LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Directors Guild of America President Michael Apted today announced the DGA's nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Documentaries and Commercials for the year 2007.
"We always have so much to celebrate when we announce the DGA nominees for directorial achievement in television (movies for television, dramatic series, comedy series, musical variety, reality programs, daytime serials and children's programs), documentaries and commercials. Each genre requires unique talent and vision, and our 45 nominees in these nine categories this year have more than met the challenge with incredibly creative and compelling projects that run the gamut from seconds to hours, from live events to years in the making. I congratulate all of them on their fine work."
The winners will be announced at the 60th Annual DGA Awards Dinner on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
MOVIES FOR TELEVISION/MINISERIES
--------------------------------
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for
Television/Miniseries for 2007 are (in alphabetical order):
JON AVNET
THE STARTER WIFE
USA
First Assistant Director: Linda Montanti
This is Mr. Avnet's second DGA Award nomination. He was previously
nominated in this same category in 2001 for Uprising.
JEREMIAH CHECHIK
THE BRONX IS BURNING
ESPN
Unit Production Manager: Michael Bederman
First Assistant Directors: Philip Patterson, Harvey Waldman
Second Assistant Directors: Richard E. White, Amy Lynn
Second Second Assistant Director: Andrea O'Connor
This is Mr. Chechik's second DGA Award nomination. He was previously
nominated in the 1986 Commercials category for Wave (AT&T), Clock
Tower (Connecticut Bank), and Tonight, Tonight (Michelob).
LLOYD KRAMER
OPRAH WINFREY PRESENTS MITCH ALBOM'S FOR ONE MORE DAY
ABC
Unit Production Manager: M. Blair Breard
First Assistant Director: Christo Morse
Second Assistant Director: Annie Tan
Second Second Assistant Director: Nick Vanderpool
This is Mr. Kramer's third DGA Award nomination. He was previously
nominated in this same category for Mitch Albom's The Five People You
Meet In Heaven in 2004, and in the Television Documentary/Actuality
category for No One Dies Alone in 1988.
MIKAEL SALOMON
THE COMPANY
TNT
Unit Production Manager: John M. Eckert
First Assistant Director: Michael Zimbrich
This is Mr. Salomon's first DGA Award nomination.
YVES SIMONEAU
BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
HBO
Unit Production Manager - US: Chrisann Verges
First Assistant Director - US: Cas Donovan
Second Assistant Director - US: Adam Martin
This is Mr. Simoneau's first DGA Award nomination.
DRAMATIC SERIES NIGHT
---------------------
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night
for 2007 are (in alphabetical order):
JACK BENDER
LOST "THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"
ABC
Unit Production Manager: Pat Churchill
First Assistant Director: Richard Peter Schroer
Second Assistant Director: Meta Valentic
Second Second Assistant Director: Wainani Young Tomich
This is Mr. Bender's first DGA Award nomination.
DAVID CHASE
THE SOPRANOS "MADE IN AMERICA"
HBO
Unit Production Manager: Ilene S. Landress
First Assistant Director: Jeff Bernstein
Second Assistant Director: Nancy Herrmann
Second Second Assistant Director: Charlie Foster
Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Selena Beal
DGA Trainee: Marcos Gonzalez Palma
This is Mr. Chase's second DGA Award nomination. He won the Dramatic
Series Night award for The Sopranos pilot episode in 2004.
Additionally, he was a recipient of the DGA Honor in 2006 in New
York.
ERIC LANEUVILLE
LOST "THE BRIG"
ABC
Unit Production Manager: Pat Churchill
First Assistant Director: Richard Peter Schroer
Second Assistant Director: Meta Valentic
Second Second Assistant Director: Michael J. Musteric
Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Steven E. Simon
This is Mr. Laneuville's fourth DGA Award nomination in this
category. He was previously nominated for the NYPD Blue episode "From
Hare to Eternity" in 1993. He won the Dramatic Series Night Award for
the I'll Fly Away episode "All God's Children" in 1991 and also won
for his L.A. Law episode "I'm in the Nude" in 1989.
