Stunt Performer Day Rates UK: What Shapes a Quote

When you're casting a stunt performer for a film, commercial, or live event in the UK, you'll quickly discover that day rates vary enormously. Two performers with similar experience might quote vastly different fees for the same brief. Understanding what shapes those quotes helps you budget accurately and ensures you're getting genuine value.

The short answer: day rates reflect risk, specialist skills, preparation time, equipment, location, and the scope of how your production will use the footage. There's no single going rate. Instead, each quote is built from the ground up based on what the job demands.

What does a stunt performer's day rate actually cover?

A day rate covers the performer's time on set during agreed hours, plus preparation: script review, pre-visualisation sessions, rehearsals with cast and coordinator, and safety gear fitting.

For rigging work, the performer accounts for early equipment testing, coordinating with riggers, and safety checks. These aren't hidden costs; they're built in. Rehearsal days and pre-production availability are also included in overall cost calculations.

The day rate typically includes basic insurance where applicable, though insurance is often a separate budget line. Your production's insurance needs shape what the performer provides versus what you supply.

How does risk level move a stunt performer's quote up?

Risk is the biggest single variable in stunt pricing. A simple fall from a low height carries one risk profile. A high fall, a car crash sequence, or a stunt involving fire or water carries another entirely. The performer must be confident in their skills, but the production also needs adequate safety infrastructure and experienced supervision.

This is where the stunt coordinator becomes critical. A stunt coordinator isn't just "part of the hire" in the abstract sense; they're directly involved in assessing risk and designing the stunt safely. Their involvement, their reputation, and their track record of managing complex sequences all feed into the performer's confidence and, therefore, their quote. A performer hired for a high-risk stunt will command a higher day rate than the same performer hired for a straightforward sequence.

The British Stunt Register (BSR) maintains professional standards and grading across the industry. Performers at higher levels of the register (Key Stunt Performers and Full Members) bring more years of experience and a proven safety record, which reflects in their fees.

What role does specialist equipment and rigging play?

Wire rigs, airbags, crash mats, and bespoke safety equipment add cost layers. Beyond equipment hire (often budgeted separately), the performer's rate reflects working complexity. Wire setup involves technical rehearsals, trust-building with rigging crews, and on-set coordination.

Specialists in high falls or wire work quote higher than those in fight choreography or vehicle crashes. Specialisation commands premium rates; not every performer has the skills or training investment.

Complex rigging stunts require multiple rehearsal days separate from shoot days. The performer needs time to familiarise themselves with the rig, work through movement, and build confidence. These rehearsal costs are part of overall budgeting, whether built into the day rate or quoted separately.

How does the type of production affect the quote?

A stunt for a major feature film, a television drama series, and a commercial or brand campaign all carry different fee structures. Feature films and premium TV productions typically offer higher day rates and are more likely to budget for multiple rehearsal days, experienced stunt coordinators, and full safety infrastructure.

Commercials and live brand events may have tighter budgets, though the risk profile still matters enormously. A low-risk stunt in a commercial might attract a lower day rate than the same performer's fee for a TV drama. But a high-risk stunt in a commercial will still command respect in the quote because the risk doesn't shrink just because the project is shorter.

Location matters as well. Shooting in London or a major UK city with established stunt crews and facilities is typically more straightforward to budget than shooting in a remote location. Travel, accommodation, local crew coordination, and the availability of backup rigging resources all influence the final quote.

Why does experience tier matter so much?

The BSR grading system reflects capability and market positioning. Probationary performers are building portfolios under supervision. Senior performers bring consistent multi-production experience. Key Stunt Performers and Full Members demonstrate mastery and can coordinate complex sequences.

Experienced performers work faster, problem-solve on set, bring creative input, and need less supervision. Higher fees mean more efficient shoots and fewer unexpected costs. Entry-level rates rise naturally as performers progress through BSR grades and take on greater complexity.

What about usage rights and how your content is distributed?

This is a factor many producers overlook until they're in contract negotiations. A stunt performance captured for a one-off TV broadcast carries one set of usage terms. The same performance captured for a feature film that will be distributed internationally, released on streaming platforms, and potentially sold to other territories is a very different commercial proposition.

