# Robert Chapin

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**Robert Chapin** (born April 3, 1964, in [Miami](/source/Miami), [Florida](/source/Florida)) is a stunt, fight and swordplay choreographer, visual effects artist and supervisor, actor, writer, director, and producer. He is popularly known for acting in and creating the longest running action horror web series called [The Hunted](/source/The_Hunted_(web_series)).[1] He is also known for creating visual effects for [American Beauty](/source/American_Beauty_(1999_film)), [Crouching Tiger](/source/Crouching_Tiger,_Hidden_Dragon), [The Big Lebowski](/source/The_Big_Lebowski) and [X-Men](/source/X-Men).[2] Chapin first starred in a film called *Ring of Steel*, of which he also wrote. As a fight choreographer and instructor, he is certified with the Societies of American, British, and Canadian Fight Directors. He has trained with stars such as [Plácido Domingo](/source/Pl%C3%A1cido_Domingo), [Robin Williams](/source/Robin_Williams), [David Hasselhoff](/source/David_Hasselhoff), [John Saxon](/source/John_Saxon), [Marc Singer](/source/Marc_Singer), [Richard Grieco](/source/Richard_Grieco), [Richard Lynch](/source/Richard_Lynch_(actor)), [Mike Norris](/source/Mike_Norris_(actor)), [James Lew](/source/James_Lew), [Olivier Gruner](/source/Olivier_Gruner), [Jeff Conaway](/source/Jeff_Conaway), [Raye Hollitt](/source/Raye_Hollitt), [Tessie Santiago](/source/Tessie_Santiago), and [Angelica Bridges](/source/Angelica_Bridges).[3][4]

## Early life, background and career

Robert Chapin was born on April 3, 1964, in [Miami](/source/Miami), [Florida](/source/Florida), to a family of puppeteers, Leonora and Gerald Chapin. Chapin grew up making movies with brother, Stuart Chapin. Throughout his junior high and high school years, he attended [drama](/source/Drama) and musical classes. In 1982, he received a music scholarship in [Miami Dade Community College](/source/Miami_Dade_Community_College) where he also took a course in [Computer Science](/source/Computer_Science). At that same time, he also began training in [stage combat](/source/Stage_combat) and [swordplay](/source/Swordplay) with a group that performed living chessgames called *The Royal Chessmen* at local fairs. Later on, he joined a jousting troupe called *The Knights Arrant*, and a small troupe called *Ring of Steel*, which performed sword fights at local theme park called *Pirates*. It was in this time that he met *Matthew Gratzner*, and *Shannon Gans* who created *New Deal Studios* in [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles).[2][4][5][6]

In 1985, he moved to [Orlando, Florida](/source/Orlando,_Florida). There, Chapin worked his way through college at the [University of Central Florida](/source/University_of_Central_Florida) by performing sword fights at a local dinner theater known as *Shakespeare's Taevern*. In 1986, Chapin's father died, but he continued his college until he graduated in 1987. Also at this time, he continued to take drama classes and choreographed sword fights for [Romeo and Juliet](/source/Romeo_and_Juliet).[2][5][6]

Convinced by his brother, Chapin moved to [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles) where he worked as a swordsman on feature films such as [Hook](/source/Hook_(film)) and [Army of Darkness](/source/Army_of_Darkness).[7] In 1991, Chapin's mother died, two years before Bob wrote and starred in his first film, *Ring of Steel*, which was distributed by [MCA Universal](/source/NBCUniversal). Over the years, Chapin went on to star in several action films while building his credentials as an actor, stuntman, and fight coordinator. Also in this time, he began a career as a visual effects artist, using his skills and knowledge in computer science. He started with Pacific Data Images in Los Angeles, and then moved from one company to another. Chapin also worked with critically and widely acclaimed award-winning films such as *[X-Men](/source/X-Men_(film))*, *[Fantastic Four](/source/Fantastic_Four_(2005_film))*, *[Armageddon](/source/Armageddon_(1998_film))*, and *[American Beauty](/source/American_Beauty_(1999_film))*. He also headed several indie films before he became an in-house visual effects supervisor at New Deal Studios.[2][5]

Chapin continuously kept up his acting and sword fighting skills. He trained for years with the infamous acting coach, Larry Moss, and was certified in six weapons as an actor-combatant in 1995 with the Societies of American, British, and Canadian Fight Directors at the First International Stage Combat Workshop in [London](/source/London), England.[2][5][7]

