Latest news with #ScientificandTechnicalAchievement
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
Global News
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
B.C. fire-stunt shop celebrates Academy Award win
From flamethrowers to full-body burns, for the past 20 years, Fire For Hire has been setting film and television scenes ablaze, pushing the limits with each new stunt they orchestrate. 'Sometimes I scratch my head and say, what do you want me to do? This is the dumbest idea, but let's try it,' said co-founder Colin Decker. Their fire gel, which allows safe naked burns, was a game-changer and has just earned them an Academy Award for Scientific and Technical Achievement. 2:40 This is BC: Local trumpet virtuoso mentor others 'There were a bunch of fire gels on the market,' said co-founder Dustin Brooks. 'A lot of it was big, bulky clothing to do a fire burn. Now we get to see people's skin, see people's faces, see them on fire.' Story continues below advertisement They can execute any scene thrown their way now, but the backyard was once a testing ground for different recipes to get it right after the two joined forces decades ago. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'All of a sudden, you can see people on fire, hands, arms, stomachs,' said Decker. 'People acting, it's not a mannequin. It was huge.' Both Decker and Brooks are also stunt performers who have since mastered the choreography of some very intense scenes, leading to some unforgettable on-screen moments. 2:12 This is BC: Surrey Canadian Baseball Association turns 50 'We did Deadpool 2, and we set Anthony Moyer on fire, and he won a Taurus stunt award that year, for that stunt,' said Decker. Fifty-two films and 76 TV series later, Fire For Hire is finally being honoured for its contributions to the industry. Story continues below advertisement 'It means the world. Stunt people winning Academy Awards. That's not something that happens,' said Decker. 'It's been a dream and a goal. We've definitely pushed the boundaries and done things people couldn't even imagine,' added Brooks. 'It's been an amazing journey and tons of fun.'
