International Stunt Association
A prestigious stunt organization representing top professional stunt performers worldwide
Overview
The International Stunt Association is an invitation-only organization composed of elite stunt professionals who have demonstrated exceptional skill and experience in the field. Members have worked on major blockbuster films, television series, and live entertainment productions.
ISA members are known for their versatility and commitment to safety on set. The organization serves as both a professional community and a referral network, connecting productions with qualified stunt performers for a wide range of physical requirements.
How It Works
While actors cannot simply join ISA, understanding the organization and its standards can inform your own physical training goals. ISA members often serve as stunt coordinators on major productions and may hire additional performers for large-scale action sequences.
Membership is by invitation only, so there is no public fee structure. Actors interested in stunt work should focus on building their skills and networking within the stunt community to gain visibility with ISA members.
Who Uses It
Even if joining ISA is a long-term goal, studying the work of its members and attending industry events where they participate can provide valuable insight into what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of stunt performance. ISA members frequently serve as stunt coordinators on blockbuster franchises and high-budget television series, making relationships within this network extremely valuable for working stunt performers. The organization's annual awards ceremony and industry events provide rare opportunities for aspiring stunt professionals to observe and connect with the elite tier of the stunt community.
Pricing & Plans
The International Stunt Association operates on an invitation-only membership model, so there is no publicly listed fee structure or application process that aspiring members can follow. Membership is extended based on demonstrated professional excellence, industry reputation, and endorsement by existing members, making the cost effectively measured in years of career investment rather than dollars. For aspiring stunt performers looking to build toward ISA-level recognition, the financial investment is in training, which can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars per year across various stunt disciplines including martial arts, driving, wire work, and high falls. Compared to organizations with open membership like SAFD at seventy-five dollars per year, ISA represents an entirely different tier of professional recognition that cannot be purchased or fast-tracked. The value proposition of ISA membership lies not in services provided to members but in the prestige, referral network, and booking opportunities that come with being recognized by the industry's most accomplished stunt professionals. For working stunt performers, the return on ISA membership is measured in career access rather than a direct cost-benefit calculation.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
ISA's greatest strength is the caliber of its membership, which includes some of the most accomplished and respected stunt professionals in the history of film and television. The invitation-only structure ensures that the organization maintains an exceptionally high standard, which in turn gives ISA membership genuine weight and credibility with directors, producers, and stunt coordinators. Being associated with ISA opens doors to high-profile productions and coordinator positions that are often filled through personal referrals within the stunt community. The organization's events and awards ceremonies provide valuable networking opportunities that are difficult to replicate through any other channel. ISA's focus on safety and professionalism sets an industry benchmark that elevates standards across the entire stunt community, benefiting all performers whether they are members or not.
What Could Be Better
The most significant limitation of ISA is its inaccessibility to the vast majority of stunt performers, as the invitation-only model means there is no clear pathway for aspiring members to follow. The organization does not offer training programs, workshops, or educational resources, so it provides no direct value to performers who are still building their skills and careers. ISA's prestige is concentrated in the Hollywood studio system, and stunt performers working primarily in independent film, international productions, or live entertainment may find less practical benefit from the association. The lack of transparency around membership criteria can be frustrating for talented performers who feel they have earned recognition but have not received an invitation. ISA does not maintain a public directory or job board, limiting its utility as a resource for productions seeking stunt talent outside existing personal networks. The organization's historical membership has also faced criticism for lacking diversity, though efforts to address this have been made in recent years.
Our Recommendation
ISA is the right long-term goal for stunt professionals who are committed to reaching the highest echelon of the industry and have already accumulated significant credits on major productions. If you are an aspiring stunt performer still building your skills, ISA should be treated as a north star for quality and professionalism rather than an immediate objective, and your focus should be on training, gaining set experience, and building relationships with working coordinators. Performers who are seeking practical resources for stunt training and networking should look to organizations like SAFD for stage combat certification or Stunt Phone for directory visibility while working toward ISA-level recognition. If your stunt career is focused outside the major studio system, the practical benefits of ISA membership may be less significant than building strong relationships with coordinators in your specific market. Study the careers and training backgrounds of current ISA members to reverse-engineer the path that leads to this level of professional recognition.
Pro Tips
Research the credits and career trajectories of current ISA members to understand the depth and breadth of experience that characterizes the organization's standard, then use that information to set concrete training and career milestones for yourself. Focus on developing versatility across multiple stunt disciplines rather than specializing too narrowly, as ISA members are typically recognized for their ability to perform at an elite level across a range of physical skills. Attend industry events, stunt showcases, and award ceremonies where ISA members are present, and approach networking with professionalism and respect rather than directly requesting membership consideration. Build your reputation through consistent, safe, and impressive work on set, as word-of-mouth among coordinators and performers is the primary pathway to ISA recognition. Seek mentorship from experienced stunt coordinators who can guide your career development and vouch for your abilities when the time comes. Maintain a professional demo reel that showcases your best stunt work across multiple categories, as this is often the first thing established professionals review when evaluating emerging talent.