On Thursday, October 16, 2008, the DGA’s New York Theater became the nexus of entertainment, business, labor and politics as the Seventh DGA Honors ceremony celebrated the achievements of Director Miloš Forman, Creator/Producer Dick Wolf, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), DuArt Chair Irwin Young, and Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Robert Rosen.
The evening began with arrivals to the Guild’s New York Theater and a pre-event cocktail party. Amongst those who graced the red carpet were members of the casts of Wolf’s three Law & Order series (Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent), actress/former chair of the National Endowment for the Arts and 2002 DGA Honors recipient Jane Alexander, publisher Larry Flynt (the subject of Director Miloš Forman’s Oscar-nominated film The People vs. Larry Flynt) and actor F. Murray Abraham, (star of Forman’s DGA and Oscar-winning film Amadeus), Dame Helen Mirren, top entertainment industry professionals, union, government and business leadership and members of the DGA’s leadership and executive staff.
DGA President Michael Apted opened the ceremony stating, “Tonight we honor those whose work sets them apart from the crowd. We thank you for joining us for this festive occasion as we recognize the tremendous achievements of tonight’s honorees.”
Apted was followed by DGA National Vice President Steven Soderbergh, who welcomed the guests to New York. “We celebrate DGA Honors in New York to emphasize the Guild’s commitment to this great city and to acknowledge the contributions and cultural life of the region,” added Soderbergh.
The DGA National Vice President then turned the evening over to comedian, actor, talk-show host and author Richard Belzer, who served as DGA Honors’ Master of Ceremonies. Belzer — who is currently filming his tenth season as Detective John Munch on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit — previously hosted DGA Honors in 2002 and 2003.
The evening’s first presentation came as Director Barbara Kopple (American Dream) handed the DGA Honor to Irwin Young, Chair of DuArt Film and Video, for his longtime support of young filmmakers.
DGA First Vice President/DGA PAC Leadership Council Co-Chair Paris Barclay (In Treatment, Cold Case) and DGA Third Vice President/DGA PAC Leadership Council Co-Chair Taylor Hackford (Ray, An Officer and a Gentleman) presented the next DGA Honor plaque to Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Conyers was honored for his extraordinary efforts to support filmmaking and the creative rights of directors in the United States.
DGA Lifetime Achievement Award/1999 Honors Recipient Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, The Departed) presented this year’s John Huston Award to Robert Rosen, Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Rosen received the award for his commitment to film preservation and his role as founding chair of the Archivists Advisory Council at The Film Foundation.
Actor F. Murray Abraham spoke of his experiences with the acclaimed director as he presented the DGA Honor award to Miloš Forman, who was recognized for his impressive body of work as a filmmaker along with his conviction and activism as a longtime champion of artists rights.
The evening’s final presentation came when actor Sam Waterston (Law & Order) spoke on behalf of the casts and crews of the three Law & Order series in bestowing the DGA Honor to Creator/Producer Dick Wolf. With over 750 episodes of the Law & Order brand so far, Wolf’s series is often said to have employed nearly every DGA member working in episodic television in the Tri-State Area.
Following the ceremony, DGA Honors attendees took the short walk from the DGA Theater to the VIP after-party at New York’s exclusive Nobu 57 restaurant.
DGA Honors has been recognizing leadership in the film and television industry since its inception in 1999. Past honorees have included influential filmmakers Martin Scorsese, Mike Nichols, Sydney Pollack, Spike Lee, Curtis Hanson, Jonathan Demme, Arthur Penn and Robert Altman, as well as leaders in politics, entertainment and labor such as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator Ted Kennedy, Robert De Niro, Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels, Sopranos creator David Chase, Jane Alexander, AFL-CIO president John Sweeney, and IATSE president Tom Short.
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The Seventh Annual DGA Honors began with red carpet arrivals to the Directors Guild Theater in New York.
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| Law & Order's Richard Belzer's humor kept the evening flowing as he served as DGA Honors' Master of Ceremonies for the third time. |
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| President Michael Apted and National Vice President Steven Soderbergh relax at the after party at Nobu. |
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| First Vice President/DGA PAC Leadership Council Co-Chair Paris Barclay and Third Vice President/DGA PAC Leadership Council Co-Chair Taylor Hackford with 2008 Honors Recipient, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI). |
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Presenter Barbara Kopple with 2008 DGA Honors recipient Irwin Young, Chair of DuArt Film and Video.
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Presenter Martin Scorsese celebrates backstage with 2008 DGA Honors recipient Robert Rosen, Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
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| Actor F. Murray Abraham who starred in Director Milos Forman's DGA and Academy Award-winning Amadeus, presents the 2008 DGA Honor to his director friend. |
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| Actor Sam Waterston speaks for members of the casts of the three Law & Order series in presenting the 2008 DGA Honor to Dick Wolf, creator and producer of Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU), and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. |
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Dick Wolf delivers his acceptance speech with the support of members
of the casts and crews of his three Law & Order series.
