Stunt Performer Casting: Requirements and Preparation
Stunt performer casting is a specialized selection process for stunt actors to perform dangerous scenes in films, TV series, and commercials. Unlike regular acting auditions, stunt casting evaluates physical fitness, coordination, and willingness to take risks. According to data from our GetActress platform, demand for stunt performers in Russia has grown by 40% over the past two years.
Contents
- Characteristics of stunt performer castings
- Main requirements for candidates
- Physical fitness and skills
- Documents and medical certificates
- How a stunt performer casting works
- Casting preparation: step-by-step plan
- Fees and working conditions
- Career prospects in stunt work
Characteristics of Stunt Performer Castings
Stunt performer castings are fundamentally different from regular acting auditions. There are no monologues or scene work—instead, physical abilities are demonstrated.
Main differences in stunt castings:
- Physical tests instead of acting exercises
- Verification of medical documents and certificates
- Demonstration of specialized skills (martial arts, acrobatics, driving)
- Testing of coordination and reaction time
- Psychological assessment of readiness for risk
We analyzed 156 stunt castings on GetActress in 2025. The average competition is 8-12 people per position, which is significantly lower than in regular acting castings.
Types of Stunt Roles
By project genre:
- Action films and thrillers (45% of all vacancies)
- Historical films and series (25%)
- Commercial spots (20%)
- Music videos (10%)
By stunt type:
- Vehicle stunts
- Fight choreography and combat
- High falls
- Fire scenes
- Water stunts
Main Requirements for Candidates
Requirements for stunt performers are much stricter than for regular actors. One casting director working through our platform notes: "We eliminate 60% of candidates at the document verification stage alone."
Age Restrictions
| Stunt Type | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| Light fight choreography | 18 years | 45 years |
| Vehicle stunts | 21 years | 40 years |
| High falls | 21 years | 35 years |
| Fire scenes | 25 years | 40 years |
Physical Parameters
Mandatory requirements:
- BMI between 18 and 25 (exceptions for specific roles)
- No serious spinal injuries
- Good vision (correction up to -2 diopters permitted)
- Above-average coordination
- Quick reaction time (up to 0.3 seconds)
Desirable parameters:
- Athletic build
- Flexibility and stretching ability
- Endurance (ability to work 8-10 hours)
That said, requirements can vary depending on the specific project. For historical films, stunt performers with non-standard appearance or build are sometimes needed.
Physical Fitness and Skills
Physical fitness is the foundation of a successful stunt career. On GetActress, we see that 85% of successful candidates have a sports background or train regularly.
Basic Skills
Mandatory minimum:
1. Acrobatics — rolls, flips, somersaults
2. Martial arts — basic striking and grappling techniques
3. Coordination — object work, balancing
4. Strength training — pull-ups (minimum 10), push-ups (minimum 30)
Specialized skills:
- Car and motorcycle driving (categories B, A)
- Horseback riding
- Swimming and diving
- Rock climbing
- Fencing
Training Program
One of our stunt performers shared how he prepared for a casting over 6 months:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
- Strength training (1.5 hours)
- Acrobatics (1 hour)
- Stretching (30 minutes)
Tuesday, Thursday:
- Martial arts (1.5 hours)
- Cardio (45 minutes)
- Coordination exercises (30 minutes)
Weekends:
- Specialized skills (driving, horseback riding)
- Active rest
There's a nuance here—overdoing it is also dangerous. Training injuries can sideline you for a long time.
Documents and Medical Certificates
Documentation in stunt work is much more complex than in regular acting. This is due to high risks and insurance company requirements.
Required Documents
Medical certificates:
1. Health status certificate (form 086/u)
2. ECG with interpretation (no older than 6 months)
3. Spinal X-rays (cervical and lumbar regions)
4. Neurologist's certificate confirming no contraindications
5. Ophthalmologist's certificate with visual acuity check
Education and skills documents:
- Driver's licenses for required categories
- Sports qualification certificates
- Stunt training diplomas
- First aid course certificates
Insurance
All stunt performers must be insured. Insurance cost depends on stunt type:
| Stunt Type | Insurance Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Light fight choreography | 15,000-25,000 ₽/year | up to 1 million ₽ |
| Vehicle stunts | 35,000-50,000 ₽/year | up to 3 million ₽ |
| High-altitude stunts | 50,000-80,000 ₽/year | up to 5 million ₽ |
Often the production covers insurance, but having your own is a major plus when job hunting.
How a Stunt Performer Casting Works
The stunt performer casting procedure consists of several stages. According to our platform data, the average duration is 3-4 hours.
Stage 1: Document Verification (30 minutes)
What's checked:
- Medical certificates for currency
- Compliance with age requirements
- Presence of necessary skills and certifications
- Insurance documents
Up to 40% of candidates are eliminated at this stage.
Stage 2: Physical Tests (60 minutes)
Standard exercise set:
1. Warm-up (10 minutes) — flexibility and coordination check
2. Strength tests (20 minutes) — pull-ups, push-ups, squats
3. Acrobatics (15 minutes) — rolls, flips, basic elements
4. Coordination (15 minutes) — ball work, balancing, reaction
Stage 3: Specialized Skills (90 minutes)
Depending on the project, they may test:
- Martial arts — demonstration of striking and grappling techniques
- Driving — tests on a track or test ground
- Weapon handling — safe work with props
- Acting skills — yes, they check this too!
Stage 4: Psychological Testing (30 minutes)
They assess readiness for risk and stress resilience. Special tests and interviews with a psychologist are used.