ALAN TAYLOR
MAD MEN "WHEN SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES (PILOT)"
AMC
Unit Production Manager: Scott Hornbacher
First Assistant Director: Mark McGann
Second Assistant Director: Maggie Murphy
Second Second Assistant Director: John Silvestri
This is Mr. Taylor's first DGA Award nomination.
TIM VAN PATTEN
THE SOPRANOS "SOPRANOS HOME MOVIES"
HBO
Unit Production Manager: Henry J. Bronchtein, Ilene S. Landress
First Assistant Director: John E. Gallagher
Second Assistant Director: Peter Soldo
Second Second Assistant Director: Charlie Foster
Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Henri Sann
DGA Trainee: Kathleen Mulligan
This is Mr. Van Patten's sixth DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA
Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in
2004 for the Sex and the City episode "An American Girl in Paris:
Part Deux," and in 2003 for the Sex and the City episode "Boy
Interrupted." He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding
Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2006 for The
Sopranos episode "Members Only," in 2004 for The Sopranos episode
"Long Term Parking," and in 2002 for The Sopranos episode "Whoever
Did This."
COMEDY SERIES
-------------
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for 2007
are (in alphabetical order):
MICHAEL ENGLER
30 ROCK "ROSEMARY'S BABY"
NBC
Unit Production Manager: Diana Schmidt
First Assistant Director: Chris Swartout
Second Assistant Director: Jane Ferguson
This is Mr. Engler's third DGA Award nomination in this category. He
was previously nominated in 2003 for the Sex and the City episode
"Hop, Skip & A Week," and in 2001 for the Sex and the City episode
"My Motherboard, Myself."
DAVID GROSSMAN
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES "SOMETHING'S COMING"
ABC
Unit Production Manager: Charles Skouras III
First Assistant Director: Tom Irvine
Second Assistant Director: John LaBrucherie
Second Second Assistant Director: Efrain Cortes
Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Richard E. White
This is Mr. Grossman's second DGA Award Nomination. He was previously
nominated in the Musical/Variety category for The Smothers Brothers
20th Year Reunion in 1988.
BETH McCARTHY-MILLER
30 ROCK "SOMEBODY TO LOVE"
NBC
Unit Production Manager: Diana Schmidt
First Assistant Director: Stephen Lee Davis
Second Assistant Director: Bellamy Forrest
Second Second Assistant Director: Brendan Walsh
This is Ms. McCarthy-Miller's fifth DGA Award Nomination. In 2002,
she won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Television, Musical Variety for America: A Tribute to Heroes
(co-directed with Joe Gallen). She was twice nominated in that same
category in 2003 for the Christopher Walken & The Foo Fighters
episode of Saturday Night Live, and in 1999 for the 25th Anniversary
episode of Saturday Night Live. McCarthy-Miller won her second DGA
Award in 2001 for her direction of the Val Kilmer/U2 episode of
Saturday Night Live.
DAVID NUTTER
ENTOURAGE "THE RESURRECTION"
HBO
Unit Production Manager: Wayne Carmona
First Assistant Director: Gary Goldman
Second Assistant Director: Vernon Davidson
Second Second Assistant Director: John LaBrucherie
This is Mr. Nutter's second DGA Award nomination. He was previously
nominated in the Dramatic Series Night category for his The Sopranos
episode "Join the Club" in 2006.
BARRY SONNENFELD
PUSHING DAISIES "PIE-LETTE"
ABC
Unit Production Manager: Gabriela Vazquez
First Assistant Director: Chris Soldo
Second Assistant Director: Greg Hale
Second Second Assistant Director: Renee Hill-Sweet
This is Mr. Sonnenfeld's first DGA Award nomination.
