Meet Rick, from Lincolnshire, to find out more about life as a stunt performer. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
I'm Rick and I'm a stunt performer. Working as a stunt performer's been really cool. There's definitely not many jobs where you can say you've fought James Bond, Jason Bourne and Batman!
My job can be pretty varied, doing fight sequences for movies, standing in for actors with driving, riding motorcycles. Before filming ever starts, we'll be rehearsing for probably a couple of months to make sure that when we do get to actually rolling cameras, everything's exactly the way we want it, and it's in place to keep everything safe and exactly as the director wants it. Day to day as a stunt performer, you'd use a variety of protective equipment, including a full set of body pads, fire suits, wetsuits and various things, just to keep you safe, so that you can perform a stunt multiple times without injury.
Growing up in Lincolnshire, I wasn't sure how to best to get into film and TV work and so I stayed in education and went to university, while still keeping up all my training and skills with a view to being a professional stunt performer. The best way to get work as a stunt performer is to join the BSR, The British Stunt Register. In order to be accepted onto The British Stunt Register, you need to be qualified in at least six different sporting disciplines to a high standard. It would be the equivalent of a black belt for a martial art. So, myself, I chose motorcycle racing, fencing, swimming, gymnastics, trampolining and martial arts. After four years of training I was accepted onto The British Stunt Register, which was a massive achievement for me. This enabled me to work on over 100 films since then.
I really love my job. You do end up with the occasional injury, but for me the bruises are temporary and the finished product is on film for ever.
My job can be pretty varied: from doing fight sequences for movies, to standing in for actors with driving, or riding motorcycles.
To qualify as a stunt performer you need to join The British Stunt Register. To do this, you need to be qualified to a high standard in at least six different sporting disciplines. Rick chose motorcycle racing, fencing, swimming, gymnastics, trampolining and martial arts.
Rick has worked on over 100 different films since qualifying. He has fought James Bond, Jason Bourne and Batman!
Safety is an important consideration in Rick's job. He will rehearse for several months before a shoot and wears lots of protective gear, such as body pads, a fire suit or wetsuit to protect himself from injuries.
What to expect if you want to be a stunt performer
- Stunt performer average salary: Variable
- Stunt performer typical working hours: Variable
What qualifications do you need to be a stunt performer?
You'll usually need to apply to The British Stunt Register's Stunt Grading Scheme. You'll need qualifications and skills across at least six different sporting areas in four of the following groups: fighting (compulsory), falling, riding and driving, agility and strength, or water. You'll also need at least one year's experience in each of your sporting areas. Experience on a film set as an observer, extra or a 'walk-on' is also expected.
Sources: LMI for All, My World of Work
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. For more information on the role of a stunt performer, check the My World of Work website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed.
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
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