Stunt Performer Resume Format
Top Structure & Template Guide

Designing the ideal stunt performer resume format is crucial to securing auditions with leading production companies. A well-organized resume showcases your physical skills, safety expertise, and on-set experience — key traits casting directors seek. Whether entering the stunt field or an experienced stunt artist, a tailored resume format can be the key to passing initial reviews and catching the attention of coordinators.

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Stunt Performer Resume Format Sample

Below is a model stunt performer resume format illustrating how each section should be presented for clarity and ATS readiness.

ALEX RIVERA

San Francisco, CA • jessica.martinez@cvowl.com • (415) 555-xxxx • linkedin.com/in/cvowl

Professional Summary

Dynamic Stunt Performer with over 8 years performing complex physical action scenes for film and television. Expertise in wire work, fight sequences, and car stunts. Praised for high safety standards and ability to adapt quickly on demanding sets. Experienced collaborating with stunt coordinators to elevate action narratives.

Key Skills

High Falls • Wire Rigging • Vehicle Stunts • Fight Choreography • Pyrotechnics • Risk Assessment • Set Safety Protocols • Precision Driving • First Aid Certified • Parkour • Harness Operation • Team Collaboration

Work Experience

Lead Stunt Performer-Rapid Action Studios

Mar 2021 – Present | Los Angeles, CA

  • Executed precision vehicle stunt sequences for multiple commercial campaigns with zero incidents
  • Choreographed fight scenes for a prime-time TV drama, resulting in safer, more thrilling action
  • Coordinated wire rigging setups and ensured all safety checks for complex aerial stunts
  • Assisted in training junior stunt performers on safety protocols and stunt preparation

Stunt Performer-Cinematic Productions

Jul 2016 – Feb 2021 | Atlanta, GA

  • Performed high falls from 25–40 feet in several feature films with perfect safety record
  • Collaborated with stunt coordinators to develop new methods of executing fight choreography
  • Operated in vehicle pursuits and crashes on urban and rural locations
  • Maintained comprehensive stunt logs and risk assessments for multiple productions

Education

Professional Stunt Training Program-Stuntman Institute, Los Angeles, 2015

Diploma in Martial Arts & Stage Combat-Westside Combat Academy, 2013

Certifications

SAG-AFTRA Membership • Certified Stunt Driver • First Aid and CPR • Fire Safety and Pyrotechnics Certified

Notice: This example employs a clean, single-column layout with standard headings. Each bullet starts with an action verb and quantifies impact or safety results, matching what ATS systems and casting professionals expect.

What Is the Best Resume Format for a Stunt Performer?

Selecting the proper stunt performer resume format depends on your stunt experience, physical specialties, and the type of productions you target. There are three common resume formats, each offering benefits tailored to stunt professionals.

Reverse Chronological

★ Most Recommended

Presents your most recent stunt work first. This is the preferred format for stunt performers with multiple years on film and TV sets. It allows casting agents and ATS systems to quickly see your progression and safety record, essential for stunt roles.

Hybrid / Combination

Great for Career Transitions

Blends a detailed skills overview with a chronological resume. Suitable for athletes, martial artists, or dancers moving into stunt performing. Highlights transferable physical skills alongside relevant stunt experience in an accessible format.

Hybrid / Combination

Use Sparingly

Emphasizes skills and specialties rather than work timeline. Usually discouraged for stunt resumes as it may trigger doubts about on-set experience and can confuse ATS scanning. Consider only if you have gaps or changing careers and need to spotlight skills.

Pro Tip: Over 80% of production companies employ ATS software to screen applicants. The reverse chronological format offers the highest success rate for passing automated checks, making it your safest bet for a stunt performer resume format.

Optimal Resume Structure for a Stunt Performer

A clean, hierarchical stunt performer resume format organizes your credentials to guide casting directors towards your most relevant skills and stunts. Below is a step-by-step content outline:

Header / Contact Information

Include full name, professional email, phone number, LinkedIn or stunt portfolio URL, and optionally your base location. For stunt performers, linking to demo reels or stunt highlight clips can greatly strengthen your application.

Professional Summary

A concise 3–4 line statement showcasing your stunt experience and unique physical abilities. Customize to each job. Mention years active, key stunt disciplines, and notable productions.

Example

Versatile Stunt Performer with 7+ years executing high-risk sequences on major motion pictures and television. Skilled in fight choreography, wire work, and vehicle stunts. Consistently commended for safety awareness and precision, contributing to award-winning productions. Trained in martial arts and gymnastics with excellent coordination and adaptability.

Skills Section

List 10–15 relevant stunt skills sorted by category. Combine hard competencies (wire rigging, fight choreography, car stunts) with soft skills (teamwork, risk assessment, communication). This section helps ATS pinpoint your expertise.

Work Experience

The cornerstone of your resume. List experience reverse chronologically. For each entry, specify production name, role, dates, and 4–6 bullet points beginning with strong action verbs. Include safety accomplishments and results when possible.

Example

  • Performed complex high falls from 30+ feet on set of feature film resulting in zero injuries and praised by stunt coordinator
  • Collaborated with fight choreographers and production teams to design and execute hand-to-hand combat sequences in TV series, enhancing realism and safety
  • Operated full-scale vehicle stunts in urban scenes, achieving multiple perfect takes under challenging conditions
  • Assisted in rig setup and safety checks for wire stunts, reducing incident risk during filming schedule

Education

List your highest training or degrees first. Include school name, training type (e.g., stunt school, martial arts certification), specialty, and completion year. Workshops in stage combat, stunt safety, or physical conditioning add value.

Certifications

Enumerate relevant certifications such as SAG-AFTRA membership, stunt driving licenses, combat safety certificates, or first aid qualifications. These affirm your professionalism and compliance with safety standards.

