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The Producers Guild of America (PGA) is pleased to announce the opening of submissions for the ninth annual PGA Producing Workshop: “The Power of Diversity.” This multi-session workshop will run from May 28 through July 13 in Los Angeles, and is designed to foster the development of aspiring and seasoned producers who bring diverse perspectives to television, film and digital media.
This annual program provides ten participants with one-on-one mentoring sessions with members of the Guild’s Diversity Committee as well as master classes with some of today’s top producers. Topics are tailored to the participating producers and their projects, and will include all aspects of producing such as story development, pitching, packaging, financing, marketing and digital media.
“We’re excited to offer this unique and career-enhancing workshop to entertainment professionals,” said workshop chair Deborah Calla, who also chairs the PGA Diversity Committee. “Reflecting diverse communities through accurate and informative storytelling is an incredibly powerful tool that brings us all closer together. As PGA producers, we have a responsibility not just to appreciate different perspectives, but to empower such producers with the tools, resources and capacity to assist them in bringing their projects to fruition.”
Past mentors have included such top producing talent as Bruce Cohen (SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, AMERICAN BEAUTY), Mark Gordon (“Grey’s Anatomy,” SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, 2012), Marshall Herskovitz (DEFIANCE, BLOOD DIAMOND, THE LAST SAMURAI), Damon Lindelof (LOST, STAR TREK), Caryn Mandabach (“Nurse Jackie,” “That 70s Show”), Lori McCreary (INVICTUS, THE MAIDEN HEIST), Shonda Rhimes (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice”), Darren Star (“Sex in the City,” “90210”), Mike Tollin (“Smallville,” “One Tree Hill”) and Ralph Winter (X-MEN, FANTASTIC 4), among many others.
Past mentees have included Ben Lobato (“The Unit,” “Justified”), Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (“Southland”), Sarah DeLio (BLESS ME, ULTIMA) and Holly Overton (“The Client List”).
“The mentors’ enthusiasm, support and feedback were crucial to my development as a working writer and aspiring producer,” said Overton. “They brought in the best producers, directors and executives in the business and have continued to foster relationships with all the workshop participants. I completed the workshop with a newfound confidence and an understanding of the various facets of producing. This amazing opportunity provided me with skills I continue to use on a daily basis.”
Submissions for the “Power of Diversity” workshop will open on March 11 and close on April 19 at midnight Pacific Time. Ten participants will be selected to take part in the workshop at no charge.
For [...]

Tonight the Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced this year’s winning motion picture and television productions at the 24th Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
In addition to the competitive awards, the PGA recognized several producers with honorary awards including Bob and Harvey Weinstein (Milestone Award), Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner (David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures), J.J. Abrams (Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television), Russell Simmons (Visionary Award), and BULLY (Stanley Kramer Award). The 2013 Producers Guild Awards were chaired by Michael De Luca.
The 2013 Producers Guild nominated films and television programs are listed below in alphabetical order by category, along with producers. The producers’ names for each nominated production are listed in alphabetical order and may not reflect the order of screen credits. The winners are indicated in bold and with an asterisk (*).
The theatrical motion picture nominees and winners are:
The Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures:
* ARGO (Warner Bros.)
Producers: Ben Affleck, George Clooney, Grant Heslov
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Producers: Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey, Josh Penn
DJANGO UNCHAINED (The Weinstein Company)
Producers: Reginald Hudlin, Pilar Savone, Stacey Sher
LES MISÉRABLES (Universal Pictures)
Producers: Tim Bevan & Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, Cameron Mackintosh
LIFE OF PI (Fox 2000 Pictures)
Producers: Ang Lee, Gil Netter, David Womark
LINCOLN (Touchstone Pictures)
Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg
MOONRISE KINGDOM (Focus Features)
Producers: Wes Anderson & Scott Rudin, Jeremy Dawson, Steven Rales
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (The Weinstein Company)
Producers: Bruce Cohen, Donna Gigliotti, Jonathan Gordon
SKYFALL (Columbia Pictures)
Producers: Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson
ZERO DARK THIRTY (Columbia Pictures)
Producers: Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Megan Ellison
The Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures:
BRAVE (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Producer: Katherine Sarafian
FRANKENWEENIE (Walt Disney Pictures)
Producers: Allison Abbate, Tim Burton
PARANORMAN (Focus Features)
Producers: Travis Knight, Arianne Sutner
RISE OF THE GUARDIANS (Paramount Pictures)
Producers: Nancy Bernstein, Christina Steinberg
* WRECK-IT RALPH (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Producer: Clark Spencer
The Award for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures:
A PEOPLE UNCOUNTED (Urbinder Films)
Producers: Marc Swenker, Aaron Yeger
THE GATEKEEPERS (Sony Pictures Classics)
Producers: Estelle Fialon, Philippa Kowarsky, Dror Moreh
THE ISLAND PRESIDENT (Samuel Goldwyn Films)
Producers: Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen
THE OTHER DREAM TEAM (The Film Arcade)
Producers: Marius Markevicius, Jon Weinbach
* SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN (Sony Pictures Classics)
Producers: Malik Bendjelloul, Simon Chinn
The television nominees and winners are:
The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television:
“American Horror Story” (FX)
Producers: [...]

