‘Game of Thrones’ reigns at creative arts Emmy Awards

LOS ANGELES — “Game Of Thrones” is the Emmy Awards front-runner after winning a leading eight technical achievement awards.

The HBO fantasy saga was honoured at this morning‘s (Sept 13, Singapore time) creative arts Emmys, the precursor to the main Sept 20 ceremony, in categories including special visual effects and casting.

FX Networks’ “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” was next with five awards.

The creative Emmys also recognised guest actors for drama and comedy series, with trophies going to Reg E Cathey for “House of Cards”; Margo Martindale for “The Americans”; Joan Cusack for “Shameless”; and Bradley Whitford for “Transparent.”

“Bessie,” a biopic about Bessie Smith starring Queen Latifah as the great blues singer, was honoured as best made-for-TV movie.

“The Jinx: The Life And Deaths Of Robert Durst,” about a privileged New Yorker under a cloud of suspicion in connection with three murders, was honored as best documentary or nonfiction series.

A taped version of the creative arts ceremony will be telecast Saturday, Sept 19, on the FXX channel. Next week’s ceremony with acting, writing and other awards will air live on Fox with host Andy Samberg.

HBO won a leading 29 Emmys, followed by NBC with 11. Other tallies included FX Networks with eight awards; ABC, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, Fox and PBS with four each; and Amazon, CBS, Discovery Channel and Netflix with three each.

A&E Networks received the Governors Award in recognition of its corporate social responsibility programs.

Among others honoured at the creative arts Emmys:

— Host for a reality or reality-competition program: Jane Lynch, “Hollywood Game Night,” NBC.

— Voice-over performance: Hank Azaria, “The Simpsons,” Fox.

— Unstructured reality program: “Deadliest Catch,” Discovery Channel.

— Structured reality program: “Shark Tank,” ABC.

— Commercial: #LikeAGirl (Always).

— Animated Program: “Over the Garden Wall,” Cartoon Network.

— Writing for a variety special: Louis C.K., “Louis C.K.: Live at the Comedy Store,” louisck.net.

— Music composition for a series (original dramatic score): “House of Cards,” Netflix.

— Music composition for a limited series, movie or special (original dramatic score): “Bessie,” HBO.

— Original music and lyrics: “Inside Amy Schumer,” Comedy Central.

— Choreography (multiple winners): “Dancing With the Stars,” ABC; “So You Think You Can Dance,” Fox.

— Casting for a drama series: “Game of Thrones,” HBO.

— Casting for a limited series, movie or a special: “Olive Kitteridge,” HBO.

— Casting for a comedy series: “Veep,” HBO.

— Costumes for a period fantasy series, limited series or movie: “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” FX Networks.

— Costumes for a contemporary series, limited series or movie: “Transparent,” Amazon.