The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is considering adding a new category for stunt work at the Oscars. This idea has gained traction due to recent advocacy from industry members who believe that stunt performers deserve recognition for their vital contributions to films. Stunt work has become increasingly recognized in the industry, and many have called for the Academy to create a dedicated Oscar category for these talented individuals. Stuntmen and women play a crucial role in bringing excitement and action to movies, yet they have yet to be acknowledged on Hollywood's biggest night. The Academy is open to new categories and is evolving to reflect the changing landscape of the film industry. Talks have been held with industry leaders at the Cannes Film Festival, and the CEO of the Academy has revealed that they are exploring the possibility of a stunt category. While it is still in the early stages, there is hope that stunt performers will receive the recognition they deserve at the Oscars in the future [9b970d4f].
The 97th Oscars will take place on March 2, 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The nominations will be announced on January 17, 2025. The announcement was made by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC on April 10, 2024. This year's Oscars took place on March 10. Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' won Best Picture in 2024. Robert Downey Jr. won his first Oscar for his role in 'Oppenheimer'. 'Oppenheimer' was nominated in 13 categories [eceed379] [d8244351].
The impact of The Dark Knight's Oscar snub was felt for years to come. In 2023, renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg mentioned The Dark Knight as a film that should have been nominated for Best Picture. This acknowledgment from Spielberg, along with the ongoing discussions and debates surrounding the film's exclusion, further highlighted the significance of The Dark Knight's impact on the Academy Awards.
Film editors play a vital role in giving life to a movie and its Oscar chances. Kevin Tent, nominated for an Academy Award for his work on 'The Holdovers,' compares his work as an editor to that of a chef making a special dish. Best picture and best editing awards often go hand-in-hand. Editing is considered the essence of film, even more so than the screenplay or cinematography. Directors and editors must be on the same page for precise work. Thelma Schoonmaker, a legendary editor, has worked with Martin Scorsese for over 50 years. Editors are like midwives, accompanying directors and adapting their work. Editing is considered one of the most essential things for directing [e429ebb1] [d8244351].
The 96th Academy Awards took place on March 10, 2024, and the legacy of The Dark Knight's snub continues to be a part of the Oscars' history and the conversation surrounding the recognition of genre films at the prestigious awards ceremony [d8244351].
Jonathan Glazer, the director of 'Zone of Interest,' won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards. During his acceptance speech, Glazer made a comment appealing for peace from all sides. However, his statement was distorted and criticized, leading to controversy surrounding his win [c5a531c4].
In a separate incident, Kate Middleton's absence from public appearances led to speculation and baseless conspiracies. A photo released by Kensington Palace was found to be digitally altered, fueling further conspiracy theories. The misinformation surrounding Middleton's absence and the altered photo added to the controversy and speculation [c5a531c4].
Al Pacino addressed the controversy surrounding his appearance at the 2024 Oscars ceremony. Pacino clarified that it was a choice made by the producers not to have the Best Picture nominees mentioned again since they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony. He empathized with those who felt slighted by the oversight and expressed his understanding of their perspective. Oscars producer Molly McNearney explained that it was a creative decision to save time, as clips from all 10 Best Picture nominees had already been shown. Jimmy Kimmel also joked about Pacino's moment, saying he seemed unfamiliar with the rhythm of awards shows [18631fc3] [5a7fd3c9].
Bradley Cooper, an actor who has yet to win a Best Actor award, is seeking recognition for his work. However, some argue that he hasn't done enough to warrant his supposed A-lister status. While he has had notable roles, such as Rocket Raccoon in the Marvel films, his filmography is not as extensive or iconic as that of Leonardo DiCaprio, who struggled for years before winning an Oscar. Cooper's attempts at an Oscar began with his Best Actor nomination for 'Silver Linings Playbook' in 2012, but he has since been nominated for other roles without winning. Some view Cooper's efforts to claim an Oscar as desperate, as he seems to be intentionally seeking out Oscar-bait roles. It is suggested that he may be doubting his own abilities and seeking critical acceptance. While there are no scandals surrounding Cooper, some argue that he may never reach the top level of acting and will always be a perpetual runner-up [e871cc28].
Anne Hathaway, who won an Oscar in 2013 for her role in 'Les Misérables,' faced a tough time after her win. She revealed that she googled 'Why everyone hates Anne Hathaway?' and found that her Academy win was the reason. However, she expressed gratitude towards director Christopher Nolan for supporting her and giving her a role in one of his movies. She credits Nolan for not caring about the online toxicity and for not letting her career lose momentum. Hathaway called Nolan an 'angel' and expressed her appreciation for his backing during a challenging time in her career [630a05b6].
The Academy Awards is changing the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to focus on promoting human welfare and rectifying inequities. This shift reflects the Academy's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The change was announced on the Academy's official site and is part of a larger effort to make DEI a major part of the Oscars. The Hersholt award, previously given to celebrities and industry executives for their charitable work, will now recognize those who contribute to rectifying inequities. The Academy has also implemented DEI quotas for best picture contenders, although these quotas have been criticized for having loopholes. The new changes to the Hersholt award's focus have not yet been clarified. In recent years, the award has been presented during the non-televised Governors Awards. The 2024 Oscars had low ratings, drawing only 19.5 million viewers, the fourth lowest in history. The Oscars used to draw as many as 57 million viewers in the late '90s. [2bdde935]
The Association of Women Drivers, the first ever stunt group for professional female drivers, has been formed in Hollywood. Founder Olivia Summers, a stuntwoman with 20 years of experience, was disappointed by male stunt drivers being cast to double for female actors. The group aims to address the lack of opportunities for female stunt drivers and the practice of 'paintdowns' where stunt performers are painted black or brown to double for actors of color. Men comprise three quarters of stunt performers, while women make up one quarter. Stunt coordinators often bypass guild rules that require them to find matching stuntpersons by claiming they exhausted all avenues. Training to work in stunts is expensive, with one driver spending $18,000 in their first year. Female stunt performers also face pay inequality, with men receiving larger adjustments for the same stunts. The Association of Women Drivers aims to bring about change and promote equal opportunities for all stunt performers [2553e4e4].
Minnie Driver, a 54-year-old British actress, has spoken out about her experiences of misogyny and mistreatment in Hollywood. In an interview, Driver discusses the rampant sexism in the film industry and her frustration at the lack of recourse for her complaints. She mentions the #MeToo movement and the bullying that actresses face. Driver praises young actresses like Margot Robbie and Zendaya who are stepping up as producers in their film projects, saying that they are making a positive change. She also reflects on her own experiences of uncredited work and expresses admiration for the fact that these young actresses are now receiving credit for their contributions [d0d5e280] [07b3b24d].
Hollywood is still battling a pay gap problem, but women like Mary Pickford and Margot Robbie are fighting for equal pay. Mary Pickford, a Canadian-born actress, changed the game for female actors in the 1920s by being paid ten times her initial salary. Margot Robbie, known for her roles in 'Wolf of Wall Street' and 'Suicide Squad', earned a staggering $50 million for playing Barbie in a 2023 movie. Robbie's success reflects the long fight started by Mary Pickford and serves as a positive sign of progress. However, the pay gap still exists, and Hollywood must continue to strive for better pay for female actors. Mary Pickford, Margot Robbie, and other female trailblazers remind us of the impact women have made in Hollywood and the importance of fighting for equal pay.