The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Poolman with Chris Pine and Patty Jenkins (Ep. 481) May 24, 2024

Show notes

Director Chris Pine discusses his new film, Poolman, with fellow Director Patty Jenkins in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with Actors as a Director who came from acting, his preference of shooting on film instead of digital, and learning to be intuitive when working with a small budget. The film tells the story of Darren, an unwavering optimist who spends his days looking after the pool of an LA apartment block. But when a femme fatale asks him to look into a shady business deal, Darren uncovers hidden truths about his beloved city and himself. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/July2024/Poolman_QnA_0524

Power with Yance Ford and Kristi Jacobson (Ep. 480) May 23, 2024

Show notes

Director Yance Ford discusses his new film, Power, with fellow Director Kristi Jacobson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses the endeavor of going through hundreds of years of archival material, how he wanted to challenge the notion of traditional experts in a documentary by approaching people from police-impacted communities, and the post production journey that led him to include his narration in the documentary. The film investigates the American policing system, which has exploded in scope and scale over hundreds of years. Driven to contain threats to social order, now it can be described by one word: Power.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes with Wes Ball and Barry Jenkins (Ep. 479) May 20, 2024

Show notes

Director Wes Ball discusses his new film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, with fellow Director Barry Jenkins in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the importance of mis-en-scene and notes taken from his time helming the Maze Runner series, working in a production that relied heavily on mocap and digital replacement, and the unique process he underwent with his editors in the cutting process. Set 300 years after the events of the previous apes trilogy, the film tells the story of a young ape named Noa, who defies his tyrannical king and teams up with a human to embark on a harrowing journey. On his quest, he’ll uncover mysteries that lead him to question everything he’s been taught and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/June2024/KingdomOfThePOTA_QnA_0524

Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa with Lucy Walker and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 478) May 14, 2024

Show notes

Director Lucy Walker discusses her new film, Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses comparing and contrasting the act of mountain climbing with the struggle of personal life, exploring Lhakpa’s children’s arcs to add to the stakes of the story, and finding and fighting for the end of her feature. The film follows the true story of Lhakpa Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to summit and survive Mount Everest. Now a single mother living a quiet life in Connecticut, she returns to the mountain in hopes of building a better life for her family. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/June2024/DocSeries_MountainQueen-0524

The Idea of You with Michael Showalter and Kay Cannon (Ep. 477) May 07, 2024

Show notes

Director Michael Showalter discusses his new film, The Idea of You, with fellow Director Kay Cannon in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the in-depth process of casting the Hayes character, working with a songwriter who writes for real pop bands to make a full soundtrack, and taking care to craft a realistic story that respects the genre. The film tells the story of Solène, who while chaperoning her daughter at Coachella, finds instant chemistry with the lead singer of a popular boyband. But while their whirlwind romance creates an undeniable spark, it isn’t long before his superstar status causes challenges, and Solène discovers life in the spotlight may be more than she bargained for. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/June2024/IdeaOfYou_QnA_0524

The Greatest Hits with Ned Benson and Marc Webb (Ep. 476) May 02, 2024

Show notes

Director Ned Benson discusses his new film, The Greatest Hits, with fellow Director Marc Webb in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses filming at landmark Los Angeles locations to ingrain the city as part of the story, working with the cinematographer to artistically convey the time traveling sequences, and working with his composer to craft a soundtrack that compliments a musically-inclined story. The film tells the story of Harriet, who discovers that specific songs can transport her to the past to relive cherished moments with her former partner. But after meeting someone new in the present, she struggles to decide whether to alter the past and reclaim what she lost, or make peace with it and move on. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/June2024/GreatestHits_QnA_0424

Sasquatch Sunset with David Zellner, Nathan Zellner and James Ponsoldt (Ep. 475) Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

Directors David and Nathan Zellner discuss their new film, Sasquatch Sunset, with fellow Director James Ponsoldt in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss working with actors who are performing in full makeup, their use of live animals throughout the film, and utilizing a score that integrates the sounds of nature as an instrument. The film tells the story of a family of sasquatches living in the misty forests of North America. Over the course of one year, they embark on an absurdist, epic, hilarious, and ultimately poignant journey as they fight for survival in an ever-changing world. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/SasquatchSunset_QnA_0424

In the Land of Saints and Sinners with Robert Lorenz and Brian Helgeland (Ep. 474) Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

Director Robert Lorenz discusses his new film, In the Land of Saints and Sinners, with fellow Director Brian Helgeland in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses retaining the film’s authenticity in its Irish cast and texture of its 1970s setting, balancing the tone with moments of humor and severity, and using landscape shots of the remote Irish location to accentuate the mood of the film. The film tells the story of Finbar Murphy, a man living a quiet life in a remote Irish fishing village, eager to leave his dark past behind. But when a menacing crew of terrorists arrive, he is forced to choose between keeping his secret identity hidden, or defending his community from the encroaching violence. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/LandofSaintsNSinners_QnA_0424

Immaculate with Michael Mohan and Adam Robitel (Ep. 473) Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

Director Michael Mohan discusses his new film, Immaculate, with fellow Director Adam Robitel in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how his personal background played into his making of the film, his creative partnership with actress Sydney Sweeney on and off the camera, and using Italian locations to try and keep the setting in a timeless state. The film tells the story of Cecelia, an American nun who is offered a new role at a picturesque convent in the Italian countryside. But once there, her dream assignment quickly turns into a living nightmare when she discovers her new home harbors a sinister secret and unspeakable horrors. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/Immaculate_QnA_0324

The Prank with Maureen Bharoocha and Lena Khan (Ep. 472) Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

Director Maureen Bharoocha discusses her new film, The Prank, with fellow Director Lena Khan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses the influence of Hitchcock and Heathers on her tone, utilizing the score to control tension throughout the film, and working with Rita Moreno to portray the Actor in her first villain role. The film follows Ben and Tanner, two seemingly ordinary high school seniors. But when they both fail a physics test, they decide to exact revenge on their teacher by framing her for the murder of a missing student. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/ThePrank_QnA_0324

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