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Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs

February 9, 2023

75th Annual DGA Awards

The DGA Award Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs and members of their teams celebrated the achievements of their genre during an event in the DGA Los Angeles headquarters atrium on February 8. Following introductory comments from DGA Associate Western Executive Director Lisa Layer and Reality Television Committee Co-Chairs Bryan O’Donnell and J. Rupert Thompson, clips from the nominated works were screened. Then nominees Joseph H. Guidry (The Big Brunch, “Carb Loading Brunch”); Carrie Havel (The Go-Big Show, “Only One Can Win”); Rich Kim (Lego Masters, “Jurass-brick World”); Michael Shea (FBoy Island, “Do You Like Cats?”) and Ben Simms (Running Wild with Bear Grylls, “Florence Pugh in the Volcanic Rainforests of Costa Rica”) spoke briefly about their projects. Afterward the attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception.

The winner will be unveiled at the 75th Annual DGA Awards ceremony on Saturday, February 8, 2023.

See video from this event in the gallery below.
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 Directors Bryan O'Donnell and J. Rupert Thompson and Stage Manager David Charles.

Pictures & Video

photos by Elisa Haber

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DGA Associate Western Executive Director Lisa Layer and Reality Television Committee Co-Chairs Bryan O’Donnell and J. Rupert Thompson welcome guests to the event and congratulate this year's nominees.
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Director Joseph H. Guidry expresses gratitude for his DGA nomination for The Big Brunch, “Carb Loading Brunch” and speaks about how grateful he is for his team and the DGA's support. Associate Director Sean P. Galvin recognizes Guidry for the mandate of kindness and respect he sets during production.
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Director Carrie Havel thanks the Guild for recognizing her episode "Only One Can Win" for the show The Go-Big Show and highlights the crew who helped to execute the large production. Associate Director Dara GiGerolamo expresses how reliable the team was for the episode.
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Director Rich Kim talks about his pride in working on his nominated show Lego Masters, “Jurass-brick World” and shares appreciation for his team and the lengths the Reality genre has taken in the industry. Associate Director Ryan Bunnell shares how happy he is working on the episode because of the people.
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Director Michael Shea recognizes his team for their contribution to his nominated show FBoy Island, “Do you Like Cats” and shares appreciation for the nomination.
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Director Ben Simms lauds his crew for their help on making his nominated show Running Wild with Bear Grylls, “Florence Pugh in the Volcanic Rainforests of Costa Rica” and thanks the DGA for its support. Associate Director Sara Brown speaks about how proud she is of the episode.
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Director Bryan O’Donnell closes out the DGA Meet the Nominees Reality Program ceremony.
DGA Reality Television Committee Co-Chair J. Rupert Thompson, Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs Award Nominees Michael Shea (FBoy Island, “Do You Like Cats?”), Joseph H. Guidry (The Big Brunch, “Carb Loading Brunch”), Ben Simms (Running Wild with Bear Grylls, “Florence Pugh in the Volcanic Rainforests of Costa Rica”), Carrie Havel (The Go-Big Show, “Only One Can Win”) and Rich Kim (Lego Masters, “Jurass-brick World”) and Reality TV Committee Co-Chair Bryan O’Donnell celebrate the genre at the 2023 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.
DGA Associate Western Executive Director Lisa Layer welcomes the attendees to the 2023 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.
Reality Television Committee Co-Chairs Bryan O’Donnell and J. Rupert Thompson speak about the work of the Committee and introduce the nominated Directors and their teams.
Nominee Joseph H. Guidry talks briefly about his work on the “Carb Loading Brunch” episode of The Big Brunch.
Nominee Joseph H. Guidry acknowledges the contributions of his directorial team who are in attendance, Stage Manager Winston Churchill, Associate Director Sean P. Galvin and Stage Manager Patty Sosa.
Nominee Carrie Havel thanks the Guild for honoring her work on the “Only One Can Win” episode of The Go-Big Show.
Nominee Carrie Havel (right) also thanks the contributions of her directorial team members who joined her at the event, Associate Director Dara DiGerolamo and Stage Managers Theresa Moio, Patricia Sosa and Greg Rosa.
Nominee Rich Kim speaks about his work on the “Jurass-brick World” episode of Lego Masters.
Nominee Rich Kim thanks two members of his directorial team who are in attendance, Stage Manager Kevin Fletcher and Associate Director Ryan Bunnell.
Nominee Michael Shea talks recalls the making of his “Do You Like Cats?” episode of FBoy Island.
Nominee Michael Shea acknowledges the members of his FBoy Island team who are in attendance, Segment Director Ali Moghadas and Associate Director Tori Himes.
Nominee Ben Simms speaks about the challenges of making the “Florence Pugh in the Volcanic Rainforests of Costa Rica” episode of Running Wild with Bear Grylls.
Nominee Ben Simms shares the moment with his Running Wild with Bear Grylls team members, Stage Manager Jeff Simms and Associate Director Sara Brown.
Reality Television Committee Co-Chairs J. Rupert Thompson and Bryan O’Donnell pose for a photo with members of the Reality TV Host Committee (L-R) Reality Television Committee Co-Chair J. Rupert Thompson, Ken Woodward (Freemantle), Mark Wolloff (ITV), Liz Schulze (Electus), John Bravakis (Triage Entertainment, Inc.), Andrew Fried (Boardwalk Pictures) and Alan Welch (STX Entertainment), and Reality Television Committee Co-Chair Bryan O’Donnell.
Nominee Michael Shea (left) gets congratulated for his work by Reality Committee member Tommy Kuk.
DGA members and guests enjoy the reception during the 2020 Meet the Nominees: Reality Programs event.
Nominees Rich Kim and Joseph H. Guidry pose for a photo.
Nominees Ben Simms poses for a photo with fellow attendees.
Reality Television Committee Co-Chair J. Rupert Thompson chats with nominee Carrie Havel.
Reality Television Committee Co-Chair Bryan O’Donnell poses for a photo with fellow attendees.