January 11, 2007
LOS ANGELES, CA - Directors Guild of America President Michael Apted today announced the DGA's nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement for 2006 in the television categories of Dramatic Series Night, Comedy Series, Musical Variety, Reality Programs, Daytime Serials and Children's Programs. The winners of all six categories will be announced at the 59th Annual DGA Awards Dinner on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
"The director's role in creating compelling television has never been greater, and will continue to grow in importance as TV gets more competitive and audiences more demanding,” said Apted. “The nominees for the DGA Television Awards are the vanguard of this movement, setting ever-higher standards of quality and taking on the challenge to deliver excellence in all genres week after week."
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
JON CASSAR
24 - "7:00am - 8:00am"
FOX
- Unit Production Manager: Michael Klick
- First Assistant Director: Nicole Burke
- Second Assistant Director: Mark Rabinowitz
- Second Second Assistant Directors: Rebecca Gaither, Scott Remick
This is Mr. Cassar's second nomination. He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2003 for 24 ("7:00 am - 8:00 am").
PETER HORTON
Grey's Anatomy - "It's the End of the World (As We Know It)"
ABC
- Unit Production Manager: Carla Corwin
- First Assistant Director: Chris Hayden
- Second Assistant Director: Shawn Hanley
- Second Second Assistant Director: Laura Petticord
- Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Daniella Eisman
- DGA Trainee: Kate Boyle
This is Mr. Horton's second DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2005 for Grey's Anatomy ("A Hard Day's Night").
DAVID NUTTER
The Sopranos - "Join the Club"
HBO
- Unit Production Manager: Henry Bronchtein
- First Assistant Director: Mark McGann
- Second Assistant Director: Noreen Cheleden
- Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Gordon
- DGA Trainee: Marcy Patterson
This is Mr. Nutter's first DGA Award nomination.
THOMAS SCHLAMME
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - "Pilot"
NBC
- Unit Production Manager: Suzanne Geiger
- First Assistant Director: William Connor
- Second Assistant Director: Kristen Ploucha
- Second Second Assistant Director: Paul Schmitz
- Additional Second Second Director: John Nolan
This is Mr. Schlamme's eighth DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2000 for The West Wing ("Noel"), and the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 1999 for Sports Night ("Small Town") and in 1998 for Sports Night (Pilot). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2001 for The West Wing ("Two Cathedrals") and in 1999 for The West Wing (Pilot). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 1997 for Tracey Takes On ("Tracey Takes On... 1976") and in 1996 for Tracey Takes On ("Tracey Takes On... Romance").
TIM VAN PATTEN
The Sopranos - "Members Only"
HBO
- Unit Production Managers: Henry J. Bronchtein, Ilene S. Landress
- First Assistant Director: Jeff Bernstein
- Second Assistant Director: Nancy Herrmann
- Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Gordon
- DGA Trainee: Marcy Patterson
This is Mr. Van Patten's fifth DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 2004 for Sex and the City ("An American Girl in Paris: Part Deux") and in 2003 for Sex and the City ("Boy Interrupted"). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2004 for The Sopranos ("Long Term Parking") and in 2002 for The Sopranos ("Whoever Did This").
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
ADAM BERNSTEIN
30 Rock - "Pilot"
NBC
- Unit Production Manager: Neri Tannenbaum
- First Assistant Director: Stephen Lee Davis
- Second Assistant Director: Betsy Jo Friedman-Palmieri
- Second Second Assistant Director: Jane Chase Wells
This is Mr. Bernstein's first DGA Award nomination.
JULIAN FARINO
Entourage - "One Day in the Valley"
HBO
- Unit Production Manager: Isaac Wayne Carmona
- First Assistant Director: John Nelson
- Second Assistant Director: Susan Hellmann
- Second Second Assistant Director: Vernon Davidson
This is Mr. Farino's second DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 2005 for Entourage ("Exodus").
SEITH MANN
Grey's Anatomy - "Name of the Game"
ABC
- Unit Production Manager: Carla Corwin
- First Assistant Director: Annette Sutera
- Second Assistant Director: Shawn Hanley
- Second Second Assistant Director: Laura Petticord
- Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Daniella Eisman
This is Mr. Mann's first DGA Award nomination.
