Pyrotechnics stunt exhibition by "Giant Auto Rodéo", Ciney, Belgium |
|
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Names | Stuntman, stunt performer |
| Activity sectors | Entertainment |
| Description | |
| Competencies | Physical fitness, daring, acting skills |
A stuntman, or daredevil is someone who performs dangerous stunts, often as a career.
These stunts are sometimes rigged so that they look dangerous while still having safety mechanisms, but often they are as dangerous as they appear to be. There is an inherent risk in the performance of all stunt work in film, television and stage work, with more risk in performing stunts in front of a live audience because safety mechanisms cannot be edited out and the audience can see if the performer is genuinely doing what they claim to be doing.
Daredevils are distinct from stunt performers and stunt doubles, as they perform their stunts purely for the sake of the stunt itself, often before an audience for their entertainment and personal monetary gain for the event. While a stunt performer, or stunt double, typically performs stunts intended for use in a motion pictures or dramatized television (although one person could certainly be both, as was the case with Harry Houdini, Jackie Chan, Tony Jaa, Jayan and others). Stunt performers and stunt doubles are generally skilled at performing physical action in character for film and television.
Stunts often seen in films and television include car crashes, falling from great height, dragged behind a horse and being blown up. Film and television stunt performers are often trained in martial arts and stage combat.
Live stunt performers include escape artists, sword swallowers, glass walkers, fire eaters, trapeze artists, and many other sideshow and circus arts. They also include motorcycle display teams and the once popular Wall of Death.
Modern live stunt performers include escape artist and stuntman Roslyn Walker[1] and sideshow veteran Kondini.[2]