Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Stunt Performer

Hiring a stunt performer feels straightforward until it isn't. You need a fall, a fight sequence, water work, or vehicle choreography. You contact a performer with an impressive showreel and assume the booking is settled. Then production begins and you realise you should have asked critical questions upfront.

The difference between a smooth shoot and a chaotic one often hinges on conversations before cameras roll. A stunt performer's technical ability matters, but so does their approach to preparation, communication style, and readiness for your specific production demands. Asking the right questions early prevents misalignment, schedules wasted time, and potential safety compromises.

This guide covers the questions producers and directors should ask every stunt performer before confirming a booking. These aren't complicated technical questions. They're practical, grounded inquiries that reveal whether a performer understands your brief and can deliver within your constraints.

What experience do they have with this specific stunt work?

Generic stunt experience isn't enough. A performer skilled in vehicle work may not have extensive background in precision falls. Someone who excels at high-fall coordination might lack fight choreography training. The specifics matter enormously.

Ask directly: "Have you done this exact type of movement before?" Request examples or credits where they've executed similar sequences. If they're new to the particular action, ask how they'd prepare. A honest performer will say "I've done falls up to X height" or "I specialise in fight work, not water sequences" rather than overstate capability.

Probe deeper if they're adapting into unfamiliar territory. What training have they done? Who would they consult? Do they need extended rehearsal? A performer comfortable outside their core skill set is valuable, but only if they're transparent about the learning curve and timeline needed.

For complex or bespoke sequences, ask if they've worked with your stunt coordinator or choreographer before. Established working relationships accelerate rehearsal and reduce communication friction.

How much rehearsal and preparation do they require?

Rehearsal timelines vary wildly. Some performers want weeks of choreography development and dry runs. Others prefer minimal prep, trusting their ability to adapt on the day. Neither approach is inherently wrong, but misalignment between what a performer needs and what your schedule allows creates problems.

Ask: "How much rehearsal time do you need before we shoot?" Then listen carefully. A performer who demands two weeks of daily rehearsal when you have two days available signals a mismatch. Equally, someone who says "I'll wing it" for high-risk work is a red flag.

Experienced stunt performers typically have a clear sense of their prep requirements. They know whether they need to walk the set multiple times, work with a choreographer in advance, or test equipment. Capture these needs early and build them into your production schedule.

Ask about their preference for collaboration. Do they want to develop choreography with your director or creative team beforehand, or do they prefer to arrive briefed and ready? Some performers thrive with collaborative input. Others need autonomy and respond poorly to mid-sequence direction changes. Understanding this prevents frustration on set.

Do they have appropriate insurance in place?

Insurance is non-negotiable, yet producers routinely skip this conversation. Standard film production insurance typically excludes stunt and hazardous exposures. This means your general liability policy almost certainly won't cover stunt work. The performer needs their own specialist coverage.

Ask directly: "Do you carry public liability insurance that covers stunt work at this level?" If they say yes, ask for proof. A simple certificate of insurance confirms they're covered and protects both of you legally. If they say no, clarify who arranges and funds specialist stunt insurance for the shoot. Many productions can add performers to a temporary stunt rider, but this takes time and affects budgeting.

Also ask whether their insurance has exclusions. Some policies cover falls to a certain height but not vehicle work, or protect ground-level fight choreography but exclude suspended rigging. Knowing these limits prevents booking a performer for work their insurance explicitly excludes.

Additionally, confirm whether venue or location insurance requirements affect them. Some event spaces or private properties require proof of performer insurance before anyone can work on the premises. Catching this early avoids last-minute complications.

What support and equipment do they require from your production?

Stunt performers aren't self-contained. They need specific conditions to work safely. Some require crash mats, airbag systems, or other safety apparatus. Others need spotters, rigging points, or structural assessment before rehearsing.

Ask: "What safety equipment or support do you need?" and "Are there any site requirements I should know about?" A performer doing a high fall needs to know the landing surface, height, and approach geometry. Someone doing water work needs confirmation of water temperature, depth, and rescue protocols.

