How to Start a Stunt Design Business

Start a stunt design business by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Stunt Design Business
2. Form your Stunt Design Business into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Stunt Design Business for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Stunt Design Business
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Stunt Design Business
7. Get Stunt Design Business Insurance
8. Define your Stunt Design Business Brand
9. Create your Stunt Design Business Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your stunt design business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What will you name your business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is very important. Read our detailed guide on how to name your business. We recommend checking if the business name you choose is available as a web domain and securing it early so no one else can take it.

What are the costs involved in opening a stunt design business?

The most significant asset for a stunt design business owner is experience. As mentioned, most individuals entering this industry have up to ten years of experience under their belt. They have put in the work as a stuntman and/or design staff and are ready to move on to the next stage of their career.

Stunt designers should meet with a professional to ensure they have proper insurance coverage should an incident occur. Travel expenses for the entire design staff should be budgeted for, and designers are encouraged to consider the travel budget when determining their fees.

Many designers have a dedicated staff that travels with them from job to job. While this significantly increases startup costs, it often proves invaluable to most as each team member knows their role and are able to communicate amongst the team with ease. To mitigate costs, consider hiring team members on a freelance basis.

What are the ongoing expenses for a stunt design business?

Regardless of your role within the industry, leaders encourage everyone involved to commit to learning new methods through continuing their education. Workshops at the Los Angeles Stunts Training Center typically last three days and cost an average of $975, while tuition to an International Stunt School course can set you back upwards of $4,500.

In addition to investing in continuing education, stunt designers will need to budget for travel expenses, insurance, and payroll/employee-related expenses.

Who is the target market?

If you are considering launching a stunt designer business, you have likely spent many years in the industry. Where have you built your reputation? What producers and directors have you developed a solid foundation with? What sets and/or genres most align with your passion and experience? Where could your knowledge and skills best be put to work? While your ultimate goal is to work on set with a television or movie crew, you may have to work your way back up the ladder in this new position.

How does a stunt design business make money?

Hired by television or movie production teams, stunt designers are paid for each project they complete. Designers rely on past successes and the relationships built on set to gain additional work and build a professional portfolio.

How much can you charge customers?

Fees collected vary depending upon the scope and length of the project and budget. The average rate is $980 a day or $3,655 a week.

How much profit can a stunt design business make?

If you earn an average of $3,655 per week and work 30 weeks per year, your gross annual income will exceed $109,000.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Stunt designers looking to increase annual profits are encouraged to branch out and think outside the box. Commercial skate parks, theme parks, community parks, and video game developers could also benefit from your expertise. Opening a stunt school or teaching workshops are also effective ways to supplement your income and build a name for yourself within the community.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your stunt design business is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

Is this Business Right For You?

Due to the dangerous nature of this business, those looking to enter the world of stunt design have spent many years working their way up the ladder. They are hard-working, self-motivated, and possess a deep passion for their field.

What happens during a typical day at a stunt design business?

It is the stunt designer’s responsibility to ensure the director’s vision transfers to the big screen and appear as realistic as possible. They must take into account all constraints, including safety, budget, and aesthetics, while considering all potential environmental, cultural, and social impacts. Designers carry a great deal of responsibility with every day’s work looking a little bit different.

On any given day, the stunt designer can be found:

• Meeting with the movie/television director to ensure all stunt-related production needs are being met
• Collaborate with production and stunt staff
• Collaborate with prop masters, wardrobe, and makeup artists
• Planning and choreographing scenes
• Assessing all risks and implementing safety measures
• Working with stunt actors to ensure all scenes are practiced and carefully mapped out and that all potential risks are identified
• Assisting in the building of stunt sets

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful stunt design business?

Stunt designers must possess a wide range of skills. Due to the nature of this business, most have seven to ten years of stunt experience and have worked on a variety of sets. They have put a great deal of sweat into their passion and have learned to maneuver the myriad of subtle nuances present on set. Stunt designers must work well under pressure, communicate well with others, and be excellent problem solvers. Above all, a collaborative personality and team spirit are essential for long-term success.

What is the growth potential for a stunt design business?

The media and entertainment industry has maintained an average growth rate of 2.1% annually and is expected to be worth $43 billion by 2025. This suggests there is a significant opportunity for the stunt designer industry to grow.