“A monster truck is no joke,” DeMeyers emphasizes. “Even when everything is running smoothly, you have to constantly remind everyone on set—stunt performers and crew alike—that this is a 12,000-pound machine. It’s dangerous, and it demands respect.”
The third season of Gemstones earned two stunt-related Emmy nominations: one for DeMeyers for outstanding stunt coordination in a comedy, and another for outstanding stunt performance in the episode “Burn for Burn, Wound for Wound, Stripe for Stripe.”
In this episode, the Gemstone siblings—Jesse, Kelvin, and Judy—portrayed by Danny McBride, Adam DeVine, and Edi Patterson, respectively, find themselves kidnapped by a militia led by their ex-uncle, played by Steve Zahn. Jesse’s son, Gideon (Skyler Gisondo), comes to their rescue in a larger-than-life manner, using the monster truck, The Redeemer, to demolish the militia’s compound, allowing his dad and siblings to escape with their aunt, portrayed by Kristen Johnston.
To ensure the scene’s authenticity and safety, DeMeyers turned to professional monster truck driver Ryan Disharoon, who not only constructed The Redeemer but also took the wheel for the sequence. “As a stunt coordinator, mitigating risk is a key part of the job,” DeMeyers explains. “That’s why I brought in Ryan, who’s a pro at this—he built the truck and drives monster trucks professionally. He was the perfect fit.”
Filming the scene on a farm in a Charleston, South Carolina, suburb presented unique challenges compared to driving in a controlled arena. The height of the monster truck’s wheels limited the driver’s visibility, adding to the complexity of the scene. On top of that, the stunt team had only one chance to get it right when The Redeemer plowed through an outhouse and a windmill, making precision and timing crucial.
Despite the need for safety and precision, the Gemstones set is known for spontaneous creativity. One such moment occurred later in the episode when Jesse attempts a dramatic Starsky & Hutch-style slide across a car hood. The idea, sparked by McBride, was elevated by his stunt double, Mike Endoso, who added a comedic twist by having Jesse crash to the ground. “Mike did it once, and Danny burst out laughing,” DeMeyers recalls. “That’s when we knew it was the right move.”
While humor drives much of the action in Gemstones, DeMeyers is committed to pushing the envelope on what’s possible within the show’s hyperrealistic setting. For example, in a chase scene earlier in the season, DeMeyers introduced a “sidewinder” maneuver—where one vehicle hits the front end of another at just the right spot to make it spin. This move replaced the original plan to have a car T-bone a dump truck, which DeMeyers deemed too risky. The sidewinder was a success, even as a storm loomed over the set. “It was the last shot of the day, and we nailed it,” DeMeyers says. “Everyone was thrilled.”
The unlimited wealth of the Gemstone family within the show allows for over-the-top scenarios that wouldn’t be feasible in other comedies. “The Gemstones’ wealth lets us create these ridiculous situations,” DeMeyers explains. “That variety is what I love most about being the stunt coordinator for the show.”
Beyond the creative freedom, DeMeyers cherishes the close-knit environment cultivated by McBride and his production company, Rough House Pictures, in South Carolina. “If I could work with these guys throughout my career, I would,” DeMeyers shares. “They’ve built something special here.”
This article first appeared in an August issue of The Hollywood Reporter. To get the magazine, click here to subscribe.
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