hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Three first-timers included in Directors Guild of America picks
hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Three first-timers included in Directors Guild of America picks
Los Angeles - Films do not direct themselves and on that note, the Directors Guild of America today (Jan. 7) announced their nominations. Of the five top directors chosen, three are first-time nominees.
“To be chosen by your peers in a year full of incredibly well-crafted films is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement,” said Directors Guild of America (DGA) President Paris Barclay, in a statement. The first-timers are Alfonso Cuaron ("Gravity"), Paul Greengrass ("Captain Phillips") and Steve McQueen ("12 Years a Slave"). Others are David O. Russell ("American Hustle") and Martin Scorsese ("The Wolf of Wall Street"). “The passion and vision of each of the nominees resulted in tremendously diverse films that kept audiences mesmerized. Congratulations to each of the nominees on a job very well done.” As noted here in an earlier story, it is the DGA, along with the producers, that are a better barometer of what will happen come Oscar time. Whoever wins the DGA is a big indicator as to who will win Best Director come Oscar time. Only seven times since the awards inception in 1948 has that not happened. Meanwhile, when a director wins, the film often follows. Of course, last year was tricky when Ben Affleck won the DGA for "Argo" and won the Oscar. However, he did not garner an Oscar nomination for director for "Argo" but the film won Best Picture. Scorsese's nomination may surprise some since his film splits the crowd, but the DGA has been very kind to him over the years. This is his 11th nomination and he won for "The Departed" in 2006. He has also won a DGA for directing "Boardwalk Empire" and even received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the guild in 2013. What is shaping up is the rejection of the Coen brothers with this guild and the PGA. "Inside Llewyn Davis" is out. The producers have to nominations, too, and it was out there as well. "The Butler" seemed to have peaked and left the building as well. The late year releases, as usual, gained ground. For example, "The Wolf of Wall Street" is pushing others out, perhaps. The TV directors will be announced later this week. Lee Blaine will receive the DGA’s 2014 Frank Capra Achievement Award, which is given to an Assistant Director or Unit Production Manager in recognition of career achievement in the industry and service to the Directors Guild of America. Vince DeDario will receive the DGA’s 2014 Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award, which is given to an Associate Director or Stage Manager in recognition of service to the industry and to the Directors Guild of America. Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers of Shondaland will receive the guild’s 2014 Diversity Award. The awards will be handed out Jan. 25 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. Jane Lynch will host. “We are thrilled to welcome Jane Lynch as host of the DGA Awards for the very first time,” said Barclay. “I have known Jane for years, and have envied her quick wit – and her extraordinary height. She always makes the job of directing her a joy, and I look forward to her helping us honor the year’s best in film and television.”
hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Three first-timers included in Directors Guild of America picks