Being a stunt double is one of the most demanding and rewarding roles in the film industry. While audiences see thrilling fight scenes, high falls, and fast chases, what they don’t see is the stunt double—a skilled professional trained to step in for an actor and make dangerous or complex action look seamless.At NZ Stunt School, we train performers in the art of doubling. It’s more than just physical ability—it’s about timing, performance, and storytelling.<h2 id="3601e1bb-c735-4a75-986e-2a3d9082493b" data-toc-id="3601e1bb-c735-4a75-986e-2a3d9082493b">What Is a Stunt Double?</h2>A stunt double is not the same as a stunt performer.<ul><li>Stunt performers are hired to play background fighters, drivers, or action roles.</li><li>Stunt doubles step in for a specific actor, performing high-risk or technical action while making it look like the actor never left the screen.</li></ul>This requires more than bravery. A stunt double must:<ol><li>Match the actor’s height, build, and movement style.</li><li>Perform with camera awareness, hiding their face at all times.</li><li>Enhance the actor’s performance by selling the action and giving them maximum screen presence.</li><li>Work as part of a stunt team, ensuring safety while serving the story.</li></ol><h2 id="9fa41e0a-cf55-4369-8cbd-315a77524a49" data-toc-id="9fa41e0a-cf55-4369-8cbd-315a77524a49">Stunt Double Training in New Zealand</h2>At NZ Stunt School, we teach the exact skills you need to succeed as a stunt double:<ul><li>Screen fighting – how to fight safely while making every punch, kick, and reaction look real.</li><li>Camera awareness – where to place yourself so the actor stays in the spotlight, and the audience never sees your face.</li><li>Performance matching – studying how an actor walks, stands, and moves, then recreating it flawlessly.</li><li>Stunt safety and teamwork – understanding set etiquette, working with coordinators, and protecting both yourself and your actor.</li><li>Precision and invisibility – learning the subtle artistry of making your work invisible so the audience believes the actor did it all.</li></ul><h2 id="11e6fc62-4bc3-4e0f-9df0-b6fc7788a76f" data-toc-id="11e6fc62-4bc3-4e0f-9df0-b6fc7788a76f">The Job of a Stunt Double</h2>Your number one responsibility is simple: make the actor look good. A successful stunt double doesn’t draw attention to themselves. Instead, they create a seamless performance that supports the actor, keeps them safe, and delivers a believable action sequence.<h2 id="00927d06-2234-4e78-9bef-f1f130db38e7" data-toc-id="00927d06-2234-4e78-9bef-f1f130db38e7">Dayna Grant: Real-World Example &amp; Career Highlights</h2>Dayna Grant (also known as Dayna Pomare Pai) is one of New Zealand’s most established stunt professionals. She began her stunt career as the stunt double and horse riding stunt double for Lucy Lawless on Xena: Warrior Princess. She has doubled for major international actors including Charlize Theron and Gwyneth Paltrow in big productions such as Mad Max: Fury Road In these roles, Dayna needed to not only execute complex action but to match the actor’s physicality (movement style, body posture, timing) so that the transition on screen is invisible to viewers.Her breadth of skills—from stunt coordination to horse work, rigging, fire burns, and weaponry—gives her a unique perspective in training others.<h2 id="0eed1882-8f96-40dc-b167-8ad4b77e4554" data-toc-id="0eed1882-8f96-40dc-b167-8ad4b77e4554">Why Stunt Doubles Matter</h2>Stunt doubles are essential to the success of action-driven productions:<ul><li>They keep actors safe</li><li>They uphold the illusion of real action</li><li>They allow directors to push creative boundaries</li><li>They support continuity, performance, and storytelling</li></ul>At NZ Stunt School, training is informed by real professionals like Dayna Grant. Students not only learn stunt techniques, but also benefit from her hands-on experience across acting, coordination, performance, and teaching in the industry. Want to learn more and start your stunt learning with us, check our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nzstuntschool.com/faqs/">FAQs page.</a>

Learn how to become a professional stunt double with NZ Stunt School. Discover key stunt double skills, training by professional stunt double and stunt coordinator.

How to Become a Good Stunt Double: Training, Skills, and the NZ Stunt School Approach

Dayna Grant: Real-World Example & Career Highlights

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 to Become a Good Stunt Double: Training, Skills, and the NZ Stunt School Approach

How to Become a Good Stunt Double: Training, Skills, and the NZ Stunt School Approach

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