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Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs

January 26, 2018

70th Annual DGA Awards

On January 25, the Guild held its annual event for the DGA Award Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs. Following introductory comments from DGA Reality TV Committee member Carl Weathers and Reality TV Committee Co-Chair J. Rupert Thompson, clips from the nominated works were screened. Then nominees Hisham Abed (Encore! “Pilot”) Brian Smith (MasterChef, “Vegas Deluxe & Oyster Shucks”) and Adam Vetri (Dare to Live, “Chainsmokers”) spoke briefly about their nominated projects. Afterward the attendees all enjoyed a cocktail reception in the DGA Los Angeles headquarters atrium. Nominees John Gonzalez (Live PD, “Episode 50”) and Kent Weed (Spartan: The Ultimate Team Challenge, “Season Premiere”) were unable to attend. The winner will be unveiled at the 70th Annual DGA Awards dinner on Saturday, February 3, 2018.

About the DGA Reality Television Committee

Formed in 2003, the 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 DGA’s Reality Television Agreements so that members working on these shows may continue to enjoy Guild protections and benefits. The current co-chairs are Craig Borders, Bryan O'Donnell and J. Rupert Thompson.

Pictures & Video

photos by Trixie Textor

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DGA Director Carl Weathers and Reality TV Committee Co-Chair Rupert Thompson welcome guests to the event and congratulate this year's nominees.
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Hisham Abed expresses gratitude for his DGA nomination and the hard work from his crew on the pilot episode of Encore!
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Brian Smith thanks the Guild for recognizing his episode of MasterChef's “Vegas & Oyster Shucks” and praises his crew.
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Adam Vetri talks about the challenges of shooting Dare to Live “Chainsmokers” and tips his hat to his 1st AD Ian Blankenship and the rest of his crew.
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In Kent Weed's absence, Associate Director Ben Simms and Stage Manager Dave Massey step in to accept Weed's DGA nomination for Reality Programming for Spartan: The Ultimate Team Challenge, "Season Premiere."
70th Annual DGA Award Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs: Hisham Abed (Encore! “Pilot”), Adam Vetri (Dare to Live, “Chainsmokers”) and Brian Smith (MasterChef, “Vegas Deluxe & Oyster Shucks”). [Not pictured: Nominees John Gonzalez (Live PD, “Episode 50”) and Kent Weed (Spartan: The Ultimate Team Challenge, “Season Premiere”)]
DGA Reality TV Committee member Carl Weathers congratulates the 70th Annual DGA Award Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs.
DGA Reality TV Committee Co-Chair J. Rupert Thompson speaks about the work of the Committee.
DGA Members and guests view clips from the nominated Reality Television Programs.
Nominee Hisham Abed speaks about his work on the pilot episode of Encore!
Nominee Brian Smith thanks the Guild for honoring his work on MasterChef.
Nominee Brian Smith (right) invites his directing team from MasterChef to join him at the podium (L-R:, Stage Managers Brady Hess and Drew Lewandowski and Associate Director Anna Moulaison‑Moore).
Director Adam Vetri recalls the making of his nominated episode of Dare to Live.
Associate Director Ian Blankenship joins Director Adam Vetri at the podium as Vetri speaks about their work on Dare to Live.
Stage Manager Dave Massey and Associate Director Ben Simms thank the Guild on behalf of nominated Director Kent Weed (Spartan: The Ultimate Team Challenge, “Season Premiere”) who was unable to attend the event.
The DGA Reality Television Award nominees pose with members of the Reality Host Committee: (L-R) Host Committee member David Broome, Reality TV Committee Co-Chair Bryan O’Donnell, Nominee Hisham Abed, Host Committee member Yong Yam, Reality TV Committee Co-Chair J. Rupert Thompson, Nominee Adam Vetri, Host Committee member John Bravakis, Nominee Brian Smith, Host Committee member Marc Wolloff, Reality TV Committee member Carl Weathers, and Host Committee members Dan Murphy and Brad Bishop.
DGA Members and guests celebrate the occasion during the reception for the 2018 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.
Reality TV Committee Co-Chair Bryan O’Donnell chats with Committee member Carl Weathers during the 2018 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs reception.
Two-time DGA Award nominee Scott Messick and two-time DGA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs Award-winner Neil DeGroot pose for a photo during the reception for the 2018 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.
Nominee Adam Vetri chats with attendees during the reception.
Producer Jeanne Petrone Arzubiaga, 2006 and 2012 DGA Reality TV Award nominee Tim Warren, Jim Jesko and 2016 DGA Reality TV Award nominee Brady Connell enjoy the reception.
Associate Director Ian Blankenship from Director Adam Vetri’s Dare to Live and Producers Stephanie Wagner and Jim Roush from Director Hisham Abed’s Encore! enjoy the reception.
Nominee Brian Smith poses for a photo with Associate Director Andy Nelson during the reception for the 2018 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.
Associate Director Jason Edwards and Director Peter Ney enjoy the reception for the 2018 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.
Director Sharon Everitt (right) and guest enjoy the reception for the 2018 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.
Nominee Hisham Abed celebrates with his wife, Melanie Abed, and Production Manager Jeanne Haney.
2013 Nominee Matthew Bartley chats with Reality TV Committee Co-Chair J. Rupert Thompson during the reception.
Two -time DGA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs Award-winner Neil DeGroot and two-time nominee Tim Warren enjoy the reception for the 2018 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.