How to Become a Stunt Person

Whether they're falling off a 10-story building, flipping a Maserati over
a car trailer at 70 m.p.h., or delivering a spinning back kick to the
villain's head, stunt people make living on the edge look so easy. All
that pales in comparison to the hardest parts--getting your union
card and landing that first job.

Difficulty:

Moderately challenging

Instructions

1. Get into good shape. Many stunt people are accomplished in gymnastics and martial arts.

2. Develop a specialty or two such as high falls, stair falls, car chases, riding horses and fights. Stunt coordinators look for specialists for each job, but it's good to have other skills because you'll most likely break into the field as an all-around stunt person.

3. Take a workshop. You can find specific subjects, such as introductory-level film fights, or classes covering a broad range. For examples, visit StuntsAreUs.com or StuntSchool.com.

4. Create a "one-sheet" to send with your re'sume' and to have on hand when you meet stunt coordinators. An 81⁄ 2-by-11-inch onesheet has a professionally photographed black-and-white head shot on the front. On the back are your basic measurements along with your specialties, certifications (in martial arts or scuba diving, for instance) and union affiliations.

5. Join the Screen Actors Guild (sag.org) or the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (www.aftra.org). This step is tricky, because you can join only if you're in a SAG or an AFTRA production, and you can only be in those productions if you belong to SAG or AFTRA. One way around this is to find work as an extra and get a voucher that entitles you to union membership. See 484 Become a Movie Star for more tips.

6. Get a copy of the union production list that comes out each month. Mail a letter and your one-sheet to the stunt coordinators on that list. Express your interest in their current project and ask to be considered for the future as well.

7. Hang around movie sets to find out what they're like while you're waiting for your first stunt job. Pick a quiet moment on the set to approach the stunt coordinator. Introduce yourself, then present your one-sheet and re'sume'--and don't be a pest. If you get a small role in the film, handle it professionally.

8. Remember you're not a big shot when you land that first job. Follow directions and learn from other people. Being a team player is as important as being a talented stunt person.

Tips & Warnings

• Although you're constantly on the lookout for jobs in this field, it's also smart to have an agent. The best way to find a good one is through word of mouth.

• You have to be gutsy but not fearless to succeed in this field. Stunt people need fear to minimize their risk of injury.

• The stunt business can be very sporadic, so you'll probably have to hold a job on the side. Waiting tables isn't as exciting as jumping off a cliff, but it'll pay the rent. When they get stunt work, SAG members earn about $500 a day as a base rate-- plus extra for every time they repeat the stunt.

• Stunt work is obviously more dangerous than your average desk job. Cuts and bruises are common in everyday film fights, and falls and fires can cause serious injury or death. (See 26 Schedule Doctor Visits.) The best way to protect yourself is to train well, follow safety procedures and not show off.