British stunt performers allegedly threatened post joining new guild

There's a divide forming within the British stunt community, as some members are reportedly facing harassment and losing opportunities after joining a new professional association.

The Stunt Guild (TSG), which claims to be the oldest stunt association in the UK, was revived earlier this month after being inactive since the 1990s.

Lee Sheward, a stunt coordinator and performer whose work includes The Crown and Batman, reestablished the guild to enhance job prospects for its members and to foster cooperation within the stunt industry.

Nevertheless, not everyone in the UK stunt sector is on board with TSG. Some view the organisation as a challenge to the British Stunt Register (BSR), which provides certification for stunt performers and coordinators but is not officially recognized by the industry nor functions as a trade body or union.

TSG began with over 90 members, but Sheward noted a backlash led 14 members to leave the guild. Deadline has seen several communications in which TSG members express worries about their involvement with the guild.

“I’m sadly going to have to step down from The Stunt Guild,” one individual stated in a resignation email to TSG. “I receive work through BSR [coordinators] and have been advised that staying might impact future opportunities.”

Another person shared: “Apologies, but I’ve had to end my membership due to significant pressure from various sources. With my BSR training nearing completion, I cannot handle so much backlash and can’t risk causing disruption.”

Sheward told Deadline that what these individuals faced amounted to “bullying” and “coercion” by BSR members, which he argued violates the organisation’s code of conduct.

An anonymous TSG member agreed: “I’ve heard comments suggesting that joining the guild might make you unemployable to BSR members.” They added: “I hope the TSG carves out its space because the stunt industry involves more than just the BSR.”

In a statement to Deadline, the BSR committee expressed being “unaware” of such threats and mentioned no grievances had been filed with them.

The committee commented: “The BSR stands as a prominent body representing the interests of professional stunt performers. Participation is entirely optional. The BSR is not a governing authority.

Thus, many of our members are associated with other professional-bodied organisations similar to ours in application criteria.

“The Stunt Guild does not compete directly with the BSR. The BSR does not support any stunt-related membership groups operating in England. The BSR does not dictate or influence its members on employment choices. The BSR abstains from involvement in the affairs of film or TV productions, which lies outside our scope.”

The BSR committee further stated: “The BSR is proud of its highly competent members who have progressed through a structured pathway, complemented by professional development, and continues to advocate for their interests responsibly and proficiently.”

Recently, BSR members have voiced objections toward other stunt groups. In a BSR WhatsApp group, someone likened joining other associations to a Premier League player playing for an amateur squad.

“It’s more beneficial to the amateur team than it enhances the professional player’s level,” they remarked. Another stunt expert claimed that “fragmented groups” were trying to “disrupt” the BSR.