Projects (Optional)

For less experienced performers or those switching careers, include 2–3 key projects. Outline the stunt sequences performed, preparation techniques, tools or gear used, and measurable impact on production quality.

Essential Skills to Feature in a Stunt Performer Resume

Incorporate these ATS-friendly keywords strategically in your stunt performer resume format. Categorize skills for clarity and keyword optimization.

Physical & Technical Skills

  • High Falls
  • Wire Rigging
  • Precision Driving
  • Fight Choreography
  • Fire & Pyrotechnics
  • Parkour / Free Running

Safety & Compliance

  • Risk Assessment
  • Set Safety Protocols
  • First Aid Certification
  • Stunt Coordination Support
  • Protective Equipment Usage

Performance & Adaptability

  • Character Acting
  • Physical Conditioning
  • Team Collaboration
  • Environment Adaptability
  • Quick Reflexes

Professional Tools & Gear

  • Harness Systems
  • Crash Mats
  • Drones for Stunt Filming
  • Cameras for POV Shots
  • Communication Radios

ATS Keyword Tip: Use exact phrases from casting calls or stunt job descriptions. If they mention “precision driving,” repeat the phrase exactly rather than synonyms. ATS software matches keywords verbatim.

How to Optimize Your Stunt Performer Resume for ATS

An outstanding stunt performer resume format still needs to be machine-readable to reach casting hands. These strategies help your resume get noticed by both ATS tools and recruiters.

Do This

  • Use common section headers like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills”
  • Stick to simple, single-column layouts free of tables or text boxes
  • Integrate exact keywords from the job listing naturally into your resume
  • Save files as .docx unless a PDF is requested explicitly
  • Utilize traditional bullet points (•) rather than icons or graphics
  • Choose legible fonts sized between 10–12 pt such as Arial or Calibri
  • Spell out acronyms once, e.g., “Stunt Action Safety Protocol (SASP)”

Avoid This

  • Avoid using headers or footers which ATS may omit
  • Do not embed contact info within images or graphics
  • Reject creative multi-column or infographic styles
  • Don't submit in unusual file formats like .pages or image files
  • Avoid “skill bars” or rating percentages for skills
  • Don't rely solely on color to indicate section hierarchy
  • Avoid keyword stuffing; it hinders ATS scoring and reader clarity

Common Resume Mistakes for Stunt Performers

Avoid these pitfalls that can weaken even a highly skilled stunt performer’s application.

1

Generic One-Size-Fits-All Resume

Stunt roles vary widely by genre and production scale. Sending an identical resume to every casting call shows a lack of attention to role specifics. Tailor your resume summary, skills, and experience for every job application.

2

Merely Listing Duties Instead of Results

Statements like "Assisted with stunts" reveal little. Instead, say, "Executed 30+ high-risk stunts flawlessly, contributing to zero on-set injuries," to show real accomplishments.

3

Overuse of Technical Jargon

While stunt terminology is important, remember your resume might first be viewed by casting administrators unfamiliar with technical terms. Balance technical terms with clear descriptions of your contributions.

4

Neglecting the Professional Summary

Skipping or writing vague summaries squanders valuable space. Casting agents spend only seconds scanning resumes. A powerful summary quickly communicates your standout skills and experience.

5

Cluttered Design and Visual Confusion

Dense blocks of text, inconsistent formatting, or unconventional designs reduce resume readability. Use distinct headings, consistent bullets, ample spacing, and simple fonts for effectiveness.

6

Including Old or Irrelevant Experience

Listing unrelated early job experience distracts from your stunt credentials. Focus on recent and relevant stunt work or training from the past decade to demonstrate current capabilities.

7

Ignoring ATS Keywords

If the job posting requests skills like "wire rigging," avoid abbreviations or synonyms in your resume. Matching keywords exactly ensures your resume passes automated screening systems.

What Our Users Say

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Sarah Jay

Stunt Performer • IT Startup

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Serina Williams

Associate Stunt Performer • B2C Company

"The AI resume optimizer caught keyword gaps I completely missed. After reformatting my resume with CV Owl's templates, I started getting callbacks from companies that had previously ghosted me. Landed a senior stunt performer role within 6 weeks."

Rahul Kapoor

Senior Stunt Performer • B2B SaaS

"As someone transitioning from engineering to product management, I struggled with resume formatting. CV Owl's structured templates helped me present my transferable skills effectively. Got 3 interview calls in the first week after updating my resume."

Priya Menon

Product Lead • Fintech Startup

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common queries about crafting an effective stunt performer resume format.

The reverse chronological format works best for most stunt performers. It’s widely accepted by casting directors and ATS systems and clearly shows your latest stunt work and growth. For newcomers or career switchers, a hybrid format highlighting skills first may be beneficial.

Most stunt performers should keep their resumes to one page unless they have extensive stunt credits. Experienced leads or coordinators with over 10 years of work may use two pages, provided every detail is relevant and concise.

Functional resumes are generally discouraged because they obscure the timeline of on-set work. Casting directors prefer to see recent experience. If you have employment gaps, address them in a cover letter instead of relying on a functional format.

ATS systems rarely reject resumes outright but can misread elaborate designs, causing information loss. Avoid tables, columns, headers/footers, and embedded images. Use straightforward layouts with standard headings for best results.

Photos are typically discouraged in the US and UK resumes to prevent bias and compatibility issues. However, some international markets expect photos. Research the norms of the country and company before including one.

Update your resume every 3 to 6 months to incorporate new stunt roles, skills, and certifications. Staying current ensures you’re prepared for unexpected auditions and networking opportunities.

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