A stuntman or stuntwoman—more commonly referred to as a stunt performer or stuntperson—is a trained professional responsible for executing various difficult or specialized movement–related tricks in a TV show, movie, or live performance.
Stunt actors enhance the action sequences of a film production by making difficult or dangerous stunts look real, whether they’re acting out fight scenes, high-speed car chases, or other death-defying physical feats. Performances involving live stage combat, car crashes, horseback riding, building jumps, skydiving, fire scenes, or high falls will typically require the expertise of a stuntperson.
A stunt performer will typically collaborate with a production’s stunt coordinator (in addition to the director and the director of photography), who is responsible for choreographing and supervising stunt moves on a film set. A stunt double—not to be confused with a stuntperson—is a type of stunt performer who subs in as a body double for a specific actor to make it appear like they executed their own stunts.
A stuntperson’s salary depends on their experience and skill level and the difficulty of the type of stunt they need to perform. The average salary for a working stunt performer ranges anywhere from $30,000–$70,000. Amateur stunt artists may make well below that threshold, and professional stunt doubles for A-list actors may earn much more.
Dar Robinson (recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest-paid stuntman for a single stunt to date) earned a record $100,000 per stunt.
1. Driving: Stunt vehicles are real vehicles capable of incurring the same injuries as a regular car, so driving skills are paramount for the position. Cinematic car chases or scenes involving motorcycles often require the skill of an experienced stunt driver. Some of these skills include peeling out, drifting, or emergency braking the car into a 180-degree spin.
2. Excellent communication: Quick and effective communication skills are a must in this field. Dangerous stunts are risky both for the stunt performer and those nearby. At any given moment, the stunt performer needs to let the director or coordinator know when something isn’t working (either mechanically or physically), especially if it can put someone’s life at risk.
3. Falling skills: Stunt performers must learn the right way to fall from a variety of heights (in different environments) to maximize their on-set abilities while minimizing their risk of injury. Experience working with harnesses and without them during falls can give stunt performers a competitive advantage.
4. Fighting skills: Specialized fighting skills such as martial arts, fencing, wrestling, boxing, and general combat abilities all give stunt performers a competitive edge for landing different gigs—especially when it comes to getting cast in action movies.
5. Strength and coordination: Stunt people must maintain peak physical fitness because they often need to perform difficult physical feats (such as lifting other people up or climbing tall structures) during a production. Having a strong body capable of balance and coordination makes you a more reliable stuntperson, and makes any given stunt much safer for yourself and those around you.
Stunt work can be fun and exciting but also hard to find. The more experience and skills you possess, the likelier you are to land a job as a stunt performer. Follow these steps to become a stuntperson:
Take relevant classes. Taking a variety of classes in physical activities, such as martial arts, gymnastics, rock climbing, swimming, or swordplay, helps expand a stunt performer’s toolbox. These classes help you develop your form and movement and help you develop a specialized skill set (which can make the difference between getting cast for a gig or getting passed over). You can also attend a stunt school to learn the basics of stunt training and improve your resume.
Develop a specific skill. Stunt people who master a specific skill greatly increase their chances of getting hired. For instance, some stunt people specialize in fire stunts, while others excel in driving or climbing. Being the best at your particular stunt allows you to develop a reputation in the industry as the go-to person for that skill.
Research the best stunts. Study movies and television shows that involve a wide range of stunts. Pay attention to how some of the best stuntmen execute a variety of feats.
Volunteer your services. Performing stunts for independent projects or student films will help you gain more experience and exposure in show business. It also gives you material to develop a reel, which you will need to showcase your abilities to get cast.
Make a stunt reel. Showcasing the most impressive moments of your stunt work in a reel is an effective way to get a casting director or producer to see your best work, improving your chances of getting hired. (Consider getting a good headshot, too.)
Network with peers and pros. Like many jobs in Hollywood, stunt performing is often freelance, intermittent work. Connect with working stunt professionals through business networking sites or social media to expand your opportunity pool. Reach out to a working stuntman and ask to shadow them for a day to see what the job is really like.
Apply for stunt positions. Browse industry job sites or social networking groups for stunt work open calls. (Keep in mind that many stuntman jobs are based in New York or Los Angeles.) It may be difficult to land these jobs with less experience, but possessing the specific talent or skill the production is looking for will help you stand out. Keep in mind that you likely will need to work a few nonunion jobs (not represented by SAG-AFTRA) before you can join a union and get more professional work.
