DGA Monthly - Volume 4 - Issue 2 - February 2007 - click here to return to table of contents

DGA President Michael Apted - click image for IMDB Filmography
DGA President
Michael Apted
O
n January 11, 2007, DGA President Michael Apted announced the DGA’s nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in the television categories of: Dramatic Series Night, Comedy Series, Musical Variety, Reality Programs, Daytime Serials and Children’s Programs for the year 2006.

“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 winners 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.
Television Award Categories - click link to view section
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”).

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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.

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

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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.

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