8 Oscar-Worthy Categories That Get Overlooked

With Oscar nominations recently announced, a lot of heavy hitters got the kudos they deserve for their hard work and dedication in their respective categories—and others fell victim to an Oscars snub. That got us thinking…while the Oscars have had an ever-changing list of categories over the years, be they obscure Oscar categories, funny Oscar categories or even discontinued Oscar categories (here’s looking at you, Best Title Writing), here are some Oscar-worthy categories that get overlooked:

1. Stunts

2. Casting

Casting does have its own awards ceremony—the Artios Awards. But, isn’t it time the Academy celebrates them more than just letting casting directors get on stage as part of a team while someone else gives a speech? The job is intense, and often thankless. The casting team is constantly reviewing hundreds of auditions and meeting hundreds of performers in hopes that they find the right actor for the role, and then hope the actor’s schedule lines up for the shoot so that they don’t have to go through the process all over again. The actors give the award-winning performances, but the casting department is the team that takes the chance on them (especially with unknowns).

3. Construction

We see lots of amazing sets, but do we ever think about who actually builds them? Construction teams are creating new sets all the time, and sometimes tearing down old ones only to build something else on top of it—for one scene. And everything not only has to be perfect for the movie, but it has to look as authentic as possible, even if there are no plans to go into that general store you see in the background. However, sometimes that diner was always there to begin with, which brings us to our next overlooked Oscar category…

4. Locations

At the end of a film, you might see a credit or logo noting how it was filmed in Georgia or Australia, or wherever the location may be. The locations department sets it up. That means they have to research potential filming areas, examine the weather conditions during the times of year shoots are being planned, decide which destinations make the most sense for the movie, and even which city to use as a stand-in for another one (remember that time you couldn’t recognize Chicago in that movie about Chicago?). Once that’s decided, this Oscar-worthy team then needs to negotiate prices with the location host and further manage all filming locations until a project’s completion.

5. Transportation

The transportation team’s job is exactly that—they’re the ones who make sure that everything involved with a film gets to each location on time so that there are as little delays as possible. Transportation’s responsibility ranges from coordinating drivers and shipping, to making travel arrangements for the cast and crew, parking and even providing the support vehicles, trucks and vans.

6. Script supervisors

Script supervisors are some of the unsung heroes of a film. They are involved in every step of the process, from pre-production to post. They see everything across most departments for the sole reason of keeping continuity throughout a movie. Between long hours and sometimes limited resources, it can be tough to keep track of little things—like a button on your lead actor’s jacket going missing in a shot during what’s supposed to be the same scene filmed over two days. Or knowing what was shot, the length of takes, and how many takes happened during a scene. Script supervisors keep track of all of that and more.

7. Background

These folks help prepare for the shoot day and organize and oversee background actors, or extras on-set. That might seem simple, but it requires expert communication skills, effortless multitasking, organization, attention to detail, and our favorite: SETiquette. Background teams work with various departments including hair and makeup, wardrobe, props and more. They are responsible for not only making sure the extras know what they should and should not be doing on-set, but are also making sure that the extras look like they belong on-set, as well as which shots they should be in.

8. Craft services

We have to admit, this category is probably the least likely to receive an Oscar some day, but it would be fun to see it. Everyone needs to eat regardless of how bright their star shines, and craft services are the ones who provide all that nourishment to the hardworking production teams daily. Long days in unpredictable weather conditions for months at a time can create tension, and morale isn’t always the best—until a hot meal shows up, or even a great cup of coffee. Craft services is one of those little things that helps motivate cast and crew to keep going, and it deserves some of the spotlight at the Academy.

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