Stunt Coordinator

They captivate audiences because they look spur-of-the-moment and spontaneous. In reality, however, the explosions, car wrecks, fistfights, and falls you see on TV and in movies aren’t at all impromptu. Instead, they’re carefully planned, prepared for, and rehearsed by a Stunt Coordinator.

Stunt Coordinators rarely perform stunts. Always, however, they’re the people planning them. If you’re hired as a Stunt Coordinator by a film studio or a production company, you’re tasked with choreographing stunts and special effects. Whether it’s a knife fight in a bar, a superhero flying through the air, or a helicopter crashing into the ground, you’re paid to produce the “cool” factor efficiently, affordably, and — most importantly — safely.

To accomplish that, you collaborate with Special Effects Technicians, Makeup Artists, and Prop Masters to design stunts. This involves studying scripts in order to determine stunt requirements; conducting risk assessments to determine potential hazards, such as fire, noise, animals, weapons, water, moving vehicles, etc.; implementing safety measures, including emergency and evacuation plans, personal protective equipment, and exclusion zones; recruiting subject-matter experts as Consultants, such as Deep Sea Divers who consult on underwater stunts or Pilots who consult on stunts involving aircraft; hiring and training qualified Stunt Performers; coordinating stunt logistics, including stunt locations, equipment, permits, and materials; and overseeing the rehearsal of stunts prior to filming.

With the exception of a General leading his or her platoon into battle, yours is probably the only job where you can order people to light themselves on fire, scale tall buildings, and jump out of airplanes. Wield your power wisely!