Key Takeaways:
– The first-ever ‘stunt designer’ credit has been approved by Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild of America.
– Chris O’Hara receives the credit for his contributions in ‘The Fall Guy,’ replacing the traditional ‘stunt coordinator’ title.
– Film director David Leitch, and producer Kelly McCormick, proposed the new title to better reflect the creative and technical role of stunt professionals.
– The new role embraces the substantial work stunt designers put into creating and coordinating action sequences in films.
– This innovative move raises hopes for further recognition of stunt professionals in the film industry, including a dedicated category at the Academy Awards.
In a groundbreaking move, the Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild of America have endorsed the giving of the first-ever credit of ‘stunt designer.’ This milestone will mark its debut with the upcoming David Leitch film, ‘The Fall Guy.’
A Leap for Stunt Professionals
Chris O’Hara, an accomplished stunt coordinator, becomes the pioneer to receive the ‘stunt designer’ credit. This adjustment better describes the all-encompassing nature of this profession. It acknowledges the creative and technical aspects associated with designing, crafting, and coordinating stunts in films.
David Leitch and Kelly McCormick of 87North, the production company behind ‘The Fall Guy’, spearheaded this initiative. Recognizing the innovative efforts of stunt teams, they aimed to facilitate a change from the traditional title of ‘stunt coordinator’ to the more apt ‘stunt designer.’
Championing Greater Recognition
Leitch endorsed the new title, acknowledging the creative leadership of stunt designers in designing fight scenes, choreographing high falls, and more. The film director lauded Universal’s decision to allow him and McCormick to advocate for the ‘stunt designer’ title for Chris O’Hara on ‘The Fall Guy’. He expressed his hopes that this move would spark recognition within the stunts industry.
McCormick added that while the stunts department’s role is often left unseen on the screen, their influence is far-reaching on a production set, touching all other departments. She emphasized the necessity of highlighting the artistic and technical aspects of their craft. The addition of ‘designer’ to the title was proposed to better illustrate Chris O’Hara’s creative contribution on ‘The Fall Guy’ set as a coordinator.
A New Standard for the Industry
Noting the significance of this shift, O’Hara hailed the new title as a long-overdue correction, shedding light on the actual nature of the profession. He views this milestone as a step that can set a new standard, effectively recognizing the creativity of stunt professionals across the industry.
This adoption of the new role has sparked increasing hopes for further industry acknowledgment. This could be a stepping-stone to finally having a dedicated stunt category at the Academy Awards, a change long sought by skilled professionals in the field.
The Fall Guy: A Stunt Love Letter
‘The Fall Guy’ stars Gosling as Colt Seavers, a seasoned stuntman. The film, directed by Leitch, is credited for its dedication to the stunt industry. Agreements that computer-generated action cannot replace the charm of real stunts resonate throughout the film.
Chris Bumbray, in his recent review of ‘The Fall Guy’, expressed his delight over the film, hailing it as a delightful summer action movie and tribute to the stunt industry. His review reinforced the call for wider recognition of the contributions of stunt professionals in the industry. The film is set to hit the theaters on May 3rd, and the anticipation is already building.
As the industry shifts towards greater recognition of its professionals, the impact of this novel change remains to be seen. However, there is no denying that this step adds a new twist to the narrative of the stunt industry, setting a new precedent for the industry going forward. Indeed, the curtain is only just lifting on the exciting future for stunt professionals around the globe.
