diff --git a/twython/endpoints.py b/twython/endpoints.py
index 673f185..ed9c64c 100644
--- a/twython/endpoints.py
+++ b/twython/endpoints.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import os
 import warnings
 from io import BytesIO
 from time import sleep
+from utils import old_format_direct_messages
 #try:
     #from StringIO import StringIO
 #except ImportError:
@@ -198,7 +199,8 @@ class EndpointsMixin(object):
             'command': 'INIT',
             'media_type': media_type,
             'total_bytes': size,
-            'media_category': media_category
+            'media_category': media_category,
+            'json': 'true'
         }
         response_init = self.post(upload_url, params=params)
         media_id = response_init['media_id']
@@ -303,7 +305,9 @@ class EndpointsMixin(object):
         https://developer.twitter.com/en/docs/direct-messages/sending-and-receiving/api-reference/get-messages
 
         """
-        return self.get('direct_messages/events/list', params=params)
+        new_style_direct_messages = self.get('direct_messages/events/list', params=params)['events']
+        old_style_direct_messages = old_format_direct_messages(new_style_direct_messages)
+        return old_style_direct_messages
     get_direct_messages.iter_mode = 'id'
 
     def get_sent_messages(self, **params):
@@ -313,7 +317,7 @@ class EndpointsMixin(object):
         https://developer.twitter.com/en/docs/direct-messages/sending-and-receiving/api-reference/get-sent-message
 
         """
-        return self.get('direct_messages/events/list', params=params)
+        return self.get('direct_messages/events/list', params=params)['events']
     get_sent_messages.iter_mode = 'id'
 
     def get_direct_message(self, **params):
@@ -323,7 +327,7 @@ class EndpointsMixin(object):
         https://developer.twitter.com/en/docs/direct-messages/sending-and-receiving/api-reference/get-message
 
         """
-        return self.get('direct_messages/events/show', params=params)
+        return self.get('direct_messages/events/show', params=params)['events']
 
     def destroy_direct_message(self, **params):
         """Destroys the direct message specified in the required ``id`` parameter
diff --git a/twython/utils.py b/twython/utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..42995d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/twython/utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import time
+
+def old_format_direct_messages(new_direct_messages):
+	old_direct_messages = []
+	for new_direct_message in new_direct_messages:
+		old_direct_message = {}
+		old_direct_message['id'] = int(new_direct_message['id'])
+		old_direct_message['id_str'] = new_direct_message['id']
+		old_direct_message['text'] = new_direct_message['message_create']['message_data']['text']
+		old_direct_message['sender_id'] = int(new_direct_message['message_create']['sender_id'])
+		old_direct_message['sender_id_str'] = new_direct_message['message_create']['sender_id']
+		# todo complete user object - sender
+		old_direct_message['sender'] = {
+			'id': old_direct_message['sender_id'],
+			'id_str': old_direct_message['sender_id_str']
+		}
+		# todo user sender screen name
+		old_direct_message['recipient_id'] = int(new_direct_message['message_create']['target']['recipient_id'])
+		old_direct_message['recipient_id_str'] = new_direct_message['message_create']['target']['recipient_id']
+		# todo complete user recipient screen name
+		old_direct_message['recipient'] = {
+			'id': old_direct_message['recipient_id'],
+			'id_str': old_direct_message['recipient_id_str']
+		}
+		old_direct_message['created_at'] = time.ctime(float(new_direct_message['created_timestamp']))
+		old_direct_message['entities'] = new_direct_message['message_create']['message_data']['entities']
+
+		old_direct_messages.append(old_direct_message)
+
+	return old_direct_messages
+