A Fiery Innovation: Dustin Brooks and Colin Decker to be awarded a 2025 Oscar for Naked Burn Gel
In a triumph of ingenuity and safety for the film industry, Dustin Brooks and Colin Decker, co-founders of Fire 4 Hire, have been awarded an Academy Award for Scientific and Technical Achievement in 2025 for their development of the naked burn gel. This revolutionary substance, first introduced in 2005, allows performers to appear engulfed in flames without the use of bulky protective gear, transforming the landscape of fire stunts in cinema.
For decades, fire stunts have remained one of the most dangerous feats in filmmaking, requiring extensive safety measures, flame-resistant clothing, and layers of protective gels. However, Brooks and Decker’s naked burn gel changed the game entirely by enabling “naked burns,” where flames appear to be burning directly on the skin without visible barriers. The technology was first conceived for the horror film Final Destination 3, in which two characters trapped in tanning beds meet a fiery end. The scene remains iconic not only for its horror elements but also for its role in debuting this groundbreaking fire stunt technique.
Initially considered for an Academy Award in 2008, the naked burn gel has since become an indispensable tool in Hollywood and beyond. The gel’s capabilities were further showcased in 2010, when it helped set the world record for the longest full body burn, lasting an astonishing 3 minutes and 27 seconds. Over the past two decades, it has been used in 76 television shows and 52 feature films, cementing its status as the industry standard for safe, realistic fire stunts.
Beyond its technical applications, the naked burn gel has also contributed to some of the most visually striking moments in entertainment history. Who could forget the legendary Taurus World Stunt Awards Fire Fashion Show in 2007, where models strutted down the runway engulfed in flames, an unthinkable feat before the introduction of this revolutionary technology.
The Academy’s recognition of Brooks and Decker is a long overdue acknowledgment of the critical role stunt professionals play in cinema. Often overlooked by mainstream awards, stunt work is an integral part of some of Hollywood’s most thrilling moments. By winning an Oscar, the duo joins a prestigious list of technical innovators whose work has reshaped filmmaking.
As film and television continue to evolve, one thing remains certain, the naked burn gel will continue to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling, allowing actors and stunt performers to defy the odds and bring audiences closer to the action than ever before.
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