Actors and directors are an integral part of every movie set, but many people overlook the importance of stunt doubles. These professionals help create realistic scenes by performing high-risk stunts on behalf of actors. Pursuing this career can be exciting for people who want an active, nontraditional job in the entertainment industry. In this article, we explain how to become a stunt double and define this professional's key responsibilities.
ISA AuditionA stunt double is a professional who performs high-risk action scenes on behalf of an actor. Their specialized training allows them to participate in movies and TV shows involving fistfights, car accidents and high jumps. A stunt double's face isn't clearly visible in the shot to convince audience members that the actor is the one performing the stunt. These professionals make scenes as realistic as possible by adopting the actor's mannerisms and altering the appearance of their silhouette.
Depending on the scene they're in, a stunt double can perform several physical acts. They might deliver punches in a fight, drive a car or fall down a flight of stairs. Stunt doubles also jump over obstacles and hang from buildings. Other responsibilities of these professionals include:
Employers usually don't require stunt doubles to have formal education, but it can help you develop your craft and increase your qualifications. Consider attending a stunt training academy to learn how to safely perform various actions. Programs are usually a few weeks long and teach you the basics of using wire rigs, falling to the ground and executing fight sequences. Students also learn how a movie set works to develop proper etiquette and increase the chance of obtaining jobs.
While most colleges don't offer stunt double majors, these professionals can benefit from postsecondary education. Consider pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree in a field related to the entertainment industry. Common majors include theater arts, communication and rhetoric, dance and film studies. You can also benefit from an acting major that teaches you how to embody someone else's mannerisms. These acting skills may help you achieve roles with speaking parts or even become an actor who performs their own stunts.
Stunt doubles have very active careers that require them to be in good shape. You can increase your physical fitness by adhering to a healthy diet and regular workout schedule. Some stunt doubles pursue their fitness goals on their own, but it may be helpful to work with a dietitian or personal trainer. These professionals can help you safely develop a body type that allows you to stand in for specific actors. Their expertise also allows you to improve your cardio, jumping skills and strength.
As you complete training programs and work with other stunt doubles, you may encounter industry-specific terminology. Studying this terminology on your own can help you appear more professional and familiarize yourself with different roles. Helpful terms to know include:
Air ram: This is a device that mimics the effect of an explosion by catapulting a stunt double via hydraulics and compressed air.
Air ram: This is a device that mimics the effect of an explosion by catapulting a stunt double via hydraulics and compressed air.
High fall: A fall where a stunt double drops from three stories or higher and lands safely on a box catcher or airbag is referred to as a high fall.
Tumbling: Tumbling is having the ability to perform gymnastic acts, like shoulder rolls, somersaults and back handsprings, without the help of specialized equipment.
Wirework: The use of harnesses, vests and rigs to perform aerial acts in falling or flying scenes is known to professionals as wirework.
You can qualify yourself for more roles by developing various skills. For instance, your proficient rock-climbing and swimming skills might allow you to stand in for an actor in a wilderness movie. You could also take classes in boxing or martial arts to preserve authenticity in fight scenes. Some stunt doubles become experts in horseback riding, driving or gymnastics, as many movie and TV characters perform these tasks. Another useful specialization for stunt doubles is underwater stunts like snorkeling and scuba diving.
Obtaining a mentor can help aspiring stunt doubles develop their skills and find roles. If you meet an experienced stunt double at your training program or gym, consider asking them for advice. You can inquire about their diet and workout regimen, or you might ask how them how they chose their specialty. When you build relationships with these professionals, they may invite you to be an apprentice or recommend you to stunt coordinators looking to fill roles.
Nonunion roles tend to pay less and be in less popular projects, but they can help you build your resume. Consider using your connections and online job boards to find stunt double roles in the film industry. You can also look for performance-based roles at theaters and amusement parks.
Once you gain more experience, consider joining the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Union membership qualifies you for union jobs, which typically pay more and are part of more popular projects. Members also receive more protection because the union implements rigorous safety policies.
This is the most in-depth article you are going to find explaining how to break into and work in the stunt industry, parkour athlete or not. At least from what I've googled.
Let's be clear about one thing: There is no half-assing your way into stunts. There is no half-committing. There is no "testing the waters." If this is what you want to do, you need to be prepared to go balls-to-the-wall and do whatever it takes to get in. This requires hard work, financial sacrifice, and patience. It seems to take an average of 2-3 years to really break into the industry and start getting consistent work according to the people I've talked to. However, once you break in, it can be one of the most rewarding careers out there(financially and otherwise).
