CALL FOR ACTION AT OSCARS STUNT COORDINATORS STAGE PROTEST TO SEEK RECOGNITION.

Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer

BEVERLY HILLS - They coordinate the stunts in movies that make audiences want more, but their work is not recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Carrying signs that read ``We bring action to life'' and ``Honk for stunts,'' 65 people who cheat death for a living rallied in front of the academy's offices Thursday demanding their craft be recognized by Oscar.

``We've been behind the scenes for such a long time that we would like to get an Oscar under our belt for what we do,'' said Jack Gill, who doubled for General Lee in ``The Dukes of Hazard'' and drove an intelligent car named KITT in ``Knight Ridder.''

Muscle-bound black belts and race-car worthy drivers all came out for the Beverly Hills rally, their devotion to the cause reflected in the glass-skinned building where Academy directors will determine next week whether to add a 25th category to recognize stunt work.

For 15 years, Gill has been pressing the Academy to award stunt coordinators for their vision. Often relying on scripts to choreograph death-defying acts, Gill said the academy doesn't believe stunt coordination represents art or science.

The academy would not comment Thursday about whether it would add a stunt coordinator category to its decades-old award show. But ``the request has been received,'' said John Pavlik, spokesman for the academy, adding the board will discuss it at its meeting Tuesday.

To protect the award's prestige, the academy has only added two categories since the early 1980s. The most recent, in 2001, recognizes feature animation. ``Adding categories isn't something the academy takes lightly,'' Pavlik said. ``And we don't want new awards. If anything we're trying to cut back.''

Among the 24 categories eligible for an Oscar statue are the very prominent, such as Best Actor or film, and more obscure technical achievements. The academy maintains any more would diminish Oscar's appeal.

That philosophy isn't always consistent at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which began awarding Emmys to stunt coordinators several years ago. The Taurus World Stunt Awards also recognizes stunt coordinators and performers for their talents.

But every year at Oscar time new criticism surfaces that the award show is simply too long, said Pete Hammond, Oscar analyst and regular contributor to the Daily Variety. For that reason, ``I don't think you will see a stunt award given by the academy.''

That doesn't discourage Sam Hargrave from breaking wood with his bare hands. Hargrave moved to Hollywood three years ago to follow in the footsteps of martial arts guru Jackie Chan. ``If you look at all of the categories, the academy already recognizes makeup artists,'' said Hargrave, 22, who has an inch-long scar below his right cheek. ``We just need to move one step at a time.''

What baffled many of the stunt coordinators at Thursday's rally is the notion that their craft doesn't require artistic or scientific ability. ``I'm sorry, but if figuring out how to safely drop two people upside down 600 feet with no pads underneath isn't science than what is?'' said Jane Austin, president of the Stuntwomen's Association of Motion Pictures.

There is also the question of whether stunt coordinators and performers should be recognized by the academy. Scott Waugh, president of Stunts Unlimited, said only stunt coordinators should be able to receive Oscars because ``we don't want to break the illusion of actors doing the stunts.''

Most coordinators start out as performers before they have the expertise to devise elaborate stunt scenes. Waugh, who is known as ``motor kid'' for his motorcycling skills, said that's long been the natural progression.

But Angela Meryl, who doubled for Vivica Fox in ``Kill Bill,'' is hoping stunt performers and coordinators will both be recognized by the academy. ``It's important for us, too,'' said Meryl, a two-time Taurus nominee for best fighting and best outstanding stunt for a women. ``We're the ones that put ourselves out there physically.''

Evan Pondel, [phone]

evan.pondel(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Sam Hargrave performs a stunt kick on Fernando Chien. Meanwhile, stunt coordinators and representatives of stunt performer groups demonstrate outside the offices of of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday to promote their goal of getting an Oscar category for student coordination.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer