DGA changes course on screeners

December 21, 2006 While a number of Hollywood awards consultants contended that the DGA had a long-standing policy prohibiting sending screeners to its membership, Paramount Pictures received permission Friday to send screeners this year for the DreamWorks musical "Dreamgirls" (HR 12/20). The DGA, which insisted it has never had a policy banning screeners, also sent a letter to the studios Friday, informing them that they were free to send them this year, even though the DGA nominations balloting process, which ends Jan. 8, had already begun on Dec. 4. Confronted by an uproar in the competitive circle of Oscar consultants -- and also faced with a situation in which prestigious directors could find their films at a disadvantage -- the DGA suddenly closed the door on any screeners this year but said it "will allow the mailing of DVD screeners to the entire membership next year for the guild's 60th annual DGA Awards."

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