Frequently Asked Questions
Stunt Training & Courses
How do I become a stunt performer in New Zealand?
A stunt performer or stuntman is a trained professional who carries out physical action sequences for film and television, including falls, fights, chases, reactions, and other controlled movements designed to look realistic on camera.
Stunt performers work under a stunt coordinator and follow strict safety protocols. They are assessed on how their movement reads on screen, including timing, distance, control, and repeatability.
Becoming a stunt performer requires structured training, safety knowledge, and on-set experience. Entry-level stunt training courses teach the fundamental stunt skills needed before progressing into advanced training, in-person stunt work.
Check our 2 options to start your training journey
Upcoming In-person FFC (use search bar)
Online FFC
What is Fight for Camera (FFC)?
Do I need experience to start stunt training?
Stunt training can begin at different ages depending on the training format and safety requirements.
At NZ Stunt School, in-person training is available from age 12, where sessions are adapted for young performers and focus on safe movement, coordination, and basic stunt foundations.
Online stunt training is available from age 16, as it requires independent practice, physical awareness, and the ability to follow safety instructions without direct supervision.
Starting stunt training at the appropriate age allows skills to be developed progressively and safely, building a strong foundation for future in-person and professional stunt training.
What skills do I need for stunt work?
No prior stunt experience is required to start stunt training.
Beginner stunt training courses are designed to teach foundational movement, safety awareness, and camera-ready skills from the ground up.
However, stunt training is physically demanding. A background in sport, dance, martial arts, gymnastics, or regular physical activity is beneficial, as good general fitness and body awareness make training safer and more effective.
Stunt training can also be used to progressively build physical strength, coordination, confidence, and mental focus over time, as long as training is approached responsibly and within personal limits.
Check our Pathway Training to learn more
How long does it take to become a professional stunt performer?
Stunt work requires a combination of physical ability, mental discipline, and professional attitude.
From a physical perspective, stunt performers need:
Good overall fitness and body awareness
Strength, mobility, balance, and coordination
The ability to repeat movements consistently and safely
Stamina to work long hours and perform under fatigue
Equally important are professional and personal skills, including:
The ability to listen carefully and follow instructions from the stunt coordinator
A strong work ethic and willingness to train consistently
Reliability, punctuality, and availability for long shooting days
Mental focus, patience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure
Stunt work is physically demanding, but it is also technical and discipline-driven. Safety, teamwork, and professionalism are just as important as physical skill.
How long does it take to become a professional stunt performer?
There is no fixed timeline to become a professional stunt performer.
Most performers take several years of consistent training before working regularly in the film and television industry.
Progress depends on:
Physical ability and athletic background
Quality and consistency of stunt training
Safety awareness and professionalism on set
Availability, reliability, and reputation
Opportunities for on-set experience
Attitude and behaviour during training and on-set
Stunt performers do not train once and “qualify.”
They build skills progressively through ongoing in-person training, specialised workshops, and real production experience.
Entry-level courses provide the foundations, but becoming a professional stunt performer is a long-term commitment, not a fast or guaranteed process.
How do I get stunt work after training?
Both online and in-person stunt training play an important role. The best option depends on where you are in your training journey.
Online stunt training is ideal for:
Learning fundamental stunt skills safely
Building body awareness, control, and camera understanding
Training consistently without travel
Being assessed on how movement reads on screen
Preparing before committing to in-person training
At NZ Stunt School, we actively support online training through coaching, structured feedback, and training video reviews. This allows instructors to identify technical issues, track progress, and help students improve safely and efficiently over time.
In-person stunt training is essential for:
Advanced or higher-risk stunt skills
Partnered work, choreography, and group timing
Technical disciplines such as wires, vehicles, fire, or horse stunts
Real on-set style rehearsals and team-based coordination
In professional stunt pathways, online training is often used first to build strong foundations, while in-person training follows for advanced and specialised skills.
The most effective approach is not choosing one over the other, but using online training and coaching to progress steadily, then moving into in-person stunt training when ready.
Where is training held?
Yes. After successfully completing Fight for Camera (FFC), you receive a certificate of completion confirming that you have completed foundational stunt training, including video-assessed skills.
This certificate:
Confirms completion of entry-level stunt fundamentals
Demonstrates structured training and assessment
Is not a professional stunt qualification
In addition, NZ Stunt School can provide a reference letter on request.
This may be used to support:
Guild or association applications
Skill assessments
Further training or coaching pathways
Any reference is based on observed performance, safety awareness, and training engagement, in line with industry expectations.
Talent Agency & Representation
What is NZ Action Talent (NZAT)?
NZAT is a specialist talent agency representing performers for film, television, and commercial productions.
NZAT was initially created to put trained stunt performers forward for professional work.
Over time, the agency has expanded to represent a wide range of talent, including:
Stunt performers, Stunt Doubles
Actors
Athletes
Extras and background performers
Action extras
Commercial and TVC talent
The agency works closely with stunt coordinators, casting directors, and production teams to submit suitable performers based on skills, safety level, and production requirements.
