DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for 2016

THE DUFFER BROTHERS

Stranger Things, “Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers”

(Netflix)

The Duffer Brothers’ Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Timothy Lonsdale
• First Assistant Director: Richard Denault
• Second Assistant Directors: Maria Battle Campbell, Kristina M. Peterson
• Second Second Assistant Director: Simeon Jones
• Additional Second Assistant Director: Franchesca Winters

This is Mr. Matt Duffer’s first DGA Award nomination.

This is Mr. Ross Duffer’s first DGA Award nomination.

RYAN MURPHY

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, “From the Ashes of Tragedy”

(FX)

Mr. Murphy’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Chip Vucelich
• First Assistant Director: Leo Bauer
• Second Assistant Director: Janell Sammelman
• Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Pexa
• Additional Second Assistant Director: Alicia Lewis

This is Mr. Murphy’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series in 2014 for The Normal Heart; for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 2009 for the Glee pilot; and in 2010 for the Glee episode “The Power of Madonna.”

JONATHAN NOLAN

Westworld, “The Original”

(HBO)

Mr. Nolan’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Robert Del Valle
• First Assistant Director: Kim H. Winther
• Second Assistant Director: Jeff Okabayashi
• Second Second Assistant Directors: Michelene Mundo, Katie Pruitt

This is Mr. Nolan’s first DGA Award nomination.

MIGUEL SAPOCHNIK

Game of Thrones, “The Battle of the Bastards”

(HBO)

This is Mr. Sapochnik’s first DGA Award nomination.

JOHN SINGLETON

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, “The Race Card”

(FX)

Mr. Singleton’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Chip Vucelich
• First Assistant Director: Dan Shaw
• Second Assistant Director: Matt Pexa
• Second Second Assistant Directors: Kim Richards, Kyle Hollingsworth, Daniel Portnoy

This is Mr. Singleton’s first DGA Award nomination.

ALEC BERG

Silicon Valley, “Daily Active Users”

(HBO)

Mr. Berg’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Tyler Romary
• First Assistant Director: Nick Mastandrea
• Second Assistant Director: Sally Brunski
• Second Second Assistant Director: Kim Richards
• Additional Second Assistant Director: Kathleen D. Brennan

This is Mr. Berg’s first DGA Award nomination.

DONALD GLOVER

Atlanta, “B.A.N.”

(FX)

Mr. Glover’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Alex Orr
• First Assistant Director: Veronica A. Hodge‑Hampton
• Second Assistant Director: Jason Graham
• Second Second Assistant Director: Danielle King
• Additional Second Assistant Director: Mike Brune

This is Mr. Glover’s first DGA Award nomination.

MIKE JUDGE

Silicon Valley, “Founder Friendly”

(HBO)

Mr. Judge’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Tyler Romary
• First Assistant Director: James “Billy” Burton
• Second Assistant Director: Thomas Boucher
• Second Second Assistant Director: Kim Richards

This is Mr. Judge’s third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this same category in 2014 for the Silicon Valley episode “Minimum Viable Product” and in 2015 for the Silicon Valley episode “Binding Arbitration.”

BECKY MARTIN

Veep, “Inauguration”

(HBO)

Ms. Martin’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: David Hyman
• First Assistant Director: Dale Stern
• Second Assistant Director: Michelle Gritzer
• Second Second Assistant Director: Chris Riddle
• Additional Second Assistant Director: Gary Cotti

This is Ms. Martin’s first DGA Award nomination.

DALE STERN

Veep, “Mother”

(HBO)

Mr. Stern’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: David Hyman
• First Assistant Director: Michelle Gritzer
• Second Assistant Director: Jeff Rosenberg
• Second Second Assistant Director: Chris Riddle
• Additional Second Assistant Director: Cecilia Sweatman

This is Mr. Stern’s first DGA Award nomination.

RAYMOND DE FELITTA

Madoff

(ABC)

Mr. De Felitta’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Moshe Bardach
• First Assistant Director: Scott Lazar
• Second Assistant Director: David Fischer
• Second Second Assistant Director: Ramona Murphy-Adair
• Location Manager: Eddy Collyns

This is Mr. De Felitta’s first DGA Award nomination.

THOMAS KAIL (Directed By)
ALEX RUDZINSKI (Live Television Direction By)

Grease Live!

(FOX)

Directorial Team:

• Associate Directors: Carrie Havel, Adam Mishler, Brad Duns
• Head Stage Manager: Garry Hood
• Stage Managers: Jennifer Marquet, John Esposito, Jonathan Marks, Rob Sellers Jr., Daniella Farrelly, Paul Forrest, Roy Friedland, Chris Hines, Roxanne Lozano, Drina Mohacsi, Tshaka Stewart, Mike Strauss, Cheryl Teetzel-Moore, Ari Woog, Katie Perkins

This is Mr. Kail’s first DGA Award nomination.

