January 9, 2009
On January 9, 2009, the DGA announced the Guild's nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in the television categories of Dramatic Series Night, Comedy Series, Musical Variety, Reality Programs, Daytime Serials, Commercials and Children's Programs.
The winners will be announced at the 61st Annual DGA Awards Dinner on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
The Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night are:
DAN ATTIAS
The Wire ("Transitions")
HBO
Mr. Attias' Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Nina Noble
- First Assistant Director: Eric Henriquez
- Second Assistant Director: Xanthus Valan
- Second Second Assistant Director: Tim Blockburger
This is Mr. Attias' third DGA Award nomination and all in this category. He was previously nominated for Six Feet Under ("Back to the Garden") in 2002, and for The Sopranos ("46 Long") in 1999.
PARIS BARCLAY
In Treatment ("Alex: Week Eight")
HBO
Mr. Barclay's Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Joanne Toll
- First Assistant Director: Michael Allowitz
- Second Assistant Director: Chamonix Bosch
- Second Second Assistant Director: Shea Farrell
- Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Kevin Turley
This is Mr. Barclay's eighth DGA Award nomination. In 1998 he won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night for NYPD Blue ("Heart and Souls"). He was nominated in 2005 for House ("Three Stories"); in 1996 for ER ("Ask Me No Questions, I'll Tell You No Lies"); in 2000 for The West Wing ("The Portland Trip"); in 2001 for The West Wing ("The Indians in the Lobby"); and in 2002 for The West Wing ("Debate Camp"). This year, he is also nominated in the Comedy Series category for Weeds ("The Three Coolers").
JACK BENDER
Lost ("The Constant")
ABC
Mr. Bender's Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Pat Churchill
- First Assistant Director: Richard Peter Schroer
- Second Assistant Director: Carla Bowen
- Second Second Assistant Director: Norman Kali
This is Mr. Bender's second DGA Award Nomination. He was previously nominated in this category for Lost ("Through the Looking Glass") in 2007.
ALAN TAYLOR
Mad Men ("The Mountain King")
AMC
Mr. Taylor's Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Dwayne Shattuck
- First Assistant Director: Sean Hobin
- Second Assistant Director: Lisa Rowe
- Second Second Assistant Director: Jonathon Miller
This is Mr. Taylor's second DGA Award Nomination. He previously won in the category for Mad Men ("Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" - Pilot) in 2007.
MATTHEW WEINER
Mad Men ("Meditations In An Emergency")
AMC
Mr. Weiner's Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Dwayne Shattuck
- First Assistant Director: Nina Jack
- Second Assistant Director: Xochi Blymyer
- Second Second Assistant Director: Jonathon Miller
This is Mr. Weiner's first DGA Award Nomination.
The Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series are:
PARIS BARCLAY
Weeds ("The Three Coolers")
Showtime
Mr. Barclay's Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Leslie D. Waldman
- First Assistant Director: Eric Jewett
- Second Assistant Director: Amy Hughes
- Second Second Assistant Director: Steve Dudycha
- DGA Trainee: Gary Cotti
This is Mr. Barclay's eighth DGA Award nomination. In 1998 he won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night for NYPD Blue ("Heart And Souls"). He was nominated in 2005 for House ("Three Stories"); in 1996 for ER ("Ask Me No Questions, I'll Tell You No Lies"); in 2000 for The West Wing ("The Portland Trip"); in 2001 for The West Wing ("The Indians in the Lobby"); and in 2002 for The West Wing ("Debate Camp"). This year, he is also nominated in the Dramatic Series Night category for In Treatment ("Alex: Week Eight").
JULIAN FARINO
Entourage ("Tree Trippers")
HBO
Mr. Farino's Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Wayne Carmona
- First Assistant Director: Vernon Davidson
- Second Assistant Director: John Labrucherie
- Second Second Assistant Director: Clark Credle
This is Mr. Farino's third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category for Entourage ("One Day in the Valley") in 2006, and for Entourage ("Exodus") in 2005.
PAUL FEIG
The Office ("Dinner Party")
NBC
Mr. Feig's Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Robert Rothbard
- First Assistant Director: Kelly Cantley
- Second Assistant Director: Jennie O'Keefe
- Second Second Assistant Director: Jasmine Alhambra
- DGA Trainee: Alicia Cho
This is Mr. Feig's first DGA Award Nomination.
