New Category Added to the Oscar Awards: Best Stunt Performance
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a new award category to honor the work of dubleers in film production. In a statement released by Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang, they expressed their pride in recognizing the innovative work of these technical and creative artists.
With a history dating back to the early days of cinema, dubleers have long been an essential part of filmmaking. The Academy currently has over 100 stunts in production and technology, highlighting the importance of this aspect of the industry.
The idea for the new award category was pioneered by David Leitch, a former stunt performer turned director. Having worked on films with stars like Brad Pitt and directed stunt-heavy movies such as John Wick, Leitch saw the need to honor the contributions of dubleers to the film industry.
“Dubleers are an indispensable part of all kinds of films and have a deep origin in our history,” said Leitch. “From early pioneers like Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Buster Keaton to today’s stunt designers and coordinators, this art form has experienced a great evolution.”
However, while the addition of the Oscars for stunt design was welcomed by many in the industry, there are still questions about how the award will be determined. Stunt coordinator Chad Sthelski pointed out that the decision-making process for this award will require collaboration and careful consideration.
In addition to the new stunt design award, the Academy also announced the introduction of the “Casting Success” award for films set to be released in 2025. This move reflects the Academy’s commitment to recognizing the diverse talents and contributions that make up the world of filmmaking.
