Rick Barker Stunt Team
A professional stunt team offering hands-on training for aspiring stunt performers
Overview
The Rick Barker Stunt Team is a professional group that provides stunt training and mentorship for performers looking to break into the stunt industry. Training covers a range of essential skills including fight choreography, falls, and reaction techniques.
Working with an established stunt team gives trainees direct exposure to the standards and practices used on professional sets. The hands-on nature of the training helps performers build confidence and competence under realistic conditions.
How It Works
Stunt teams like Rick Barker's also serve as networking hubs, connecting aspiring performers with coordinators and production contacts who may offer work opportunities. Building relationships within a team environment is one of the most effective ways to enter the stunt field.
Training availability and rates vary, so interested performers should contact the team directly for current scheduling and pricing information. Commitment and physical readiness are expected of all participants.
Who Uses It
For actors and aspiring stunt performers who want practical, hands-on training from working professionals, connecting with a stunt team is one of the most direct paths into the industry. The experience gained is difficult to replicate in a classroom setting alone. Stunt teams operate as both training grounds and professional networks, and performers who train consistently with a team often receive their first on-set opportunities through the team's coordinator connections. The mentorship component is particularly valuable, as experienced team members can provide candid feedback on your readiness for professional work and guide your development toward the skills that productions are actively seeking.
Pricing & Plans
Training rates with the Rick Barker Stunt Team are not publicly posted and should be confirmed by contacting the team directly, as pricing can vary based on the type of training, session length, and group size. Individual private training sessions with professional stunt teams typically range from seventy-five to two hundred dollars per hour, while group training sessions and workshops are often more affordable on a per-person basis. Some stunt teams offer package deals or monthly training programs that reduce the per-session cost for committed participants, so asking about long-term training options is worthwhile. Compared to SAFD workshop tuition at three hundred to fifteen hundred dollars for multi-day intensives, ongoing stunt team training offers a different value proposition focused on consistent, practical skill development rather than formal certification. The investment in stunt team training should be viewed as both education and networking, since the relationships built during training often lead directly to paid work opportunities. For aspiring stunt performers on tight budgets, the cost of team training is a necessary career investment that pays dividends through on-set opportunities and industry connections.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The Rick Barker Stunt Team's greatest strength is the hands-on, practical nature of its training, which places performers in realistic scenarios that closely simulate on-set conditions rather than abstract classroom exercises. Training with a working professional stunt team provides direct exposure to the standards, safety protocols, and performance expectations used on actual productions, accelerating a trainee's readiness for professional work. The team environment fosters camaraderie and mutual support among trainees, creating a built-in peer network that shares information about opportunities, training tips, and industry developments. The mentorship from experienced stunt professionals who are actively working in the industry provides insights and career guidance that cannot be found in textbooks or formal programs. The networking opportunities are substantial, as stunt teams often have direct relationships with coordinators and production companies who call on team members and their trainees when assembling stunt crews.
What Could Be Better
Training availability with the Rick Barker Stunt Team may be inconsistent, as working stunt professionals' schedules are dictated by production timelines that can change with little notice. The team does not appear to maintain a comprehensive website or online presence with detailed information about training programs, schedules, and curriculum, which can make it difficult for interested performers to research and evaluate the offering before committing. There is no formal certification or credential issued upon completion of training, so the value of the experience relies entirely on the skills gained and the relationships built rather than a recognized qualification. The geographic requirement of training in person with the team limits accessibility for performers who do not live in the team's operating area. The quality of training can vary depending on which team members are leading sessions and what skills are being covered on a given day. Without a structured curriculum published in advance, trainees may not have clear visibility into what progression path the training follows or how long it takes to reach professional readiness.
Our Recommendation
The Rick Barker Stunt Team is a strong choice for aspiring stunt performers who are committed to breaking into the industry and want the practical, real-world training that comes from working directly with active professionals. It is particularly well suited for performers who learn best through hands-on practice rather than classroom instruction and who value mentorship and networking as much as skill development. If you prefer a structured program with formal certification and a published curriculum, you may want to start with SAFD workshops or an established stunt training school before supplementing with team-based training. Actors who are exploring stunt work casually and are not ready to commit to regular training may find the investment premature, and should first confirm their interest by attending introductory workshops or open training sessions. For serious aspiring stunt performers in the team's geographic area, this type of training is one of the most direct paths from preparation to professional work.
Pro Tips
Before contacting the Rick Barker Stunt Team, build a baseline level of physical fitness and athletic ability, as stunt training is physically demanding and you will get more out of each session if you arrive in strong condition. Come to your first training session with a clear sense of which stunt disciplines interest you most, whether that is fight choreography, falls, vehicle work, or fire, so the team can tailor their guidance to your goals. Be consistent in your attendance and demonstrate reliability, as stunt teams value dependability above almost all other traits because on-set work demands performers who show up prepared and on time. Ask experienced team members about their career paths and the steps they took to transition from training to professional work, as these firsthand accounts are invaluable for planning your own progression. Bring a camera or have a training partner film your work during sessions so you can review your technique, track your improvement, and begin building footage for your demo reel. Treat every training session as a professional engagement by arriving early, being respectful of others' time and safety, and maintaining a positive attitude, as your reputation within the team directly influences whether members recommend you for paid work.