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Why Take A Risk?
Although Tom Cruise reportedly did many of his own stunts in the action flick, Mission Impossible 2, most actors call in stunt performers to perform any risky physical feats that they are not willing to tackle themselves.
Stunt performers have the skill and physical prowess required to make a stunt look spectacular and realistic and, most importantly, to do them with minimal risk to their own safety.
''Any person who tells me they would be a good stunt person because they have no fear is instantly dismissed by me as a good candidate for the stunt world. No fear means no respect for danger and without it, would be performers have the potential to endanger their own life and the lives of others,'' says a local stunt coordinator and former stunt performer.
A healthy respect for life, a love of sports, and advanced physical fitness were top priorities during his days as a stunt performer. And this is what he looks for in the stunt performers he works with.
His most spectacular stunt involved driving an exploding car off a 40-foot ramp into the ocean.
''There's always a lot of preparation involved. For that stunt, for example, I had to strip the car of anything that could cause me injury, like the glass.''
You've Either Got It Or You Haven't
According to a Media and Entertainment Arts Alliance (WA) spokeswoman, while there isn't a training institution in Western Australia for potential stunt performers, there are excellent opportunities for people to determine whether or not they have the athleticism needed to undertake dangerous stunts.
''You could do an outdoor recreation course or try hang gliding, martial arts classes, gymnastics, rock climbing and any other sports that will expand your horizons and will assist you in determining whether or not you should pursue a career in stunt performing.''
Everthing Needs To Flow
To be successful as a stunt performer you'll need to have quick reflexes and be extremely fit and agile, otherwise doing a backflip out of a blazing building won't work too well. And, if poor timing is your downfall, think carefully about this occupation. One wrong move and you could really hurt yourself. Bad eyesight could be contributing to your poor timing, so have these checked before undertaking any brave moves.
Acting ability and an understanding of film production and protocol are also important says the local stunt coordinator. His experience has enabled him to progress to a coordinating role, which involves planning and overseeing the work of other stunt performers.
Finding Work Can Be A Stunt In Itself
The MEAA spokeswoman says that in order to be employed, stunt performers need to be graded by the MEAA. You will have to demonstrate that you've undertaken and excelled in certain activities involving water, animals, air, and cars and that you have completed First Aid training. According to your skill level and experience you will be classified as a stunt trainee, a stunt performer, a safety consultant/stunt supervisor, and finally a stunt coordinator.
The main employers of stunt performers are film companies, television stations, advertising agencies (they do television commercials) and video production companies. Unfortunately, the number of these companies is limited in Western Australia, and opportunities are better in the eastern states - Movie World in Queensland and Fox Studios in Sydney offer better employment opportunities.
You could register with a local modelling or acting agency, such as Frog or ACE. They may be approached for stunt performers for locally produced advertisements which involves a safety aspect, such as falling off a bike. Work is often outdoors, in a studio, or on location and is usually on a contract basis.
A Fluctuating Dollar
Salaries in this occupation are often negotiated but, as an indication, stunt performers in a film or television production could earn about $2,000 per project according to the MEAA. Salary levels vary a lot and are generally project based.
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