Rarely has an award been appreciated so personally than by this year's recipient, Jud Taylor, who received his initiation into film as an actor in none other than Robert Aldrich's film, Attack.
Jud Taylor joined the Directors Guild when his continuing role on Dr. Kildare allowed him to segue into directing episodes. He became active right away, attending DGA Directors Councils and National Board meetings, where he began serving as an alternate member and was subsequently elected National Board Member.
In 1973, Taylor took part in his first negotiations as a member of the Creative Rights Committee, and by 1981 he was chairman of the Negotiating Committee. The '81 contract bore critical gains for Guild members, including major improved economic and creative rights as well as affirmative action provisions for women and ethnic minorities.
Taylor served as DGA Vice President from 1977 to 1981 and, under Robert Aldrich's presidency, spearheaded a committee to analyze the DGA pension and health plans. This six-month study led to recommendations resulting in landmark improvements in the Guild's pension and health plans. Taylor went on to serve as DGA President from 1981-1983, succeeding George Schaefer as the second central leader of the Guild to come from television's ranks. Today, Taylor continues to serve as an ex-officio member of the National Board and Western Directors Council.
A veteran of more than 40 made-for-TV movies, Taylor won the Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement Award for his direction of Foxfire (1987) and an Emmy Award nomination for his direction of Tail Gunner Joe (about the life of Sen. Joe McCarthy, 1977). Taylor's other made-for-television movies include Clover (1997), The Old Man and the Sea (1990), Out of the Darkness (1985), A Question of Honor (1982), Act of Love (1980), Flesh & Blood (1979), The Last Tenant (1978), Mary White (1977), and Return to Earth (about the first moon flight,1976). He has directed numerous television series, currently Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He also directed the pilot episodes of Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993), Hawkins (1973), The Rookies (1972), The Young Lawyers (1970), and Love, American Style (1969). In 1983, Taylor was asked to join Columbia Pictures as president of production under Frank Price. He chose to return to directing after a year when Price left the studio.
"In the early days I would sit in on DGA meetings and listen to the nature of the problems – political, economic, and otherwise. I found it fascinating. I was looking for something challenging. Directing was certainly challenging, but the DGA offered me a whole different kind of stimulation."