Clarify responsibility for sourcing equipment. Does the performer bring their own crash pads and rigging gear, or does production need to provide it? Some highly specialised equipment is performer-owned. Other safety apparatus is production's responsibility. Agreeing on this boundary early prevents arguments mid-shoot.

Also ask about medical support. Do they work with a chiropractor or physiotherapist on set? Do they have specific warm-up routines? Will they need recovery time between takes? Performers with particular physical demands or injury history may need production to accommodate specific support.

Can you verify their references and recent credits?

Showreels are curated highlight reels. They don't tell the full story of a performer's reliability, professionalism, or ability to handle setbacks. References do.

Ask: "Can you provide references from recent productions?" Request contact details for a line producer, stunt coordinator, or director who've worked with them in the past year. A quick email or call to someone who's actually managed this performer reveals far more than a showreel ever could.

When you contact references, ask specific questions. How reliable were they? Did they take direction well? How did they handle complications or changes on set? Were they professional with crew? Did they show up prepared? These questions distinguish genuinely production-ready performers from those with good raw ability but poor professional habits.

Also cross-check claimed credits. If a performer says they worked on a major film or television series, verify via IMDb or the production's official credits. Legitimate stunt performers are typically listed in crew or stunts department. If you can't find them listed, ask why.

For stunt performers versus parkour performers or movement artists, credit verification is especially important because the career paths diverge significantly. A performer known for social media content creation may not have substantial production experience. Production credits outweigh follower counts.

What's their current fitness and injury status?

A performer might be brilliant when fully healthy. But if they're carrying an injury, that reality affects capability and safety. Asking about fitness and injury isn't invasive. It's essential due diligence.

Ask: "Are you currently managing any injuries?" and "Is there anything physically that would affect your ability to perform this work?" A performer returning from a shoulder injury shouldn't attempt complex arm-intensive choreography. Someone with a healing knee shouldn't be doing high-impact landings.

Frame this respectfully. You're not asking for medical history or invading privacy. You're asking whether they can safely execute the specific physical demands of your project. A honest performer will say "I'm recovering from X, so Y movement is off the table" or "I'm fully fit for this." Someone evasive or dismissive of the question is concerning.

Also ask about their general fitness approach. Do they maintain regular training? What conditioning do they do? How do they prevent injury? Performers who take physical maintenance seriously are typically more reliable and consistent on set than those who don't. Their answer reveals whether they take their body as a professional asset or treat each job as a sprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long before a shoot should I ask these questions?

Ideally, ask these questions as part of your initial conversation or audition process. If you're confirming a booking already in progress, ask immediately. Don't wait until a week before the shoot to discover the performer needs three weeks of rehearsal or their insurance excludes your specific work. Earlier conversations give you time to adjust plans or find an alternative performer.

What if a performer gets defensive about these questions?

It's a warning sign. Professional, experienced stunt performers expect these questions and answer them straightforwardly. Defensiveness or evasion suggests they're either inexperienced or uncomfortable with scrutiny. Trust your instinct. A performer who bristles at insurance questions or won't provide references likely isn't ready for professional production work.

Should I ask about their past injuries or medical history?

Not in detail. You're not their doctor or employer in the traditional sense. You're assessing whether they can safely execute the specific work you're hiring them for. Stick to functional questions: "Are you currently injured?" and "Is anything limiting your movement capability right now?" Their answer tells you what you need to know without overstepping privacy boundaries.

Can I hire a stunt performer without working through an agency?

Yes, but agency representation streamlines the process. Agencies like Movement Management have already vetted performers, confirmed insurance, and assessed reliability. Direct hiring requires you to do this legwork yourself. For complex or high-risk stunt work, agency representation reduces liability and adds accountability if issues arise.

What if the performer's answers reveal they're not right for the role?

Be direct about it. A performer might be brilliant at vehicle work but not the right fit for precision fall choreography. Rather than booking and hoping, find someone genuinely aligned with your needs. A performer who understands their strengths and knows their limitations will often recommend someone else if they're not the right fit. That professionalism is worth respecting.

Want Straight Answers Before You Book?

Put these questions to Movement Management and we will answer every one before you commit to a booking.