When it comes to getting top tips on becoming a stunt performer, who better to ask than stunt double for Ewan McGregor, Andreas Petrides.

Andreas Petrides is chief instructor and stunt coordinator at the British Action Academy. He shares a few tips on how to push your career forward, in your journey to becoming as a stunt performer.

In addition to being chief instructor at the academy, Andreas Petrides is one of the UK’s leading JISC registered action directors, fight arrangers, stunt performers and coordinators.

Andreas has worked with some of the world’s leading directors and actors on over 500 productions, including 2^nd unit stunt coordinator, fight arranger and stunt double to Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan Kenobi on Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Trainspotting and 28 Days Later.

Andreas’ top tips for becoming a stunt performer

1. Try to gain acting experience. Although you don’t need to be trained as an actor to become a stunt performer, part of the role requires you to ‘perform’ in front of a camera. This may involve working with actors, reacting authentically to action in a script or even speaking lines. Take a few acting lessons or a stage performance course to sharpen up your skills.
2. Don’t just stop at the six sporting skills. Constantly continue to expand your skill set and push your limits. The more skills you gain, the more versatile you are for a wider variety of roles
3. As a supporting artist, actively promote yourself by talking to the stunt coordinators on set. You may be able to attend an observation day to discover how the stunt department works on a professional screen production, which is invaluable experience, and a great way to make contacts within the industry.
4. Above all, true passion plus confidence in your own ability is the key to success as a stunt performer. It can be a dangerous business if you are not entirely committed or confident in your performance. In this business you are successful entirely on your own merit, hard work, dedication and professional conduct.

What are the progression possibilities for a stunt performer within the industry?

One route that many stunt performers may choose to take later in their career is to become a stunt coordinator. A stunt co-ordinator is hired by a TV or film company to choreograph the performance of stunts that a script requires, in addition to management of, and often casting the stunt performers.