Listen more than you talk. So I started working background so I could be around the business. Many of the top stunt coordinators have a … First, you study scripts in order to determine stunt requirements, then conduct risk assessments to determine potential hazards, such as fire, noise, animals, weapons, water, moving vehicles, etc. I was thinking it's easy, but there is everything to learn about stunts. probably have to be adults." Doing background work is often your fastest way into the union, so starting there can be great.”“Give 100 percent and don’t stop. While a stunt director may want you to work with swords or other blades for fight scenes, the correct term is Swordplay. Make sure you work within your limits and expertise level, and never take a risk or do a stunt you aren't comfortable doing. We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. What is your previous experience? It definitely takes a broad skill set to be in stunts.”Gray cautions anyone wanting to get into stunts to be aware of the nature of the ups and downs within the business: “You might work a lot and then for whatever reason you don’t get a call for six months. If somebody comes on and does a really good job for me, I’ll put it in a group email. Equestrian skills are another commonly used skill set in stunt work, but it will be referred to simply as Horsework. Hustling is a big part of the stunt industry, which is a little different than the rest of the industry. I belong to Brand X Stunts, a stunt group kind of like a fraternity, so we network and people’s names get kicked around. We had a really good time and everyone stayed safe and the stunt people and actors all had a blast. (Most Stunt Coordinators start off as Stunt Actors.) Rarely, stunt people have died on set. The same steps will apply, regardless of gender. Try again!

They also cast Stunt Performers in these roles.Stunt Actors take mitigated risk as a part of their job, and they are highly trained to do so. I realized that if I only relied on horse work, I was going to have a long road ahead of me so I started to learn other aspects of stunt work.I had a few really good coordinators that just took me under their wing and showed me a lot of different things. This website is exactly what I was looking for! “There’s no one personality for this work, it takes all kinds, but it’s most important how you work with other people,” says Gray. Photo Source: Paramount Network We always talk to each other about who’s out there. "wikiHow is the best site for learning anything." That’s why I worked background for over a year and a half; I learned a lot just working [on set], watching other stunt people do their jobs. He is a Well, this is embarrasing, the feedback forms on our site rely on cookies to function.
Teamwork is the most important.”To embrace a life of stunts, you also have to embrace a life of physical fitness. “As a Stunt Performer, you don’t really want to get involved in non-union stunts. By using our site, you agree to our Will an associates degree in acting improve my resume? The salary range for Stunt Coordinators runs from $20,000 to $70,000+.“This is a feast and famine industry,” says Gray. Do you have any advice for an aspiring stunt performer or coordinator? I was moving in and out of my truck and working hard to stay in shape and make videos, and now I’ve had a career for 10 years, but those 6 or 7 years were so bleak and a lot of people told me to move on. So I get [jobs] two ways: I’ve already worked for the person and they want me back, or I get them from other coordinators who get called for a show and they’re not available so they suggest me. The Screen Actors Guild also covers Stunt Performers and many sets require you are a member to do stunt work on set.Working out on downtime is essential, according to Gray: “You go to workouts and an open gym, maybe training on the trampoline, or getting together and editing your own fight scenes to have some content to show people. However, you will need to obtain special grading from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance before working. It’s really a very interdisciplinary job, and we work with all the departments on set in some form or fashion. So I looked for a certain skill set for whatever show that I'm coordinating at the time. It certainly couldn't hurt. It’s super fun, but there’s definitely a lot of pressure.”Gray explains working as a Stunt Coordinator puts you in charge of the Stunts Department on set: “It usually goes Stunt Coordinator, then Fight Coordinator that specializes in fights, then the other performers, and a rigging crew — everyone is under the Stunt Coordinator.”According to Gray, there isn’t a fast, set way to become a Stunt Coordinator: “You work as a Stuntman and then a “It just kind of boils down to getting yourself out there and never really saying ‘no’ to an opportunity, whether it’s big or small. Most companies have age requirements. Play to your strengths. A Stunt Coordinator is hired by a production to coordinate and choreograph all stunts on a set. You can once you get older. Stunt Coordinators, themselves, usually submit their top performer choices to casting.