ARLENE SANFORD
Boston Legal - "Breast in Show"
ABC
- Unit Production Manager: Janet Knutsen
- First Assistant Director: Carol Vitkay
- Second Assistant Director: Leo Bauer
- Second Second Assistant Director: Alicia Lewis
- Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Nancy Townsend
This is Ms. Sanford's second DGA Award nomination. She was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in 2004 for Desperate Housewives ("Pretty Little Picture").
RICHARD SHEPARD
Ugly Betty - "Pilot"
ABC
- Unit Production Manager: Margot Lulick
- First Assistant Director: Christopher Surgent
- Second Assistant Director: Takahide Kawakami
- Second Second Assistant Director: Patrick McDonald
- DGA Trainee: Jennifer Wilkins
This is Mr. Shepard's first DGA Award nomination.
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
BRUCE GOWERS
American Idol - "Season 5 Finale: Episode #534/535"
FOX
- Associate Directors: Laura Lyons, Gregg M. Gelfand
- Stage Manager: Debbie Williams, Robert L. Sellers Jr., Spencer Emmons, Harve K. Levine
This is Mr. Gowers' third DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 2004 for Genius: A Night for Ray Charles, and was nominated in this category in 1997 for The Fleetwood Mac Reunion Special.
DON ROY KING
Saturday Night Live: Alec Baldwin Hosts
NBC
- Associate Directors: Bob Caminiti, Stefani Cohen, Mark Jankeloff
- Stage Managers: Gena Rose Rositano, Christopher Joseph Kelly
This is Mr. King's first DGA Award nomination.
ROB MARSHALL
Tony Bennett: An American Classic
NBC
- Associate Director: Yudi Bennett
- Stage Managers: Barbara J. Roche, Lee Grant and Murray Siegel
This is Mr. Marshall's third DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film in 2002 for Chicago. He was also nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 1999 for Annie.
CHUCK O'NEIL
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Comedy Central
- Associate Director: Paul A.J. Pennolino
- Stage Manager: Craig L. Spinney
This is Mr. O'Neil's fourth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 2003, 2004 and 2005, all for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
GLENN P. WEISS
The 60th Annual Tony Awards
CBS
- Associate Directors: Gregg M. Gelfand, Robin Mishkin-Abrams, Ricky Kirshner
- Stage Managers: Garry W. Hood, Peter H. Epstein, Andrew Feigin, Lynn M. Finkel, Douglas M. Fogel, Jeffry S. Gitter, Arthur E. Lewis, Cyndi Owgang, Jeffrey L. Pearl, Rose Riggins, Lauren Schneider
This is Mr. Weiss' fourth DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 2005 for The 59th Annual Tony Awards, in 2002 for The 56th Annual Tony Awards, and in 2001 for The 55th Annual Tony Awards.
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
BOBBIE BIRLEFFI
Texas Ranch House - "The Good, the Bad and the Colonel" (Episode #2)
PBS
This is Ms. Birleffi's first DGA Award nomination.
TONY SACCO
Treasure Hunters - "Episode #101"
NBC
- Segment Director: Craig Spirko
- Associate Director: Javier Winnik
This is Mr. Sacco's first DGA Award nomination.
J. RUPERT THOMPSON
Fear Factor - "Military Fear Factor, Season Finale"
NBC
- Stage Manager: John Stewart
This is Mr. Thompson's second DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs in 2005 for Fear Factor ("Heist Fear Factor, Season 6 Premiere").
BERTRAM VAN MUNSTER
The Amazing Race - "Episode #1002"
CBS
- Segment Director: Michael Noval
This is Mr. Van Munster's second DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs in 2005 for The Amazing Race ("Episode #805").
TIM WARREN
Pros vs. Joes - "Episode #101"
Spike
- Associate Director: Jon Scheide
This is Mr. Warren's first DGA Award nomination.
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
LARRY CARPENTER
One Life to Live - Episode #9686
ABC
- Associate Directors: Mary Ryan, Tracy Casper Lang, Paul Glass
- Stage Managers: Richard A. Manfredi, Alan P. Needleman
- Production Associates: Allison Samon, Anthony Wilkinson
This is Mr. Carpenter's fourth DGA Award nomination in this category. He won for One Life to Live Episode #8849 in 2003 and was nominated for that series for Episode #9385 in 2005 and Episode #8655 in 2002.
