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Wait a sec. While I was out this afternoon, the DGA actually agreed with the WGA on something important? (But only because it’s in the directors’ self-interest.) Today the Directors Guild, never one to take a courageous position on anything, followed the WGA in expressing outrage over the Emmy broadcast changes that prevent live presentations of awards in the helming categories. The DGA, like the WGA, conbsiders it a breach of the agreement with the Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences. (The DGA letter shows how Joe Adalian never bothered to check with the Guild and just reports ATAS’ claims as gospel. Another sad example of stenography passed off as journalism.):
LOS ANGELES – The Directors Guild of America today sent a letter to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences alerting the Academy to its objections to the proposed changes to the Emmy broadcast.
To: John Shaffner
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Academy of Television Arts & SciencesDear John:
After reviewing the DGA’s Agreement with the Television Academy, the DGA has concluded that the proposed change in presentation of Directing Awards in the Emmy broadcast is a material breach of our agreement that the traditional Directing Awards “will be telecast live as part of each Prime Time Emmy Awards telecast” and will be in parity with the Actors’ Awards. As a result, unless the Academy reconsiders the proposed change in presentation of Directing Awards, the Guild considers that it no longer is bound by its commitments to the Academy under that Agreement.
The DGA-Television Academy Agreement has for many years ensured that Directors would receive recognition for their role in the creative process of television production. The DGA regrets that the Television Academy has unilaterally initiated steps to diminish that recognition.
I note that in the past – including as recently as March of this year – the Academy has come to the Guild’s Directors Council with requests for modification of the presentation format, and the Council has worked with the Academy to find mutually acceptable solutions to the Academy’s concerns. The Academy did not consult with the Guild’s Directors Council with respect to the recently announced changes.
I also note that in an article by Josef Adalian published on ”TheWrap.com”, you are quoted as saying that “the directors are OK with [these changes]“. In light of my e-mail to Dixon Dern dated July 31, of which you were sent a copy, saying that “The DGA is analyzing the Academy’s approach to these Awards in light of our agreements and interests, and will advise you as to our position following the conclusion of our review”, either you were misquoted in the interview, or you were intentionally disregarding the interests of the Directors Guild as the institution representing (among others) Directors in the television industry.
Sincerely,
Warren Adler
DGA Associate National Executive Director
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And next Monday the Academy will announce they are changing it back to the way it was before.
Of course now everyone knows how worthless the Academy thinks writers and directors are to the Emmy product.
In movies directors are rock stars, known by the public. But I can see where the Academy is coming from here: TV show directors are on a par with writers in their anonymity (with some exceptions). But on the other hand, they probably present themselves better on camera, relative to writers, on the whole.
Ok, sounds like a threat, but what does it mean:
“Unless the Academy reconsiders… the Guild considers that it no longer is bound by its commitments to the Academy under that Agreement.”
what “agreement” are they talking about? what “commitments” have they made? is there some sort of a pact beyond: we have a statue with your name on it so come get it if you want?
Glad the DGA stepped up to the plate. Better late than never. Gutsy of the ATAS to assume that Guild agreements were meaningless. They were just going to power their way through with alot of PR spin put out there by Misher.
Clearly he is pulling the CBS agenda all the way. What are they paying him?
HIs name is spelled “Mischer” Rob. And he’s been hired & paid by CBS, who’s agenda is he supposed to pull? He is putting out what ATAS & CBS have asked him to do with the show. Not sure what his fee has to do with anything
I think the agreement has to do in part with the Academy being able to show clips on the Emmys without having to pay hefty residuals. Moreover, the awards shows have to get waivers from the guilds for various other things in order to avoid paying residuals. (I used to work at a guild and I saw these waiver requests all of the time.) Usually the guilds routinely grant these waivers since awards shows are typically seen as beneficial to their members and the industry as a whole. If the DGA and WGA really wanted to, they could seriously screw these shows and make them A LOT more expensive to produce. It makes me think that someone at the Academy did not really think this move through.
Nikki thanks again for covering this. Glad the DGA decided to speak up.
The Guilds have agreements with the ATAS that allows them to use the show clips for free if they
Allow the WGA, DGA,SAG members to speak live when they win and have parity with one another.
Otherwise the clips cost close to a 1,000,000 dollars.
The ATAS decided to simply ignore the rules of the waiver and hope no one had the balls to speak up.
The 8 award categories have 40 nominations total. Only one is for CBS. That is why these categories were picked specifically. If CBS had a nom in writing for an hour show they would had time for it. Don Misher is replacing these awards with an interactive section of the show were viewers vote from home like the Peoples Choice Awards. He is not saving any time like he likes to say. The whole thing is very sneaky and ugly.
How many women directors are we talking about here?
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHA!
The DGA members get a taste of what it’s like to be a cinematographer, production designer, editor, costume designer or other key creative long ignored by the “star-studded” Emmy broadcast.
And they don’t like it.
Shock.
The TV Academy has shamefully whored out their awards for years, resulting in a celebrity-driven dog-and-pony show rather than equally honoring deserving artists in all the crafts.
Why don’t they just dispense with the pretense, hire the producers of TMZ and give the audience what it really wants?
Whatever.
holy crap!
r u people really this self absorbed? firstly, the emmys r an even bigger spank fest than the oscars. they almost make the oscars look like the nobel prize ceremony.
this is the lowest of the lowest “news.”
what is DGA whining about now?!
btw, as someone with extensive television production experience, i know for a fact that most TV directors are pretty much HACKS hired to captain the ship for an episode or two, a ship that pretty much steers itself with the regulars-actors, dp’s, grips, electricians-know what to do. if anything they can often be nuisances to the crew by bringing their “visions” which often result in unnecessarily long days and sleep deprived cast and crew.
hey DGA, your self image is OVER INFLATED.
-snoopy