BETH McCARTHY-MILLER
30 Rock ("The Reunion," Episode #304)
NBC
Ms. McCarthy-Miller's Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Diana Schmidt
- First Assistant Director: Stephen Lee Davis
- Second Assistant Director: Bellamy Forrest
- Second Second Assistant Director: Kerry McCrohan
- Second Second Assistant Director/Location Manager: Chris George
This is Ms. McCarthy-Miller's sixth DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated in this same category in 2007 for 30 Rock ("Somebody to Love"). In 2002, she won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Musical/Variety for America: A Tribute to Heroes (co-directed with Joe Gallen). She was twice nominated in that category in 2003 for the Christopher Walken/The Foo Fighters episode of Saturday Night Live, and in 1999 for the 25th Anniversary episode of Saturday Night Live. McCarthy-Miller won her second DGA Award in 2000 for her direction of the Val Kilmer/U2 episode of Saturday Night Live.
DON SCARDINO
30 Rock ("Do Over")
NBC
Mr. Scardino's Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Diana Schmidt
- First Assistant Director: Stephen Lee Davis
- Second Assistant Director: Bellamy Forrest
- Second Second Assistant Director: Kerry McCrohan
- Second Second Assistant Director/Location Manager: Chris George
This is Mr. Scardino's third DGA Award Nomination. He was previously nominated in the Musical/Variety category for Tracey Takes On Vegas in 1997, and Tracey Takes On New York in 1993.
BRENT (BUCKY) GUNTS
Opening Ceremony Beijing 2008 Olympic Summer Games
NBC
Mr. Gunts' Directorial Team:
- Associate Directors: Carol Larson, Brian Orentreich
- Stage Manager: Steve Hollander
This is Mr. Gunts' first DGA Award Nomination.
LOUIS J. HORVITZ
The 80th Annual Academy Awards
ABC
Mr. Horvitz's Directorial Team:
- Associate Directors: Richard A. Preuss, Rita Rogers-Blye, Greg Fera, Tim Kettle, Mike Polito, Deborah Read, Sharon Taylor, Anne Rickey, Ronni Fisher, David Kelmachter, Lauren Singer
- Stage Managers: Garry W. Hood, Denny Barry, Rita Cossette, John Esposito, Valdez Flagg, Arthur Lewis, Dency Nelson, Ron Paul, Vince Poxon, Jason Seligman, Rob Sellers, Jr., Doug Smith, David Wader, Erik Kunzelman
This is Mr. Horvitz's 14th DGA Award nomination, all in this category. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 1997 for The Kennedy Center Honors. He received his first nomination in 1985 for Live Aid Concert. He was also nominated for The Kennedy Center Honors in 1993 and 2001. He was nominated in 1995 for Sinatra: 80 Years My Way; and received DGA nominations for The 70th, 71st, 72nd, 74th, 75th, 76th, 77th and 79th Annual Academy Awards.
DON ROY KING
Saturday Night Live
NBC
Mr. King's Directorial Team:
- Associate Directors: Bob Caminiti, Stefani Cohen, Mark Jankeloff
- Stage Managers: Gina Rositano, Chris Kelly
This is Mr. King's second DGA Award Nomination. He was previously nominated in this category for the Alec Baldwin episode of Saturday Night Live in 2006.
CHUCK O'NEIL
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (#13,107)
Comedy Central
Mr. O'Neil's Directorial Team:
- Associate Director: Paul A.J. Pennolino
- Stage Manager: Craig L. Spinney
This is Mr. O'Neil's sixth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, all for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
GLENN WEISS
The 62nd Annual Tony Awards
CBS
Mr. Weiss' Directorial Team:
- Associate Directors: Gregg Gelfand, Robin Abrams, Ricky Kirshner
- Stage Managers: Garry W. Hood, Peter Epstein, Lynn Finkel, Arthur Lewis, Rose Riggins, Lauren Class-Schneider, Andrew Feigin, Doug Fogel, Jeffry Gitter, Cindi Owgang, Jeff Pearl, Anthony Mirante
This is Mr. Weiss' sixth DGA Award nomination. He won the Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 2007 for The 61st Annual Tony Awards; and was previously nominated in this category in 2006, 2005, 2002 and 2001 all for the 60th, 59th, 56th and 55th Annual Tony Awards.
The Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement for Reality Series are:
TONY CROLL
America's Next Top Model ("1002")
CW
Mr. Croll's Directorial Team:
- Associate Director: John Downer
This is Mr. Croll's third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category for Shooting Sizemore ("Episode 101") in 2007; and won the Outstanding Directorial Achievement Reality Programs Award for Three Wishes ("Episode #1, Pilot") in 2005. (The award was a tie with J. Rupert Thompson who won for Fear Factor, "Heist Fear Factor, Season 6 Premiere.")
