18 / STUNT PERFORMERS
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Fire Base - All images courtesy of SASA
STUNT CREW
REMAIN STRONG DURING LOCKDOWN The South African Stunt Association shares a brief overview of the body and gives us the lowdown on what is happening to stunt performers during the national lockdown.
T
he South African Stunt Association was conceptualised in 2015 and launched in 2016, to represent the stunt crew within South Africa and to promote professionalism within the industry. SASA is not an agent but rather a group of professionals who came together for one purpose: the greater good. Over the past four years, SASA has grown from strength to strength, and with access to various professionals in law, health and insurance, etc SASA has been able to consult with, as well as assist members in many areas. These include crew contracts, insurance, health care policies, set protocol, training and much more. Callsheet caught up with them to find out more.
What does one have to do to become a member of SASA? In order to become a SASA member, you will need to meet the joining criteria for new members. To find out what
this entails, you can email admin@sastuntcrew.co.za, state which role(s) you consider yourself as, e.g. stunt performer, stunt coordinator, stunt rigger, precision driver, etc.
ULTIMATELY, ALL OUR MEMBERS WILL ADAPT FAST AND MAKE THE MOST OF THIS UNKNOWN SITUATION. THIS IS COMMONPLACE ON FILM SETS NOW, AND MANY WILL USE THE TIME OFF TO UPSKILL THEMSELVES IN REGARD TO CAMERA WORK, EDITING, WEAPONS HANDLING AND MUCH MORE.
You will then be sent the necessary information and joining criteria. Once your application is in, you will have your application considered by the SASA Board and the SASA Advisory Committee. In general, in order to be accepted as a stunt performer, you need to meet the relevant joining criteria, plus submit a competency video. If you wish to be recognised as a stunt rigger then you would need to submit proof of relevant qualification(s), experience and references. How is SASA and its members coping with the COVID-19 lockdown? The COVID-19 pandemic been a shock to the world, never mind the film and television