Another Notch Closer to Oscar? Danny Boyle wins DGA award

The biggest question prior to the Oscars is: How much of an underdog can Slumdog Millionaire really be when it’s winning major honors at the Globes, Producer’s Guilds, and has ten Oscar noms to go along with it? Danny Boyle claimed the top prize which also includes Unit Production Manager: Sanjay Kumar, First Assistant Director: Raj Acharya, Second Assistant Director: Avani Batra and Second Second Assistant Director: Sonia Nemawarkar.

Sticking to the film categories, Ari Folman can overcome his Cannes win snub with yet added another win for Waltz with Bashir. Here is the complete list of winners below,   

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES FOR TELEVISION/MINI-SERIES
Jay Roach, Recount (HBO)
Unit Production Manager: Scott Ferguson 
First Assistant Director: Michael Hausman 
First Assistant Director/Second Assistant Director: Peter Thorell 
Second Assistant Director: Tudor Jones 
Second Second Assistant Director: Rob Dickerson Jr.

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMATIC SERIES NIGHT
Dan Attias, The Wire – “Transitions” (HBO)
Unit Production Manager: Nina Noble 
First Assistant Director: Eric Henriquez 
Second Assistant Director: Xanthus Valan 
Second Second Assistant Director: Tim Blockburger

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY SERIES
Paul Feig, The Office – “Dinner Party” (NBC)
Unit Production Manager: Robert Rothbard 
First Assistant Director: Kelly Cantley 
Second Assistant Director: Jennie O’Keefe 
Second Second Assistant Director: Jasmine Alhambra 
DGA Trainee: Alicia Cho

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSICAL VARIETY
Brent (Bucky) Gunts, Opening Ceremony Beijing 2008 Olympic Summer Games (NBC)
Associate Directors: Carol Larson, Brian Orentreich 
Stage Manager: Steve Hollander

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY PROGRAMS
Tony Croll, America’s Next Top Model – “1002” (CW)
Associate Director: John Downer

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DAYTIME SERIALS
Larry Carpenter, One Life to Live – Episode #10,281, “So You Think You Can Be Shane Morasco’s Father?” (ABC) 
Associate Directors: Teresa Anne Cicala, Paul Glass, Tracy Casper Lang 
Stage Managers: Alan Needleman, Keith Greer, Brendan Higgins, 
Production Associates: Kevin Brush, Beth Kravitz

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
Amy Schatz, Classical Baby (I’m Grown Up Now) “The Poetry Show” (HBO)

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMMERCIALS
Peter Thwaites, Production Company: Gorgeous Enterprises
Waterslide, Barclaycard -BBH
Light Show, Guinness – Irish International BBDO

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DOCUMENTARY
Ari Folman, “Waltz with Bashir” (Les Films D’ici, Razor Films, Sony Pictures Classics)

2009 DGA SERVICE AND CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS
Film Critic/Author Roger Ebert – DGA Honorary Life Member Award for recognition of outstanding creative achievement, or contribution to the guild, or the profession of directing. 
DGA Second Vice-President/Director William M. Brady – Robert B. Aldrich Award for extraordinary service to the DGA and to its membership. 
DGA Board Member/Unit Production Manager Kim Kurumada – Frank Capra Achievement Award, 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. 

DGA Assistant Secretary-Treasurer/Associate Director Scott Berger – Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award for an Associate Director or Stage Manager in recognition of career achievement in the industry and service to the Directors Guild of America