On August 23, DGA members gathered in the Guild’s New York Boardroom for a panel discussion with fellow members who work to capture the glitz and grandeur of the Olympics. Hosted by the Eastern Region Special Projects Committee, Rings of Glory: Directing the Olympics featured an exploration of the subject with Directors L. Kelly Atkinson Jr., Matthew W. Celli, John E. Gilmartin, Douglas J. Grabert, Pierre W. Moossa, Michael E. Sheehan and Associate Director Carol M. Larson, all veterans from NBC who have worked on multiple Olympics broadcasts including the opening ceremonies, various studio programs and live events from both winter and summer Olympics.
In a conversation moderated by Director Raymond J. Herbert, and illustrated by clips from past competitions, the panel discussed the challenges of capturing signature moments in sports history. Topics of discussion included what is involved in coordinating an Olympics broadcast; the challenges of directing different kinds of feeds such as World, split and exclusive; balancing recorded and live events; and the evolution of the Olympics at NBC.
Following the discussion, the floor was opened to questions from the audience.
WATCH VIDEO FROM THIS EVENT IN THE GALLERY BELOW
About the Panelists:
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 Director L. Kelly Atkinson Jr.
Atkinson has been at NBC for 12 years and covered an equal number of Olympics broadcasts including coverage of bobsled, skeleton and luge competitions. His work has generated nine Emmy Awards. His other assignments include acting as the coordinating studio director for NHL broadcasts and directing Tour de France bicycle racing broadcasts. Atkinson has been a DGA member since 1990.
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 Director Matthew W. Celli
A 17-year veteran at NBC, Celli has covered 11 Olympics broadcasts where his assignments have included directing the NBC Daytime Show in 2018 and covering the diving venue in 2016. His work has generated 11 Emmy Awards. His other assignments include directing broadcasts for combat and E-Sports events. Celli has been a DGA member since 2012.
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 Director John E. Gilmartin
A DGA member since 1986, Gilmartin has been at NBC for 42 years where his work has earned 14 Emmys and a Peabody Award. Gilmartin has worked on 13 Olympics broadcasts where his assignments have included acting as the Senior Videotape Producer. His other assignments include handling the duties of the NBC Sports Coordinating Producer and Studio Director.
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 Director Douglas J. Grabert
With 35 years of experience at NBC, Grabert has worked on 13 Olympics broadcasts where his assignments have included directing the speedskating competitions at the 2018 and 2014 Winter Olympics, golf at the 2016 Summer games and diving events in 2012. With 13 Emmys for his work, Grabert’s other assignments include directing golf events at NBC Sports. He has been a DGA member since 1978.
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 Associate Director Carol M. Larson
Larson has been at NBC for 32 years where her assignments have included 13 Olympics broadcasts, acting as the Supervising Videotape Producer during the games broadcast in 2014- 2016 and 2018. Her work has contributed to nine Emmys, a Peabody and a DGA Award for the 2008 Beijing Opening Ceremony. Her other assignments include acting as the Associate Director for Football Night in America, NHL on NBC and NBC Sports Update. Larson has been a DGA member since 1991.
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 Director Pierre W. Moossa
Moossa has been at NBC for 18 years where he has covered 11 Olympics broadcasts. His work has earned 16 Emmy Awards and his Olympics assignments have included directing the figure skating and closing ceremonies in 2014 and 2018 and the gymnastics and closing ceremony in 2016. A DGA member since 2003, Moossa’s other assignments include directing broadcasts for the French Open tennis, the Triple Crown horse racing and Notre Dame Football.
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 Director Michael E. Sheehan
Sheehan has been at NBC for seven years where he has worked on six Olympics broadcasts acting as the Coordinating Director during the games in 2014, 2016 and 2018. Since his first Olympics assignment during the summer games Seoul, South Korea in 1988, Sheehan’s work has generated 18 Emmy Awards. His other assignments include acting as the Coordinating Director of NBC Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and directing Football Night in America. Sheehan has been a DGA member since 1992. |
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 Director Raymond J. Herbert (moderator)
A 24-year veteran at NBC, Herbert has covered five Olympics broadcasts where his assignments have included directing the NBC Sports Network Studio Show in 2018, the MSNBC Olympic Studio Show in 2016, and the USA Network Olympic Studio Show in 2008. His work has generated six Emmy Awards. Herbert’s other assignments include directing broadcasts for NBC Nightly News, Hardball and co-managing the MSNBC directing staff. He has been a DGA member since 1991.
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About the Committee:
Special Projects is the educational and cultural arm of the Directors Guild of America. It provides opportunities for creative exchange with programs for members and industry colleagues to celebrate the history and achievements of its members, advance their professional skills, and prepare them for the technological changes of the future. The Eastern Region Special Projects Committee is chaired by Raymond DeFelitta. The Committee Members are Ted Bogosian, Gary Donatelli, Daniel Hank, Dennis W. Mazzocco, and Susanna Styron.