There is no legal requirement for a stunt person to have qualifications. Realistically, no reputable producer or director will hire untested, new stunt talent - so the best way to try and break into the business is to work your way up from the bottom. The major hurdle is getting a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) union card to be allowed to work on film/TV productions (except for non union ones which can be dodgy). Competition is fierce. The American Stunt Page has some information.

The New Zealand Stunt Guild is up and running. The Stunt Council considers applications for membership twice yearly in January and June. People interested in becoming probationary stunt people should send their CV with details of relevant skills and qualifications to: The Stunt Guild of New Zealand, PO Box 19036, Courtenay Place, Wellington. Do not send originals as material will not be returned.

with the U.K. and New Zealand a stunt person has to gain a recognized qualification in several different fields e.g. driving, martial arts, sky-diving, etc. More specific information can be found at the Australian Stunt Page .

Primarily the director and first A. D. (assistant director). It is our job to get what the director wants to see on film, in a safe and timely manner. We also interact with set dressers, costumers, lighting and camera people regarding the safe positioning of the stunt action and potential safety concerns with crew, equipment, props, and costumes.

I am always open to accepting CVs from potential stunt people. Please remember I only do stunts and coordination part time (there are few full timers in any country). Do not expect to make a full time living doing stunts. I can only help out people who live where I am - in Wellington, New Zealand. I already have 15 people to call on as needed. If I have need for an extra person on a job, and if you have the right look and skills for the particular job, I may be able to use a new person.

The number of departments in the film industry is vast. You need to first identify which area you would most like to work in so that you can specifically target that area and customize your portfolio submission to that department. Start off small. If you can't get onto a great job immediately, start on smaller projects. Find young filmmakers in your area and team up with them. Offer to work for free. Put an ad in the local paper.

The studios do not actually make films. We supply facilities for film makers to do so. Therefore, we generally have no involvement in production staff, including runners. Please contact productions directly via post (see FAQ above). The television studios occasionally require runners for television productions that use the studios, but this is on a part time basis. If you are interested, please send a covering letter, stating your availability with a C.V to tvrunners@pinewoodgroup.com.

There are lots of luscious babes on the screen in movies and TV, but those are about the only women to be found in the entertainment industry. Behind the scenes there are a few tokens, but nowhere enough cinematographers, screenwriters, directors, camera operators, etc., who are female and of color. We believe that any mass art form that discriminates to that degree should take a long, hard look at itself.

Actors trained for performance in the theatre can easily adapt to the needs of either film or television; it is not always easy for film and television actors to learn how to perform for a live audience. Marietta graduates are currently working in a range of positions in television and film in functions ranging from producer of major network programs to cameramen to story writers, editors, and loggers.

Crichlow Actors' Studio (CASt) has been operating since 2000. Before establishing the studio, Brenda Crichlow founded the Shoreline Actors' Studio. Brenda started CASt with more than 20 years experience in film, television, and radio as a professional actor and instructor. For more details on Brenda and the other instructors at the studio, see the Instructors page.

NO. The classes (beginner and advanced classes) will teach you how to stunt drive for film and TV. There are many skills and prerequisites that are required to become a stunt performer, any stunt performer will tell you that it is a constant training and learning process. What this course is designed to do it teach you the rudimentarily skills required to become a professional stunt driver.

To be honest, not good. I've heard that every year something like 10,000 people attempt to break into the Los Angeles stunt industry. Currently there are about 600 people in the Los Angeles stunt industry - between 10 and 20% are women. About 200 make a full time living from it; the rest have real jobs and supplement their incomes doing occasional stunts. These figures are only approximate but they give an idea of the odds stacked against anybody - no matter how skilled.

This is one question guaranteed to cause controversy. Although the distinction can often be blurred, daredevils are generally accepted as taking more risks and being involved in live shows. Thus, Evel Knievel = Daredevil, person doing a motorbike stunt for a movie or TV show = Stuntperson. In real life, the answer is not so simple. Also, a daredevil has to take every possible precaution and train hard or they'll die young. I also have the greatest respect for live show performers/daredevils.

Feature films are another industry. The skills you gain in TV however, overlap massively and TV is often the way in. Begin to develop a serious and comprehensive interest in the subject and tailor your career in this direction from the start.

Typically, a stunt person eventually becomes a stunt coordinator, then sometimes goes on to become a 2nd unit director. Second unit directors are in charge of a smaller film crew who shoot action scenes or general location shots.

Yes. You can call customer service at 866-4-THE-LFA (866-484-3532) 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Or you can use our "Request Callback" feature and we will call you back when it is convenient for you.

First Detection has a dealer network throughout the USA. Submit your name and telephone number on the "Sign Up" page and a local dealer will contact you. Installation and Service will be provided by the local Defender Security authorized dealer. Monitoring and Billing will be done by ADT.

Yes. In fact, all TV majors are required to serve an internship in the industry so that they will have some real world experience before they graduate. The good news is that many of our interns are offered jobs as a result of their work at these internships. That is why it is best to do your internship during your last semester on campus..

About a third of our graduates go into the commercial broadcasting aspect of the industry working as producers, writers, directors, editors, technicians, and unit managers for motion picture studios, TV networks, production companies, and TV stations (see TV Alumni and TV Graduates in Industry).

On 22nd August 1994, The Dominion (Wellington's daily morning newspaper) carried an AP article titled "Stunt Workers Worry About Computer Growth". The January 1996 issue of Premiere had a similar article about the demise of stunt work titled "Last Chance To See". The better part of a decade on, stuntwork has still not been replaced by digital computer technology. Both articles admitted the benefits of the technology.

Too many. As the envelope of the possible is pushed, as people get rushed because time is money, and sometimes just because the unexpected happens, stuntpeople get hurt. See Recommended Links for a few sites detailing accidents and deaths. My new News & Workshops section also often has articles about accidents.

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Some students prefer to live on campus, others prefer to live in their own apartments, or take a room with a family. Each college has its own policy regarding housing and many require first year students to live on campus. If you decide to stay on campus you will be asked to send a deposit upon your acceptance. You will be offered assistance in finding suitable accommodation if you prefer to live off campus.

I do not have a complete list of all the trial centers around the world. Below is a list of Novartis (the makers of Gleevec (STI571)) contacts for Gleevec (STI571) trials information. They can give you information about trials nearest to you.

Yes. You can get access to our guide if you have a credit card no matter what country you are in. You can also pay by money order or cash if you don't have a credit card. We have members from Africa, Asia, England, Australia and USA.

Most likely. Railpasses are valid for anybody who does not live in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States (the former Soviet Union), Turkey, Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia. You cannot purchase the railpasses recommended by RailSaver. However, you can purchase Interrail and Euro-Domino railpasses in your home country.

No, as much as I enjoy doing this, I'm not delusional about this hobby of mine. This is just for fun and will never become a professional career.

No, its hard work, with hardly any praise. In fact, if you are the sort of person who cannot stand rejection, then don't even start, as it's a high competition industry. However, if you are determined, hard working and thick skinned then there's a good chance you can climb to the next rung of the ladder.

Get involved and gain experience! Independent and student projects are often looking for volunteers. Contact the Centre for Arts and Technology (Okanagan) at 250-860-2787 or the Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmaking at 250-769-1603. Make contacts by attending film-related events and/or join the organizations that host such events. Classes and workshops also offer the technical training that may be necessary in film and video production.