Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Must Recognize Stunt Performers

In June 2005 the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted night not to grant the request of a consortium of stunt performers' organizations for an annual Academy Award category in their field. This was their response for doing so:

"At a time when the Academy is trying to find ways to reduce the numbers of statuettes given out, and looks at categories with an eye more focused on reduction than addition," said Academy President Frank Pierson, "the Board is simply not prepared to institute any new annual awards categories."

THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

Currently these are the nomination categories open:

-ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
-ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
-ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
-ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
-ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
-ART DIRECTION
-CINEMATOGRAPHY
-COSTUME DESIGN
-DIRECTING
-DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
-DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
-FILM EDITING
-FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
-MAKEUP
-MUSIC (SCORE)
-MUSIC (SONG)
-BEST PICTURE
-SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
-SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
-SOUND EDITING
-SOUND MIXING
-VISUAL EFFECTS
-WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
-WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
--

AS A WHOLE, THIS LIST IS HOLLOW, MISSING A VITAL INTEGRAL PART - "RECOGNITION FOR STUNTWORK AND OR STUNT COORDINATORS".

Stunt performers(male/female) and stunt coordinators are a vital part of the film making machine. They help create the "ooh's" and "ahh's" through their sweat, tears and in even some cases "blood".

In light of the type of films that are currently being filtered through Hollywood in this day and age- award winning and nominated movies ex: "The Matrix" and "Kill Bill" prove that a category is needed to honor the art, the sacrifice and the magic that these individuals create to help make a movie as success as it is. Stunt performers have existed along side the motion film industry since it's very beginnings and they have yet to be celebrated along side the rest. This is a shame.

The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are purposefully keeping stunt performers and their contributions in the dark.

TIME CONSTRAINTS FOR A TELEVISION SHOW SHOULD NOT KEEP A DESERVING GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE FILM INDUSTRY FROM RECIEVING WHAT THEY ARE TRULY ENTITLED. MAKE THE TIME.