This is one of two DGA Award nominations this year for Mr. Rudzinski in this category. He is also nominated with Kenny Leon for Hairspray Live! He has not been previously nominated.

KENNY LEON (Directed By)
ALEX RUDZINSKI (Live Television Direction By)

Hairspray Live!

(NBC)

Directorial Team:

• Associate Directors: Carrie Havel, Brad Duns, Amy Wilcox-Barker
• Key Stage Manager: Garry Hood
• Stage Managers: Cory Boulieris, John Esposito, Daniella Farrelly, Roy Friedland, Paul Forrest, Chris Hines, Roxanne Lozano, Jonathan Marks, Jennifer Marquet, Michael Meilan, Donna Parker, Cody Renard Richard, Rob Sellers Jr., Murray Siegel, Tshaka Stewart, Mike Strauss

This is Mr. Leon’s third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this same category in 2008 for A Raisin in the Sun and in 2015 with Matthew Diamond for The Wiz Live!

This is one of two DGA Award nominations this year for Mr. Rudzinski in this category. He is also nominated with Thomas Kail for Grease Live! He has not been previously nominated.

JAY ROACH

All the Way

(HBO)

Mr. Roach’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Scott Ferguson
• First Assistant Director: Josh King
• Second Assistant Director: Aaron Fitzgerald
• Second Second Assistant Directors: Jason C. Brown, Matthew Milan

This is Mr. Roach’s third DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series in 2008 for Recount and in 2012 for Game Change.

STEVEN ZAILLIAN

The Night Of, “The Beach”

(HBO)

Mr. Zaillian’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Greer Yeaton
• First Assistant Director: Michael Steele
• Second Assistant Director: Ginger Gonzalez
• Second Second Assistant Director: Rachel Iovine
• Location Manager: Shane Haden

This is Mr. Zaillian’s first DGA Award nomination.

PAUL G. CASEY

Real Time with Bill Maher, “Show #1437”

(HBO)

Mr. Casey’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Director: Stacy Talbot
• Stage Managers: Patrick Whitney, Brian Anderson

This is Mr. Casey’s third DGA Award nomination. He previously was nominated in this category in 2015 and 2014 for Real Time with Bill Maher “Show #1334” and “Show #1226.”

NORA GERARD

CBS Sunday Morning, “Charles Osgood Farewell Broadcast”

(CBS)

Ms. Gerard’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Directors: Bernard Rozenberg, Jessica Frank, Kate D'Arcy Coleman,
  Patricia Finnegan, Jyll Phillips‑Friedman
• Stage Managers: Mark Dicso, Lindsley Newbury

This is Ms. Gerard’s first DGA Award nomination.

JIM HOSKINSON

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, “Episode #0179”

(CBS)

Mr. Hoskinson’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Directors: Yvonne De Mare, Karen Yaeger
• Stage Manager: Mark McKenna

This is Mr. Hoskinson’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He previously was nominated in this category in 2015, 2013 and 2007 for The Colbert Report episodes “11040,” “10004” and “3052.”

DON ROY KING

Saturday Night Live, “Host: Dave Chappelle”

(NBC)

Mr. King’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Directors: Michael Mancini, Michael Poole, Bob Caminiti
• Stage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly

This is Mr. King’s eleventh DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials in 2015 for Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special and for Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming in 2013 for Saturday Night Live “Host: Justin Timberlake.” He was previously nominated for Saturday Night Live episodes in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, and in 2015 in the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming category for the Saturday Night Live episode, “Host: Tracy Morgan/Musical Guest: Demi Lovato.”

PAUL PENNOLINO

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, “Episode #1030”

(TBS)

Mr. Pennolino’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Director: Jeremy Hardwick
• Stage Manager: Laura Mack

This is Mr. Pennolino’s first DGA Award nomination.

JERRY FOLEY

Tony Bennett Celebrates 90 - The Best is Yet to Come

(NBC)

Mr. Foley’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Director: Randi Grossack
• Key Stage Manager: Jeffry Gitter
• Stage Managers: Bennymar Almonte, Lauren Class Schneider, Joey Despenzero, Jeff Markowitz, Karen Tasch Weiss

This is Mr. Foley’s ninth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in the Musical Variety category, all for the Late Show with David Letterman, in 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1998 for episodes “#2773,” “#2452,” “#2187,” “#1876,” “#1634,” “#1527,” “#1294,” and “#958.”

