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Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs

January 17, 2020

72nd Annual DGA Awards

On January 16, 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 Co-Chair Bryan O’Donnell, clips from the nominated works were screened. Then nominees Hisham Abed (Queer Eye, “Black Girl Magic”), Jason Cohen (Encore!, “Annie”) and Ashley S. Gorman (First Responders Live, “103”), spoke briefly about their nominated projects. Afterward the attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception in the DGA Los Angeles headquarters atrium.

Nominees Jon Favreau (The Chef Show, “Hog Island”) and Patrick McManus (American Ninja Warrior, “1116 Las Vegas National Finals Night 4”) were unable to attend.

The winner will be unveiled at the 72nd Annual DGA Awards dinner on Saturday, January 25, 2020.

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 Elisa Haber

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Watch Highlight
DGA Reality TV Committee Co-Chair Bryan O'Donnell welcomes guests to the event and congratulates this year's nominees.
Watch Highlight
Director Hisham Abed expresses gratitude for his DGA nomination for Queer Eye, “Black Girl Magic” and speaks about how grateful he is for his team and the DGA's support.
Watch Highlight
Director Jason Cohen thanks the Guild for recognizing his episode "Annie," Encore! and highlights the crew who helped to execute the large production.
Watch Highlight
Director Ashley S. Gorman talks about how great a resource the DGA was for finding crew on his nominated show First Responders Live, “103” and shares appreciation for the people depicted in the episode.
DGA Award Nominees Ashley S. Gorman (First Responders Live, “103”), Hisham Abed (Queer Eye, “Black Girl Magic”), Jason Cohen (Encore!, “Annie”) and Reality TV Committee Co-Chair Bryan O’Donnell celebrate Reality Television at the 2020 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.
DGA Reality TV Committee Co-Chair Bryan O’Donnell welcomes the attendees to the 2020 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event and congratulates the 72nd Annual DGA Award Nominees.
Nominee Hisham Abed talks briefly about his work on the “Black Girl Magic” episode of Queer Eye.
Nominee Jason Cohen thanks the Guild for honoring his work on Encore!
Nominee Ashley S. Gorman speaks about the challenges of making episode 103 of First Responders Live.
DGA members and guests enjoy the reception during the 2020 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.
Reality TV Host Committee members Mark Wolloff (ITV America), Nick Campagna (Eleven Eleven Media Group), Justin Medeiros and Stephanie Rosenberg (all3media america), Colleen Wagner (Eleven Eleven Media Group), John Bravakis (Triage Entertainment, Inc.), Chris Wagner  (Eleven Eleven Media Group), Patrick Schmedeman and Dan Murphy (Magical Elves), Justin Dudek (MGM Studios) and Harry Gamsu (Fremantle) pose for a photo during the reception for the 2020 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.
DGA Award Nominee Ashley S. Gorman (second from right) poses for a photo with three of his First Responders Live Associate Directors: Leslie Vincent, Don Frillici and Dara DiGerolamo.
Reality TV Committee member Brady Connell chats with nominees Jason Cohen and Hisham Abed.
Reality TV Committee member Dan Curran chats with a fellow attendee during the 2020 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.