How to Become a Stunt Driver
by Jennifer EblinIf you’ve ever seen an action movie, then you’ve probably seen a stunt driver and you may have even considered doing it yourself. Who wouldn’t want to be one of those guys or girls? They get paid to drive at high speeds, do tricks with their vehicles and get to hang out with celebrities. Being a stunt driver takes hard work and dedication. To become a stunt driver you should first try your hand at a stunt driving school.
Step 1
Take stunt driving classes at a school like the one run by Bobby Ore. Ore has been in the business for over thirty years as a professional driver and his classes are among the best available. These classes and schools teach you the tricks and skills you need to make it as a stunt driver. You’ll also learn things that you can’t learn on your own.
Step 2
Find an agent and work as an extra to get yourself on screen in movies and television. This is something you can put on your resume that will get the attention of casting directors and agents. These people are more likely to hire someone who has experience working on a movie set because they know more about what they can and can’t do when the cameras are rolling.
Step 3
Register with the Professional Driving Association, also known as the PDA. You’ll need to pay your dues and attend meetings, but you can also post your resume on their website and search for jobs. Being part of a union like this helps you network and make contacts, which can help you find jobs in the field.
Step 4
Practice your skills and diversify yourself. The stunt drivers that are hired usually have more than one skill, rather than expertise in one area. Casting directors want people who can handle driving at high speeds, drive several different vehicles, do tricks and basically do anything they need. If you only specialize in one area, you might find it hard to find work.
Step 5
Create your resume and send it to as many producers, directors and other people associated with movies as you can. The only way you can get a job is to get your name out there and start applying. Even if a studio can’t use you now, they may keep your information on file for future use.
Tips
- Stunt driving is one of the hardest professions to break into, even if you have experience and have worked in the past. It’s been estimated that less than 5% of all professional stunt drivers are employed at any given time. You might need to work a second job if you want to be a stunt driver.
Warnings
- Don’t think you can just break into the sport by driving fast and hoping someone will notice your skills. You need to market yourself to professionals and join a union like the PDA. Without being part of a union, you can’t work on a movie or film set.
Writer Bio
Jennifer Eblin has been a full-time freelance writer since 2006. Her work has appeared on several websites, including Tool Box Tales and Zonder. Eblin received a master's degree in historic preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
