The Directors Guild of America announcement was once the single most crucial nomination in understanding the Oscars to come. It famously meant "these films will be nominated for Best Picture"... more than it even meant "these films will be nominated for Best Director" statistically speaking. In ye olden times that would mean that your five strongest best picture contenders, given today's DGA nominations were La La Land, Moonlight, Lion, Manchester by the Sea and Arrival.
Chazelle, Jenkins, Davis, Lonergan, Villeneuve
But that was in the days of 5 nominations. Times are different now and have been since 2009...
MOVIES
THEATRICAL FEATURE
DAMIEN CHAZELLE La La Land
GARTH DAVIS Lion
BARRY JENKINS Moonlight
KENNETH LONERGAN Manchester by the Sea
DENIS VILLENEUVE Arrival
The DGA nominations usually relate to Oscar's Best Director category on a 4/5 level only. They always replace someone, like so...
2015: Ridley Scott lost his spot for the Martian (DGA) to Lenny Abrahamson on Room (Oscar)
2014: Clint Eastwood lost his spot for American Sniper (DGA) to Bennet Miller for Foxcatcher (Oscar)
2013: Paul Greengrass lost his spot for Captain Phillips (DGA) to Alexander Payne for Nebraska (Oscar)
2012: A CRAZY YEAR. Only two of the DGA's choices made it to the Oscar shortlist (Spielberg & Lee) while the other mainstream nominees were replaced by scrappier indie and foreign film choices
2011: David Fincher lost his spot for Dragon Tattoo (DGA) to Terrence Malick for Tree of Life (Oscar)
2010: Christopher Nolan lost his spot for Inception (DGA) to the Coen Bros for True Grit (Oscar)
So expect one of their main men to get the boot on January 24th when Oscar nods are announced. Recent history suggests that when they replace someone they always go with someone on a lower budget less bombastic title. Which theoretically means that Villeneuve is the most vulnerable... but Arrival for all its big genre trappings is gorgeously unforced, even understated. So maybe the DGA will have a rare 5/5 match with Oscar this year?
FIRST TIME DIRECTOR
GARTH DAVIS Lion
KELLY FREMON CRAIG Edge of Seventeen
TIM MILLER Deadpool
NATE PARKER Birth of a Nation
DAN TRACHTENBERG 10 Cloverfield Lane
Certifiably insane to leave Robert Eggers (The Witch) off of such a list but I understand that the industry has very very short memories and it opened nearly a year ago. And the critical community, who are just as terrible as the industry for "shiny new toy" syndrome, didn't rally to remind voters.
DOCUMENTARY
OTTO BELL The Eagle Huntress
EZRA EDELMAN O.J.: Made in America
JOSH KRIEGMAN & ELYSE STEINBERG Weiner
RAOUL PECK I Am Not Your Negro
ROGER ROSS WILLIAMS Life, Animated
TELEVISION
Dramatic Series
THE DUFFER BROTHERS
Stranger Things, “Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers” (Netflix)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Timothy Lonsdale
First Assistant Director: Richard Denault
Second Assistant Directors: Maria Battle Campbell, Kristina M. Peterson
Second Second Assistant Director: Simeon Jones
Additional Second Assistant Director: Franchesca Winters
RYAN MURPHY
The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, “From the Ashes of Tragedy” (FX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Chip Vucelich
First Assistant Director: Leo Bauer
Second Assistant Director: Janell Sammelman
Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Pexa
Additional Second Assistant Director: Alicia Lewis
JONATHAN NOLAN
Westworld, “The Original” (HBO)
Directorial Team
Unit Production Manager: Robert Del Valle
First Assistant Director: Kim H. Winther
Second Assistant Director: Jeff Okabayashi
Second Second Assistant Directors: Michelene Mundo, Katie Pruitt
MIGUEL SAPOCHNIK
Game of Thrones, “The Battle of the Bastards” (HBO)
JOHN SINGLETON
The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, “The Race Card” (FX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Chip Vucelich
First Assistant Director: Dan Shaw
Second Assistant Director: Matt Pexa
Second Second Assistant Directors: Kim Richards, Kyle Hollingsworth
Comedy Series
ALEC BERG
Silicon Valley, “Daily Active Users” (HBO)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Tyler Romary
First Assistant Director: Nick Mastandrea
Second Assistant Director: Sally Brunski
Second Second Assistant Director: Kim Richards
Additional Second Assistant Director: Kathleen D. Brennan
DONALD GLOVER
Atlanta, “B.A.N.” (FX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Alex Orr
