FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY

WHAT IS A STUNT PERFORMER?

Stunt Performers are individuals who put themselves in while performing stunts or doubling actors on film & television productions.  Imagine fighting off zombies in a post-apocalyptic future, falling from a stagecoach in the old west, flying through the air on wires like a superhero, clashing steel with knights on a medieval battlefield, or having a laser battle against alien creatures on an abandoned space station...  These are the things that happen in the exciting life of a professional stunt performer! 

WHAT TYPE OF PERSON MAKES A GOOD STUNT PERFORMER?

Active people with strong body awareness make the best stunt performers. These people come from physical lifestyles that involve things like gymnastics, martial arts, extreme sports, and even dancing because these skills have a fluid dynamic that translates very well to film.

WHAT TYPE OF PERSON DOESN'T MAKE A GOOD STUNT PERFORMER?

Thrill-seekers and daredevils with no regard for their own safety. Stunt performers need to be focused and disciplined with the knowledge that they are expected to approach an action sequence in a safe and professional manner rather than an arrogant attitude more interested in the adrenaline rush than the project.

CAN STUNT PERFORMERS ALSO BE ACTORS?

Stunt performers are actors. They mostly deliver physical dialogue rather than words. Most the time stunt performers are cast as street thugs, police officers, military personnel, or an average person walking on the street who has to jump out of the way of a speeding car. That said, stunt performers who are also trained as actors are more prepared to play characters that have more than one or two lines.  At the end of the day acting is another valuable tool in the overall arsenal.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STUNT PERFORMER AND A STUNT DOUBLE?

A stunt performer is a general term for someone who executes a difficult action that involves a dangerous element. A stunt double takes the place of an actor in a scene requiring action by dressing in duplicate clothing and performing the dangerous part of the scene. The actor is brought back in when the stunt is complete. If a stunt person is lucky, they will find a high profile actor who they work with all the time.

IS IT EASY TO BECOME A FULL TIME STUNT PERFORMER?

Of course not, if it were easy everyone would do it. However, if you have the drive and tenacity to train hard, do the work, get the gear, and build your promotional materials, you have a much better chance to succeed. The concept of FULL TIME work is not something that really applies to the film industry. You will likely have gaps in work based on the time of year, what productions are starting up, how connected you are, and if you have the right look and skills needed for a show. The life of an artist!

WHAT ABOUT SHORT TERM STUNT WORKSHOPS?

Although short term workshops can be fun and informative, it is almost impossible to obtain refined muscle memory without prolonged repetition of technique.  To truly refine skills, it is best to train consistently with an established stunt coordinator or an ongoing program under qualified instructors.

WHAT GEAR DO I NEED?

Well, stunt performers usually have a "stunt bag" with all the basic safety gear they may need on set. These include hard and soft knee and elbow pads, shin and forearm protection, tailbone pad, rib protector, back pad, mouth guard, black non-descript shoes, thin leather gloves, and other items like these that are valuable in many situations. Beyond that, there are a variety of specialized items that can be added. Flame retardant clothing, custom wire harnesses, rappelling gear, or any other items that go along with your personal repertoire of skills.

ARE STUNT PERFORMERS PART OF THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD?

Yes. Any on-screen performer is part of SAG-AFTRA, the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. However, when you start out you will be non-union and your goal is to get into the union in order to have guaranteed industry standard pay rates for your work.  Until then you will negotiate your rate on non-union shows that will range from free work for experience to whatever you can convince them you are worth.

HOW DO I GET IN THE UNION?

The best way into the Union is to get what is called a Taft-Hartley contract. This is when a Casting Director or Stunt Coordinator chooses to hire you, a non-union performer, to play a principle role or perform dangerous stunts. They must file a form explaining to the union why they chose to hire you instead of one of the 120,000+ members who are already part of the union. The best way to do this is to be an exceptional actor or a highly skilled action performer with special talent or ability.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL RATE FOR A STUNT PERFORMER?

The union scale day-rate is $906.00+.  However, there are a variety of low budget and ultra-low budget contracts that SAG-AFTRA offers producers to make professional performers available to smaller productions. So, depending on the type of contract, that rate can fluctuate.

WHAT IS A STUNT ADJUSTMENT?

The terms "stunt adjustment" refers to an extra amount of money given to a stunt performer doing more difficult stunts. Full body burns, high falls, car rolls, or other such gags typically get higher bumps in pay. Sometimes the budget allows for small adjustments for simpler stunts as well, all depends on the size of the show. 

DO STUNT PERFORMERS GET RESIDUALS?

Yes, every time a show airs on television, cable, a premium channel, VOD, etc, the performer can earn a small percentage that is gathered by the union and paid via check or direct deposit various times throughout the year. The more successful the show, the higher the residuals.

DO I NEED A HEADSHOT AND/OR DEMO REEL?

Yes, but unlike the recent past where you had to mail these items to a production office, they are more often delivered digitally online. A good headshot, a resume detailing your personal attributes, credits, special skills, and training, and a well edited reel showing brief clips showing your physical abilities are a huge key to your success. That said, showing the same type of skill over and over in different settings is not variety, make sure you show a diverse range of abilities.

WHAT IF I DON'T LIVE NEAR A PRODUCTION HUB LIKE LA, ATLANTA, OR NEW YORK?

There are places around the country that have larger film communities for sure, but filmmakers are everywhere. Creativity is not isolated to a location. Starting out in a smaller market to gain a bit of experience can be beneficial before trying to move to one of these locations. Or if you are happy where you are, just thrive in your local film community.

SHOULD I WORK ON LOW/NO BUDGET FILMS TO GET FOOTAGE FOR MY REEL?

The general answer is yes, but make sure you don't advocate unsafe practices by doing stunts you are not trained to do. Make sure there is insurance that covers the stunts and a qualified stunt coordinator on board to ensure your safety and protection. 

WHAT QUALIFIES SOMEONE TO BE A STUNT COORDINATOR?

To be clear, qualified means a person who has extensive credits on a variety of professional productions doing stunts. This does not mean  a parkour instructor, a martial arts black belt, or someone who has served in the military or law enforcement. All these are respected professions, but they do not qualify someone to be a stunt coordinator. 

WHAT IF I HAVE SOME SKILLS BUT THERE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL STUNT COORDINATOR ON THE PROJECT?

This is always a tough place to be in, but never ever offer to BE the stunt coordinator if there isn't one on the show. Don't let ego guide you down this rabbit hole of liability and danger. No show is worth risking anyone's safety, and if the production can't "afford" to do it correctly, they should not be making an action picture. Stay safe, stay working.