The British Stunt Register Grading Scheme
Formerly known as the JISC / JIGS Grading scheme, The British Stunt Register (BSR) was established to administer a recognised career structure for Stunt Performers and Co-ordinators in the UK. The British Stunt Register Grading Scheme seeks to promote high safety standards through the establishment of clear industry-wide competences and skill development.
The Grading Scheme is a peer review based system administered by a committee made up of Full, Intermediate and Probationary Members (with no less than 5 years experience as a registered member), elected by members of The British Stunt Register.
No other grading scheme in the world ensures the high level of performance, skill and safety as The British Stunt Register.
FULL MEMBER
FULL MEMBER
Full members must have completed both the Probationary and Intermediate stages of the Register. They are considered to be both Stunt Performers and Co-ordinators and have demonstrated that they have undertaken sufficient current/recent work to be able to show that they are capable of taking on such responsibilities as a Stunt/Action Co-ordinator. A Full member Stunt/Action Co-ordinator is eligible to undertake work performing and co-ordinating without restriction.
- After a period of not less than 2 years an Intermediate member may apply to become a Full member of the Register once they have achieved the criteria set out below.
- Please Note: To upgrade to Full Member, Intermediate Members must submit copies of Risk Assessments and their log book(s) which must show that while an Intermediate Member and in the preceding five years they have performed not less than 60 stunt days in front of camera and have performed at least 36 days on their own (Solo Stunts) undertaken in as many different areas of work as possible including:
- Fighting, Falling, Driving vehicles, Riding/working with animals, Water, Fire.
- High and medium budget feature film productions (as such terms are commonly understood in the industry) may employ a Stunt/Action Co-ordinator across all filming units for that production. Individual stunt sequences involving one Performer may be carried out without the direct personal supervision of the Stunt/Action Co-ordinator. In such circumstances an Intermediate Member may co-ordinate a stunt provided that he or she is the only Performer and all planning, risk assessment and H and S documentation has been reviewed approved and counter-signed by the Stunt/Action Co-ordinator.
- A Stunt/Action Coordinator is required to remain familiar with current health and safety requirements, accident/incident reports and the completion of risk assessment forms and maintain relevant qualifications. In doing so he/she will have a duty of care to all artists and film crew on the set where stunts and action sequences are undertaken and that risk assessments are completed before any stunt work is undertaken.
- For full details of the upgrade criteria, please see Resources.
INTERMEDIATE MEMBER
INTERMEDIATE MEMBER
Intermediate members have successfully completed the probationary period and may work on their own without supervision where they are the only person involved in the stunt. However, they may not supervise other stunt performers or actors.
- After a period of no less than 3 years, probationary members may apply to become an intermediate member of The British Stunt Register.
- They must have completed 60 days work in front of camera as a stunt performer
- Must have completed 36 qualifying stunts under the supervision of a full member in as many different areas of work as possible (areas of work: fighting/falling/driving vehicles/riding/working with animals/water/fire.)
- At least 75% of the work included in an application must have been supervised by a BSR / (former) JISC registered Stunt/Action Co-ordinator.
- When applying for upgrades, members must show that they have worked across five of the following six groups of work:
- Fighting, Falling, Driving vehicles, Riding/working with animals, Water, Fire.
- A Probationary member applying for an upgrade is required to become familiar with current health and safety requirements, accident/incident reports and the completion of risk assessment forms and maintain relevant qualifications.
- Intermediate members will continue to record their experience in the BSR log book and must have each job signed by the Producer or 1st AD to verify work completed.
- For full details of the upgrade criteria, please see Resources.
PROBATIONARY MEMBER
PROBATIONARY MEMBER
Probationary members are new entrants to the stunt profession. They will have experience of working in front of camera and will have specific skills relevant to stunt performance. They must not undertake any stunt work unless supervised by a competent Stunt/Action Co-ordinator.
- To become a probationary member, applicants must complete The British Stunt Register Membership Criteria. As part of this criteria, applicants must demonstrate a high level of skill across six different disciplines. Each discipline falls into one of seven categories:
- Fighting, Riding, Driving, Falling, Water, Strength and Agility, Miscellaneous.
- Applicants must gain the required standard in each discipline covering at least four of the categories. (The fighting category is compulsory).
- The skills gained through the training of these disciplines are the foundation of a stunt performers career and will inform the stunt co-ordinator in selecting the correct performer for the job.
- Probationary members of the Register may only work under the supervision of a suitably qualified BSR / (former) JISC registered Stunt/Action Co-ordinator or overseas co-ordinator of an equivalent standard.
- Probationary members are encouraged to attend shoots as observers in order to broaden their knowledge of the profession.
- Probationary members are presented with a log book in order to record their experience and developing knowledge. This will be used as evidence when applying for upgrade to intermediate Member.
- For full details of the membership criteria, please see how to join.
