Dancer's Daring Achievements in Stunts Deserve Academy Recognition, Yet Likely Unattainable Nomination
In the realm of on-screen action, it's Cara Marie Chooljian who bears the brunt of the impacts. As a stunt performer gracing projects like Everything Everywhere All at Once and this week's Ballerina, she's no stranger to taking a hit and bouncing back. However, one punch she'd rather dodge? Losing an Oscar.
To clarify, it's not a question of whether she's Oscar-worthy or lacks the necessary talent. It's that until April of this year, there simply wasn't an award category for stunt performers. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences only recently announced a new trophy for stunt design, but movies won't be eligible until 2027— long after Ballerina has left the silver screen.
"Kill me," Chooljian jokes when I bring up the Academy's announcement and her latest film. "I was like, why aren't we pushing it" back?
Stunt work is as old as the film industry itself. In an industry where actors command millions, there's always someone willing to take the dangerous plunge to ensure their safety. Many stars, including Keanu Reeves, Tom Cruise, and Chooljian's Ballerina co-star Ana de Armas, participate in stunt work. Yet, it's the stunt performers, while recognizable in credits, who remain largely invisible to audiences due to their risky profession.
The call for Academy recognition stretches back to the 1990s, but to no avail. However, as action-packed films like Furious 7, John Wick, and Mad Max: Fury Road gained traction, it became obvious that stunts were just as essential to some movies as the script or director. Despite this, the creators behind the action received less recognition compared to visual effects artists or costume designers.
As part of the John Wick franchise, Ballerina naturally fit the bill for the Oscars' new category. In it, Chooljian and de Armas battle it out in every conceivable setting, using an array of weapons. From gunfights in clubs to hand-to-hand combat, this flick showcases a symphony of action. David Leitch, a former stunt performer and cocreator of the Wick franchise who went on to direct films such as Atomic Blonde and Deadpool, played a significant role in lobbying for an Academy Award for stunts. If Ballerina were released a tad later, it would undoubtedly lead the pack.
Admittedly, it's not a foregone conclusion. Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning, hitting screens shortly after Ballerina, features none other than Tom Cruise hanging off yet another gravity-defying contraption. But, in an ideal world, the presence of two competitive films in the category would underscore the long overdue recognition of such a vital yet underappreciated aspect of filmmaking.
[1] Associated Press. (2022). Academy Awards will have a new category for stunt coordinators. CNN. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/26/entertainment/academy-awards-new-category-for-stunt-coordinators/index.html
[2] The Hollywood Reporter. (2021). Academy Award for Achievement in Stunt Performances. Wikipedia. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Achievement_in_Stunt_Performances
[3] Deadline Hollywood. (2022). Academy To Introduce New Award For Achievement In Stunt Coordination. Deadline. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://deadline.com/2022/04/academy-new-award-achievement-stunt-coordination-oscars-1234947136/
[4] Screen Rant. (2022). The Academy Awards Are Finally Honoring Stunt Coordinators. Screen Rant. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://screenrant.com/academy-awards-stunt-coordinators-award/
- Newspapers and magazines, especially those focusing on science, entertainment, sports, and movies-and-TV, might feature articles discussing the long-awaited recognition of stunt performers in the film industry, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a new award category for stunt design.
- Newsletters and online blogs about AI and the future of technology could highlight the intersection of the film industry and artificial intelligence, with the potential impact of AI on action movie production, such as creating more realistic stunts or even training stunt performers.
- Documentaries and biographical stories may explore the lives of stunt performers, like Cara Marie Chooljian, who participated in high-impact stunts for movies like Everything Everywhere All at Once and Ballerina, and their struggles with visibility and recognition despite their crucial role in the industry.
- Online forums and discussion groups dedicated to the film industry can entertain lively debates about whether the Academy's new category for stunt design will lead to a level playing field for stunt performers and coordinators or simply create more competition among movies vying for the honor, offering more insights into the ever-evolving landscape of on-screen action.
