What Does A Stunt Coordinator Do?
Stunt coordinators are responsible for overseeing all aspects of performances that require highly specialized skills like diving, auto racing, martial arts, and more. They must assist in creating a budget, choreographing stunt sequences, selecting appropriate tools and equipment that need to be used during stunts, casting the right stunt actors who possess the physical capacity and skill level to perform different types of stunts, and ensuring that all precautions are taken to keep cast and crew safe.
Many stunt coordinators are stunt artists themselves. Their invaluable experience helps them understand and analyze the logistics of performing various stunts as well as anticipate potential issues, which helps them provide safe and creative solutions for making a director’s dream sequence come alive.
Stunt coordinators are responsible for creating realism in an action scene. At times, the draw to use live action shots instead of CGI is because of the authenticity in trajectory and movement dynamics from real-life stunts. For example, using an acrobatic stuntman swinging over real cars in The Amazing Spider-Man created a much more realistic swinging movement than CGI could have at the time (source), and it’s the “little” details such as that that can really enhance a film’s storytelling.
Excellent communication and problem-solving skills are other top qualities stunt coordinators must have. While stunt doubles are sometimes required to fill in for actors who do not want to take on risky scenes, there are other actors who refuse to use stunt doubles and will perform all of their own stunts themselves. For every stunt that needs to be performed, whether by a skilled stunt artist or a main actor who is committed to playing every part required for his or her character, stunt coordinators are responsible for properly assessing and communicating all of the risks involved. Some risks can be mitigated after further experimentation.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the car stunts performed in Jason Bourne that gives insight to the type of testing that was done prior to filming:
“JASON BOURNE | Car Stunts Behind the Scenes” by FilmIsNow Action Movie Trailers
In Nevada, we have many experienced stunt coordinators with decades of experience working in the motion picture industry. Their services include not just stunt coordination, but also professional stunt engineering and rigging, EMTs, 2nd unit directing, and more.
If you are looking for a stunt coordinator for your next production, check out our online Nevada Production Directory for a list of stunt coordinators in Nevada or drop by our office and pick up a free printed directory!
If you are a stunt coordinator in Nevada and are not yet listed in our Nevada Production Directory, you can learn more about how to sign up for the NPD here.