Exactly two hours before I began writing up this article, the Producers Guild of America had just announced its complete list of nominees.
In the “Theatrical Motion Picture” category, one film appeared that virtually no pundit had thought to anticipate: Sam Mendes’ British-produced Skyfall. But after recently crossing the $1 billion mark worldwide, not to mention its widespread critical acclaim and seven BFCA nominations, does this really comes as that much of a surprise? Oh yes, I forgot…Skyfall is a “genre” film, which means its “Best Picture” chances would usually be at the bottom of the barrel when stacked against baitier competitors that seem destined for Oscar® upon announcement. However, it has two things going for it that critically-beloved moneymakers like The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises do not: a late release closer to the pivotal Oscar® date and, most importantly, a huge chunk of support behind it in the form of the Academy’s hefty British voting bloc, who are no doubt beyond astounded by its record-breaking success, and not just for the James Bond franchise either.
Skyfall is currently the 14th highest grossing movie of all-time and the United Kingdom’s top movie earner in history, barely surpassing James Cameron’s Avatar. Not including the Harry Potter movie franchise, Skyfall is also the most successful British film (Eon Productions) ever released. With these figures and the aforementioned accolades and overall success, it may be time to not just realistically consider Skyfall for “Best Picture,” but also come to the realization that we’ve been underestimating the influential power of the Academy’s British voting bloc throughout this entire race. In addition to Skyfall, I’ll now turn your attention towards award hopefuls who have been under-the-radar all season long like Judi Dench as “M” in Skyfall, Maggie Smith in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and even John Madden’s British ensemble dramedy itself. I strongly believe these four British category contenders will receive their major boost from the crucial British voting bloc in the form of Academy Award™ nominations come the morning of January 10th. After the jump, you will see the ‘Skyfall’ category contenders in this first of a two-part article series…
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The Producers Guild of America (PGA), announced today that critically acclaimed documentary feature BULLY will be honored with the 2013 Stanley Kramer Award at the 24th Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony. Director Lee Hirsch and producer Cynthia Lowen will accept the award on Saturday, January 26 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
The Stanley Kramer Award was established in 2002 to honor a production, producer or other individual whose achievement or contribution illuminates and raises public awareness of important social issues. Stanley Kramer created some of the most powerful and acclaimed works in the history of American motion pictures, including such classics as INHERIT THE WIND, ON THE BEACH, THE DEFIANT ONES, and GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER.
Previous recipients of the Stanley Kramer Award include such films as THE GREAT DEBATERS, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, HOTEL RWANDA, IN AMERICA, ANTWONE FISHER, PRECIOUS and the 2012 honoree IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY.
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The Producers Guild of America announced today the honorees for the inaugural Digital V.I.P. initiative and awards gala. Nine Visionaries, Innovators, and Producers who have made significant contributions to the advancement of digital entertainment and storytelling during the past year will be honored on April 11 in Los Angeles.
Honorees for the first-ever Digital V.I.P. are:
VISIONARIES – those who have brought forth new ideas about the creative application of technology to advance storytelling across all media.
