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Do you possess highly specialized, dangerous skills that may be useful on the set of an action adventure film or thriller? Are you a thrill seeker that is also in excellent shape? If so, you might be just the candidate Hollywood producers and casting directors are seeking for their latest summer blockbuster. This guide will give you all the necessary information on how to become a stunt double.
- Have you ever wanted in on all the behind-the-scenes action on your favorite summer blockbuster films? Do you wish you could be the one hanging upside down, dangling from a helicopter or riding a motorcycle through a building that has been set on fire? When you think Hollywood, does your mind wander to all those names listed under stunts in the film credits for Crank High Voltage or the Mission Impossible films? If so, you might be interested in getting involved in stunts. This guide will help direct you on how to become a stunt double.
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Step 1: Why Are Stunt Doubles Needed?
Pyrotechnic stunts (Creative Commons photo by luc.viatour)- On most film sets, producers take out expensive insurance premiums on their stars. Most of these policies require that the lead actors and actresses avoid any dangerous activity or stunts on set, so producers in turn hire stunt doubles.
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Step 2: What Do Stunt Doubles Do?
- Stunt doubles fill in for lead actors and actresses during dangerous filming sequences on film and television shows. Some of the stunts you might see a stunt double perform include:
- Falling off buildings
- Participating in high-speed car chases
- Intensive fight scenes
- Aerial action involving airplanes and helicopters
- Scenes involving pyrotechnics
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Step 3: Training
- Aspiring stunt doubles will need to train in order to perform the required stunts on set. Although no formal education is necessary, most stunt doubles will take classes or lessons geared toward certain high risk stunts. Examples include:
- Flying lessons
- Race car driving lessons
- Scuba diving lessons
- Skydiving
- Martial arts
- Working with knives and swords
- Some stunt doubles may become members of the United Stuntmen's Association or Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures. These organizations may offer workshops or programs providing additional training, though there are no known schools specifically geared toward stunt doubles.
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Step 4: Networking
- Although having the necessary training and skills is essential for stunt doubles, there is also an element of networking required. Like most Hollywood related work, it is often all about who you know. Meet other stunt professionals and offer to start working your way up on their team. It may take several years to get to the place you want to be, but most aspiring stuntmen start from the bottom and work their way up.
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