Honestly, this stage scares many people, but it's necessary for the safety of the entire film crew.
Casting Preparation: Step-by-Step Plan
Based on the experience of our users, we've compiled an optimal preparation plan for a stunt casting.
6 Months Before Casting
Physical training:
1. Start regular workouts (5-6 times per week)
2. Enroll in a martial arts class
3. Begin studying acrobatics
4. Obtain driver's licenses for required categories
Documents:
1. Undergo complete medical examination
2. Get sports insurance
3. Start building a portfolio with training videos
3 Months Before Casting
Specialization:
1. Choose your main focus (vehicle stunts, fight choreography, high-altitude stunts)
2. Intensively train chosen skills
3. Study safety techniques
4. Take first aid courses
Portfolio:
1. Film a demo reel with your best stunts
2. Take professional photos
3. Gather recommendations from trainers
1 Month Before Casting
Final preparation:
1. Practice all elements until automatic
2. Verify all documents are current
3. Research the project
4. Prepare spare clothes for tests
Psychological preparation:
1. Learn stress management techniques
2. Practice visualization of successful performance
3. Set yourself up for a positive outcome
On Casting Day
Pre-departure checklist:
- [ ] All documents in order and with you
- [ ] Sports clothes and spare outfit
- [ ] Light breakfast 2-3 hours before casting
- [ ] Warm-up at home (15-20 minutes)
- [ ] Positive mindset
Behavior rules:
1. Arrive 30 minutes early
2. Be polite to all participants
3. Don't hide injuries or limitations
4. Ask questions about safety procedures
5. Demonstrate only mastered elements
Fees and Working Conditions
Stunt work is one of the highest-paying professions in the film industry. However, this compensates for high risks and training demands.
Fee Rates in 2026
By project type:
| Project Type | Daily Rate | Project Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | 25,000-40,000 ₽ | 50,000-120,000 ₽ |
| TV Series | 30,000-50,000 ₽ | 150,000-400,000 ₽ |
| Budget Film | 35,000-60,000 ₽ | 200,000-500,000 ₽ |
| Big-Budget Film | 50,000-100,000 ₽ | 500,000-1,500,000 ₽ |
By stunt complexity:
- Simple fight choreography — base rate
- Vehicle stunts — +50% to base rate
- High-altitude stunts — +100% to base rate
- Fire scenes — +150% to base rate
Additional Payments
Mandatory bonuses:
- Overtime (after 10 hours of work) — +50% to hourly rate
- Night shoots — +30% to day rate
- Weekend work — +25% to regular rate
- Travel allowance — 2,000-5,000 ₽ per day
Bonuses:
- Early completion — up to 20% of fee
- Execution complexity — up to 50% of fee
- Work with animals — +10,000-30,000 ₽
One of our stunt performers shared: "I earned 850,000 rubles in a month of intensive action film shooting. But it was very physically demanding."
Working Conditions
Shooting schedule:
- Working day — 10-12 hours
- Number of takes — 3 to 15 (depends on complexity)
- Breaks between takes — 15-30 minutes
- Mandatory rest day after complex stunts
Safety procedures:
- Medical personnel on set
- Insurance for each stunt
- Use of protective equipment
- Pre-rehearsal of all elements
Career Prospects in Stunt Work
Stunt work opens many career paths in the film industry. According to GetActress statistics, 60% of stunt performers develop parallel career directions.
Career Ladder
Level 1: Beginning Stunt Performer (0-2 years experience)
- Simple stunts and crowd scenes
- Fee: 25,000-40,000 ₽ per project
- Work under experienced colleagues' supervision
Level 2: Professional Stunt Performer (2-5 years experience)
- Complex individual stunts
- Fee: 100,000-300,000 ₽ per project
- Specialization in specific stunt types
Level 3: Lead Stunt Performer (5+ years experience)
- Doubling lead actors
- Fee: 300,000-800,000 ₽ per project
- Involvement in stunt scene planning
Level 4: Stunt Coordinator
- Supervision of all project stunt performers
- Fee: from 500,000 ₽ per project
- Responsibility for safety
Related Professions
In film industry:
- Actor — many stunt performers become actors (how to do it without experience)
- Action director — planning and staging action scenes
- Safety consultant — monitoring safety compliance
- Actor trainer — preparing stars for stunt scenes
Outside film:
- Martial arts instructor — teaching at sports clubs
- Bodyguard — using skills in security
- Sports trainer — working with professional athletes
- Stunt instructor — training newcomers
International Opportunities
Russian stunt performers are in demand abroad. Main destinations:
Europe:
- Czech Republic, Hungary — Hollywood blockbuster shoots
- Germany, France — local film production
- United Kingdom — TV series and films
Asia:
- China — rapidly developing market
- South Korea — high-budget projects
- Thailand — international shoots
However, working abroad requires language skills and international safety certifications.
---
Summary: Stunt performer casting requires serious physical training, a complete package of medical documents, and psychological readiness for risk. Average fees range from 50,000 to 500,000 rubles per project, and career prospects include both advancement within the profession and transition to related areas of the film industry.
Ready to start a stunt career? Create a free profile on GetActress and get access to specialized stunt castings throughout Russia. Our platform will help you find your first projects and build a successful career in the world of stunts and action.
Ready to start your acting career?
Create a free actor profile in 2 minutes — and casting directors will find you.
Create a free profile →FAQ
Comments
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign inNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!