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Frequently Asked Questions:
Q:
How much time does it take to learn the stunts?
A: As long as it takes until you can do
the stunts proficiently. Just because you might be able to do a
stunt, does not mean that you can do
it well enough to be paid for doing it. You will only work
shows if and when you can
perform the stunts with professional movie industry quality. This
determination is made by the
Director/Stunt Coordinator and the Technical Advisor.
Q: What is the training schedule?
A:
We train on Monday or Tuesday nights, at the Double Dutch Ranch in Malone, WI from 5:PM to
about 8:30PM and
sometimes an occasional Saturday with advanced notice. Some training and/or
rehearsals are done on
site at the event. Performers are expected to practice or rehearse when
asked to do
so by the Director/Stunt Coordinator.
Q:
Do I get paid back for the money I spend for clothes, pads and personal props?
A: You get paid for the shows you perform
in. The money you spend on your personal items (pads, clothes,
props) is for the "tools
of your trade". If you have already been in the acting field, then there are tax
advantages and you may be able to
"write off" the expenses on your tax returns. Check with your
tax accountant.
Q: What happens if I can't make a
"Show Date" ?
A:
Show dates are posted well in advance. It is up to you to arrange for the time to do
the show.
If we have to cancel a show
because you can't be there, everyone looses. We try and have all bookings
in and set by the end of
March. Shows after that will only be taken upon everyone's availability.
Therefore June 1st through
October 1st, are the seasonal months that we book for.
Q:
Is this considered an amateur production?
A:
No. Amateurs don't get paid. Also, most amateur productions are not scripted and do
not have mixed
sound tracks and are not
rehearsed as extensively as a professional production. Amateurs are also not
certified by a professional
organization for the work they do. Once you are paid to do stunts in a show,
you are, as
of that moment, a professional
stunt performer.
Q:
What happens if I do all the training sessions and then not be
able to do any shows?
A: This is not a so called "stunt
school" where you pay for what you learn. You do shows for the group in
exchange for what you learn.
That is how you pay back the instructor for his time to teach you. If you
can't do the shows, then you have
wasted your time and his.
You would most definitely get sued, for the fees, (for his time) to teach you. He
charges $ 350.00 a
day for his time and
experience, plus the money we would loose canceling shows because of your
failure to participate.
These are Paid Shows and are done by contract with the booking
organization. A contract for the
performance is signed and a deposit
given. If you can't do a show and we have to cancel who refunds
the money for the
deposit? (used to purchase expendable props and ammo for that show). JD would
get sued for the breech of contract
which means you would get sued for it as well. The best thing is to
makeup your mind and once you
commit, stick with it.
There are exceptions to this such as and
unforeseen Illness, death in family, etc. which of course would
excuse your participation
without ramifications.
Q: Can I use your group as a credit on my Resume?
A:
Absolutely. You can also list your training time and what you learn. Anytime
you are paid for a
performance it can be used as
a legitimate credit. However, your training must have been completed
not just "started".
Q:
Can I make a living doing your show?
A:
To be honest, probably not. In the Midwest this kind of show is seasonal, about 3 to
5 months of the
year and the number
of shows depend on the bookings. Some years might have many bookings
others might be
scarce. But the same can be said for the movie industry. Stunt Artists, unless
very
well known or lucky
enough to be on a TV series, also work during the season and are off work during
hiatus. It is wise
to have a steady job that you can depend on, and arrange for the needed time to do
shows.
County and State fairs are the booking venues that we mostly try for. They are
usually for 4 or 5 days
for each booking. If in the
future we are booked solid for the whole summer, then yes, you
could make
a pretty good living at
it. But, you would still need some kind of job for the winter
months. The
number of shows we
do, or can take, is directly connected to everyone's availability to
do them. It is the
intention of the group (at this
point) to do a total of 8 to 10 shows at 5 days each, for the season.
Remember, we can only take the number of
show bookings directly related to the availability of the
cast. If we don't have a full crew
then we can't do the show.
The way to make all of the training and rehearsals worth it is to get as many shows as possible.
In short. There are several ways that JD could govern the way this group functions. He could charge people a fee, to learn how to do stunts, like other schools do (approx. 3 to 5 thousand dollars) and then use the people who are available at the time of a particular booking, or, he can teach for free and take people at "their word" that they will participate in the shows.
He has chosen to use the later means. He gives the benefit of the doubt and takes people at their word, that they will commit to do the shows. It is up to the student/performer to keep his word and it is up to him to teach the best he can and present a unique and professional show.