Latest news with #100thAcademyAwards
Calgary Herald
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Vancouver stunt company wins Academy Award for Scientific and Technical Achievement
Article content Vancouver's Fire4Hire stunt company, which has been setting TV/film productions on fire for over two decades, just picked up an Academy Award for Scientific and Technical Achievement. Article content Article content 'It's the craziest and coolest thing ever,' said Colin Decker, who started Fire4Hire 20 years ago with partner Dustin Brooks. Article content 'Stunt people don't typically get an Academy Award, so to be a stuntman getting an Academy Award, two years before they actually have the category, is pretty special,' added Decker, referring to the recent news that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be debuting an Achievement in Stunt Design award at the 100th Academy Awards in 2028. Article content Article content The Scientific and Technical Achievement awards recognize original developments resulting in significant improvements in film production. The awards are usually given out in mid-February, just a couple of weeks before the televised Academy Awards, but the L.A. fires forced postponement of the event. Article content Article content Article content Fire4Hire was recognized for its game-changing fire gel, which allows for safe 'naked' burns. Article content 'That's the best part, because we were awarded for our product. But technically, what our product is the service we provide. We've never actually sold the gel independently of our service,' said Decker, who has been in the stunt business for 22 years and is currently the stunt coordinator on the Global/Fox Gibsons-shot TV series Murder in a Small Town. Article content
Express Tribune
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Academy set to introduce stunt design category
Starting 2027, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be examining films for a brand new stunt design category, as per Variety. The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Thursday that this new category will debut in the 100th Academy Awards, scheduled for 2028. On behalf of the stunt community, The Fall Guy director David Leitch — who started out as a stunt performer and coordinator — led the initiative to institute the new official Oscar category. Leitch committedly pitched the idea to the Academy along with stunt coordinator and designer Chris O'Hara, and now the Board of Governors have heard their plea. Eligibility and voting rules for the inaugural award will be announced in 2027, along with the complete list. The Academy's Board of Governors has yet to determine the specifics of the award's presentation. "Stunts are essential to every genre of film and rooted deep in our industry's history — from the groundbreaking work of early pioneers like Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Charlie Chaplin, to the inspiring artistry of today's stunt designers, coordinators, performers, and choreographers," Leitch said in a statement. He added, "This has been a long journey for so many of us. Chris O'Hara and I have spent years working to bring this moment to life, standing on the shoulders of the stunt professionals who've fought tirelessly for recognition over the decades. We are incredibly grateful. Thank you, Academy." Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang acknowledged that stunt design has played an "integral part" in filmmaking since the dawn of cinema. "We are proud to honour the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion." President of the Stuntmen's Association, Jeff Wolfe, told Variety that he is "thrilled and proud" of this recognition. "For decades, stunt performers, coordinators, and action designers have played a crucial role in shaping the cinematic experience, often putting their bodies on the line to bring unforgettable moments to the screen. This recognition validates the passion, innovation, creativity, and hard work that go into every fall, fight, and fireball. It's not just a win for our industry — it's a win for storytelling." Before the stunt design addition, the Oscars' latest award category was achievement in casting, which was established in 2024. It is set to begin with the upcoming 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025. In it for the adrenaline The SAG Awards were the first to introduce a similar category, outstanding performance by a stunt ensemble, in 2007. Leitch's The Fall Guy took home the most recent trophy. A central aspect of the film are the stunts performed by Ryan Gosling's character Colt Seavers. However, Gosling has the professionals to thank for the heavy-lifting. Logan Holladay, who set the Guinness World Record with 8.5 cannon rolls in 2024, performed the film's driving stunts, while Ben Jenkin and Troy Brown took the hits and the leaps respectively. During an interview with Variety, Holladay spoke of how easily the craft comes to him. "We like adrenaline! We come from action sports. Our entire lives have been spent scarring ourselves and getting a thrill in achieving something," he said. Reflecting on the newfound recognition for stunt performers that came because of the film, Jenkin said, "We didn't get into this to win awards, be famous, and be recognised. This whole thing is so new to us. We've never done press before in our lives! However, when you take a step back and think about it, every single department involved in the creative process of making these incredible movies deserves to be recognised."
