Filmclusive Role Encyclopedia
What Does a Stunt Double Do?
A Stunt Double performs planned action in place of a specific actor while matching the character’s physical presentation closely enough for editing and camera placement. They study the actor’s movement, costume, hair, scale, handedness, and prior performance, rehearse the approved stunt, coordinate concealment and coverage, and maintain both action safety and visual continuity across takes.
- Department
- Stunts and Intimacy
- Also called
- Stunt Body Double, Action Double
- Reports to
- Varies by production
- Supervises
- Varies by production
What is a Stunt Double?
Doubling requires the appropriate stunt specialty plus the ability to reproduce another performer’s character and physical details without misrepresenting identity or skill.
Stunt Double connects a defined craft or decision area to the wider production plan. A strong brief clarifies authority, deliverables, schedule, safety expectations, and the handoffs this role owns.
What does a Stunt Double do?
- Study the actor’s movement, posture, handedness, costume, and character behavior.
- Fit and test wardrobe, hair, makeup, padding, and assigned safety equipment.
- Rehearse the approved action and camera strategy with the stunt team.
- Perform repeatably while protecting match, eyeline, timing, and continuity.
Who does a Stunt Double work with?
Role links follow Filmclusive’s canonical production-role taxonomy.
Tools a Stunt Double uses
- Discipline-specific stunt and protective equipment
- Matching costume, hair, and makeup materials
- Rehearsal and reference video
- Communication and continuity tools
Documents and production materials
- Actor match reference
- Wardrobe and fitting notes
- Stunt plan
- Continuity photos
Skills
- Stunt performance
- Physical matching
- Character movement
- Continuity
Career path
Stunt Doubles are experienced performers selected for both the required action specialty and a credible physical match to the actor.
Work environment
The job combines rehearsal, fittings, action sets, close collaboration with the actor’s departments, and repeated performance for camera.
Union and guild context
Doubling, casting, identity, consent, and safety provisions depend on the applicable performer agreement and production.
Related Filmclusive roles
Common questions
6 practical questions about scope, collaboration, skills, and production context.
What is the main responsibility of a Stunt Double?
A Stunt Double performs planned action in place of a specific actor while matching the character’s physical presentation closely enough for editing and camera placement. They study the actor’s movement, costume, hair, scale, handedness, and prior performance, rehearse the approved stunt, coordinate concealment and coverage, and maintain both action safety and visual continuity across takes.
What does a Stunt Double do day to day?
Day to day, Stunt Double work commonly includes Study the actor’s movement, posture, handedness, costume, and character behavior., Fit and test wardrobe, hair, makeup, padding, and assigned safety equipment., and Rehearse the approved action and camera strategy with the stunt team.. The exact balance changes with the production schedule, crew size, and the point at which the role joins the project.
What skills matter most for a Stunt Double?
The most useful skills are Stunt performance, Physical matching, Character movement, and Continuity. Together, they help the role make dependable decisions, communicate a clear handoff, and respond to notes or changing conditions.
Which tools and documents does a Stunt Double use?
Common tools include Discipline-specific stunt and protective equipment, Matching costume, hair, and makeup materials, Rehearsal and reference video, and Communication and continuity tools. The role also relies on Actor match reference, Wardrobe and fitting notes, Stunt plan, and Continuity photos so decisions, approvals, continuity, and delivery requirements remain traceable.
How does someone build experience for a Stunt Double?
Stunt Doubles are experienced performers selected for both the required action specialty and a credible physical match to the actor.
How does a Stunt Double vary by production?
The scope changes with format, budget, location, crew structure, and the production's technical method. The job combines rehearsal, fittings, action sets, close collaboration with the actor’s departments, and repeated performance for camera.
Sources
Sources support verification; wording is original.
- Standards and Practices for Stunt Coordinators — SAG-AFTRA
Union · Accessed 2026-08-27
- Standards and Protocols for the Use of Intimacy Coordinators — SAG-AFTRA
Union · Accessed 2026-08-27
- Motion picture industry craft groups — Contract Services
Professional organization · Accessed 2026-08-27
About this article
Reviewed by
Mas MoriyaView public profile- Who
- Written and reviewed by Mas Moriya. Mas Moriya is a filmmaker turned software builder and creative technologist based in Los Angeles.
- How
- Mas Moriya wrote and reviewed this article from hands-on film, product, and workflow experience. External claims were checked against the primary or institutional sources listed below. Analysis and recommendations are editorial judgment, not survey results.
- Why
- Filmclusive publishes these articles to help filmmakers and creative teams make practical workflow decisions, understand tradeoffs, and protect human judgment—not to manufacture search traffic.
Editorial review completed August 27, 2026. Read our editorial standards.