Stunt performers stand in for actors when the script calls for anything hazardous to be done on a film or TV set. To be able to carry out the stunts and make it look easy, they use highly-developed physical and sporting skills which may include:

• gymnastics or high diving, for acting all types of falls
• fighting skills, possibly with weapons
• water sports
• horse riding
• precision driving.

Stunt performers carry out and arrange stunts, usually under the supervision of a stunt coordinator. They carefully plan every detail of the stunt with the film or TV production staff, making sure that everything is safe and that filming is disrupted as little as possible.

The work is dangerous, so health and safety is very important. Stunt performers need to make a full risk assessment and complete detailed paperwork before each stunt can take place.

Hours and Environment

As a stunt performer your working hours are often long and irregular, depending on filming schedules. When filming, you may need to work early in morning or late at night. On the day of filming you may spend long hours on set, although a lot of that time may be spent setting up stunts and waiting between scenes.

The work could be inside in studios or outside on location, depending on the script. Some stunts may call for you to spend a long time in uncomfortable conditions, such as underwater or underground. You may need to wear protective clothing, harnesses or helmets for some stunts.

You will need to travel to studios and locations all over the UK and abroad, and you may spend long periods away from home.

Skills and Interests

To be a stunt performer you need:

• excellent physical fitness and commitment to staying very fit
• interest and ability in several sports and outdoor pursuits
• good communication and 'people' skills
• the ability to work well as part of a team
• quick reactions and calmness under pressure
• willingness to work in dangerous situations
• a high degree of responsibility and health and safety awareness
• good planning skills and attention to detail
• some acting skills (although formal experience is not essential).

Entry

You do not need academic qualifications to become a stunt performer, but you will need high-level skills and qualifications in several sports.

To work as a stunt performer in the UK you must:

• be at least 18
• be accepted onto the Joint Industry Stunt Committee (JISC) Stunt Register as a Probationary Member.

To become a Probationary Member of the Stunt Register, you must prove to JISC that you have at least a year’s experience and qualifications in six or more sporting skills and disciplines, including:

• martial arts, boxing or fencing
• trampolining or high diving
• swimming or sub-aqua
• horse riding, driving cars or riding motorcycles
• gymnastics or rock climbing.

You must offer sports from at least four of the groups, but you cannot offer more than two sports from the same group. One of your sports must be a fighting skill, but you can only offer one martial art.

Your sporting qualifications must be of a high standard – for example, at least first kyu brown belt for martial arts. It is likely to take at least two years to reach the required standard in all of your chosen sporting areas.

Some sports associations organise training sessions to help their members reach JISC standards. You will need to fund your sports training and exams yourself, which can be expensive.

You will also need to provide evidence of 60 days' work in front of a camera. You may find it useful to get experience on film and TV sets, as an extra or a 'walk-on'.

Contact the Joint Secretary for JISC at Equity for full details about how to qualify for the JISC Stunt Register (see Further Information section below for Equity's contact details).

Training

There are no formal training schemes or schools to train stunt performers. Some private ‘stunt schools’ offer short courses in skills like stage combat, working with fire and stunt driving. These courses can be useful, but will not be accepted towards gaining membership of the JISC Register.

As a Probationary Member, you will develop your skills on the job, under the supervision of a fully-qualified stunt coordinator. You must be a Probationary Member for at least three years before you can achieve the standards needed to upgrade to Intermediate Stunt Performer, which means you can perform solo stunts unsupervised.

You can qualify as a Full Member, or Stunt Action Coordinator, after at least two further years as an Intermediate Stunt Performer, once you have reached the required standards.

To progress within the grades, you must show JISC detailed records of each stunt performance you work on. Contact the JISC (through Equity) for full details.

You must maintain your fitness and skills throughout your career.

Opportunities

Competition for stunt work is very fierce. There are around 250 registered stunt performers in the UK, and only around 10 or 12 new people are admitted to the JISC Stunt Register each year.

You will usually be self-employed and work on short-term contracts for each TV or film production. Gaps between jobs are common, so you may need to do other types of work to earn money when not performing.

As member of the JISC Stunt Register, your details will be available to casting directors and agents. Some jobs may be advertised in The Stage, and by Equity’s Job Information Service. You will also often find work through networking and making contacts in the industry.

You will increase your chances of a building a successful career if you are prepared to go anywhere in the UK or overseas to work.

You could become a stunt arranger or coordinator, after at least five years’ experience as a stunt performer.

Annual Income

Most stunt performers are self-employed, and are paid a fee for each job.

Equity recommends minimum daily and weekly rates for stunt performers. Recommended daily rates are between £253 and £368 per day for television and £420 for film as at 2007. Contact Equity for full information on current rates.

Further information

Tel: 08080 300 900 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Tel: 0808 100 8094 for Scotland Prospect House
80-110 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1HB Guild House
Upper St Martin’s Lane
London
WC2H 9EG
Tel: 020 7379 6000