Wire Work for Stunt Performers – Why You Need to Learn It Now
Wire Work for Stunt Performers – Why You Need to Learn It Now
Wire work is one of the most essential and in-demand skills in the stunt industry. Whether it's for superhero flights, high-impact action sequences, or gravity-defying falls, wire stunt training is now a core part of most professional stunt careers.
What Is Wire Work in Stunts?
Wire work (also called "wire rigging") involves using a harness and cable system to lift, suspend, or move a stunt performer through space. These setups are managed by professional riggers to create safe and controlled movement for film and television.
Wire work is used in:
Fight choreography (slow-motion flips, sidekicks, etc.)
Fall and impact gags (like dead men or high falls)
Creature work and unnatural movements
Superhero scenes (flying, launching, landing)
Famous Films That Use Wire Stunt Training
You’ve probably seen wire work in action without realizing it. Here are a few examples:
The Matrix – Bullet-time kung fu scenes
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – Aerial sword fighting
Avengers series – Flight, combat, and destruction scenes
John Wick 4 – Realistic wire-assisted backward/side falls
Watch these examples:
Why Every Stunt Performer Needs Wire Work Skills
Wire work is now standard in the stunt industry. Coordinators expect performers to be wire-ready for:
Fight scenes
Supernatural movements
Emergency safety gags (e.g. jerk backs, descenders)
Learning wire work means:
You become safer and more versatile
You can add high-level footage to your stunt reel
You build trust with rigging teams
You open doors to more bookings on major productions
What You’ll Learn at NZ Stunt School
Once your Fight for Camera is completed and you are a member, you can access to specialized workshop like Wires work.
We offer structured wire training in NZ for beginners to advanced performers:
Level 1: Wire Fundamentals
Deadman (static vertical fall)
Standing and traveling jumps
Assisted flips (front, back, side)
Basic rigging awareness
Level 2: Advanced Wire Training
Descender gags and wall wraps
Choreographed sequences with flips and landings
Adding props and weapons to wires work
High-speed wire launches
Combined stunt and wire performance
All workshops include hands-on training with professional stunt coordinator, performer and riggers.
When Should You Start?
Now. Wire stunt skills take time to build. Starting with the fundamentals gives you a strong base for more advanced gags. If you're serious about stunt work, don't wait to add this to your skill set.
Wire work is one of the most technical, respected, and camera-friendly stunt skills you can learn. Start now – fly later.
Any questions or inquiries about NZ Stunt School, NZ Action Talent Agency or NZ Horse Team, contact us.
Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions — respectful discussion is welcome!
