. With well over 26 years of Safety and Risk Management within (Hollywood) entertainment industry.

Paul brought a wealth of knowledge and Fun to the topic of; start to finish risk assessment - how a major stunt comes together with experienced special effects and stunt players in combination with the State Fire Marshall office, City & County Fire departments, production producers, studio back lot personnel and insurance underwriting approvals.

Paul took us through a record breaking event that was staged for the "Guinness Book of World Records" TV show.  Paul related the the hair raising (and singeing) planning, coordinating, testing, and execution of a 200-foot motorcycle ride through a tunnel of flaming inferno.   Among the lessons learned:  Insulate the roadway surface to prevent an expensive repaving job and seal up all the infrastructure to prevent any spilled LPG from seeping in.

Among the attendees were three more of our Chapter Past Presidents with deep roots in the entertainment industry.  Shown are Louie Therrien, Bill Taylor, and Don "Cecil B" Kramer.