Former Film Director, Stunt Coordinator, Bestselling Author of the ‘Cruise Crime Ship Investigators’ Series & Winner of the Best Director Award for his Netflix film ‘Freight’
Stuart St. Paul’s Biography:
Stuart St. Paul is one of the film industry’s most accomplished stunt coordinators, action directors and storytellers, with more than 50 years of experience working at the highest level of international film and television. Best known for his work on landmark productions including Aliens, three James Bond films and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Stuart has collaborated with legendary filmmakers such as James Cameron, Ken Russell and Merchant Ivory. As an engaging keynote and after-dinner speaker, he shares remarkable behind-the-scenes stories while exploring the themes of storytelling, creativity, resilience and motivation, offering audiences a unique insight into the making of some of cinema’s most iconic productions.
Stuart began his career as a stunt performer, joining the James Bond 007 stunt team in 1980 before rapidly establishing himself as one of Britain’s leading stunt coordinators. His breakthrough came in 1984 when he famously portrayed the Queen Alien in James Cameron’s Aliens, cementing his place in film history. Alongside his stunt work, he expanded into producing and writing with Fugitive Films before progressing into directing major productions. His directing career has included projects for Icon Pictures, Status Quo Films, Universal Pictures and leading broadcasters including HBO, Cinemax, Sky, BBC Films and ITV, demonstrating exceptional versatility across both action and dramatic filmmaking.
As a director, Stuart has earned widespread international recognition. His film Freight, later released on Netflix, received more than 20 awards worldwide, while his directing earned Best Director honours in the USA, a Silver Palm at Mexico’s MIFF, and nominations at France’s Cabourg Romantic Film Festival and Italy’s Verona Shermi D’Amour. Pierre-Henri Deleau, the former director of Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, also selected Stuart to represent the UK as a jury member at the Millennial European Film Awards in Stuttgart. Beyond filmmaking, he is a bestselling author whose nine-book Cruise Ship Crime Investigators (CSCI) series has topped multiple Amazon bestseller charts.
Today, Stuart continues to combine his passion for filmmaking, writing and public speaking. Drawing upon decades spent working alongside world-renowned actors, directors and production teams, he demonstrates how collaboration, adaptability and compelling storytelling are essential ingredients for success in any profession. Whether addressing corporate audiences, leadership conferences or entertainment events, Stuart delivers memorable talks packed with humour, inspiration and unparalleled insight from an extraordinary career.
Why Hire Stuart St. Paul?
Stuart St. Paul brings audiences behind the scenes of some of the world’s most celebrated films while revealing the leadership, creativity and resilience required to succeed in high-pressure environments. Combining five decades of experience in stunt coordination, directing, writing and producing, he delivers engaging keynote and after-dinner speeches filled with remarkable stories and practical lessons. His talks inspire audiences to embrace innovation, overcome challenges and harness the power of storytelling, making him an exceptional speaker for business conferences, leadership events and creative industry gatherings.
Stuart St. Paul’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Stuart St. Paul’s remarkable career:
- 2023 – Won the LA Noir Novel and Screenplay Award, recognising his continued success as an author and screenwriter.
- 2023 – Published the second edition of his bestselling novel ‘Cruise Ship Heist’, part of the acclaimed ‘Cruise Ship Crime Investigators’ series.
- 2014 – Worked as Stunt Coordinator on productions for HBO, Cinemax and Sky.
- 2013 – Served as Movie Director for Universal Pictures, further establishing his reputation as an accomplished filmmaker.
- 2013 – Appointed Stunt Coordinator for BBC Films and Universal Films on major productions.
- 2012 – Directed feature film projects for Status Quo Films.
- 2011 – Directed productions for Icon Pictures Ltd, continuing his successful directing career.
- 2009 – Directed the internationally acclaimed feature film Freight, which later received more than 20 awards worldwide and was released on Netflix.
- 1984 – Produced and wrote projects for Fugitive Films while famously portraying the Queen Alien in James Cameron’s Aliens.
- 1980 – Began his film career as a stunt performer on the prestigious James Bond 007 stunt team.
Videos
Stuart St. Paul’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“… an amazingly loyal and reliably fluent and interesting speaker. Stuart is indeed a natural speaker, someone whose manner of speaking engages his listeners and holds their attention. I heard him give talks on a whole range of topics, mostly to do with the film industry and the entertainment world, though I am sure his range is wider than that now. Stuart was a star, listening precisely to what was being asked or to comments offered and always engaging in a warm and intelligent dialogue. It is also worth mentioning that his talks always produced a very lively response: the audience wanted to interact with him and engage in further discussion.” – Robert, Merchant Taylors’ School
“His presentation was very well organised and it included the use of lively and eye-catching videos. The students really enjoyed the whole session and many chose to stay behind to ask Stuart individual questions at the end of the talk. I have no hesitation in recommending Stuart to your organisation as a potential speaker.” – Chris, St Clement Danes School
“Thank you for the extra work that you put in on the ship, we all really appreciated it …. your talks were well received”. – Carole, P&O Britannia
Speaking Topics
Stuart St. Paul’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Motivation and inspiration
- Creative storytelling
- Action in movies
- Novel vs. screenplay
- Trusting your team
- Working in film and television directing
- Actors film as a business
- Taking Status Quo to Fiji – Bula
- Film markets and festivals
- Defying safety, deliberate stunts
- Writing for the unknown future; man and robots
How Much Does Stuart St. Paul Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Stuart St. Paul?
Stuart St. Paul’s speaking fees typically reflect their exceptional career and international demand. Engagements vary depending on location, format, and duration; keynote appearances, conferences, and international events may command higher fees due to travel and preparation requirements.
