Qualification Info
What requirements are needed to become a Stunt Person

Member Qualifications

All members of Stunt Book Australia have successfully completed the grading requirements of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) - National Stunt Committee and are professionally qualified to undertake stunt related work within the Australian Film and Television Industry.

There are five levels of grading; each is based on the individual's level of experience within the Film and Television Industry. A brief definition and explanation of each grading level follows:

Stunt Actor Provisional (SAP):

Is qualified and skilled to perform in background action and group stunt work under the supervision of a graded Stunt Coordinator.

To be graded as a SAP the individual has shown competency in at least four of the skill categories of Body Control, Heights, Vehicles, Animals and Water. It is compulsory that the individual has shown proficiency within one of the two Body Control sub categories and partaken in a minimum of six months general stunt training.

A SAP must remain at this grading level for a minimum period of twelve months to obtain experience and develop their understanding of stunt work and safety issues within the Film and Television Industry.

SAPs CANNOT perform mainline stunt work or accept work as a Safety Supervisor, Assistant Stunt Coordinator or Stunt Coordinator under any circumstances.

Stunt Actor:

Is qualified and skilled to perform mainline stunt work. Stunt Actors must work under the supervision of a graded Stunt Coordinator.

A Stunt Actor has met the grading requirements of a Stunt Actor Provisional (SAP) and has worked as a SAP for a minimum period of twelve months.

A Stunt Actor has performed on at least five productions and on a variety of production types (i.e. feature films, tele-movies, mini-series, television series and commercials) under the supervision of a recognised Stunt Coordinator. They have worked a minimum of 50 days in front of camera and have advanced stunt skills and training in five of the six skill categories of Body Control (compulsory), Heights, Vehicles, Animals, Water and Fire.

A Stunt Actor CANNOT accept work as a Safety Supervisor, Assistant Stunt Coordinator or Stunt Coordinator under any circumstances.

Safety Supervisor:

Is qualified and skilled to provide specialist knowledge, expertise and advice regarding the most appropriate measures to minimise risk associated with a film production.

A Safety Supervisor has a minimum of 5 years experience in the Film and Television Industry. This includes at least 200 days in either stunt performance or a crew area where they have obtained an appropriate breadth of specialist knowledge, experience and expertise aimed at risk minimisation to both cast and crew.

They have completed 25 days as an Assistant Safety Supervisor under the supervision of an accredited Safety Supervisor. This has been on a variety of productions including feature films, tele-movies, mini-series, television series and commercials.

A Safety Supervisor CANNOT accept work as a Stunt Coordinator under any circumstances.

Assistant Stunt Coordinator:

Is qualified and skilled to assist the Stunt Coordinator with administrative procedures and the set up and execution of a stunt.

An Assistant Stunt Coordinator has a minimum of 6 years experience in the Film and Television Industry, including being graded as a Stunt Actor for at least 3 years. They have 275 days on set experience, with a minimum of 100 days in front of camera and at least 100 days additional behind camera experience under the guidance of an accredited Stunt Coordinator.

An Assistant Stunt Coordinator CANNOT accept work as a Stunt Coordinator under any circumstances.

Stunt Coordinator:

Is qualified and skilled to arrange, set up and oversee the production of a stunt.

A Stunt Coordinator has met the grading requirements of an Assistant Stunt Coordinator and/or Safety Supervisor. They have at least 10 years experience in the Film and Television Industry including a minimum 300 days of mainline stunt work.

The individual has worked as an Assistant Stunt Coordinator for a minimum of 150 days or alternately as a Safety Supervisor for 100 days and Assistant Stunt Coordinator for 100 days. This has occurred on at least ten different productions including feature films, tele-movies, mini-series, television series and commercials. During this time their experience has been demonstrated on a wide variety of stunts.

This is a brief summary of the stunt grading procedure as outlined by the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance - National Stunt Committee. What has been highlighted is the immense training, skill level and dedicated professionalism that is required to work as a stunt performer within the Australian Film and Television Industry.

For full details of the stunt grading procedure go to www.meaa.org

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