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United Stuntmen's Association

A long-established association of professional stunt performers based in Hollywood

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Overview

The United Stuntmen's Association is one of the oldest stunt organizations in Hollywood, with members who have contributed to some of the most iconic action sequences in cinema history. The association is dedicated to advancing the craft of stunt performance and maintaining high safety standards.

USA members bring expertise in areas including high falls, car work, fire burns, wire work, and martial arts. The association provides a network for productions seeking experienced stunt professionals with proven track records.

How It Works

Like other top-tier stunt organizations, membership in the United Stuntmen's Association is selective and based on professional credentials. Aspiring stunt performers can learn from the careers of USA members to understand the range of skills required.

Contact the organization directly for information about membership requirements and any associated costs. Their website provides background on the association and its members.

Who Uses It

For actors interested in the stunt side of the industry, the United Stuntmen's Association represents the caliber of professionalism and skill that productions rely on. Building your own physical abilities with this standard in mind will serve your career well. The association's legacy stretches back decades, and its members have contributed to some of the most memorable action sequences in cinema, from classic car chases to elaborate fire gags. USA's reputation within the Hollywood stunt community makes it a benchmark organization that aspiring stunt performers study and aspire to join.

Pricing & Plans

The United Stuntmen's Association does not publicly list membership fees or dues, and entry into the organization is based on professional credentials and peer recognition rather than an open application process. Like other elite stunt organizations, the real cost of membership is the years of training, set experience, and reputation-building required to earn consideration. Aspiring stunt performers should expect to invest thousands of dollars annually in training across disciplines such as martial arts, high falls, precision driving, fire work, and wire rigging before reaching the level of proficiency that USA membership implies. Compared to open-membership organizations like SAFD at seventy-five dollars per year, USA represents a professional tier that requires substantial career investment to access. The organization's website provides general information about its history and members but does not include a public pricing page or application form. For working stunt professionals who are invited to join, the value lies in the network, credibility, and booking opportunities that come with association membership rather than in specific member services.

Pros & Cons

What's Great

USA's greatest strength is its deep historical legacy in Hollywood, with members who have contributed to decades of iconic action cinema, lending the organization an unmatched level of credibility and prestige. The association's selective membership ensures that being a USA member carries genuine weight with stunt coordinators, directors, and producers who are assembling teams for high-profile action sequences. USA members bring expertise across a wide range of stunt disciplines, from vehicle work and high falls to fire burns and martial arts, reflecting the versatility that defines top-tier stunt professionals. The organization's emphasis on safety standards has contributed to industry-wide improvements in how stunt work is planned and executed, benefiting all performers on set. The networking opportunities within USA's membership connect performers with some of the most experienced and well-connected coordinators in the business, creating pathways to work on major studio productions.

What Could Be Better

USA's selective and opaque membership process is its most significant limitation, as there is no transparent pathway for aspiring stunt performers to follow toward membership. The organization does not offer training programs, workshops, or mentorship initiatives for emerging stunt professionals, limiting its value to those who have not yet reached the elite level. USA's public-facing resources are minimal, with a basic website that provides little actionable information for aspiring performers seeking guidance on how to build a stunt career. The association's membership has historically been dominated by a specific demographic, and while the stunt community is becoming more diverse, USA has been slower to reflect this shift than some would prefer. USA does not operate a job board, casting service, or searchable directory that productions can use to find available stunt performers, relying instead on personal referrals within the existing network. The organization's focus is squarely on Hollywood productions, and stunt performers working primarily in regional markets, live entertainment, or international productions may find less practical value in pursuing membership.

Our Recommendation

The United Stuntmen's Association is the right aspirational target for stunt professionals who are building careers in the major Hollywood studio system and want to be recognized among the industry's most accomplished performers. If you are early in your stunt career, USA membership should be a long-term goal that informs your training choices and professional standards, not an immediate objective. Aspiring stunt performers should focus first on building skills through formal training programs, earning SAFD certification for stage combat, and accumulating set experience as a utility stunt performer before thinking about elite organization membership. If your stunt career is focused outside of Hollywood, such as in live stunt shows, regional film markets, or international productions, the practical benefit of USA membership may be limited compared to building strong local coordinator relationships. Study the careers of current USA members to understand the training backgrounds, credit lists, and professional relationships that characterize the organization's standard of excellence.

Pro Tips

Build a versatile stunt skill set that covers at least four or five major categories including unarmed combat, falls, vehicle work, wire work, and at least one specialty such as fire or water stunts, as USA members are expected to be multi-disciplinary professionals. Invest in formal training from established stunt schools and workshops rather than relying solely on athletic background, as technical stunt skills like safe falling techniques and reaction selling require specific professional instruction. Network actively within the Hollywood stunt community by working as a utility performer on as many productions as possible, building relationships with coordinators who can vouch for your skills and professionalism. Maintain a current and professionally edited demo reel that showcases your best work across multiple stunt categories, as this is your primary marketing tool within the stunt community. Approach every set experience with absolute professionalism, reliability, and safety consciousness, as your reputation among coordinators is the single most important factor in your career advancement. Follow USA members on social media and attend industry events where they are present to stay informed about the standards, trends, and opportunities within the elite stunt community.

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Quick Facts

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Best ForProfessional stunt performers seeking membership in a respected Hollywood stunt organization