There is no such thing as a 'normal day' when you’re working as a stunt double. 

On this week’s Ask Me Anything segment on Lunchtime Live, performer Niamh Hogan said her job is extremely varied and highly entertaining.

At college she studied drama and theatre studies and afterwards she took part in a stage combat training course.

“The instructor said, ‘You’re not too bad at this, would you ever consider getting into stunts?’” she recalled.

“I said, ‘Performing and violence together in a job? Yes please, how do I do that?”

'I work with great groups'

The stunt industry is dominated by men but Ms Hogan said she has been made to feel nothing but welcome and respected in it by colleagues.

“They accepted me immediately because I work with great groups [through] Stunt Register Ireland and they’re all amazing guys, every single one of them,” she said.

“Very welcoming and we’ve got some good strong female performers as well.

“It’s handy in terms of, if there is an actress who needs a double, yes there [is] a small pool, so we do get a good bit of work in that way.”

Injuries

Getting injured is an occupational hazard in the stunt industry but Ms Hogan said she has been “very fortunate” and is yet to suffer one at work.

“In training, I’ve fallen off a horse in training and got a bad bump, things like that, and I tore a ligament in my foot going for a run once,” she said.

“So, I’m very lucky but I’ve friends who’ve broken things or dislocated shoulders.”

Niamh Hogan showing her skills in karate on the beach. Image: Niamh Hogan.

Generally, insurance is the responsibility of the production company but Ms Hogan has bought her own to cover herself when she is training.

“For myself, my insurance is a normal thing but I make sure it’ll cover horse riding, rock climbing, it’ll cover the extreme sports side of things,” she said.

“So, while I’m off doing my training, I’ll still going to be as covered and safe as possible.”

Variety

Working as a stunt double is hugely varied and Ms Hogan also does a lot of training to prepare herself for different types of jobs.

“There is no such thing as a normal day for me,” she said.

“During the week, I try and go horse riding two, three times a week. I try and go and do some rock climbing sessions, go for the gym, three, four times a week.

“So, you try and do something every single day.”

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