In 2001, he co-created [The Hunted](/source/The_Hunted_(web_series)) with writer/actor Andrew Helm. [The Hunted](/source/The_Hunted_(web_series)) is one of the longest running web shows online.[2][5]

## Filmography

The following are the films and TV series or shows participated by Chapin as a visual effects artist or animator, actor, director, producer, and stunt and swordplay choreographer:

Visual Effects Artist / Animator (Film)[8] Year Project Notes 2012 Saving Santa Post-production; Visual effects supervisor 2012 The Grey Visual effects artist 2010 Shutter Island Digital effects supervisor: New Deal Studios 2009 Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Digital effects supervisor in New Deal Studios (Uncredited) 2009 Watchmen Previs artist (Uncredited) 2008 100 Feet Digital supervisor 2008 Iron Man Previs artist (Uncredited) 2008 Paraiso Travel Visual effects supervisor 2008 Cloverfield Visual effects (Uncredited) 2007 The Red Chalk Digital artist 2007 Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer Visual effects in Hammerhead Productions 2006 Night at the Museum Visual effects (uncredited) 2006 The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift Effects animator in Hammerhead Productions 2006 X-Men: The Last Stand Visual effects 2005 Fantastic Four Visual effects 2004 The Chronicles of Riddick Visual effects 2004 Miss Castaway and the Island Girls Visual effects supervisor 2003 X2 Visual effects 2002 Queen of the Damned Visual effects 2002 The Bacchae Visual effects supervisor 2001 The Animal Visual effects 2000 Almost Famous 3D artist 2000 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Digital artist 2000 The Convent Visual effects supervisor 1999 American Beauty 3D artist 1999 Muppets from Space Visual effects 1998 Mighty Joe Young Visual effects 1998 Pleasantville Visual effects (Uncredited) 1998 Armageddon CG animator; Credited as Dr. Bob Chapin 1998 Six Days Seven Nights Visual effects (Uncredited) 1998 The Big Lebowski 3D Digital artist 1997 The Devil's Advocate Computer animator 1997 Trojan War Visual effects (Uncredited) 1997 Con Air Computer graphics effects 1997 Dante's Peak Visual effects supervisor 1997 Lancelot: Guardian of Time Visual effects supervisor 1997 Deadlock Visual effects 1996 My Fellow Americans Visual effects 1996 Extreme Measures Visual effects (Uncredited) 1996 Alaska Visual effects 1996 Matilda Visual effects (Uncredited) 1996 The Nutty Professor Special visual effects 1996 Before and After Visual effects 1996 White Squall Visual effects 1995 Steal Big Steal Little Visual effects 1993 RoboCop 3 Production Support 1992 The Babe Film recordist and assistant Animator Visual Effects Artist / Animator (TV/Web)[8] Year Project Notes 2010 The Hunted 2 episodes - Visual effects 2008 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Pilot episode - Visual effects 2007 Chuck Chuck Versus the Crown Vic episode - Visual effects 2007 Criminal Minds Visual effects - Identity episode 2006 There & Back: Ashley Parker Angel Visual effects supervisor - 10 episodes 2005 Invasion Pilot episode - Visual effects 2005 ' 4x4 Episode - Visual effects 2000 The Privateers TV movie; Visual effects 1998 The Tempest TV movie; Visual effects