Nahar Net
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Nahar Net
Oscars to add stunt design award for its 100th ceremony
by Naharnet Newsdesk 11 April 2025, 17:37 After many years of impassioned calls for an Oscar recognizing the art of the stunt, the film academy has decided to give it an official award. An achievement in stunt design prize will be added starting with the 100th Academy Awards, which will recognize films released in 2027, the film academy said Thursday. "Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking," Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement. "We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion." The film academy's production and technology branch has more than 100 stunt performers among its ranks. David Leitch, who directed "The Fall Guy," which was itself an ode to stunt performers, helped lead the charge for the new prize. Leitch began his career as a stuntman for stars like Brad Pitt before transitioning to making stunt-heavy films like "John Wick." He and stunt coordinator and designer Chris O'Hara of Stunts Unlimited made presentations to the academy advocating for the addition of a new award. "Stunts are essential to every genre of film and rooted deep in our industry's history — from the groundbreaking work of early pioneers like Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Charlie Chaplin, to the inspiring artistry of today's stunt designers, coordinators, performers, and choreographers," Leitch said in a statement Thursday. "Chris O'Hara and I have spent years working to bring this moment to life, standing on the shoulders of the stunt professionals who've fought tirelessly for recognition over the decades. We are incredibly grateful." Stunt designer is a relatively new designation. For his work on "The Fall Guy" O'Hara was the first person to be credited as such. "To be seen by the film community as stunt designers hopefully brings more light to what we really do," O'Hara told The Associated Press in 2024. "Back in the day, stunt guys were the cowboys. Now we are creative. We create amazing things, just like a production designer does or a costume designer does." The Oscars paid tribute to the stunt community with a video montage at the 2024 ceremony, looking back at over 100 years of Hollywood stunts from Chaplin and Keaton all the way to "Mission: Impossible" and "The Matrix." Other awards shows were ahead of the curve in celebrating stunts: The Emmys honors stunt coordination and stunt performance, while the Screen Actors Guild Awards recognize stunt ensembles in television and film. The Oscars also recently added a prize for achievement in casting, starting with films released in 2025. As with the casting award, it remains unclear whether it will be added to the live Oscars broadcast. Chad Stahelski, who co-directed "John Wick" and did stunts for Keanu Reeves, told the AP Thursday that there's still work to be done. "The idea of giving an Academy Award for stunt design is awesome – don't get me wrong," he said. "Now I would like to know who's going to decide who gets it, and who actually gets the award? It's not like it was 100 years ago when there was one person designing it. It's a collaborative effort." Stahelski added: "Stunts is such a collaborative and complicated department, how are we going to determine who this goes to? We've spent 100 years getting the award, let's just make sure it goes to the right people."
Express Tribune
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Oscars to introduce Stunt Design category in 2027 marking historic milestone for action filmmaking
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a landmark addition to the Oscars: a new competitive category recognising Achievement in Stunt Design. This long-awaited move will debut at the 100th Academy Awards in 2027, marking the first time the Oscars will formally honour the work of stunt professionals. 'Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,' Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang stated. 'We are proud to honour the innovative work of these technical and creative artists.' The decision follows decades of lobbying from industry professionals, including David Leitch, director of John Wick and Deadpool 2, who began his career as a stuntman. 'This has been a long journey for so many of us,' said Leitch. 'Chris O'Hara and I have spent years working to bring this moment to life, standing on the shoulders of the stunt professionals who've fought tirelessly for recognition over the decades.' While the Academy has previously recognised stunt work with honorary awards—most notably Hal Needham in 2013 and Yakima Canutt in 1967—this marks the first official competitive Oscar for stunt achievements. More than 100 stunt professionals are already part of the Academy's Production and Technology Branch. Category eligibility criteria and voting guidelines will be released with the full 100th Academy Awards Rules in 2027. Presentation details will be finalised by the Academy's Board of Governors in the coming year. The addition of the stunt category follows the creation of the Achievement in Casting award, established in 2024 and set to debut at the 98th Oscars. With this move, the Academy continues its efforts to broaden recognition of essential film crafts often overlooked.
Euronews
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Oscars announce new stunt design award for its 100th ceremony
ADVERTISEMENT Better late than never... From Buster Keaton to Tom Cruise's neverending quest to cheat death with every new Mission: Impossible movie via Gareth Evans' breathtaking The Raid diptych, stunt work and stunt performers have been an integral part of cinema since its inception. Now, after years of impassioned calls for an Oscar recognizing the art of the stunt, the Academy has decided to give it an official award. An achievement in stunt design prize will be added starting with the 100th Academy Awards, which will recognize films released in 2027. 'Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,' Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement. 'We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion.' David Leitch, who directed The Fall Guy , which was itself a valentine to stunt performers, helped lead the charge for the new prize. Leitch began his career as a stuntman for stars like Brad Pitt before transitioning to making stunt-heavy films like John Wick . He and stunt coordinator and designer Chris O'Hara of Stunts Unlimited made presentations to the academy advocating for the addition of a new award. 'Stunts are essential to every genre of film and rooted deep in our industry's history — from the groundbreaking work of early pioneers like Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Charlie Chaplin, to the inspiring artistry of today's stunt designers, coordinators, performers, and choreographers," Leitch said in a statement. 'Chris O'Hara and I have spent years working to bring this moment to life, standing on the shoulders of the stunt professionals who've fought tirelessly for recognition over the decades. We are incredibly grateful.' So are we, even if other awards shows were ahead of the curve in celebrating stunts. For example, the Emmys honors stunt coordination and stunt performance, while the Screen Actors Guild Awards recognize stunt ensembles in television and film. Chad Stahelski, who co-directed John Wick and did stunts for Keanu Reeves, said that there's still work to be done. 'The idea of giving an Academy Award for stunt design is awesome – don't get me wrong,' he said. 'Now I would like to know who's going to decide who gets it, and who actually gets the award? It's not like it was 100 years ago when there was one person designing it. It's a collaborative effort.' Stahelski added: "Stunts is such a collaborative and complicated department, how are we going to determine who this goes to? We've spent 100 years getting the award, let's just make sure it goes to the right people.' Well, Stahelski, Cruise and the whole team behind Mad Max: Fury Road get our votes for belated gongs. Let's start with those.