MUSICAL VARIETY
---------------
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety for 2007
are (in alphabetical order):
JERRY FOLEY
LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN - SHOW #2773
CBS
Associate Directors: Randi Grossack, Jessica Santini, Louise A.
Galante, Charles Dyer
Stage Managers: James Henderson, Frank Comito, Mark Dicso, Edward
Valk
This is Mr. Foley's eighth DGA Award nomination, all for The Late
Show with David Letterman. He was nominated in 2005 for episode
#2452, in 2004 for episode #2187, in 2002 for episode #1876, in 2001
for episode #1634, in 2000 for episode #1527, in 1999 for episode
#1294, and in 1998 for episode #958.
LOUIS J. HORVITZ
THE 79TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS
ABC
Associate Directors: Jim Tanker, Rita Blye, Tim Kettle, Mike Polito,
Richard Pruess, Deborah Read, Robb Wagner, Ronni Fisher, Anne M.
Rickey
Stage Managers: Garry W. Hood, Denny Barry, Rita Cossette, John
Esposito, Valdez Flagg, Arthur Lewis, Dency Nelson, Ron Paul, Vince
Poxon, Jason Seligman, Rob Sellers Jr., Doug Smith, David Wader,
David H. Kelmachter, Erik R. Kunzelman
This is Mr. Horvitz's thirteenth DGA Award nomination and all in this
category. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial
Achievement in Musical Variety in 1997 for The Kennedy Center Honors.
He received his first nomination in 1985 for Live Aid Concert. He was
also nominated for The Kennedy Center Honors in 1993, and 2001. He
was nominated in 1995 for Sinatra: 80 Years My Way; and received DGA
nominations for The 70th, 71st, 72nd, 74th, 75th, 76th, and 77th
Annual Academy Awards.
JIM HOSKINSON
THE COLBERT REPORT #3052
COMEDY CENTRAL
Associate Director: Yvonne DeMare
Stage Managers: Mark McKenna
This is Mr. Hoskinson's first DGA Award nomination.
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 fifth DGA Award nomination. He was previously
nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety
in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, all for The Daily Show with Jon
Stewart.
GLENN WEISS
THE 61ST ANNUAL TONY AWARDS
CBS
Associate Directors: Gregg M. Gelfand, Robin Mishkin Abrams, Ken
Diego, Ricky Kirshner
Stage Managers: Garry W. Hood, Peter Epstein, Andrew Feigin, Lynn
Finkel, Doug Fogel, Jeffry Gitter, Dean Gordon, Arthur Lewis, Tony
Mirante, Jeff Pearl, Rose Riggins, Lauren Class Schneider
This is Mr. Weiss' fifth DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 2006 for
The 60th Annual Tony Awards, 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.
REALITY PROGRAMS
----------------
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs
for 2007 are (in alphabetical order):
CRAIG BORDERS
WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO - "EPISODE 208"
SCI-FI
Stage Manager: Thomas Goodrich
This is Mr. Borders' first DGA Award Nomination.
TONY CROLL
SHOOTING SIZEMORE - "EPISODE 101"
VH-1
This is Mr. Croll's second DGA Award Nomination. He won the
Outstanding Directorial Achievement Reality Programs Award for Three
Wishes - "Episode #1, Pilot" in 2005. (The award was a tie with J.
Rupert Thompson who won for Fear Factor - "Heist Fear Factor, Season
6 Premiere.")
SCOTT MESSICK
PROS VS. JOES-"EPISODE 201"
SPIKE
Associate Director: Andrew E. Nelson
This is Mr. Messick's first DGA Award Nomination.
TONY SACCO
PROJECT RUNWAY - "FASHION GIANT, #403"
BRAVO
Associate Director: Paul Hogan
This is Mr. Sacco's second DGA Award nomination. He won the
Outstanding Directorial Achievement Reality Programs Award for
Treasure Hunters "Episode #101" in 2006.