Ø John Raatz (Founder, Board Chairman, CEO), Eckhart Tolle (Honorary Founder) and Jim Carrey (Honorary Founder) of The Global Alliance for Transformational Entertainment (GATE)
Ø Bruce Sterling, multi award-winning science fiction author for his influence upon technology as it relates to storytelling and in co-founding the cyberpunk movement
INNOVATORS – those who have developed new methods or technology that enables the production of storytelling.
Ø Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Co-Founders of Instagram
Ø Bill Westenhofer, Academy Award-winning VFX supervisor for Rhythm & Hues Studios for LIFE OF PI
Ø Philip Atwell and Dylan Brown of Digital Domain for Virtual 2Pac
PRODUCERS – those who have created content whose reach, execution, and influence has advanced the audience experience.
Ø Disney Imagineering team and developers for Disney’s Cars Land
Ø Louis C.K., Emmy Award-winning stand-up comedian, writer, director, actor, and producer for his show “Louie” and re-engineering the role of artist in entertainment distribution
Ø Ben Donovan (President & Co-Founder), Danny Zappin (CEO & Co-Founder) and Lisa Donovan (GM & Co-Founder) of Maker Studios for pioneering the online multichannel network
Ø Conan O’Brien, Emmy Award-winning television host and comedian for the “Team Coco” digital experience
Mark Gordon, President of the PGA said, “Congratulations to this outstanding group of honorees. These visionaries, innovators, and producers are leading change and creativity at the intersection of entertainment and technology. We at the Producers Guild are pleased to acknowledge their contributions to our rapidly evolving digital industry, and we look forward to celebrating with them in the spring.”
Membership in the Producers Guild was not a requirement for eligibility.
The Producers Guild Digital V.I.P. Committee determined the honorees, in conjunction with Producers Guild of America President Mark Gordon and a distinguished list of Industry Advisory Board members.
Digital V.I.P. Committee members include: Co-Chairs Shawn Gold, Marc Scarpa and Chris Thomes (Producers Guild National Board, Vice President of the Producers Guild New Media Council), Laura Allen (New Media Council), Dina Benadon (Producers Guild National Board, New [...]

HollywoodNews.com:The Producers Guild of America announced today that it has shifted the 24th Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony to take place on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Additionally, Producers Guild Presidents Hawk Koch and Mark Gordon announced that the 2013 awards program, which honors excellence in motion picture and television production, will be produced by Academy-Award® nominated producer Michael De Luca.
“Michael is an original, creative producer with some of the most impressive credits in the business and we’re thrilled he has accepted our invitation to produce the 2013 Producers Guild Awards show,” said Koch and Gordon. “We’re certain that with his fresh approach the Producers Guild Awards will continue to be one of the best industry awards events of the year.”
“I’m energized to help recognize this year’s most deserving creative storytellers, and I’m honored the Producers Guild has chosen me to take on this existing task. I can’t wait to get started,” said De Luca.
This past year, the PGA awarded THE ARTIST with its Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures and also paid tribute to several special individual honorees including Leslie Moonves (Milestone Award), Steven Spielberg (David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures), Don Mischer (Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television), Stan Lee (Vanguard Award), and the producers of IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY (The Stanley Kramer Award).
De Luca began his career at New Line Cinema working on the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET series but quickly rose to head of production there, green-lighting in short order THE MASK and DUMB AND DUMBER for an ascendant Jim Carrey. He followed those hits with successes as diverse as SEVEN, BOOGIE NIGHTS, PLEASANTVILLE, BLADE I and II, and AUSTIN POWERS I and II. He has also launched or helped advance the directing careers of some of today’s most celebrated filmmakers including David Fincher, Paul Thomas Anderson, Jay Roach, Gary Ross, and Guillermo Del Toro. In 2003 he become head of production for DreamWorks Pictures, where he green-lit both classic Will Ferrell hits OLD SCHOOL and ANCHORMAN. Most recently De Luca produced Academy-Award® nominated films MONEYBALL and THE SOCIAL NETWORK. Additional producing credits include MAGNOLIA, AMERICAN HISTORY X, WAG THE DOG, I AM SAM, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, 21 and GHOST RIDER I and II, among others.
About the Producers Guild of America
The Producers Guild of America is the non-profit trade [...]

