Stunts and Coordination

Almost every production contains some form of stunt. A stunt can be as simple as a trip and fall or as complex as a fight scene, vehicle sequence, high fall, or precision driving. The key question is not whether the action appears dramatic, but whether it places a performer at greater-than-normal risk. Students must meet with Production Services during pre-production to review the scene and determine the safest method of execution.

Never assume that because an action looks simple, it is safe. Many injuries occur during routine actions that were never identified as stunts.

Safety Reminder

The majority of serious injuries on student film sets occur because no one recognized the activity as a stunt. If someone could be injured performing an action, discuss it with Production Services before filming. Never let budget, schedule, or convenience determine how a stunt is performed. The safest stunt is always the best stunt.

What Is Considered a Stunt?

A stunt is any action that requires specialized physical skill or exposes a performer to an increased risk of injury.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Physical fights or combat
• Slaps, punches, kicks, choking, or simulated assaults
• Trips, slips, or falls
• Falls down stairs
• Running across uneven terrain
• Jumping from heights
• Precision driving
• Motorcycle, scooter, skateboard, bicycle, or ATV riding
• Horseback riding
• Wire work
• Fire or burn work
• Water rescues or underwater work
• Athletic or acrobatic movement
• Any activity involving significant physical contact
• Any action where an actor loses control of their body
• Any activity where the director says, “We’ll only do it once.”

When in doubt, treat the action as a stunt until Production Services determines otherwise.

Working with Stunt Performers

Some scenes should be performed by trained stunt professionals rather than principal actors.

Activities that may appear routine can become dangerous when performed by someone without proper training. Equipment and activities that commonly require experienced performers include:

• Skateboards
• Scooters
• Bicycles
• Motorcycles
• Manual-transmission vehicles
• Horses
• Specialized athletic movements

Professional stunt performers understand how to fall safely, protect scene partners, repeat physical action consistently, and work safely with camera crews. They not only reduce the risk of injury but often create more realistic and believable action on screen. Most professional stunt performers are members of SAG-AFTRA and work under industry safety standards and union agreements.

What Does a Stunt Coordinator Do?

A Stunt Coordinator is responsible for planning, supervising, and safely executing all stunt work on a production. Responsibilities typically include:

• Reviewing the script for stunt requirements
• Identifying potential hazards
• Developing the safest method to perform each stunt
• Hiring qualified stunt performers
• Coordinating specialized safety equipment
• Working with the director and cinematographer to design camera coverage
• Conducting rehearsals
• Supervising all stunt activity during filming
• Stopping any stunt that becomes unsafe

On larger productions, stunt coordinators may begin working months before principal photography to assist with budgeting, planning, and risk assessment. On smaller productions, the stunt coordinator may also perform some of the stunt work.

Working with a Stunt Coordinator

Every stunt should begin with a mandatory safety meeting involving everyone participating in or affected by the stunt.

The meeting should include:

• Review of the intended action
• Discussion of potential hazards
• Identification of emergency procedures
• Communication signals
• Designation of who has authority to stop the stunt
• A complete walkthrough or “dry run”
• Final questions before filming begins

No stunt should be attempted until everyone understands:

• Their responsibilities
• The intended action
• Safe escape routes
• Emergency procedures
• Who has the authority to call “Stop”

Any crew member has the authority and responsibility to call “Stop” if they observe an unsafe condition.

Fight Choreography

The CalArts School of Theater maintains a professional fight choreographer who is available for hire. Fight scenes should be rehearsed and choreographed by an experienced professional whenever possible. Students should never improvise physical violence on set.

The goal of fight choreography is to create the illusion of violence while ensuring that no performer is placed in unnecessary danger. Numerous educational videos demonstrating professional fight choreography and simulated violence techniques are available online. These resources should supplement—not replace—the supervision of qualified professionals.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for identifying stunt activity during pre-production. Production Services must be notified whenever a production includes:

• Fight scenes
• Falls
• Vehicle work
• Weapons or prop weapons
• Fire or pyrotechnic effects
• Water stunts
• Wire work
• Animal action
• Athletic or acrobatic movement
• Any activity that could reasonably result in injury

Depending on the level of risk, additional rehearsals, specialized personnel, protective equipment, permits, or safety procedures may be required before filming is approved. Failure to disclose stunt activity during pre-production may delay or prevent approval to film.

Professional Resources

No stunt, fight, vehicle sequence, fall, or other hazardous activity may be filmed until it has been reviewed and approved by Production Services. Additional safety requirements may be imposed based on the specific risks of the production.