<h2 id="38312477-a611-4094-b331-e5c75e0626dd" data-toc-id="38312477-a611-4094-b331-e5c75e0626dd" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Inside Stunt Work – What Do You Need To Know</h2>Casting a stunt double is one of the most important early decisions in any action sequence. It affects safety, prep time, the look of the character, and the workflow of every department involved. For performers aiming to work in the screen industry, understanding how doubles are selected provides a clear insight into real production processes and expectations.<h3 id="dfe4732b-01df-48ca-a407-b6f9fcc67e07" data-toc-id="dfe4732b-01df-48ca-a407-b6f9fcc67e07" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">What Is a Stunt Double?</h3>A stunt double is a trained performer who safely carries out action and movement on behalf of an actor, matching their appearance, timing, and character so the audience never notices the change.<h2 id="b2ee7c7f-1b90-4872-8b58-03ac995e92f3" data-toc-id="b2ee7c7f-1b90-4872-8b58-03ac995e92f3" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">How Stunt Coordinators Select a Stunt Double</h2>The process usually starts with the assistant or stunt coordinator. Their job is to propose doubles who match the cast member’s size, shape, movement style, skill level, and safety requirements. A strong match means less rehearsal time, cleaner continuity, and fewer compromises on screen.Coordinators normally present several options so production and other departments can choose the best fit. The ideal double is someone who can step into the workflow quickly, follow choreography safely, and maintain the character’s movement style without drawing attention.Coordinators consider:<ul><li>physical match to the cast member</li><li>relevant skills and experience</li><li>how much prep or rehearsal time they need</li><li>their reel, references, and reliability</li><li>availability for rehearsals and shoot days</li><li>specialist requirements (horse work, wire work, fights, falls, water, vehicles, motion capture)</li></ul>Sometimes the “best athlete” isn’t the best double. The priority is always matching the cast member and fitting into the team smoothly.<h2 id="a29d57f9-1339-4194-913b-6ec7bb6e83ca" data-toc-id="a29d57f9-1339-4194-913b-6ec7bb6e83ca" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Department Approvals – More Than Just a Good Match</h2>Once the stunt coordinator puts forward options, other departments assess suitability. On most productions, approvals may come from:<ul><li>Production – contracts, scheduling, overall suitability</li><li>Hair &amp; Make-Up – wigging, prosthetics, skin tone, facial match</li><li>Wardrobe – costume fit, armour, padding space</li><li>Motion Capture / VFX – body shape, marker placement, tracking needs</li></ul>This ensures the double can safely perform the action and convincingly represent the character on screen.<h2 id="885f6cda-a197-444e-912e-e3f0c5577c4e" data-toc-id="885f6cda-a197-444e-912e-e3f0c5577c4e" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Where They Look – Guilds, Networks, and Performer Lists</h2>The first place they look is performer from previous jobs, local databases or guild listings, which provide accurate, up-to-date profiles. If no one is a suitable match, skilled or they’re unavailable, the coordinator reaches out through the wider stunt network by contacting other coordinators or agencies.For larger productions, or when a brief is highly specific, Coordinators may run stunt auditions. This helps them assess movement quality, timing, confidence, and how well someone fits the character.<h2 id="3529596e-66bb-4c77-a2b6-ea7ad897f6c8" data-toc-id="3529596e-66bb-4c77-a2b6-ea7ad897f6c8" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Team Selection and Morphology</h2>Sometimes a double must match more than the actor. In group fights, ensemble units, or creature work, the performer also needs to fit the team’s timing, size, rhythm, or morphology. This keeps the action cohesive and believable across all angles.<h2 id="e64f9444-399b-4048-83f6-27ed624755aa" data-toc-id="e64f9444-399b-4048-83f6-27ed624755aa" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Confidentiality and NDAs</h2>Stunt casting is often done quietly to protect storylines, character reveals, and production details. This means performers might receive very limited information or short-notice communication. It’s normal industry practice, not a reflection on the performer.