SCOTT MESSICK
Pros vs Joes: Season 3 ("301")
Spike
Mr. Messick's Directorial Team:
- Associate Director: Andrew Nelson
- Stage Manager: Patrick Richmond
This is Mr. Messick's second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category for Pros vs. Joes ("Episode 201") in 2007.
J. RUPERT THOMPSON
Estate of Panic ("102, That Sinking Feeling")
SCI-FI
This is Mr. Thompson's third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category for Fear Factor ("Military Fear Factor, Season Finale") in 2006; and won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs in 2005 for Fear Factor ("Heist Fear Factor, Season 6 Premiere"). (The award was a tie with Tony Croll who won for Three Wishes, "Episode #1, Pilot.")
BERTRAM VAN MUNSTER
The Amazing Race ("Episode 1303")
CBS
This is Mr. van Munster's fourth DGA Award nomination in this category. He won the Outstanding Directorial Achievement Reality Programs Award for The Amazing Race ("Episode #1110") in 2007; and was previously nominated for The Amazing Race ("Episode #102") in 2006 and for "Episode #805" in 2005.
KENT WEED
I Survived A Japanese Game Show ("A Long Way From Home")
ABC
Mr. Weed's Directorial Team:
- Associate Director: Patrick Richmond
This is Mr. Weed's first DGA Award nomination.
The Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials are:
LARRY CARPENTER
One Life to Live (Episode #10,281, "So You Think You Can Be Shane Morasco's Father?")
ABC
Mr. Carpenter's Directorial Team:
- Associate Directors: Teresa Anne Cicala, Paul Glass, Tracy Casper Lang
- Stage Managers: Alan Needleman, Keith Greer, Brendan Higgins
- Production Associates: Kevin Brush, Beth Kravitz
This is Mr. Carpenter's sixth DGA Award nomination. He won the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials Award for One Life to Live ("Episode #9947") in 2007 and for One Life to Live ("Episode #8849") in 2003. He was previously nominated for that series for "Episode #9686" in 2006, "Episode #9385" in 2005 and "Episode #8655" in 2002.
WILLIAM LUDEL
General Hospital (Episode #11,462, "Luke in Purgatory")
ABC
Mr. Ludel's Directorial Team:
- Associate Directors: Peter Fillmore, Christine Magarian-Ucar, Ron Cates, RC Cates, David MacLeod, Penny Pengra, Denise Van Cleave, Lisa Kaseff
- Stage Managers: Craig McManus, Crystal Craft
- Production Associate: Christine Cooper
This is Mr. Ludel's fifth DGA Award nomination. He won DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials for General Hospital "Episode #9801" in 2001 and "Episode #8248" in 1995; and was nominated for "Episode #11177" in 2006 and for "Episode #7922" in 1994.
NOEL MAXAM
Days of Our Lives (Episode #10,763, "This Is It")
NBC
Mr. Maxam's Directorial Team:
- Associate Directors: Joseph Lumer, Michael J. Fiamingo, Krista Cremidan, Lugh Powers, Mason Dickson, Marius Darrow III
- Stage Managers: Francesca Bellini-DeSimone, Stuart W. Howard, Gary Wente
- Production Associates: Sara Peterson, Denise White-Serrette
This is Mr. Maxam's second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category for The Young and the Restless ("Episode #6632) in 1999.
OWEN RENFROE
General Hospital (Episode #11,504, "Catch Me If You Can")
ABC
Mr. Renfroe's Directorial Team:
- Associate Directors: Denise Van Cleave, Lisa Kaseff, Christine Magarian-Ucar, Penny Pengra, R.C. Cates, Dave MacLeod, Pete Fillmore
- Stage Managers: Craig McManus, Crystal Craft, Michelle Azenzer
- Production Associate: Christine Cooper
This is Mr. Renfroe's second DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials for General Hospital ("Episode #10,914") in 2005.
HERBERT STEIN
Days of Our Lives (Episode #10,764, "Airplane Crash Aftermath")
NBC
Mr. Stein's Directorial Team:
- Associate Directors: Joseph Lumer, Michael J. Fiamingo, Lugh Powers, Mason Dickson, Marius Darrow III
- Stage Managers: Francesca Bellini-DeSimone, Stuart W. Howard, Gary Wente
- Production Associates: Denise White-Serrette, Krista Cremidan, Sara Peterson
This is Mr. Stein's third DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials in 1999 for Days of Our Lives ("Episode #8557") with co-director Roger W. Inman; and was previously nominated in this category for Days of Our Lives ("Episode #10090") with co-director Albert Alar in 2005.
The Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials are:
FREDRIK BOND
Production Company: MJZ/Sonny London
Fridge Magnet, Guinness - BBDO
First Time, Levis - BBH
- Unit Production Manager: Line Postmyr
- First Assistant Director: Dave Dean
- Second Assistant Director: Carl Jackson
Space, Carling - Beattie McGuinness Bungay
This is Mr. Bond's third DGA Award nomination in this category. He was previously nominated in 2007 and in 2004.
DAVID FINCHER
Production Company: Anonymous Content
Fate, Nike - Wieden & Kennedy
- First Assistant Director: Bob Wagner
- Second Assistant Director: Allen Kupetsky
- Second Second Assistant Director: Frank Kostenko
Stand up for Something, Stand up to Cancer - Seligman Entertainment Inc.
- First Assistant Director: Denis Stewart
- Second Assistant Directors: Alan Berger, John Elmore
- Second Second Assistant Directors: Jason Manz, Shane Kalman, Paul Domick
Hallway, Apple - TBWA/Media Art
- First Assistant Director: Adam Somner
- Second Assistant Director: Chris Corrado
This is Mr. Fincher's third DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Commercial Award for Speed Chain (Nike), Gamebreakers (Nikegridiron.com), and Beauty for Sale (Xelibri Phones) in 2003; and he is also nominated in the Feature Film Award category this year for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
TOM KUNTZ
Production Company: MJZ
Pinata, Skittles - TBWA Chiat Day
- First Assistant Director: Thomas Smith
- Second Assistant Director: Kate Greenberg
Lips, Xbox - TAG
- First Assistant Director: Thomas Smith
- Second Assistant Director: Kate Greenberg
Carrier Pigeons, FedEx - BBDO, NY
- First Assistant Director: Thomas Smith
- Second Assistant Director: Kate Greenberg, and Matt Smith
- Second Second Assistant Director: Gregg Kawecki
White Gold Is, Milk - Goodby, Silverstein, & Partners
- First Assistant Director: Barry Wasserman
- Second Assistant Director: Greg Kawecki
This is Mr. Kuntz' second DGA Award nomination in this category. He was previously nominated in 2006.
RUPERT SANDERS
Production Company: MJZ
Legs, Monster - BBDO
Delivery, Travelers Insurance - Fallon Minneapolis
Clock Tower, Brand Jordan - Wieden & Kennedy New York
- First Assistant Director: Jim LaRocca
- Second Assistant Director: Jeff Conlon, Jared Hopkins, Bob King
- Second Second Assistant Directors: Todd Havern, Matt Paull, Denise Strong
This is Mr. Sanders' second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2005.
PETER THWAITES
Production Company: Gorgeous Enterprises
Waterslide, Barclaycard - BBH
Light Show, Guinness - Irish International BBDO
This is Mr. Thwaites' first DGA Award nomination.
The Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs are:
MATTHEW DIAMOND
Camp Rock
Disney Channel
This is Mr. Diamond's sixth nomination. He won DGA Awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety for Great Performances: Dance in America - Swan Lake with American Ballet Theater in 2005; for From Broadway: Fosse in 2002, and for Some Enchanted Evening, Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein in 1995. He was nominated in the Musical Variety category in 1998 for Savion Glover - Stomp, Slide & Swing: Performance in the White House, and in 1998 in the Documentary category for Dance Maker.
PAUL HOEN
The Cheetah Girls One World
Disney Channel
Mr. Hoen's Directorial Team:
- First Assistant Director: Babu Subramaniam
This is Mr. Hoen's fourth DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs in 2007 for Jump In; and was previously nominated for Searching for David's Heart in 2004 and the Even Stevens episode "Take My Sister... Please" in 2000.
SHAWN KU
The American Mall
MTV & Nickelodeon
Mr. Ku's Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Terrance Spazek
- First Assistant Director: Mark Hansson
- Second Assistant Director: Heather Toone
- Second Second Assistant Director: Brent Geisler
- Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Cody Harbaugh
This is Mr. Ku's first DGA Award nomination.
AMY SCHATZ
Classical Baby (I'm Grown Up Now) "The Poetry Show"
HBO
This is Ms. Schatz's fourth DGA Award nomination. She won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs in 2001 for 'Twas The Night, and in 1999 for Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepy Time Tales. She was also nominated in this category for Through A Child's Eyes: September 11, 2001 in 2002.
LEV L. SPIRO
Minutemen
Disney Channel
Mr. Spiro's Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Don Schain
- First Assistant Director: Matias Alvarez
- Second Assistant Director: Christopher Barnes
- Second Second Assistant Director: Brent Geisler
This is Mr. Spiro's first DGA Award nomination.