Stunts (Film/TV/Web)[8] Year Project Notes 2011 Hirokin Stunts 2011 Legends of Atoll Stunt coordinator 2008 Nenu Meeku Telusa? Assistant stunt coordinator 2006 Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny Stunts 2006 Kill Your Darlings Stunts 2005 Soldier of God Sword fight choreographer 2004 Next Action Star Utility stunts 2002 Scooby-Doo Stunt double (Uncredited) 1999 The Magnificent Seven Stunts 1998 Sinbad: The Battle of the Dark Knights Fight coordinator 1997 Lancelot: Guardian of Time Fight coordinator 1996 Beetleborgs: Vampire Files Stunts 1996 Kindred: The Embraced Stunts 1996 Baywatch Stunt double 1996 Dragon Fury II Fight coordinator 1996 The Dark Mist Stunts 1995 Dragon Fury Fight coordinator 1995 Enter the Blood Ring Stunts 1994 - 1995 Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills Stunt coordinator; Stunt double 1994 Renaissance Man Stunts 1994 2002: The Rape of Eden Stunts; As Bob Chapin 1994 Eyes of the Serpent Stunts 1993 Robin Hood: Men in Tights Stunts 1992 Ring of the Musketeers TV movie; Stunt player 1992 Army of Darkness Stunts (Uncredited) 1991 Hook Stunts (Uncredited) Actor (TV/Film/Web)[8] Year Project Role 2011 Legends of Atoll thug 2008 Faux Baby Elliot 2008 Pirate's Blood Andrew Selkirk 2002 The Bacchae Battalion leader 2001 - 2011 The Hunted Dr. Bob / Mikey 2000 The Privateers Captain Antilles 1999 The Magnificent Seven Martin, Cowboy with Whip 1998 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch King Arthur 1998 Sinbad: The Battle of the Dark Knights Kether 1997 Lancelot: Guardian of Time Sir Gawain 1996 Dragon Fury II Mason 1995 Dragon Fury Mason 1995 Enter the Blood Ring fighter 1994 Ring of Steel Alex Freyer Director (TV/Film/Web)[8] Year Project Notes 2005 Soldier of God Second Unit Director 2001 - 2011 The Hunted Director 1997 Deadlock Second Unit Director Writer (TV/Film/Web)[8] Year Project Notes 2001 - 2011 The Hunted Director 1994 Ring of Steel Producer (TV/Film/Web)[8] Year Project Notes 2009 - 2011 The Hunted Producer - 3 episodes

## Awards and recognition

**Awards**

Year Association Award/Recognition Category Nominee Result Reference 2010 Visual Effects Society 8th Visual Effects Society Awards Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Feature Motion Picture For the National Air and Space Museum escape in the Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian: Robert Chapin (Digital Effects Supervisor), Tony Chen (Model Maker), Forest Fischer (Model Crew Chief), and Ian Hunter (Visual Effects Supervisor) align="center" [9][10]

**Recognition**

- *Action Martial Arts Star of the Year (2003)* by the *Hawaii Martial Arts International Society*[11]

## See also

- [The Hunted (web series)](/source/The_Hunted_(web_series))

## References

1. ["Interview with Bob Chapin of "The Hunted""](http://sharedstoryworlds.com/2012/03/interview-with-bob-chapin-of-the-hunted/). ShareStoryWorlds.com. March 8, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2012.

1. ["Robert Chapin - Biography"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0152152/bio). *[Internet Movie Database (IMDb)](/source/Internet_Movie_Database)*. Retrieved March 2, 2012.

1. ["Robert Chapin -- Actor, Writer, Fight Choreographer, Instructor"](http://www.robertchapin.com/index2.html). RobertChapin.com. Retrieved March 5, 2012.

1. Mosby, John (April 2002). ["Cause & FX (Part 2)"](http://www.thehunted.tv/images/impact2.JPG). *TheHunted.tv*. Impact Magazine. Retrieved March 6, 2012.

1. Moshier, Christopher (July 7, 2006). [""The Hunted" creator Robert Chapin"](http://www.fanfilmfollies.com/fanfilminterviews/the-hunted-creator-robert-chapin). FanFilmFollies.com. Retrieved March 2, 2012.

1. Mosby, John (April 2002). ["Cause & FX (Part 2)"](http://www.thehunted.tv/images/impact1.JPG). *TheHunted.tv*. Impact Magazine. Retrieved March 6, 2012.

1. Stephenson, David. ["Rogue Cinema - An Interview with Robert Chapin"](http://www.robertchapin.com/images/interviews/Rogue%20Cinema%20-%20An%20Interview%20with%20Robert%20Chapin%20-%20By%20David%20Stephenson.htm). Rogue Cinema. Retrieved March 3, 2012.

1. ["Robert Chapin - IMDb"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0152152/maindetails). *[Internet Movie Database (IMDb)](/source/Internet_Movie_Database)*. Retrieved March 2, 2012.

1. ["Visual Effects Society Awards 2010"](https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000864/2010). *[Internet Movie Database (IMDb)](/source/Internet_Movie_Database)*. Retrieved March 2, 2012.

1. ["8th Annual VES Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130118060657/http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ves-awards/previous/8th-annual). [Visual Effects Society](/source/Visual_Effects_Society). Archived from [the original](http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ves-awards/previous/8th-annual) on January 18, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2012.

1. ["HMAISociety"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130108090026/http://hmaisociety.org/HoF/past_inductees.html). Hawaii Martial Arts International Society. Archived from [the original](http://hmaisociety.org/HoF/past_inductees.html) on January 8, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.

## External links

- [Robert Chapin - Official Website](http://www.robertchapin.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Robert Chapin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Chapin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Chapin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.