LOS ANGELES — Apple TV+ series "Severance" and "The Studio" are among the favorites to collect a large share of awards at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, where nearly 100 trophies for technical and craft achievements will be handed out over the coming weekend.
"Severance," the overall leader in nominations this year with 27, could take home as many as 13 awards during Saturday’s ceremony, which is devoted to scripted programming. "The Studio," the top comedy nominee with 23 nods, stands to win as many as 12 across the two-day event, which concludes Sunday with categories for variety and reality television. The Creative Arts ceremonies traditionally precede the main Primetime Emmy Awards, which will air Sept. 14 on CBS.
The Creative Arts Emmys recognize often-overlooked disciplines that contribute to television production, including categories such as best sci-fi or period hairstyles and best stunt coordination for a comedy. Winners typically include costume designers, editors, visual effects teams, sound mixers and other behind-the-scenes craftsmen and craftswomen who do not always have broad name recognition outside the television industry.
Despite its focus on technical awards, the Creative Arts ceremony can produce headline moments and major totals that foreshadow success at the main show. Last year, FX’s limited series "Shogun" set a seasonal record by winning 14 Emmys at the Creative Arts ceremony before continuing to collect awards at the Primetime Emmys. The weekend also has produced milestone career moments: the songwriting team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul joined the EGOT club when they won their first Emmy during a past Creative Arts ceremony.
Industry observers say the weekend’s results will offer an early read on how voters are rewarding production values, design and craft across genres this year. Streaming services, particularly Apple TV+, are represented heavily among top nominees, reflecting continued investment in high-end television production.
The Creative Arts ceremonies will be split across two days, with Saturday focused on scripted series, actors in guest and supporting roles, and a wide array of technical categories. Sunday’s show will honor achievements in variety, reality and competition programming as well as additional craft categories. Winners from both nights will be included in the totals that programs and performers tout leading into the main Primetime Emmy telecast.
As the industry watches for which shows and teams emerge with multiple awards, the Creative Arts Emmys will spotlight the technical excellence that underpins much of the season’s most-discussed television, while setting the stage for next week’s marquee awards show.