• Facebook Share
  • Twitter Share

Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film

January 25, 2020

72nd Annual DGA Awards

On Saturday morning, January 25, the DGA presented its membership with a unique opportunity to celebrate the craft of directing during the 29th Annual Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium. The 2019 Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Award nominees ― Bong Joon Ho (Parasite), Sam Mendes (1917), Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood) and Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit) ― joined moderator Jeremy Kagan onstage in the Guild’s Los Angeles Theater for an in-depth discussion about their work. They were joined via video by nominee Martin Scorsese (The Irishman), who was unable to attend in person.

“As always, this is one of our most popular events of the year ― a celebration of the craft of directing,” said DGA President Thomas Schlamme as he welcomed the standing room only crowd. “Each of these fine directors join an illustrious line of filmmakers throughout Guild history who have represented the best in directorial achievement. Congratulations to each of you. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s now my pleasure to kick off this year’s Theatrical Feature Film Symposium with these brilliant clips from each of the directors’ films, which will be followed by a lively roundtable between [DGA Special Projects Committee Chair] Jeremy Kagan and the nominees.”

Following the screening of the film clips, Kagan led the nominees in a rollicking and informative exploration of the technical and creative processes of each director from pre-production to final cut. Although in just a matter of hours, only one of them would claim this year’s DGA Award for Theatrical Feature Film, the spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect was evident and it was clear that each one of them was truly honored to have been nominated by their peers.

 

 

  

 

You can watch the full panel by clicking the video above. Or listen to the panel in podcast form by clicking the following links: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Find all of our podcasts here. 

Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium:

  • Directed by: Jim Drake
  • Director of Photography: Chad Wilson
  • Stage Manager: Tracey Smith Baumert
See video highlights from this event in the gallery below

Pictures & Video

photos by Howard Wise

View slideshow
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Director Sam Mendes describes shooting the death of a major character in 1917 and how it was different from any other scene he’s directed.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Director Bong Joon Ho discusses some of the subtle visual effects that allowed him to combine performances within the same frame of some scenes in Parasite.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Director Martin Scorsese speaks about how he and actors Robert de Niro and Joe Pesci reworked a moment on the set of The Irishman to make it feel more realistic.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Director Quentin Tarantino talks about how his initial conception of the climactic scene of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood evolved from the writing phase to principal photography.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Director Taika Waititi shares his approach to casting the two leading roles of Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) and Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie) in Jojo Rabbit.
DGA President Thomas Schlamme welcomes everyone to the 29th Annual Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium and introduces the nominees.
The nominees receive a standing ovation as they enter the theater.
The nominees receive a standing ovation as they enter the theater.
The nominees receive a standing ovation as they enter the theater.
Director Martin Scorsese [on video] (The Irishman), translator Sharon Choi and Directors Bong Joon Ho (Parasite), Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood), Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit), Sam Mendes (1917) join the Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium moderator Jeremy Kagan on the stage.
Director Taika Waititi describes his vision for the costume design of Nazi Germany in Jojo Rabbit.
Director Taika Waititi describes his vision for the costume design of Nazi Germany in Jojo Rabbit.
Director Quentin Tarantino recalls his experiences while shooting on the hottest day of the year while making Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood.
Director Quentin Tarantino recalls his experiences while shooting on the hottest day of the year while making Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood.
Director Bong Joon Ho explains how his strict attention to storyboards assisted him in the making of Parasite.
Director Bong Joon Ho explains how his strict attention to storyboards assisted him in the making of Parasite.
Director Martin Scorsese [on video] reveals why the song “In the Still of the Night” by The Five Satins opened and closed The Irishman.
Director Sam Mendes explains why he refers to 1917 as a movie “without cuts” rather than a “one shot” film.
Director Sam Mendes explains why he refers to 1917 as a movie “without cuts” rather than a “one shot” film.
Moderator Jeremy Kagan asks the panelists to describe how they dealt with “the unexpected” during shooting.
DGA members and guests fill the Guild’s Los Angeles Theater for one of the premier events of the year.

Calendar

6/3/2025 - 6/9/2025

Log in as a Member to see upcoming events, screenings, and meetings.