First Assistant Director: Veronica A. Hodge Hampton
Second Assistant Director: Jason Graham
Second Second Assistant Director: Danielle King
Additional Second Assistant Director: Mike Brune
MIKE JUDGE
Silicon Valley, “Founder Friendly” (HBO)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Tyler Romary
First Assistant Director: James “Billy” Burton
Second Assistant Director: Thomas Boucher
Second Second Assistant Director: Kim Richards
BECKY MARTIN
Veep, “Inauguration” (HBO)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: David Hyman
First Assistant Director: Dale Stern
Second Assistant Director: Michelle Gritzer
Second Second Assistant Director: Chris Riddle
Additional Second Assistant Director: Gary Cotti
DALE STERN
Veep, “Mother” (HBO)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: David Hyman
First Assistant Director: Michelle Gritzer
Second Assistant Director: Jeff Rosenberg
Second Second Assistant Director: Chris Riddle
Additional Second Assistant Director: Cecilia Sweatman
Movies For TV And Miniseries
RAYMOND DE FELITTA
Madoff (ABC)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Moshe Bardach
First Assistant Director: Scott Lazar
Second Assistant Director: David Fischer
Second Second Assistant Director: Ramona Murphy-Adair
Location Manager: Eddy Collyns
THOMAS KAIL (Directed By)
ALEX RUDZINSKI (Live Television Direction By)
Grease Live! (Fox)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Carrie Havel, Adam Mishler, Brad Duns
Head Stage Manager: Garry Hood
Stage Managers: Jennifer Marquet, John Esposito, Jonathan Marks, Rob Sellers Jr., Dani Farrelly, Paul Forrest, Roy Friedland, Chris Hines, Roxanne Lozano, Drina Mohacsi, Tshaka Stewart, Mike Strauss, Cheryl Teetzel-Moore, Ari Woog
KENNY LEON (Directed By)
ALEX RUDZINSKI (Live Television Direction By)
Hairspray Live! (NBC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Carrie Havel, Brad Duns, Amy Wilcox Barker
Stage Managers: Garry Hood, John Esposito, Dani Farrelly, Roy Friedland, Paul Forrest, John Hill, Chris Hines, Roxanne Lozano, Jonathan Marks, Jennifer Marquet, Donna Parker, Cody Renard Richard, Rob Sellers Jr., Murray Siegel, Jackie Stathis, Mike Strauss
JAY ROACH
All the Way (HBO)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Scott Ferguson
First Assistant Director: Josh King
Second Assistant Director: Aaron Fitzgerald
Second Second Assistant Directors: Jason C. Brown, Matthew Milan
STEVEN ZAILLIAN
The Night Of, “The Beach” (HBO)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Greer Yeaton
First Assistant Director: Michael Steele
Second Assistant Director: Ginger Gonzalez
Second Second Assistant Director: Rachel Iovine
Location Manager: Shane Haden
Variety/News/Talk/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming
PAUL G. CASEY
Real Time With Bill Maher, “Show #1437” (HBO)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Stacy Talbot
Stage Managers: Patrick Whitney, Brian Anderson
NORA GERARD
CBS Sunday Morning, “Charles Osgood Farewell Broadcast” (CBS)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Bernard Rozenberg, Jessica Frank, Patricia Finnegan, Jyll Phillips Friedman
Stage Managers: Mark Dicso, Lindsley Newbury
JIM HOSKINSON
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, “Episode #0179” (CBS)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Yvonne DeMare, Karen Yaeger
Stage Manager: Mark McKenna
DON ROY KING
Saturday Night Live, “Host: Dave Chappelle” (NBC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Michael Mancini, Michael Poole, Bob Caminiti
Stage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly
PAUL PENNOLINO
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, “Episode #1030” (TBS)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Jeremy Hardwick
Stage Manager: Laura Mack
Variety/News/Talk/Sports – Specials
JERRY FOLEY
Tony Bennett Celebrates 90 – The Best is Yet to Come (NBC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Randi Grossack
Key Stage Manager: Jeffry Gitter
Stage Managers: Bennymar Almonte, Lauren Class Schneider, Joey Despenzero, Jeff Markowitz, Karen Tasch Weiss
TIM MANCINELLI
The Late Late Show with James Corden, “The Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke Primetime Special” (CBS)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Matt Powers, Bac Delorme, Brian Sutherin
Stage Managers: Michael J. Schiff, Teri Pensky Hlubik
LINDA MENDOZA
Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House (PBS)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Dora Mendoza, Kelly Hernacki
Stage Managers: Lynn Finkel, Elise Reaves, Phyllis Digilio-Kent
PAUL MYERS
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, “A Very Special Full Frontal Special” (TBS)
GLENN WEISS
The 70th Annual Tony Awards (CBS)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Ken Diego, Robin Abrams, Ricky Kirshner
Stage Managers: Garry Hood, Peter Epstein, Joey Despenzero, Phyllis Digilio-Kent, Andrew Feigin, Doug Fogel, Jeffry Gitter, Arthur Lewis, Jeffrey M. Markowitz, Cyndi Owgang, Jeff Pearl, Alfonso Pena, Annette Powlis, Elise Reaves, Lauren Class Schneider, Jim Semmelman
Reality Programs
KEN FUCHS
Shark Tank, “801” (ABC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Amy Wilcox Barker
Head Stage Manager: Eric Rhoden
Stage Managers: Doug Neal, Michael Strauss
JOHN GONZALEZ
Live PD, “Episode 5” (A&E)
Directorial Team:
Stage Manager: Jeff Buda
BRIAN SMITH
STRONG, “Welcome to STRONG” (NBC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Anna Moulaison Moore, David Charles
Stage Manager: Drew Lewandowski
J. RUPERT THOMPSON
American Grit, “The Finale Over the Falls” (Fox)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: David Charles
Stage Managers: Daniel Curran, Kevin Fletcher
BERTRAM VAN MUNSTER
The Amazing Race, “We’re Only Doing Freaky Stuff Today” (CBS)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Dan Coffie
Children’s Programs
LIZ ALLEN
The Kicks, “Pilot” (Amazon)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Maria Melograne
First Assistant Director: Michael Williams
Second Assistant Director: Walter Parry
ALETHEA JONES
Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, “Gortimer and the Jacks of All Trades” (Amazon)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Richard G. King
First Assistant Director: Lance W. Lanfear
Second Assistant Director: David Berke
Second Second Assistant Director: Christopher H. Cook
MICHAEL LEMBECK
A Nutcracker Christmas (Hallmark Channel)
TINA MABRY
An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win (Amazon)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Richard G. King
First Assistant Director: Otto Penzato
Second Assistant Director: David Berke
Second Second Assistant Director: Christopher H. Cook
Additional Second Assistant Directors: Candice Lee, Matthew W. Ross
JOHN SCHULTZ
Adventures in Babysitting (Disney Channel)
Commercials
LANCE ACORD (Park Pictures)
Frankie’s Holiday, Apple – MAL
First Assistant Director: Thomas Smith
Movie Night, Kohl’s – Anomaly
First Assistant Director: Thomas Smith
Second Assistant Director: Rob Kay
DANTE ARIOLA (MJZ)
Hold Your Breath, SunTrust – Strawberry Frog
Unit Production Manager: Natalie Hill
First Assistant Director: George Nessis
Second Assistant Director: Isaac Mejia
Riding is the New Driving, Lyft – Made Movement
Unit Production Manager: Natalie Hill
First Assistant Director: John Lowe
Second Assistant Director: Julian Metter
Second Second Assistant Director: Dave Liehn
Tell Me When To Go, Beats
Unit Production Managers: Natalie Hill, Susan Levin
First Assistant Director: Chris Medak
Second Assistant Director: Adam Stern
Second Second Assistant Director: Jani Vournas
FREDRIK BOND (MJZ)
Dive, Apple – TBWA/Media Arts Lab
First Assistant Director: Howell Caldwell
Everyday Hero, Philips – Ogilvy & Mather
World of Play, LG – Energy BBDO
Unit Production Manager: Line Postmyr
First Assistant Director: Anthony Dimino
Second Assistant Director: Spencer Taylor
Second Second Assistant Director: R. Ben Parker
Additional First Assistant Director: Chris Blanch
Additional Second Assistant Director: Steve Bagnara
DEREK CIANFRANCE (RadicalMedia)
Chase, Nike Golf – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
First Assistant Director: Rick Lange
Second Assistant Director: Ethan Ross
Doubts, Powerade – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
First Assistant Director: Mariela Comitini
Second Assistant Director: Brad Robinson
Expectations, Powerade – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
First Assistant Director: Mariela Comitini
Second Assistant Director: Brad Robinson
Manifesto, Squarespace – Anomaly
First Assistant Director: David Backus
Second Assistant Director: Josh Voegelin
AG ROJAS (Park Pictures)
The Best Planet, S7 Airlines – Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam
The Snail, Samsung – Leo Burnett USA
First Assistant Director: Robert Dean Phillips