TIM MANCINELLI

The Late Late Show with James Corden, “The Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke Primetime Special”

(CBS)

Mr. Mancinelli’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Directors: Matt Powers, Bac Delorme, Brian Sutherin
• Stage Managers: Michael J. Schiff, Teri Pensky Hlubik

This is Mr. Mancinelli’s first DGA Award nomination.

LINDA MENDOZA

Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House

(PBS)

Ms. Mendoza’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Directors: Dora Mendoza, Kelly Hernacki
• Stage Managers: Lynn Finkel, Elise Reaves, Phyllis Digilio-Kent

This is Ms. Mendoza’s second DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated in the Musical Variety category in 2010 for Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in Performance at The White House.

PAUL MYERS

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, “A Very Special Full Frontal Special”

(TBS)

This is Mr. Myers’s first DGA Award nomination.

GLENN WEISS

The 70th Annual Tony Awards

(CBS)

Mr. Weiss’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Directors: Ken Diego, Robin Abrams, Ricky Kirshner
• Stage Managers: Garry Hood, Peter Epstein, Joey Despenzero, Phyllis Digilio-Kent, Andrew Feigin, Doug Fogel, Jeffry Gitter, Arthur Lewis, Jeffrey M. Markowitz, Cyndi Owgang, Jeff Pearl, Alfonso Pena, Annette Powlis, Elise Reaves, Lauren Class Schneider, Jim Semmelman

This is Mr. Weiss’s thirteenth DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 for the 61st, 64th, 65th, 66th, 67th and 68th Annual Tony Awards. He was also nominated in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008 for the 55th, 56th, 59th, 60th, and 62nd Annual Tony Awards. He was also nominated in 2015 for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series, together with Rob Ashford, for Peter Pan Live!

KEN FUCHS

Shark Tank, “801”

(ABC)

Mr. Fuchs’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Director: Amy Wilcox‑Barker
• Head Stage Manager: Eric Rhoden
• Stage Managers: Doug Neal, Michael Strauss

This is Mr. Fuchs’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2015 for Shark Tank, “702.”

JOHN GONZALEZ

Live PD, “Episode 5”

(A&E)

Mr. Gonzalez’s Directorial Team:

• Stage Manager: Jeff Buda

This is Mr. Gonzalez’s first DGA Award nomination.

BRIAN SMITH

STRONG, “Welcome to STRONG”

(NBC)

Mr. Smith’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Directors: Anna Moulaison‑Moore, David Charles
• Stage Manager: Drew Lewandowski

This is Mr. Smith’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He previously won in this category in 2012 for Master Chef, “Episode #305.” He was also nominated in 2010 for Master Chef, “Episode #103,” and in 2011 for Master Chef, “Episode #201.”

J. RUPERT THOMPSON

American Grit, “The Finale ‑ Over the Falls”

(FOX)

Mr. Thompson’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Director: David Charles
• Stage Managers: Daniel Curran, Kevin Fletcher

This is Mr. Thompson’s seventh DGA Award nomination. He previously won in this category in 2005 for Fear Factor, “Heist Fear Factor, Season 6 Premiere.” He was also nominated in 2006 for Fear Factor, “Military Fear Factor, Season Finale,” in 2008 for Estate of Panic, “102, That Sinking Feeling,” in 2011 for Fear Factor 2.0, “Scorpion Tales,” in 2012 for Stars Earn Stripes, “Amphibious Assault,” and in 2013 for The Hero, “Teamwork.”

BERTRAM VAN MUNSTER

The Amazing Race, “We’re Only Doing Freaky Stuff Today”

(CBS)

Mr. van Munster’s Directorial Team:

• Associate Director: Dan Coffie

This is Mr. van Munster’s eleventh DGA Award nomination. He won in this category in 2007 for The Amazing Race, “Episode #1110” and was also nominated an additional eight times in this category for the The Amazing Race: in 2005 for “Episode #805,” in 2006 for “Episode #102,” in 2008 for “Episode #1303,” in 2009 for “Don’t Let A Cheese Hit Me,” in 2010 for “I Think We’re Fighting the Germans, Right?,” in 2011 for “You Don’t Get Paid Unless You Win?”, in 2013 for “Beards in the Wind,” and in 2015 for “Bring The Fun, Baby!” He was also nominated with Directors Jack Cannon and Elise Doganieri in 2014 for The Quest, “One True Hero.”

LIZ ALLEN

The Kicks, “Pilot”

(Amazon)

Ms. Allen’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Maria Melograne
• First Assistant Director: Michael Williams
• Second Assistant Director: Walter Parry

This is Ms. Allen’s first DGA Award nomination.

