Inside the World of Stunt Performer Shaun Verth
20 March 2026
For stunt performer Shaun Verth, stunt work is all about precision, discipline, and showing up ready for anything. With a foundation in movement and performance, he brings a focused, all-in approach to every set. Shaun shares his work and highlights in his career.
Q. How did you first get into stunt work, and what drew you to this side of the film industry?
Through my youth I was always involved in performance arts whether it was dancing, stage performance or parkour and free running. I loved being the centre of attention and excelling at everything I enjoyed. I couldn’t stand the thought of being at a desk after high school. So, I did what any stubborn kid would do and go against what my parents wanted me to do. Straight after high school I started doing extra work, here and there and started to get exposed to the industry as a whole. Early on, I saw stunts on set and thought, yup, that’s what I’m going to do. The prestige and honour of stuntmen was what drew me to it. Getting in was not so easy. I was almost at my wits end trying to get in until one fateful night. I was having a chilled evening with my dad when I suddenly got this urge to message one of my stunt friends, Daniel Himschoot, just wishing him the best for his career and how proud I was that he was so successful in it. He replied back saying thank you and asked if I was going to the stunt casting the next day for a show called black sails. I had no idea it was evening happening but without a beat I said, YES! As I put the phone down I looked my dad dead in the eyes and said, “I’m going to bed, I’ve got a big day tomorrow!”. And so the next day I went and BOOM! Fast forward 11 years later and I’m designing fights for fantastic films.
Q. What was your journey from training to landing your first professional stunt role?
The training I had been doing since I was a kid. Playing, falling, jumping were just things I never ceased to do. I got really involved in parkour/free-running at the age of 16 and it became my way of training on the daily. With stunts I came in with the mentality of being a sponge. I absorbed EVERYTHING. I would always watch the performers and pin point the best thing from them. The journey was absolutely more mental than physical. I would never just try to be like ONE great performer, I would take one trait from each one of them that was mind blowing and put it to work. Honestly, it was 7 years of that until I could say I had my first international, lead doubling role. Funny enough, that was the job just before I started on one piece season 1.
Q. Stunt performers often have diverse skill sets. What disciplines or skills have been most important in your career?
The most important, in my opinion, is being self-aware. This way you can be honest with yourself in whether you’re doing the right or wrong thing. Being a sponge to every single bit of information, good and bad. The discipline to train every single day whether I’m working or not. I would hone in on skills which would include free running, martial arts, performer, dancing, everything! I would make sure I was ready for when that phone rings. “It’s better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.” – Miyamoto Musashi’s
Q. What has been the most challenging stunt you’ve ever performed?
The most challenging has to be the stunt I performed in One Piece season 2 episode 3.. It was a high fall from a 1st floor balcony onto a staircase, through a breakaway railing and then ping the bar counter top to the floor. This stunt took a lot of RND. There was very little room for error and I can tell you, the nerves were sky high during the rehearsals. That being said, when it came time to shoot the gag, it’s the most calm I’ve ever felt for a stunt. It was actually at that moment I realised all the training I’ve done through my life has prepared me for this moment. It was surreal. Also, I have to give a massive shout out to the incredible rigging team on One Piece for keeping me safe through the tremendous amount of action I had been part of.
Q. Out of all the productions you’ve worked on, which film or series stands out as your favourite and why?
Easy. One Piece. Being a lifelong fan of the manga and anime, it’s surreal being able to live and breathe the world of One Piece. The creative freedom I get in the show allows me to grow exponentially as a stunt performer and choreographer. I am grateful for the opportunity here and I don’t take any second granted.
Q. Was there a particular stunt or sequence in your career that you’re especially proud of?
Yes, again, One Piece. Season 1 we were tasked with creating the iconic Zoro vs. Mihawk scene. I had the opportunity to double the incredible Mihawk played by Steven Ward. This fight had tasked our incredible stunt team to design not only an epic fight but an emotionally story driven one. From previz to showcase, we had learnt so much and couldn’t be prouder of the results and especially the team.
Q. Do you have a favourite stunt genre to work in, fight choreography, high falls, vehicle stunts, or something else?
Fight choreography is definitely my favourite. I’m grateful I get to take my ideas and bring them to life. I think I can speak for most artists when I say it is such a pleasure having the opportunity to take those ideas, pictures, designs in your head and putting it on screen.
Q. What was it like joining the stunt team on One Piece Season 2?
It feels like Home. Working with the best of the best in the country it’s just a constant leveling up. From world class coordinators, phenomenal stunt performers, precision driven riggers to an incredible Japanese Sword master, Koji Kawamoto, it’s inspiring being amongst them all.
Q. The world of One Piece is very stylised and action-packed, did that change the way you approached the stunt work?
Absolutely. I think any stunt person knows, being on different shows the styles can vary drastically. From realism to superhero. Finding the balance is no easy task but that’s where the fun is at. My style of fighting had to change drastically. It brought me into the world of flow and rhythm. I started to understand what is more visually pleasing while still making it as relatable as possible. It has fought me a lot and you will definitely see tremendous growth in my future projects coming up.
Q. What was the most memorable moment for you while working on the show?
Actually, watching Mackenyu (Zoro) fight 100 baroque work agents in whiskey peak. He REALLY did that. His swordsmanship and work ethic is a sight to be seen.
Q. How important is physical conditioning and ongoing training in your profession?
Oh! it is imperative. You have to not only be physically sound but mentally too. Expect to get knocked around and take a few hits here and there. It’s part of the game. The more prepared you are the less intimidated you will be with the stunts you’re tasked with.
Q. Are there specific skills, martial arts, gymnastics, parkour that aspiring stunt performers should consider learning?
Go do some form of martial arts for sure. I think boxing is incredible. Footwork is the base to any good on screen fight. More advanced trainings I would suggest Taekwondo. Kick seems to be quite the niche so have that and you’ll be sorted. I started with parkour and freerunning so I can definitely say that is incredible for aerial awareness. But keep it simple. If you feel overwhelmed on where to start, don’t worry. A basic boxing class is all you’ll need in the start of your career as fighting is the bread and butter for a stuntman.
Q. What do people often misunderstand about stunt work in film and television?
People believe stunts is all about the danger. That isn’t true. It’s actually about how much we can mitigate the risk involved while still making it look gnarly. The gag you see on screen is a spec of dust compared to the amount of time and planning that goes into the scene. Safety is priority when it comes to stunts not the danger.
Q. What keeps you passionate about the job after working in such a demanding field?
I mean, what kid wouldn’t want to be a stuntman. My mentality was to always be different. I have only ever known stunts, I’m not just passionate about it, I’m obsessed with it. I get the freedom to be whoever I want, when I want. There is not a single day I’m not excited to get out of bed and work.
Q. What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in stunt performance?
If you have the opportunity to go and train at your local stunt gym, go! If that isn’t an option then go learn skills like, boxing, parkour, swordsmanship, taekwondo, etc. once you feel comfortable and at a decent level, film some of your training. Post it on social media or do a student film for exposure.(I hate that word). But the reason I say this is because a great mentality to have is “out of sight, out of mind”. Nobody will know what you’re capable of unless you can show them.
