What you should know on the set

By Johnny Cann

As a stunt performer, actor and DF/W SAG stunt and safety committee chair I have seen many situations that concern me. From performers being coerced on the set to perform activities that they are not comfortable with to actors who simply don't know their rights as union members and are blatantly being taken advantage of. This is doubly apparent in right to work states such as Texas. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify some of the more important points about your rights as a Union performer and some things you should remember.

1. When in doubt contact the Screen Actors Guild in your area

2. It is your right, not a privilege, to request a stunt double. In situations where you may be put in danger or just don't have the training or experience to safely perform the task, always request a stunt double.

3. Let your stunt coordinator know if you already have a stunt double that you are happy with. A good stunt double can really make you look good on film and it saves the coordinator time.

4. Actors are not being paid to perform stunts. They are being paid to act.

5. Never perform stunts without first discussing it with the stunt coordinator.

6. Whenever stunts are being performed a qualified stunt coordinator is required to be on the set.

7. If you have any doubts about whether or not what is being asked of you is a stunt, contact the Guild prior to performing the activity.

8. You can not be fired for refusing to perform an activity that you are uncomfortable with.

9. Producers are required to have a safety meeting prior to any dangerous activity that is to take place.

10. Always discuss any additional stunt adjustments prior to performing the stunt and never do stunts without negotiating additional compensation above and beyond your contracted rate.

11. Gravity is constant.

12. Fire is hot.

13. Glass is sharp. (even if it's made of sugar)

14. Cars are heavy.

15. Your head is breakable.

16. Your skin is flammable.

17. The planet earth is very old and very hard.

18. Pavement is abrasive.

19. Water contains no humanly breathable gases.

20. No matter how many pads you are wearing during a stair fall you will catch an edge where there is no pad.

21. Horses will step on you if they can.

22. Motorcycles will step on you if they can.

23. Helicopters are basically giant cuisinearts.

24. Extras will get in your way when performing a stunt no matter how many times you tell them not to.

25. If you don't get it on film and you don't get paid then it is not a stunt. It's an unfortunate accident.

26. Guns will jam only during critical scenes.

27. Blanks will put holes in aluminum cans from 5' away.

28. Ejected automatic weapons rounds will burn the back of your neck.

29. Broken sword blades will always go towards the star of the show or the crew.

30. Swords are sharp.

31. The difference between fire and gravity is that you can't put out gravity.

32. Fire is not constant.

33. Gravitational overload is bad.

34. Falling is easy.

35. Landing is hard.