The Difference Between a Stunt Coordinator and a Stunt Performer

The terms are often used interchangeably by people outside the industry, but a stunt coordinator and a stunt performer are two distinct roles with very different responsibilities. Understanding the difference matters when you're budgeting, scheduling, and staffing a production.

The Stunt Performer

A stunt performer is the person who physically executes a stunt on camera. They may be doubling for a principal actor matching their appearance and movements so the cut is seamless or they may appear as a background character in a fight, explosion, or chase sequence. Stunt performers are skilled athletes with specialized training in areas like driving, falls, fight work, fire, water, and more.

Stunt performers are hired by the stunt coordinator for specific jobs. They are paid for their work on set and bring their physical skills to execute the coordinator's plan.

The Stunt Coordinator

The stunt coordinator is the department head. They are responsible for everything that happens in the stunt department from designing the sequences to hiring the performers to supervising every rehearsal and execution on set. They are the person the director and first AD go to for all things action-related.

The coordinator is also responsible for safety. No stunt happens without their approval. They inspect equipment, brief the crew, and give the final green light before every take.

Can One Person Do Both?

Yes and on smaller productions, it's common. A stunt coordinator often also performs on the productions they coordinate, particularly when the stunt requires a specific skill set they personally possess. Bryan McCoy of Real McCoy Stunts has both coordinated and performed on major studio productions, giving him a unique perspective on how both roles serve the production.

Why the Distinction Matters for Your Budget

When budgeting a production, it's important to understand that the coordinator and the performers are separate line items. The coordinator fee covers the design, planning, supervision, and management of the entire stunt department. Performer fees are separate and depend on the nature of the stunt, the number of performers needed, and the shoot days involved. Conflating the two is a common budgeting mistake that leads to underfunded stunt departments.

What to Ask When Hiring

When you hire a stunt coordinator, ask whether they will also be performing on your production or purely coordinating. Ask how they structure their team and how many performers they anticipate needing. A transparent coordinator will give you a clear picture of what the stunt department will require before a single day is scheduled.

Ready to Work With a Proven Stunt Professional?

Real McCoy Stunts is available for film, TV, and commercial productions nationwide. Bryan McCoy brings major studio experience including credits on Captain America: Brave New World, The Matrix Resurrections, and Renfield to every project.

Visit realmccoystunts.com/hire-a-stunt-coordinator or contact Bryan directly at bryan@realmccoystunts.com to discuss your production.