By Sean O’Connell
hollywoodnews.com: It’s unclear yet how many films will compete for a Best Picture trophy at this year’s Academy Awards. Rule changes eliminate the need to film 10 slots, so a fluid number of pictures could end up with nominations on Jan. 24. But it’s safe to bet that the movies that do make the cut will come from this list.
The Producers Guild of America in just revealed its l0 nominees for Producer of the Year Award. Unlike the Academy, the group stuck with a traditional 10, and found room for a few surprises. Here are their selections:
THE ARTIST
Producer: Thomas Langmann
BRIDESMAIDS
Producers: Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, Clayton Townsend
THE DESCENDANTS
Producers: Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Producers: Ceán Chaffin, Scott Rudin
THE HELP
Producers: Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, Brunson Green
HUGO
Producers: Graham King, Martin Scorsese
THE IDES OF MARCH
Producers: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Brian Oliver
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
Producers: Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum
MONEYBALL
Producers: Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz, Brad Pitt
WAR HORSE
Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg

Heavy hitters like “The Artist,” “The Descendants,” “War Horse” and “The Help” likely can book their ticket for the Kodak Theatre. But today’s announcements generated hope for alleged fringe players like “Moneyball,” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “Bridesmaids.”
Also, quietly, George Clooney’s “The Ides of March” has received significant support from the PGA and the HFPA. Could the Academy follow their leads?
“Drive” and “Shame,” which appeared to be longshots, took a hit here, though both could be helped by the Directors Guild, who easily could honor Steve McQueen and Nicolas Winding Refn and put both films right back on the Oscar map.
In addition, the PGA revealed its nominees for Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures, which were:
THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN
Producers: Peter Jackson, Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg
CARS 2
Producer: Denise Ream
KUNG FU PANDA 2
Producer: Melissa Cobb
PUSS IN BOOTS
Producers: Joe M. Aguilar, Latifa Ouaou
RANGO
Producers: John B. Carls, Gore Verbinski
For a full list of this morning’s PGA nominees, click here.
Awards Alley brings you the best Oscar coverage. Click below to read our exclusive interviews with:
- Harvey Weinstein
- The cast of “The Artist.”
- Kenneth Branagh for “My Week With Marilyn.”
- Bennett Miller talks “Moneyball.”
- Sir Ben Kingsley and Chloe Grace Moretz for “Hugo.”
- Tilda Swinton for “We Need to Talk About Kevin.”
- David Fincher, Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara on “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”
- [...]

HollywoodNews.com:The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today the Television Series nominees that will advance in the voting process for the 23rd Annual Producers Guild Awards.
The television nominees, listed below in alphabetical order, are as follows:
The Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy:
“30 Rock” (NBC)
“The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
“Glee” (FOX)
“Modern Family” (ABC)
“Parks and Recreation” (NBC)
The Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama:
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Dexter” (Showtime)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“The Good Wife” (CBS)
“Mad Men” (AMC)
The Award for Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment &Talk Television:
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central)
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (Syndicated)
“Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
“The 64th Annual Tony Awards” (CBS)
The Award for Outstanding Producer of Competition Television:
“The Amazing Race” (CBS)
“American Idol” (FOX)
“Dancing with the Stars” (ABC)
“Project Runway” (Lifetime)
“Top Chef” (Bravo)
The Award for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television:
“American Masters” (PBS)
“Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (Travel Channel)
“Deadliest Catch” (Discovery Channel)
“30 for 30” (ESPN)
“Undercover Boss” (CBS)
Producers Guild arbitrations for individual producer credit determination for all film and television categories are still underway. All other nominations for the 2012 Producers Guild Award categories will be announced January 3, 2012, along with the individual producers.
All 2012 Producers Guild Award winners will be announced on January 21, 2012 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. This year, the Producers Guild will also award special honors to Steven Spielberg, Leslie Moonves, Don Mischer, and Stan Lee, among others. The 2012 Producers Guild Awards co-chairs are Paula Wagner and Michael Manheim.
In 1990 the PGA held the first-ever Golden Laurel Awards, which were renamed the Producers Guild Awards in 2002. Richard Zanuck and Lili Fini Zanuck took home the award for Best Produced Motion Picture for DRIVING MISS DAISY, establishing the Guild’s awards as a bellwether for the Oscars. Last year, the PGA awarded THE KING’S SPEECH with its Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures, marking the fourth consecutive year the Producers Guild has presaged The Academy of Motion Picture’s choice.