NZAT focuses on professionalism, training, and reliability, and represents talent across both action-based and non-action roles.
What is the process for joining and being submitted through the agency?
Once you are accepted and listed with NZ Action Talent (NZAT), you may be considered for roles when suitable jobs come up.
Here’s how the process works:
When a job becomes available and your profile matches the role requirements, we will send you an availability check with key details (role type, dates, location, and indicative rates).
If you confirm that you are available and interested, we will put you forward for the role.
If you are shortlisted, casting or production may review your profile.
If casting or the production team decides to book you, we will contact you with full booking details.
If you are not booked, you may not hear back — this is standard industry practice.
NZAT operates with clear communication. You will always know:
When you are being submitted
Which roles you are being put forward for
This transparency allows you to clearly understand your submissions, unlike some agencies where submissions are not always visible to the talent.
Important to understand
Being submitted does not guarantee a booking
Final casting decisions are made by casting directors and production
Availability, suitability, and production needs change constantly
This process reflects how professional film and television agencies operate and ensures submissions remain relevant, respectful, and efficient.
What is the process once I have created my profile on Heycast?
You are not required to be available at all times. As a talent, you remain in control of your own availability.
When a role comes up, you will receive an availability check. You can then decide whether you are:
Available or Not Available
Declining a job because of availability or personal commitments is completely acceptable and does not negatively affect your standing with the agency.
What matters most is that when you do confirm availability, you are reliable and able to commit fully to the booking if selected.
Do I have to be available all the time?
Your NZ Action Talent (NZAT) profile is not publicly visible on an open website.
Profiles are stored internally and are only shared directly with casting directors or production teams when you are submitted for a role. Access is provided via a private casting link.
These links allow casting to view relevant professional information only, including:
Photos
Skills and experience
Measurements
Personal details are not shared, including:
Home address
Phone number
Financial or tax information
This system protects your privacy while still allowing casting teams to review your profile efficiently and professionally.
Is there a fee to join NZ Action Talent Agency?
Yes.
There is a one-off joining fee of $50 to cover onboarding and administrative costs when joining NZ Action Talent.
This is a single payment only — there are no ongoing membership fees.
For performers under 16 years old:
There is no joining fee.
The fee helps cover profile setup, internal systems, and submission administration to ensure professional representation.
Do you guarantee work once I join?
No.
Joining NZ Action Talent does not guarantee work.
The agency’s role is to:
Submit suitable performers for roles
Recommend talent based on skills, training, and production needs
Final casting decisions are always made by casting directors and production teams.
Bookings depend on many factors, including:
Role requirements
Photos/Look
Availability
Experience and skill set
Production schedules and budgets
What the agency guarantees is professional representation, transparent submissions, and fair consideration when opportunities arise.
Will I be under contract with NZ Action Talent?
NZAT operates as a non-exclusive agency.
This means you have flexible representation options, including:
Full representation (stunt, acting, extras, and action roles)
Stunt-only representation (no acting or dialogue roles)
Split representation, if you are already represented by an acting agency. This may include finder or split commission arrangements, depending on the role
Even when you are listed with NZAT, you are not restricted.
If you are approached directly by a stunt coordinator, you are free to accept and manage that job independently.
Being non-exclusive allows performers to maintain professional freedom while still benefiting from NZAT’s submissions, industry connections, and support.
All representation arrangements are clearly outlined during onboarding, so you always understand how you are represented and for which types of work.
Will I be under contract with NZ Action Talent?
NZAT operates as a non-exclusive agency.
This means you have flexible representation options, including:
Full representation (stunt, acting, extras, and action roles)
Stunt-only representation (no acting or dialogue roles)
Split representation, if you are already represented by an acting agency. This may include finder or split commission arrangements, depending on the role
Even when you are listed with NZAT, you are not restricted.
If you are approached directly by a stunt coordinator, you are free to accept and manage that job independently.
Being non-exclusive allows performers to maintain professional freedom while still benefiting from NZAT’s submissions, industry connections, and support.
All representation arrangements are clearly outlined during onboarding, so you always understand how you are represented and for which types of work.
NZ Stunt Team
What stunt services does NZ Stunt Team provide?
NZ Horse Team is a specialist team providing horse training, riding instruction, and professional horse services for both training and film & television productions.
The NZ Horse Team delivers:
Horse riding lessons for beginners to advanced riders
Stunt horse workshops and action preparation
Horse fall prevention and safety training
Riding preparation for actors and cast working on screen
In addition to training, the team supplies experienced professionals for on-set work, including:
Horse wranglers
Horse masters
Stunt riders
Trained horses prepared specifically for film and television environments
All work is delivered with a strong focus on safety, animal welfare, and professional screen standards. The team works closely with productions to ensure horses, riders, and action sequences are prepared and managed responsibly on set.
Do you provide stunt coordinators and performers?
Yes.
The NZ Horse Team runs horse stunt workshops that are open to the public.
These workshops are delivered several times a year and are listed on our Upcoming Events page. Sessions are typically held at our Hunua, Auckland training base.