<h2 id="a0382808-ba0c-49cc-b073-71bf86515895" data-toc-id="a0382808-ba0c-49cc-b073-71bf86515895" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Scheduling Pressure</h2>Many decisions are made under tight timelines. Production may need a confirmed double within hours, which is why accurate measurements, updated reels, and fast responses are so important. Delays can mean losing the job simply due to scheduling pressure.<h2 id="32318b8e-9b3c-4f36-b9db-bfb80dbdcd8a" data-toc-id="32318b8e-9b3c-4f36-b9db-bfb80dbdcd8a" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Safety and Insurance Considerations</h2>Some productions require additional approval from safety officers, risk advisors, or insurance representatives, especially for high-risk action. This can influence who is selected, how rehearsals are scheduled, and what the performer is cleared to do.<h2 id="4128f00c-d7c5-4972-a3a6-e1165bd5f0d9" data-toc-id="4128f00c-d7c5-4972-a3a6-e1165bd5f0d9" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Specialist Matching Examples</h2>Occasionally a double must meet very specific criteria, such as:<ul><li>horse riding experience</li><li>strong fight background</li><li>swimming or water safety skills</li><li>vehicle control or precision driving</li><li>wire experience</li><li>mocap movement styles</li></ul>These specialisms can outweigh general stunt experience if they’re essential to the scene.<h2 id="1f941716-daff-43e7-a95d-3ef75d48a27d" data-toc-id="1f941716-daff-43e7-a95d-3ef75d48a27d" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">What This Means for Stunt Students/Performers</h2>Understanding how doubles are chosen helps you prepare for professional expectations:<ul><li>Keep your reel up to date. Show clean, relevant examples of your controlled skills.</li><li>Maintain accurate measurements and photos. Coordinators rely on these.</li><li>Respond quickly when contacted. Timelines are usually tight.</li><li>Be adaptable. Briefs change, roles shift, and approvals can take time.</li><li>Stay professional. Recommendations matter more than you think. Everyone knows everyone, and coordinators often talk and recommend performers to each other based on recent training undertaken, professionalism on set, and consistent improvement.</li><li>Know your type and you capabilities. Height, size, movement style, and specialist skills all play a role.</li><li>Keep Training. The more often you attend stunt training, the more you stay in the minds of coordinators, and you’re more likely to be recommended based on your recent skill level.</li></ul>Not every submission receives a reply. Productions change direction, departments go quiet, or decisions are made fast. The standard practice is simple: If you don’t hear back, thank you for your application, and you’ll be considered for future opportunities.<h2 id="99c256fe-63b6-49fd-b4e6-444d6aa4d684" data-toc-id="99c256fe-63b6-49fd-b4e6-444d6aa4d684" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2;">Upcoming NZSS Training &amp; Events</h2><a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nzstuntschool.com/nzss-courses-events/">Keen to build your skills? View our latest stunt training sessions and upcoming events.</a> If you’ve got more questions, feel free to leave a comment — we’re happy to put together a new article to answer it.

Discover how stunt doubles are chosen, approved, and prepared for action scenes. Learn what coordinators look for and how performers match cast safely and convincingly.

How Stunt Doubles Work in the Film Industry – Behind the Scenes S1E1

How Stunt Doubles Are Chosen in the Film Industry

Inside Stunt Work – What Do You Need To Know

How Stunt Coordinators Select a Stunt Double

Department Approvals – More Than Just a Good Match

Where They Look – Guilds, Networks, and Performer Lists

What This Means for Stunt Students/Performers

Discover acting and stunt training insights from NZSS. Blog articles and practical tips to help you start and grow a career in film and television.

Action Acting & Stunt Training Resources | NZSS Blog

Articles and insights on stunt training, acting, and performance from NZSS. Learn, prepare, and progress toward screen work.

How Stunt Doubles Are Chosen in the Film Industry

How Stunt Doubles Are Chosen in the Film Industry

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