Stunt doubles perform dangerous or challenging physical sequences for actors in movies or TV shows. They need to resemble the actor they’re doubling for and are selected by a stunt coordinator. Proper training is required, and some start their careers as children.
A stunt double is a person who performs physical sequences for television or film that may be too dangerous or challenging for an actor or actress to perform. Action scenes tend to rely on stunt doubles, such as fight scenes or jumping off buildings, but they can also be used to perform any feat an actor or actress cannot physically do for a role, such as riding a horse or swimming. A professional stuntman is usually highly skilled in a variety of physical skills such as karate, gymnastics or rock climbing that can help ensure your safety when performing stunts.
When a stunt double impersonates an actor or actress during a scene, it is usually filmed from a distance so that it is not obvious to the audience that a stunt double is being used. While stunt doubles don’t have speaking parts or close-ups, they do need to bear some physical resemblance to the people they’re impersonating for the switch to feel seamless. Stuntmen wear the exact outfit the people portray and even wigs if necessary. An actor or actress can use the same stunt double in all of their movies, especially if the stunt double is the same height and size.
To become a stuntman, a person can go to a stunt school. A stunt school teaches students the skills needed for movie stunts, such as safely executing combat sequences, dodging oncoming cars, falling down ladders, or jumping from heights. Even if film sets have safety devices such as harnesses or mats, the stunts can still be dangerous, so proper training is required. Many already have a professional physical background before they try to do stunts. For example, professional wrestlers often perform stunts because they have experience safely performing potentially dangerous physical acts.
A stunt double is usually selected by the production’s stunt coordinator, who is responsible for scene selection and choreography. A professional stuntman may work directly for a stunt company that specializes in providing stunt work for television or film. He or she can also work as a part-time freelancer. Many stuntmen enter show business starting out as small actors or film crew jobs that allow them to interact with film or television producers.
Some stuntmen start their careers as children. Although the actions that young stunt doubles perform are not as dangerous as adult stunts, they may substitute child actors or actresses for physical sequences such as falling or climbing. Professional stuntmen with dwarfism often work as stand-ins for children or babies for more dangerous physical scenes.
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