Movie Man: Behind-the-scenes magic

While the biggest buzz at the Academy Awards often surrounds Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress, some of the most essential contributors to a film’s success work behind the scenes. From the explosive spectacle of "Dune: Part Two" to the tense, claustrophobic corridors in "Civil War," it’s not just acting that makes these moments unforgettable.

Hundreds of technical wizards—editors, visual effects artists, sound designers, and cinematographers—help bring movies to life, yet their categories often receive only a few seconds of recognition on Oscar night.

According to "Deadline," technical categories such as sound, visual effects, and editing account for about 70% of a film’s production time but receive only about 15% of media coverage. Meanwhile, "American Cinematographer Magazine" reports that this year’s nominated cinematographers averaged 115 shoot days per film, with pre-production planning taking an additional three to five months. The "Motion Picture Editors Guild" states that nominated films in the editing category often start with more than 500,000 individual shots before being refined into their final cut.

Here’s a closer look at a few nominees showcasing the craft behind the magic:

1. Visual Effects: In "Wicked," the VFX team created over 1,400 shots blending practical sets with digital extensions, particularly in the stunning Emerald City sequences. These invisible effects enhance realism without drawing attention to themselves.
2. Production Design: In "Conclave," production designer Suzie Davies meticulously recreated Vatican interiors, using architectural elements to reinforce themes of secrecy and tradition.
3. Film Editing: Conclave’s editor, Nick Emerson, shaped tension through pacing, revealing the psychological pressures of the Vatican’s closed-door proceedings.
4. Cinematography: "The Brutalist" cinematographer Lol Crawley crafted a visually evolving aesthetic to reflect the film’s decade-spanning narrative.