Horse stunt workshops focus on:
Safe riding and horse handling for screen work
Understanding horse behaviour in action environments
Practical skills relevant to stunt and film productions
Workshops are suitable for riders, performers, and anyone interested in learning more about horse safety and action work for film and television.
Do you provide risk assessments and safety planning?
Yes.
Training actors to ride for film and television is a core part of our work.
The NZ Horse Team provides targeted riding lessons for actors, focusing on the skills needed to look confident and credible on screen without requiring years of riding experience.
Actor riding preparation focuses on:
Basic riding control and safety
Correct posture and screen presence
Understanding horse behaviour on set
Building confidence for camera
Actors are trained to ride safely and competently for the requirements of the scene. For more complex or high-risk action, experienced stunt riders or doubles are used to perform the remaining stunt work.
This approach ensures actor safety, animal welfare, and production efficiency, while achieving strong on-screen results.
Can you provide speccialised stunt services such as rigging, fire or water work?
The NZ Horse Team offers a wide range of horse riding lessons, tailored for recreational riders, performers, and screen professionals.
Our lessons can include:
Trekking and general horseback riding
Flatwork and basic jumping
Stunt riding and action riding
Western and English riding styles
Rodeo-style riding fundamentals
Trick riding (introductory to advanced, depending on experience)
Carriage and driving skills
Lessons are adapted to the rider’s experience level, goals, and safety requirements. Whether you’re riding for enjoyment, skill development, or screen work, training is delivered with a strong focus on control, confidence, and horse welfare.
Can I join NZ Stunt Team?
The NZ Horse Team offers a wide range of horse riding lessons, tailored for recreational riders, performers, and screen professionals.
Our lessons can include:
Trekking and general horseback riding
Flatwork and basic jumping
Stunt riding and action riding
Western and English riding styles
Rodeo-style riding fundamentals
Trick riding (introductory to advanced, depending on experience)
Carriage and driving skills
Lessons are adapted to the rider’s experience level, goals, and safety requirements. Whether you’re riding for enjoyment, skill development, or screen work, training is delivered with a strong focus on control, confidence, and horse welfare.
Horse Stunts & NZ Horse Team
What services does NZ Horse Team provide?
NZ Horse Team is a specialist team providing horse training, riding instruction, and professional horse services for both training and film & television productions.
The NZ Horse Team delivers:
Horse riding lessons for beginners to advanced riders
Stunt horse workshops and action preparation
Horse fall prevention and safety training
Riding preparation for actors and cast working on screen
In addition to training, the team supplies experienced professionals for on-set work, including:
Horse wranglers
Horse masters
Stunt riders
Trained horses prepared specifically for film and television environments
All work is delivered with a strong focus on safety, animal welfare, and professional screen standards. The team works closely with productions to ensure horses, riders, and action sequences are prepared and managed responsibly on set.
Do you offer horse riding training for actors?
Yes.
The NZ Horse Team runs horse stunt workshops that are open to the public.
These workshops are delivered several times a year and are listed on our Upcoming Events page. Sessions are typically held at our Hunua, Auckland training base.
Horse stunt workshops focus on:
Safe riding and horse handling for screen work
Understanding horse behaviour in action environments
Practical skills relevant to stunt and film productions
Workshops are suitable for riders, performers, and anyone interested in learning more about horse safety and action work for film and television.
Can beginners learn horse riding with NZ Horse Team?
Yes.
Training actors to ride for film and television is a core part of our work.
The NZ Horse Team provides targeted riding lessons for actors, focusing on the skills needed to look confident and credible on screen without requiring years of riding experience.
Actor riding preparation focuses on:
Basic riding control and safety
Correct posture and screen presence
Understanding horse behaviour on set
Building confidence for camera
Actors are trained to ride safely and competently for the requirements of the scene. For more complex or high-risk action, experienced stunt riders or doubles are used to perform the remaining stunt work.
This approach ensures actor safety, animal welfare, and production efficiency, while achieving strong on-screen results.
Do you provide horse stunt work for production?
The NZ Horse Team offers a wide range of horse riding lessons, tailored for recreational riders, performers, and screen professionals.
Our lessons can include:
Trekking and general horseback riding
Flatwork and basic jumping
Stunt riding and action riding
Western and English riding styles
Rodeo-style riding fundamentals
Trick riding (introductory to advanced, depending on experience)
Carriage and driving skills
Lessons are adapted to the rider’s experience level, goals, and safety requirements. Whether you’re riding for enjoyment, skill development, or screen work, training is delivered with a strong focus on control, confidence, and horse welfare.
Where is the horse training based?
The NZ Horse Team offers a wide range of horse riding lessons, tailored for recreational riders, performers, and screen professionals.
Our lessons can include:
Trekking and general horseback riding
Flatwork and basic jumping
Stunt riding and action riding
Western and English riding styles
Rodeo-style riding fundamentals
Trick riding (introductory to advanced, depending on experience)
Carriage and driving skills
Lessons are adapted to the rider’s experience level, goals, and safety requirements. Whether you’re riding for enjoyment, skill development, or screen work, training is delivered with a strong focus on control, confidence, and horse welfare.