January 27, 2008–Joel and Ethan Coen won the directing kudos for best feature award for “No Country for Old Men” at the 60th annual DGA Awards Saturday night in Century City. The award is a closely-watched Oscar indicator because most years the award aligns with the Oscar's helming honors.
On the TV side, “Mad Men” helmer Alan Taylor beat out double nominees from “The Sopranos” and “Lost,” winning the best directing on drama kudo for his work on retro skein's pilot. Barry Sonnenfeld took home the comedy directing honors for his work on “Pushing Daisies” and Yves Simoneau nabbed the TV movie award for his direction of HBO's “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.”
The guild's quick contract resolution with the AMPTP was a running theme throughout the evening from the moment DGA prexy Michael Apted opening the ceremony through to the standing ovation for chief negotiator Jay D. Roth when he was awarded an honorary lifetime membership to the guild.
“Speaking of celebrating,” Apted said, shortly into his opening remarks. “I am sure last week's deal between the DGA and the AMPTP is on everyone's mind.” To cheering crowd, he continued, “We made important gains,” citing the guild's increased jurisdiction and headway in the area of Internet delivery. “After a lot of hard work and a lot of prep work, we made a lot of important gains.”
Carl Reiner again hosted the awards ceremony.