ALETHEA JONES

Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, “Gortimer and the Jacks of All Trades”

(Amazon)

Ms. Jones’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Richard G. King
• First Assistant Director: Lance W. Lanfear
• Second Assistant Director: David Berke
• Second Second Assistant Director: Christopher H. Cook

This is Ms. Jones’s first DGA Award nomination.

MICHAEL LEMBECK

A Nutcracker Christmas

(Hallmark Channel)

This is Mr. Lembeck’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2011 for Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure.

TINA MABRY

An American Girl Story ‑ Melody 1963: Love Has to Win

(Amazon)

Ms. Mabry’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Richard G. King
• First Assistant Director: Otto Penzato
• Second Assistant Director: David Berke
• Second Second Assistant Director: Christopher H. Cook
• Additional Second Assistant Directors: Candice Lee, Matthew W. Ross

This is Ms. Mabry’s first DGA Award nomination.

JOHN SCHULTZ

Adventures in Babysitting

(Disney Channel)

This is Mr. Schultz’s first DGA Award nomination.

LANCE ACORD

(Park Pictures)

Frankie’s Holiday, Apple – MAL

• First Assistant Director: Thomas Smith

Movie Night, Kohl’s – Anomaly

• First Assistant Director: Thomas Smith
• Second Assistant Director: Rob Kay

This is Mr. Acord’s fourth DGA Award nomination in this category. He was previously nominated in 2012, 2011 and 2003.

DANTE ARIOLA

(MJZ)

Hold Your Breath, SunTrust – Strawberry Frog

• Unit Production Manager: Natalie Hill
• First Assistant Director: George Nessis
• Second Assistant Director: Isaac Mejia

Riding is the New Driving, Lyft – Made Movement

• Unit Production Manager: Natalie Hill
• First Assistant Director: John Lowe
• Second Assistant Director: Julian Metter
• Second Second Assistant Director: Dave Liehn

Tell Me When To Go, Beats

• Unit Production Managers: Natalie Hill, Susan Levin
• First Assistant Director: Chris Medak
• Second Assistant Director: Adam Stern
• Second Second Assistant Director: Jani Vournas

This is Mr. Ariola’s seventh DGA Award nomination in this category. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for Snowball (Traveler’s Insurance), Human (Johnny Walker), and First Taste (Coca-Cola) in 2006. He was also nominated in this category in 2011, 2007, 2004, 2002 and 2000.

FREDRIK BOND

(MJZ)

Dive, Apple

• First Assistant Director: Howell Caldwell

Everyday Hero, Philips – Ogilvy & Mather

World of Play, LG – Energy BBDO

• Unit Production Manager: Line Postmyr
• First Assistant Director: Anthony Dimino
• Second Assistant Director: Spencer Taylor
• Second Second Assistant Director: R. Ben Parker
• Additional First Assistant Director: Chris Blanch
• Additional Second Assistant Director: Steve Bagnara

This is Mr. Bond’s seventh DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007 and 2004.

DEREK CIANFRANCE

(RadicalMedia)

Chase, Nike Golf – Wieden + Kennedy Portland

• First Assistant Director: Rick Lange
• Second Assistant Director: Ethan Ross
• Second Second Assistant Directors: Greg Moutran, Stephen Killebrew

Doubts, Powerade – Wieden + Kennedy Portland

• First Assistant Director: Mariela Comitini
• Second Assistant Director: Brad Robinson

Expectations, Powerade – Wieden + Kennedy Portland

• First Assistant Director: Mariela Comitini
• Second Assistant Director: Brad Robinson

Manifesto, Squarespace – Anomaly

• First Assistant Director: David Backus
• Second Assistant Director: Josh Voegelin

This is Mr. Cianfrance’s first DGA Award nomination.

AG ROJAS

(Park Pictures)

The Best Planet, S7 Airlines – Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam

The Snail, Samsung – Leo Burnett USA

• First Assistant Director: Robert Dean Phillips

This is Mr. Rojas’s first DGA Award nomination.

OTTO BELL

The Eagle Huntress

Sony Pictures Classics

This is Mr. Bell’s first DGA Award nomination.

EZRA EDELMAN

O.J.: Made in America

ESPN Films

This is Mr. Edelman’s first DGA Award nomination.

JOSH KRIEGMAN & ELYSE STEINBERG

Weiner

Sundance Selects/Showtime Documentary Films

This is Mr. Kriegman’s first DGA Award nomination.

This is Ms. Steinberg’s first DGA Award nomination.

RAOUL PECK

I Am Not Your Negro

Magnolia Pictures

This is Mr. Peck’s first DGA Award nomination.

ROGER ROSS WILLIAMS

Life, Animated

The Orchard

This is Mr. Williams’s first DGA Award nomination.