CASEY CHILDS
All My Children - Episode #9297
ABC
- Associate Director: Shirley Simmons, Barbara Simmons, Anthony Pascarelli
- Stage Manager: Penny Bergman, Rusty Swope, Fritz Brekeller, Brendan Higgins
- Production Associate: Jennifer Minda, Marika Brancato
This is Mr. Childs' second DGA Award nomination in this category. He was nominated for All My Children Episode #7919 in 2000.
WILLIAM LUDEL
General Hospital - Episode #11177
ABC
- Associate Directors: Ron Cates, Christine Magarian, Penny Pengra, Peter Fillmore
- Stage Managers: Craig McManus, Crystal Craft, Michele Azenzer
- Production Associates: Lisa Kaseff, Denise Van Cleave, Christine Cooper
This is Mr. Ludel's fourth DGA Award nomination in this category. He won for General Hospital Episode #9801 in 2001 and Episode #8248 in 1995, and was nominated for Episode #7922 in 1994.
SCOTT McKINSEY
General Hospital - Episode #11178
ABC
- Associate Directors: Ron Cates, Christine Magarian, Penny Pengra, Peter Fillmore
- Stage Managers: Craig McManus, Crystal Craft
- Production Associates: Lisa Kaseff, Denise Van Cleave, Christine Cooper
This is Mr. McKinsey's fifth DGA Award nomination in this category. He won for Port Charles Episode #1433 in 2002, and for General Hospital Episode #8883 in 1997. He was nominated for General Hospital Episode #8492 in 1996 and Episode #8233 in 1995.
BRIAN MERTES
Guiding Light - Episode #14905
CBS
- Associate Directors: Charles Grayauskie, Ilene Frankel, Tracey Bryggman, Andrea Giles-Rich
- Stage Managers: Adam Reist, Kristin Doherty, Joseph Willmore
- Production Associates: Elana Slott, Kelly Jobmann
This is Mr. Mertes' third DGA Award nomination in this category. He was nominated for Guiding Light Episode #14322 in 2004 and Episode #11563 in 1993.
JILL MITWELL
One Life To Live - Episode #9779
ABC
- Associate Directors: Teresa Anne Cicala, Paul Glass
- Stage Managers: Richard A. Manfredi, Alan P. Needleman
- Production Associate: Nathalie Rodriguez
This is Ms. Mitwell's seventh DGA Award nomination in this category. She won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials for One Life to Live Episode #8295 in 2000 and Episode #6356 in 1993. She was nominated for One Life to Live Episode #8691 in 2002, Episode #8012 in 1999, Episode #7761 in 1998, and Episode #7285 in 1996.
ELLEN WHEELER
Guiding Light - Episode #14832
CBS
- Associate Directors: Charles Grayauskie, Ilene Frankel, Tracey Bryggman, Andrea Giles-Rich
- Stage Managers: Adam Reist, Kristin Doherty, Joseph Willmore
- Production Associates: Elana Slott, Kelly Jobmann
This is Ms. Wheeler's second DGA Award nomination in this category. She was nominated for Guiding Light Episode #14696 in 2005.
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
JOYCE CHOPRA
Molly: An American Girl on the Homefront
Disney
This is Ms. Chopra's first DGA Award nomination.
SEAN McNAMARA
Cutting Edge II
ABC Family
- Unit Production Manager: David Grace
- First Assistant Director: John Scherer
- Second Assistant Director: Aaron Penn
This is Mr. McNamara's fourth DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs in 2003 for The Even Stevens Movie, in 2001 for Even Stevens ("Very Scary Story"), and in 2000 for Even Stevens ("Easy Way").
KENNY ORTEGA
High School Musical
Disney Channel
- Unit Production Manager: Donald R. Schain
- First Assistant Directors: Matias Alvarez
- Second Assistant Director: Tobijah Tyler
This is Mr. Ortega's first DGA Award nomination.
FRED SAVAGE
Phil of the Future - "Not So Great Great Great Grandpa"
Disney Channel
- Unit Production Manager: Bob Mora
- First Assistant Director: Eddie Ziv, Glenn Steelman
- Second Assistant Director: Lincoln Myers
This is Mr. Savage's first DGA Award nomination.
RON UNDERWOOD
The Year Without A Santa Claus
NBC
- Unit Production Manager: Robert Wilson
- First Assistant Director: Frank Capra III
- Second Assistant Director: Jason Altieri
This is Mr. Underwood's first DGA Award nomination.