On September 29, the DGA Reality Television Committee presented the networking mixer event Keeping It Real, a celebration of 10 Years of DGA Reality Agreements. DGA members and guests gathered in the Guild’s Los Angeles atrium for an evening of camaraderie with their industry colleagues and producers of reality television programming.
In his welcome to the attendees, DGA Secretary-Treasurer Michael Apted spoke about the significance of the evening.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since we rolled out our first flexible reality TV agreements,” said Apted. “And now – with more than 500 DGA reality shows under our belts and producers becoming increasingly comfortable working with us – we wanted to take the time to celebrate these working relationships between reality producers and Guild directors as well as get the word out to those producers who may still not know about the advantages of working DGA. The Guild and our members are your partners in this endeavor. Because we all know that a DGA director can give you the advantage to hedge your risk and stand out in the ever-expanding market. And when that director is backed by a DGA team, you’re golden.”
Apted then turned the dais over to Actor/Director/Comedian Bob Saget, who entertained the audience with stories of “keeping it real” hearkening back to his days as host of one of the earliest examples of the genre America’s Funniest Home Videos.
Following the commentary, the attendees networked and socialized as they enjoyed food catered by celebrity chef Vic Casanova from the restaurants Pistola and Gusto; and drinks from mixologist Aaron Melendrez, who made signature cocktails in honor of the celebration. All attendees were also given a copy of the DGA Reality Television Directors Contact Guide, a booklet containing an FAQ about the Guild's flexible agreements designed for Reality Television productions, and a directory of DGA Reality Television Directors. The brochure is also available online. Click here to download a PDF copy.
The DGA Reality Television Committee’s Keeping It Real event sub-committee was co-chaired by Directors Brady Connell, Neil DeGroot and Eytan Keller and hosted by:
- John Bravakis & Stephen Kroopnick, Triage Entertainment
- David Eilenberg & George David Monas, Turner Network Television Originals, TNT & tbs
- David Garfinkle, Renegade83
- Dan Goldberg & Suzanne Lopez, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.
- Brad Hazzard, Viacom Media Networks
- Deborah Norton, Sony Pictures Television
- Bruce Robertson, ITV Studios America
- Jennifer Snitko, 3 Ball Entertainment
- Kent Weed, A. Smith & Co.
About the Committee
Formed in 2003, the DGA Reality Television Committee seeks to address areas of concern that apply to directors and director’s team members working in this genre, and promote the Reality Television Agreements so that members working on these shows may continue to enjoy Guild protections and benefits.
The Committee is co-chaired by Directors Craig Borders, Bryan O’Donnell and J. Rupert Thompson. The Director Members are: Hisham Abed, Steve Abramson, Ross Breitenbach, Bob Butler, Jack Cannon, David Charles, Brady Connell, Tony Croll, Neil DeGroot, Jason Edwards, Thomas Phil Goodrich, Susan Haymer, Steve Hryniewicz, Eytan Keller, Scott Messick, Peter Ney, Gene Reynolds, Daniel Salles, Michael Selditch, Rick Telles, Chuck Vinson, Carl Weathers, and David Wechter. The AD/SM Members are: Scott Berger, Paul Hogan, Tommy Kuk, Dennis W. Mazzocco, Scott Rindenow, and Barbara Roche.