BERTRAM VAN MUNSTER
THE AMAZING RACE - "EPISODE #1110"
CBS
Segment Director: Evan Weinstein
This is Mr. Van Munster's third DGA Award nomination and all in this
category. He was previously nominated for The Amazing Race - Episode
#102" in 2006 and for The Amazing Race - "Episode #805" in 2005.
DAYTIME SERIALS
---------------
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials
for 2007 are (in alphabetical order):
LARRY CARPENTER
ONE LIFE TO LIVE - "EPISODE #9947"
ABC
Associate Director: Teresa Anne Cicala
Stage Managers: Alan P. Needleman, Keith Greer
Production Associate: Anthony Wilkinson
This is Mr. Carpenter's fifth DGA Award nomination. He won the
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials for One Life
to Live "Episode #8849" in 2003 and was nominated for that series for
"Episode #9686" in 2006, "Episode #9385" in 2005 and "Episode #8655"
in 2002.
CASEY CHILDS
ALL MY CHILDREN - "EPISODE #9669"
ABC
Associate Directors: Shirley Simmons, Barbara M. Simmons, Anthony
Pascarelli
Stage Managers: Rusty Swope, Penny Bergman, Martin Fritz Brekeller,
Brendan Higgins
Production Associates: Jennifer Minda, Marika Brancato
This is Mr. Childs' third DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for
All My Children "Episode #9297" in 2006 and "Episode #7919" in 2000.
CHRISTOPHER GOUTMAN
AS THE WORLD TURNS - "EPISODE #12971"
CBS
Associate Directors: Michael Kerner, Carol Sedwick, Janet Andrews
Stage Managers: Nancy Barron, Jennifer Blood
Production Associates: Brett Hellman, Alexandra Verner Roalsvig
This is Mr. Goutman's third DGA Award nomination. He was previously
nominated in this same category for As the World Turns "Episode
#12,166" in 2004, and "Episode #10,446" in 1997.
SCOTT McKINSEY
GENERAL HOSPITAL - "EPISODE #11228"
ABC
Associate Directors: Penny Pengra, Christine Magarian, Ron Cates,
Pete Fillmore, RC Cates, David MacLeod
Stage Managers: Craig McManus, Crystal Craft, Michele Azenzer
Production Associates: Lisa Kaseff, Denise Van Cleave, Christine
Cooper
This is Mr. McKinsey's sixth 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 #11178" in 2006, "Episode #8492" in 1996, and
"Episode #8233" in 1995.
ELLEN WHEELER
GUIDING LIGHT - "EPISODE #15221"
CBS
Associate Directors/Stage Managers: Chris Cullen, David Brandon
Production Associates: David Brandon, Kelly Jobmann
This is Ms. Wheeler's third DGA Award nomination. She was previously
nominated for Guiding Light "Episode #14832" in 2006, and for Guiding
Light "Episode #14696" in 2005.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
-------------------
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs
for 2007 are (in alphabetical order):
PAUL HOEN
JUMP IN
DISNEY CHANNEL
This is Mr. Hoen's third DGA Award nomination. He was previously
nominated in this same category for Searching for David's Heart in
2004 and the Even Stevens episode "Take My Sister... Please" in 2000.
KENNY ORTEGA
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2
DISNEY CHANNEL
Unit Production Manager: Donald R. Schain
First Assistant Directors: Martin Jedlicka
Second Assistant Director: Robert Reeves
Second Second Assistant Director: Brent Geisler
This is Mr. Ortega's second DGA Award nomination. He won the
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs Award for
High School Musical in 2006.
FRED SAVAGE
WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE "THE CRAZY 10 MINUTE SALE"
DISNEY CHANNEL
Unit Production Manager: Greg Hampson
First Assistant Director: Guy Distad
Second Assistant Director: Ron Moseley
This is Mr. Savage's second DGA Award nomination. He was previously
nominated in this category for Phil of the Future "Not So Great Great
Great Grandpa" in 2006.
