Name: Introduction to Risk Assessment for Stunt Performance
Start: 2026-02-22T10:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-02-22T16:00:00-05:00
Location: 225 West 36th street, New York, NY, United States, New York 10018

Introduction to Risk Assessment for Stunt Performance

By popular demand, we are offering this class again!
Sunday, February 22nd. 10am - 4pm.
This will be a very didactic class broken into classroom and practical sections. Attendees will come away with a basic understanding of how to conduct, implement and document hazard and risk Assessments for stunt performance from script breakdown, through location scout to principal photography.
This class is designed for stunt performers, directors, cinematographers, or any stakeholder involved in shooting action sequences. A diverse class will make for a better learning experience!
It is my hope to offer a potentially new framework (for those who never studied risk assessments) for looking at and addressing hazard and risk identification on a set.
Here is a brief syllabus:
MORNING SESSION WILL COVER:
- You have a script. Your first read.
- Setting the stage - Past incident review.
- Duty of care.
- Words matter: Hazard vs. Risk, Incident vs. Accident
- Hazard & risk management.
- Tools for identifying, assessing and controlling for hazards & risk.
- Prioritizing hazards and risks.
- Types of documentation.
AFTERNOON SESSION WILL COVER:
- Continued script breakdown.
- Location Scout.
- Assess and prioritize identified hazards & risks.
- Document your findings.
- Present your findings!
Even if one never coordinates a stunt or action sequence, this class will offer a framework by which a cast or crew member can make their own assessment when walking onto a set for the first time. If you are coordinating, this may help you in your discussions with production, insurance, safety advisors, emergency response or other stakeholders.
If you are interested in registering for this class, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]
Preregistration is required to reserve a spot in this class. The fee will be $100.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Stephen Koepfer is a stunt performer, filmmaker and lifelong martial artist. Throughout his career in the film industry and before, safety culture has been a primary motivator for him. In his earlier days as a combat sports regulator and event supervisor, he was a key player in developing safety protocol for national level wrestling and martial arts events, as well as mixed martial arts in New York.
Stephen was actively involved in developing MMA regulation in NY, training with the Association of Boxing Commissions, OSHA and pushing for safer standards in the then prohibited sport. His demonstrated history and role as a coach, MMA official and event supervisor, earned him a spot on the short list for a seat on the New York State Athletic Commission after MMA was legalized in NY.
Stephen's commitment to safety followed him into his film industry career where he has served on SAG-AFTRA's New York and national stunt safety committees and the Entertainment Services and Technology Association's (ESTA) Technical Standards Program (TSP). He is an active member of the Event Safety Alliance and is currently attending the University of California San Diego's Event Safety Program (offered via their OSHA Training Institute).