Stunt performers and designers are finally getting the recognition they deserve with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announcing a new category for stunt design in 2028. The move comes after decades of efforts by stunt community leaders, including Jack Gill, who first proposed the idea in the early 1990s.
Gill, a legendary stuntman, met with then-Academy leadership to push for the creation of an Oscars category for stunts. He recalls that they told him it would take three to five years, but he was undeterred. Today, Gill and other stunt community members are celebrating the news that their efforts have paid off.
The campaign for a stunt Oscar gained momentum in recent years, thanks to directors like David Leitch, who also directs films like John Wick, and Chris O’Hara, his stunt designer partner. They studied the playbook of casting directors, who won their own Oscar category last year, and used politician’s tact to build coalitions.
The release of The Fall Guy, which Ryan Gosling introduced at its Los Angeles premiere as a “giant campaign” to get stunts an Oscar, helped put stunts front and center. Leitch and O’Hara emphasized that the stunt Oscar should judge contributions holistically, not just specific sequences.
Stunt performers and designers agree that this category should apply to all types of movies, not just blockbusters or action films. They point to examples like Raiders of Lost Ark, True Lies, and Mad Max: Fury Road, which showcased exceptional stunt design.
The new category is a recognition of the unique role stunts play on productions, working both behind and in front of the camera across multiple departments. Stunt performers have become more vocal about acknowledging their work, thanks to the internet and behind-the-scenes videos.
The news marks an emotional victory for Gill, who had previously assembled thousands of signatures in support of a stunt Oscar category but was met with silence from the Academy. He now sees this as a celebration of the movie that could’ve won in the past: “Raiders of Lost Ark,” “True Lies,” and “Mad Max: Fury Road.”
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/best-stunt-oscar-could-drive-stunt-designers-to-up-the-ante-1236188759