If your production has plans to license content widely, create a boxset, or monetise the footage beyond the initial broadcast or release, the performer's quote may include a usage fee or buyout component. The breadth of your intended distribution affects the overall cost.

Some performers might agree to a single day rate that covers a defined licence period and territory. Others will negotiate additional fees if your usage rights expand later. Clarity on this upfront prevents disputes and helps you budget accurately.

How does stunt coordinator involvement shape the cost?

A stunt coordinator does more than supervise on set. They're involved in early-stage planning, script review, pre-visualisation, and often the negotiation of performer fees. The coordinator's reputation and their relationship with your performer influences the ease and cost of the deal.

Some performers work frequently with the same coordinators and may offer streamlined terms because the relationship is established. Others will require more extensive briefing, more rehearsal time, and a higher contingency in their quote if the coordinator is unfamiliar or if the coordinator's safety track record is unknown.

The involvement of a BSR-registered stunt coordinator also matters for insurance and regulatory compliance. Broadcasters and streaming platforms often require that stunts be designed and supervised by a registered professional, which effectively sets the minimum cost threshold.

What about industry agreements and minimum terms?

The Equity union, working through PACT (Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television), publishes agreed minimum rates and terms for stunt performers and stunt coordinators in UK film and television. These agreements set floor rates that most professional productions consult when budgeting.

You won't find exact figures published publicly, and those agreements change regularly. But the existence of these agreements means that any reputable quote from a professional UK stunt performer is benchmarked against established industry standards. If a quote seems very low, it may indicate the performer is inexperienced or the production isn't engaging an insured, coordinated professional setup.

When engaging a BSR-registered performer or stunt agency, the safest approach is to assume any quote you receive reflects these industry standards, whether or not you've seen the Equity agreement yourself.

How should you budget for stunt performer costs?

The best practice is to brief multiple performers or agencies with a detailed scope of work. Include information about the stunt itself, the level of risk, the number of rehearsal days you expect, the production type, your distribution intentions, and the location. With that context, performers can provide accurate quotes.

Don't assume a cheaper quote is equivalent to a better deal. A quote that's unusually low may reflect inexperience, lack of insurance, or a performer who hasn't fully understood the brief. A higher quote from an experienced performer or coordinator may save money overall by reducing on-set delays, additional rehearsal costs, and insurance claims.

If you're exploring whether a parkour performer or stunt specialist is right for your project, the same principles apply: communicate the full brief, understand what's included in the quote, and verify that the performer is properly insured and registered.

Every production is different, and the fastest way to an accurate figure is a conversation. Browse our stunt performers to see the calibre of talent these quotes cover, then tell us what the job involves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a day rate and a half-day rate?

A half-day rate typically covers up to four hours of active work, plus travel and setup time. A full day is usually eight hours or more. Some productions negotiate short-day rates for stunts that can be shot efficiently in a few hours. The key is clarity upfront about what "day" means and what you're getting for the fee. Overtime may apply if the shoot extends beyond the agreed window.

Should I expect the stunt coordinator and the stunt performer to be the same person?

Not always. For simple stunts, a performer might coordinate their own setup. For complex sequences, the stunt coordinator is typically a separate professional who designs the stunt and oversees its execution, though they may not perform it themselves. On larger productions, coordinators manage multiple performers and sequences. Budget for both roles separately unless your brief is very straightforward.

Do stunt performers charge extra for travel to remote locations?

Yes. Travel, accommodation, and transport are usually added to the day rate if the shoot is outside a major city or requires overnight stays. When you brief performers, always specify the location and ask whether travel costs are included or quoted separately. This can significantly affect the overall cost.

Why do quotes vary so much between performers for the same stunt?

Experience, specialisation, insurance status, availability, and the performer's track record with similar sequences all play a role. Two performers might quote differently even if they have equivalent technical skills, because one has more insurance, more experience, or simply sets different rates based on their business model. Always gather multiple quotes before concluding that one performer is overpriced.

What happens if the stunt plan changes on set?

Performers' quotes are based on the brief you provide. Significant changes to the stunt design, risk level, or number of takes may trigger additional fees or renegotiation. This is why it's critical to confirm the exact brief in writing and discuss contingencies upfront. Good communication with your stunt coordinator helps manage changes without derailing the budget.

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