To cover the 2012 Producers Guild Awards, a completed press credential application form MUST be received no later than Friday, January 13, 2012 to receive consideration. To request a Producers Guild Awards Credential application, please email Mackenzie.Smith@42West.net. All other PGA and PGA Awards media inquiries should be directed to Kelly Mullens at (310) 477-4442 or KKMullens@42West.net or Brittany Geldmacher at (424) 901-8738 or Brittany.Geldmacher@42West.net.
About the Producers Guild of America
The Producers Guild of America [...]

By Sean O’Connell
Hollywoodnews.com: Is the awards tide beginning to turn on the eve of the Oscar nominations?
Vocal supporters of Tom Hooper’s “The King’s Speech” seem to think so, and they are receiving a fair share of ammunition with which to fight that fight.
After watching David Fincher’s “The Social Network” build a head of steam with crucial pre-Oscar victories at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards and the Golden Globes (as well as a bevy of year-end critics’ group accolades), “Speech” is starting to rally. The historical drama took home the top prize from the Producers Guild of America – the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producers — on Saturday night. And this evening, it was revealed that “The King’s Speech” cast has won the ‘Ensemble Award’ at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter will also be honored at this year’s festival, which begins on Jan. 27 and runs through Feb. 6.
Strategic timing on the announcement … days before the fest starts, but also the evening before tomorrow’s Oscar nominations. And while we fully expect both “The Social Network” and “The King’s Speech” to receive a healthy amount of nominations (including Best Picture, Director and several acting noms), it will be very interesting to see how the race plays out between nomination stage and Oscar night.
It’s safe to say “The King’s Speech” earned enough momentum with the PGA win to unsettle “Social Network” as the pre-eminent frontrunner. But did “Speech” do enough to claim a lead in the Oscar race, or did they just open the door for an outside contender like David O. Russell’s “The Fighter” or a dark-horse film like that to muscle in.
There’s plenty of race left to run, and all of the contenders will burst out of the gate tomorrow morning. Join us, won’t you?
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By Paul Sheehan
hollywoodnews.com: The Producers Guild of America named “The King’s Speech” as the Best Picture of 2010, ending the sweep of precursor awards by “The Social Network.” A dozen of our pundits expected that film about Facebook to win this kudo as well. Like the Academy Awards, the PGA champ is decided using a preferential system of ballot counting.
The next test for both these films will be the SAG Awards where they vie for Best Ensemble against three of their PGA rivals — “Black Swan,” “The Fighter” and “The Kids Are All Right.” Those awards from and for actors were where eventual Oscar champs “Shakespeare in Love” (1998) and “Crash” (2005) first trumped the frontrunning “Saving Private Ryan” and “Brokeback Mountain” respectively.
And like “Shakespeare in Love,” “The King’s Speech” could well lead with the most Oscar nominations this year which has been a proven bellwether for predicting the Best Picture champ more often than not over the past four decades.
Among the other 10 nominees for Best Picture at the PGAs were “127 Hours” and “True Grit” which had been snubbed by the Golden Globes. Notable PGA omissions include “Another Year,” “Winter’s Bone” and “The Way Back.”
Last year’s PGA winners of the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producers — the quartet behind “The Hurt Locker” — made it to the stage of the Kodak Theater to collect the Oscar for Best Picture. The PGA and Oscars had agreed upon 8 of 10 contenders. The PGA nominated “Invictus” and “Star Trek” over eventual Oscar choices “The Blind Side” and “A Serious Man.” During the past 20 years, the guild and Oscars agreed on 13 of 20 Best Picture champs.
Another of this year’s PGA nominees for Best Picture — “Toy Story 3″ — was named Best Animated Picture. And “Waiting for Superman” prevailed as Best Documentary.
Reigning Emmy champ “Modern Family” won Best Comedy Series on its first nomination. “The Colbert Report” won Best Live Entertainment/Competition for the third year running while “Mad Men” also three-peated for top TV Drama Series. “Deadliest Catch” finally took the Non-Fiction TV prize with its third consecutive bid. And Emmy winner “The Pacific” took the combined TV Movie/Mini award.
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