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DGA Hosts Reception for TV Critics
by Darrell Hope
Photos by Robert Hale
TV critics with DGA members Dianah Wynter, Charles Haid and Tony Bill
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DGA Associate National Executive Director Warren Adler, DGA First Vice President Martha Coolidge and Movies for television Directors Committee Chair Robert Markowitz talk to TV critics.
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The DGA's Television Film Directors Committee recently hosted a reception for the Television Critics Association (TCA) at its biannual meeting in Pasadena. The Lobby Lounge of the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel proved a genial setting as members of the TCA were brought together with directors of movies for television.
Some 36 critics from outlets as familiar as TV Guide and Newsday, had a chance to meet and mingle with DGA television film directors Karen Arthur, Tony Bill, Gregg Champion, Richard Colla, Martha Coolidge, William A. Graham, Charles Haid, Robert Harmon, Christopher Leitch, Peter Levin, Jerry London, Robert Mandel, Bobby Mardis, Robert Markowitz, Nelson McCormick, David Nutter, Richard Pearce, Frank Pierson, Deborah Pratt, Mike Robe, Steven Robman, Linda Rockstroh, Richard Schenkman, Lawrence Schiller, Larry Shaw, Joan Tewkesbury, Jesus Trevino, Andy Wolk and Dianah Wynter.
DGA First Vice President Martha Coolidge, director of the recent DGA Awardwinning HBO television film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and nominated for a DGA Award this year for the television film If These Walls Could Talk II: "1972," greeted the guests and introduced Committee Chair Robert Markowitz, whose TV film The Great Gatsby recently premiered on A&E.
Markowitz addressed the critics and explained that beyond giving them the opportunity to interact with the men and women who direct the TV films they review, the reception was to help them understand that unlike episodic television, movies for television are very much the director's medium.
DGA members Deborah Pratt and Jesus Trevino compare notes.
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"A three-hour film for TNT takes a lot of skill for the simple reason that you don't have the time to be wrong," Markowitz said. "You have to know, technically, what you're doing. It's also time to recognize the contributions of television movie directors, from our seasoned veterans to the fresh talent that is emerging on the small screen. There are wonderful directors out there. There's a lot of good stuff being done on cable and more and more the networks are coming in with some interesting miniseries and some interesting movies. The trend now is to do more cutting-edge stuff. All we need now is talented individuals willing to continue upholding the standard and pushing into 'brave new worlds' of opportunity on the small screen."
Afterward the TCA members were able to engage the DGA members in formal interviews and topical conversation. The reception was the third arranged meeting between TCA members and DGA television film directors.
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