Acting Home Page > Acting Agents And Managers > Stunt Performers Agents > What Do Stunt Performers Do?
What Do Stunt Performers Do?
What is a stunt man?A stunt performer is someone who performs dangerous stunts. These stunts are sometimes rigged so that they look dangerous while still having safety mechanisms, but often they are as dangerous as they appear to be. Stunt performers are distinct from stunt doubles, performing their stunts purely for the sake of the stunt itself, or as a career, rather than for another reason; a stunt double typically performs stunts intended for use in a motion picture.
To become a reputable stunt performer you have to be a highly trained and qualified professional. Most often a stunt man will have had some prior experience in the entertainment industry either as a walk on, extra an actor or a runner. Stunt performers are hired by a production team to take the place of an actor to perform dangerous tasks on set, requiring certain skills, for example martial arts, jumping through fire, fencing for example.
The training and qualifications to become a stunt man come at considerable cost. To be recognised as a professional stunt performer in the JISC Register of Stunt Performers and Co-ordinators. A stunt performer must have evidence of qualification to the required standard in at least six of these categories one of which has to be group (A)
Group (A) Fighting - Categories: Martial Arts, Boxing
Group (B) Falling - Categories: Trampolining, High Diving
Group (C) Riding and Driving - Categories: Horses, Cars, Motorcycles
Group (D) Agility and Strength - Categories: Gymnastics, Rock Climbing
Group (E) Water - Categories: Swimming, Sub Aqua
The categories must fall within at least four of the groups listed, but no more than two categories should fall within any one group. A stunt Performer must have at least one year's experience in each qualification.
Throughout their career a Stunt Performer must maintain their skills at all levels, and continually acquire new qualifications to add to their repertoire, in order to safeguard their employability.
What is a Stunt Performer Required to Do?
A stunt performer is responsible to perform the stunt that is required by them, which is overseen and supervised by a stunt coordinator on set. Stunt coordinators are usually employed by a medium to high budget film and are required to supervise all the stunts in the process of filming.
On smaller productions, an intermediate stunt performer may act out his / her own stunts with out the supervision of a stunt coordinator. Providing that he or she is the only performer on set and that all the necessary documentation has been filled in such as risk assessments and other health and safety documents.
Intermediate stunt performers are not allowed to supervise or direct over a probationary stunt performer, other intermediate stunt performers, or any other performers on set.
As a Stunt coordinator their job is to look over the script analysing what types of stunt will be appropriate to the scene they will closely with the stunt performer, producer and the director as well as other members of the production team who will be working on set at the time. Their job is to create as realistic and stunning stunt as possible making sure it is carried out safely.
Even though a stunt on camera can last a very short amount of time a stunt mans job isn’t as easy as some believe, just jumping of a building or two?! A stunt performer has to study and analyse the situation immensely and research the best way in delivering stunt professionally and safely. You must also note that in most cases a stunt performer is also a ‘stunt double.’ Therefore a stunt performer must study the other actor, (who they are about to double.) they must study their body language, appearance, the way they walk in order to keep the integrity of the stunt to a high they must also stay ‘in character at all times.
How to become a stunt performer
To work in the stunt industry a performer must be at least 18 year of age the path is a long and expensive one. A new stunt performer must work for at least 3 years as a as Probationary Members of the Register, then a further 2 as an intermediate member or stunt performers before they an even consider registering for a full licence. If you wish to further your career and become a stunt coordinator a further 5 years in training is required.
And to obtain this licence you have to show evidence to the Joint Industry Stunt Committee who grades each level of performance. A new stunt performer has keep meticulous records, including the filling in of a JISC Logbook and keep records of original stunt contracts.
Evidence must be recorded for each day of work and all stunts must be witnessed and signed by the relevant Stunt Co-ordinator, Producer, Associate Producer, or First Assistant Director.
What skills do you have to have to be a stunt performer?
Firstly the obvious a stunt performer needs a lot of strength, skill and stamina. They must also have a good memory for detail and be a good impersonator. Stunt doubles have to not only mimic the movement of their fellow actor but they also must remember their own and they others actors positions on set at any given time.
Stunt performers are required to clearly communicate to production members their actions and possible consequences. Thorough research is essential in this field, as well as good awareness and preparation skills. Flexibility and the ability to react safety to an altering situation are essential skills to stunt performers.
For more advice on acting click here
To find an agent, photographer or any one within the entertainment profession take a look at our online entertainment directory
To become a member of The Acting Website for free and receive casting information and advice for actors weekly click here
The Acting Website . com
