
Stunt performer Opportunities
Stunt performer
Stunt performers stand in for actors when the script calls for anything dangerous or specialised to be done on a film or TV set.
Salary
-
Typical hours
37 to 39 a week (between 8am and 6pm)
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of drama and acting
- persistence and determination
- the ability to work well with others
- physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to use your initiative
- to enjoy working with other people
- concentration skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to be over 18 years of age and have a good level of fitnessHow to become Stunt performer
You can get into this job through
Direct Application
You can apply to the British Stunt Register's Stunt Grading Scheme. You'll need qualifications and skills across at least 6 different sporting areas in 4 of the following groups:
- fighting - martial arts or boxing
- falling - trampolining or high diving
- riding and driving - horse riding, driving cars or riding motorcycles
- agility and strength - gymnastics or rock climbing
- water - swimming or sub-aqua
Probationary members are encouraged to attend shoots as observers in order to broaden their knowledge of the profession. You could do this by getting experience as an extra or a 'walk-on'. There are no official training schemes or schools to train stunt performers, although some private ‘stunt schools’ offer short courses in skills like stage combat, working with fire and stunt driving. These courses can be useful for building experience, but will not be accepted towards membership of the register.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join the British Stunt Register to get access to the Stunt Grading Scheme. The register is divided into 5 categories of membership: probationary, stunt performer, senior stunt performer, key stunt performer, full member.What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you could:
- set up, plan and perform stunts with a stunt coordinator
- carry out risk assessments of stunts
- perform all types of falls using gymnastics or high diving
- fight, possibly with weapons
- swim or dive
- horse ride
- perform car chases and crashes
Working environment
You could work at a film studio, at a TV studio or on a film set. Your working environment may be physically demanding, at height, outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home. You may need to wear protective clothing.Similar occupations
Cinema projectionist
<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", "Liberation Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 1rem;">Cinema projectionists operate the equipment that shows films in cinemas.</span></p>
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