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More images from the DGA Honors Photo Gallery
click images for larger views
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Arrivals - Arrivals - Arrivals - Arrivals - Arrivals - Arrivals - Arrivals
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Attendees included: Actress Jane Alexander, Past Chair National Endowment for the Arts and former DGA Honors recipient.
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DGA Secretary- Treasurer Gil Cates...
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Law & Order's S. Epatha Merkerson is there to celebrate the honoring of her friend Dick Wolf...
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...as is Law & Order: Special
Victims Unit's Ice-T and wife Coco...
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... along with new Law & Order: Criminal Intent castmember Jeff Goldblum...
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...and Law & Order: Criminal
Intent's Eric Bogosian.
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DGA National Executive Director Jay D. Roth and wife Sherry Grant arrive at the festivities.
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DGA Third Vice President Taylor Hackford and
Dame Helen Mirren grace the red carpet.
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Publisher Larry Flynt and actor F. Murray Abraham are there to honor their friend Director Milos Forman. Flynt was the subject of Forman's Oscar-nominated film The People vs. Larry Flynt, and Abraham, the star of Forman's DGA and Oscar-winning film Amadeus. |
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Ceremony - Ceremony - Ceremony - Ceremony - Ceremony
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DGA President Michael Apted
opens the ceremony.
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DGA National Vice President Steven Soderbergh welcomes the guests to New York.
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Director Barbara Koppel prepares to present the DGA Honor to...
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2008 recipient Irwin Young, Chair of DuArt Film and Video, for his longtime support of young filmmakers
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DGA First Vice President/DGA PAC Leadership Council Co-Chair Paris Barclay and DGA Third Vice President/DGA PAC Leadership Council Co-Chair Taylor Hackford speak about 2008 Honors Recipient, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI).
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Barclay and Conyers
pose backstage after the ceremony.
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DGA Lifetime Achievement Award/1999 Honors Recipient Martin Scorsese speaks about film preservation, a matter close to both their hearts,
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in his presentation to 2008 DGA Honors recipient Robert Rosen, Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
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Actor F. Murray Abraham who starred in Forman's DGA and Academy Award-winning Amadeus,
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presents the 2008 DGA Honor to his director friend Milos Forman (right).
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2008 DGA Honoree Dick Wolf poses
backstage with his award.
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After Party - After Party - After Party - Afterparty - After Party
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Actor Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit poses with a photo
of her mother Jayne Mansfield that hangs in the DGA Theater lobby.
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Following the ceremony the DGA Honors attendees stroll from the DGA New York Theater to the after party at Nobu.
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The chefs at Nobu prepare a feast
for the DGA Honors attendees.
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Three-time DGA Honors Emcee
poses with DGA Board Alternate
Member Donald Petrie.
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DGA Fourth Vice President Gary Donatelli.
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DGA Board Alternate members
Rod Holcomb and Eames Yates.
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2008 DGA Honors recipient
Milos Forman and wife Martina Zborilova.
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2008 Honors recipient
Dick Wolf and wife Noelle.
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DGA Third Vice President Taylor Hackford, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), and DGA National Executive Director Jay D. Roth.
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DGA Fifth Vice President Betty Thomas shares a photo op with DGA First Vice President Paris Barclay.
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DGA Eastern Executive Director
Russ Hollander and Helena Prigal.
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Law & Order actor Anthony Anderson with actor Woody Harrelson who starred in Milos Forman's The People vs. Larry Flynt.
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DGA Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Scott Berger with DGA Associate Board Member Barbara Roche and DGA Board Member Victoria Hochberg party at Nobu.
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2008 DGA Honoree Creator/Producer Dick Wolf is sandwiched by his actors S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order) and Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit).
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We thank our DGA Honors Sponsors
Golden Tribute Sponsors: Bloomberg • DuArt Film & Video • IATSE Local 52 • Magna Carta Companies • NBC Universal • Wolf Films • Silver Tribute Sponsors: Bernstein Real Estate • Bush, Gottlieb, Singer, Lopez, Kohanski, Adelstein & Dickinson • DIRECTV • IATSE International • Screen Actors Guild • The Walt Disney Company/ABC • Warner Bros. • Variety • Bronze Tribute Sponsors: The Bank of New York Mellon • CBS • Eastman Kodak Company • IngleDodd Publishing • JVC Professional Products Company • Larry Flynt Publications • Local 817 • Latham & Watkins • Nigro, Karlin, Segal & Feldstein • Stacks • Washington Council/Ernst & Young
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