JUDITH VOGELSANG
GOING GREEN - EVERY HOME AN ECO-HOME
PBS
Unit Production Manager: Dessa Kaye
ANDY WOLK
LINCOLN HEIGHTS "THAT FEELING THAT WE HAVE"
ABC FAMILY
Unit Production Manager: John Scherer
First Assistant Director: Mark Lyon
Second Assistant Director: Carla Bowen
This is Mr. Wolk's first DGA Award nomination.
COMMERCIALS
-----------
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials
for 2007 are (in alphabetical order):
DANTE ARIOLA
MJZ
Grenade, Playstation 3 TBWA/Chiat Day
Unit Production Manager: Brady Vant Hull
First Assistant Director: Dave Dean
Flare, Wrigley's Energy BBDO
Unit Production Manager: Natalie Gillian Hill
First Assistant Director: Dave Dean
Second Assistant Director: Carl Jackson
Addicted, Nike Wieden & Kennedy Amsterdam
Unit Production Manager: Natalie Gillian Hill
First Assistant Directors: Dave Dean, John Mattern
Second Assistant Director: Zaida Fakih
Second Second Assistant Director: Darren Maynard
This is Mr. Ariola's fifth DGA Award nomination in this category. He
was previously nominated in 2004, 2002 and 2000, and won the award in
2006.
FREDRIK BOND
MJZ
Straw, Milk Goodby
First Assistant Director: Craig H. Owens
Second Assistant Director: Eric Topp
Aviator, JC Penney Saachi & Saachi NY
This is Mr. Bond's second DGA Award nomination in this category. He
was previously nominated in 2004.
FRANK BUDGEN
GORGEOUS ENTERPRISES
Play-Doh, Sony Bravia Fallon
First Assistant Director: Michael C. Bigwood
Second Assistant Director: Mark Kaufmann
GORGEOUS ENTERPRISES/ANONYMOUS CONTENT
S.O.S., Save Our Selves/Live Earth Young & Republicam
First Assistant Director: Jack W. Fitch
Second Assistant Director: Marc Vance
Second Second Assistant Director: Mike Carlson
This is Mr. Budgen's first DGA Award nomination.
NICOLAI FUGLSIG
MJZ UK
Tipping Point, Guinness BBDO
It's Magic, JC Penney Saachi & Saachi NY
First Assistant Director: Thomas Smith
Second Assistant Director: Kate Greenberg
Journey, Motorola AMV BBDO
This is Mr. Fuglsig's first DGA Award nomination.
NOAM MURRO
BISCUIT FILMWORKS
Night Drive, VW Golf DDB London
Unit Production Manager: Jay Veal
First Assistant Director: Michael Dignum
Second Assistant Director: Michael Saffie
Second Second Assistant Director: Eric Schneider
Affair, Orbit Gum BBDO Chicago
Unit Production Manager: Jay Veal
First Assistant Director: Gary Feil
Second Assistant Director: Wendy Oakes
Remember, NBA Goodby, Silverstein
Unit Production Manager: Jay Veal & Partners
First Assistant Director: Michael Salven
Second Assistant Director: Robert E. Kay
This is Mr. Murro's fifth DGA Award nomination in this category. He
was previously nominated in 2002, 2003 and 2005, and won the award in
2004.
DOCUMENTARY
-----------
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary
for 2007 are (in alphabetical order):
KEN BURNS & LYNN NOVICK
THE WAR
Florentine Films
ALEX GIBNEY
TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE
Jigsaw Productions
ASGER LETH
GHOSTS OF CITE SOLEIL
Sony BMG Feature Films
RICHARD E. ROBBINS
OPERATION HOMECOMING: WRITING THE WARTIME EXPERIENCE
The Documentary Group
BARBET SCHROEDER
TERROR'S ADVOCATE
Magnolia Pictures
This is the first DGA Award nomination for all the nominees in this
category.
For a complete list of nominations in other categories, please visit the Awards Section of the DGA Website at www.dga.org.