By Staff, October 19, 2005
The Directors Guild of America announced the inauguration of its DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs. The Award, given to a DGA director of a reality program produced under a DGA Agreement, will be bestowed for the first time at the 58th Annual DGA Awards Dinner on January 28, 2006.
Two years ago the DGA initiated an intense campaign to organize reality programs so that members could take advantage of the economic protections such as minimum salaries, residuals, and pension and health benefits that Guild agreements provide. The organizing campaign, guided by the Reality Television Committee appointed by DGA President Michael Apted, is beginning to see some success
. Since September 2003, DGA Reality Television Agreements have provided employment to members on over 90 programs and have been well received by many production companies.
For purposes of the DGA Award, a Reality Program is defined as a nonfiction series or special. Shows featuring dramatic or variety performance are excluded, but are included in other award categories. Only programs made under a DGA Agreement that originally aired during the calendar year 2005 are eligible. Shows exhibited theatrically prior to television exhibition are not eligible.
All eligible Reality Programs entries will be viewed by a Director Member Nominating Committee, which votes by secret ballot. The five entries that receive the highest number of votes will be announced as the 2005 DGA Reality Programs Nominees. These five nominated programs will then be viewed by Director Member Blue Ribbon Panels that will, by secret ballot, select the winner of the 2005 DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs.
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