What Does a Stunt Coordinator Do?

A Stunt Coordinator designs, plans, staffs, rehearses, and supervises action that presents unusual physical risk to performers or crew. They translate the Director’s story needs into controlled methods, select qualified stunt professionals, coordinate with safety-critical departments, lead briefings and rehearsals, assess changing conditions, and stop or revise work when it cannot be performed responsibly.

Day to day, Stunt Coordinator work commonly includes Break down scripts and identify action, hazards, performers, equipment, and preparation needs., Design methods, staffing, rehearsals, camera considerations, and emergency planning., and Coordinate with performers, ADs, camera, grip, effects, props, vehicles, locations, and medical support.. The exact balance changes with the production schedule, crew size, and the point at which the role joins the project.

The most useful skills are Stunt coordination, Hazard assessment, Performance direction, and Decisive safety leadership. Together, they help the role make dependable decisions, communicate a clear handoff, and respond to notes or changing conditions.

Common tools include Previsualization and rehearsal recording, Department-specific protective and rigging equipment, Radios and safety communication systems, and Inspection and planning resources. The role also relies on Stunt breakdown, Risk assessment, Rehearsal and safety plan, and Performer and equipment records so decisions, approvals, continuity, and delivery requirements remain traceable.

Stunt Coordinators are highly experienced stunt performers or specialists with extensive supervised action, leadership, and cross-department safety knowledge.

The scope changes with format, budget, location, crew structure, and the production's technical method. The role works in rehearsals, scouts, stages, locations, vehicles, water, heights, crowds, and other controlled action environments.