Updated: October 12, 2026
What counts as a stunt on a video shoot
When people hear "stunt," they picture car chases and explosions. On real Miami video shoots, the risky moments are usually much smaller. A model jumping off a dock into Biscayne Bay. An actor tripping on a staircase for a comedy spot. A car driving fast past the camera on the MacArthur Causeway. A dancer being lifted on a rooftop with no railing. A kid on a skateboard in a back-to-school ad. None of these look dangerous on paper, and each of them has hurt people on sets that did not plan for it.
A stunt coordinator is the crew member responsible for planning and supervising any action that carries a risk of injury beyond normal acting. This guide explains what the role covers, how a stunt coordinator works with the rest of the crew, what changes for car, fall and water work in Miami, and how to decide when your shoot needs one.
What a stunt coordinator does
The stunt coordinator's job starts in pre-production and ends when the last action shot is in the can. In practice it includes:
- Reading the script for risk. Flagging every moment involving falls, fights, vehicles, water, heights, fire, animals or physical effort that a performer might not be trained for.
- Designing the action. Working with the director on how the moment will look on camera, and finding the safest way to get that shot. Often the answer is a camera angle or an edit that sells the action without the full risk.
- Choosing performers. Deciding whether the actor can do it, whether a stunt double or stunt performer is needed, and casting those people.
- Equipment and rigging. Pads, mats, harnesses, wires, safety lines, precision drivers and specialized vehicles.
- Rehearsals. Walking through the action at reduced speed before the camera rolls, with every department that is affected.
- On-set safety. Running a safety meeting before each stunt, clearing the area, and having the authority to stop the action if something is not right.
The coordinator works closely with the first assistant director, who schedules the stunt and runs the set, and with the director of photography, who needs to know where the action will happen and where camera can safely be placed.
Car work on Miami roads
Driving shots are the most common "small stunt" in commercial work, especially for automotive, real estate and lifestyle brands. A car passing close to the camera, a quick stop, a parked car pulling away in a hurry: each of these involves a moving vehicle near crew and sometimes the public.
For anything beyond normal driving, productions use a precision driver, and the stunt coordinator plans the route, speed, camera positions and safety zones. On public roads, the film permit has to describe the action, and the jurisdiction may require police officers for traffic control or closure. Never ask an actor or a client's employee to "just drive a bit faster" for a shot. The location manager and producer handle the permits and road access, while the coordinator handles what happens inside the closed area.
Falls, fights and physical comedy
A trip, a shove, a fall onto a couch, a staged slap: these are common in comedy spots and narrative ads, and they can cause injuries if they are improvised. A stunt coordinator will choreograph the move, use pads hidden off camera, and teach the performer how to fall or react safely. For fights, they design every beat, rehearse at slow speed and use camera angles to sell contact that never actually happens.
If an actor is not comfortable or trained for a move, a stunt double steps in for the wide shots and the actor returns for the close-ups. Hair, makeup and wardrobe need to match the double to the actor, so plan that early.
Water scenes in Miami
Water is everywhere in Miami video work: pools, beaches, boats, docks, waterfront rooftops. It is also where small risks get serious fast. Common water moments that call for a coordinator include:
- Jumping or diving from a boat, dock or pool edge.
- Performers swimming in open water, especially with current, wind or boat traffic.
- Night scenes near water, where depth and edges are hard to see.
- Any underwater filming with performers holding their breath.
Depending on the scene, the coordinator may bring water safety personnel, rescue swimmers or a safety boat, and will plan the shot around conditions on the day. Heat and sun exposure add to the strain on performers, so water days also need shade, drinking water and rest. Our article on set safety on a Miami shoot covers the wider picture of heat, water and electrical hazards.
When you need a stunt coordinator
A simple rule of thumb: if you have to ask whether an action is safe, ask a stunt coordinator. More specifically, plan for one when your shoot includes:
| Action | Why a coordinator helps |
|---|---|
| Vehicles moving near crew or performers | Route, speed, driver and safety zones |
| Falls, trips, fights or physical comedy | Choreography, pads and safe technique |
| Jumps or swimming in open water | Water safety, conditions and rescue plan |
| Work at height, on rooftops or ledges | Harnesses, rigging and edge protection |
| Skating, cycling, sports action | Skill check and stunt doubles where needed |
| Fire, smoke or effects near people | Coordination with special effects and fire safety |
If the shoot is under a union agreement, there are additional rules about when stunt performers and coordinators must be used and how they are paid. Check those with your producer before casting the action.
The stunt coordinator is also a budget line that should appear early. Their prep days, rehearsals, equipment and any stunt performers or doubles are separate costs. Adding them late usually means cutting rehearsal time, which is exactly the part that keeps people safe. Insurance matters too: your production insurance carrier will want to know about stunts, and some policies require a coordinator for certain actions.
Working well with a stunt coordinator
- Bring them in when the script is final, not the week of the shoot.
- Share the storyboard or shot list so they can suggest safer angles.
- Give them rehearsal time on the schedule, ideally at the actual location.
- Respect their call to stop or change the action. That authority exists for a reason.
- Include them in the safety briefing at the start of the day and before each stunt.
How we plan action on Miami shoots
As a Miami video production team, we read every script for physical risk during pre-production. When a scene needs it, we bring in a stunt coordinator we trust, build their prep and rehearsal into the schedule, and plan the permits, insurance and safety crew around the action. When a scene can be shot in a safer way that still looks good, we suggest it early, so the budget goes where it matters.
If your next video includes cars, water, heights or anything physical, send us the script and we will tell you what it will take to shoot it safely. Learn more about our team, browse more crew guides on our blog, or contact us to plan your shoot.