The 2015 Creative Arts Emmys revealed its first batch of winners on Sept. 12 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The show, which was held one week prior to the Primetime Emmy Awards, celebrates the integral components needed to produce the best in primetime programming, such as the technical, behind-the-scenes aspects. Not only does it recognize the frontrunners such as the main actors and actresses, it also gives recognition to stunt players, CGI artists, hairstylists, choreographers, editors and a whole lot more.
The top winning network is HBO, which took home a total of 29 trophies. The network's Game of Thrones won in eight different categories, the highest number won in the show. These include: Outstanding Makeup for a Single Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic); Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More); Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series; Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series; Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series; Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour); Outstanding Special Visual Effects; and Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series, Limited Series or Movie.
Bessie, which stars Queen Latifah, took home four trophies, including one for Outstanding Television Movie and one for Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series of Movie.
Other winners which took home more than one recognition include Going Clear, a documentary on scientology, which won three awards; The Jinx, a documentary on the life of Robert Durst, which won two; and Olive Kitteridge, a drama miniseries which also won two awards.
NBC trailed behind HBO with a total number of 11 wins, while FX earned eight in different categories.
First-time Emmy winner Joan Cusack won in the "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy" category for her role as Sheila Jackson in Showtime's Shameless. Another first-time TV Academy winner was Reg E. Cathey, who portrayed the role of Freddy, the rib-cooking friend of Frank Underwood in House of Cards.
Margo Martindale of The Americans also brought home a trophy after winning in the category "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series." Her award also marked the first Emmy award for the FX spy drama.
"I'm there for more than this last year. And I'm not being coy," said Martindale at the show's backstage. "[Executive producers Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields] promised me they'd never kill me. But it's show business. I hope they can keep their promise."
The 2015 Creative Arts Emmys will air on Sept. 19 on FXX. One day later, Sept. 20, will be the airing date of the Primetime Emmy Awards on Fox.
