The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

R.M.N. with Cristian Mungiu and Victoria Hochberg (Ep. 421) Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

Director Cristian Mungiu discusses his new film, R.M.N., with fellow Director Victoria Hochberg in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Mungiu discusses the importance of diagetic sound and ambience in the film, the subconscious effect the film’s visual imagery contributes to the mood, and how he takes the time to fully understand his material before working on a film. The film tells the story of a father who returns home to his family in their Transylvanian village in Romania after a violent incident at his job in Germany. When the local factory hires foreign workers, deep-rooted impulses and animosities emerge, causing ethnic and economic resentments and shattering the veneer of peace in the community. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/August2023/GCS_RMN_0723.aspx

The Blackening with Tim Story and David E. Talbert (Ep. 420) Jul 14, 2023

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Director Tim Story discusses his new film, The Blackening, with fellow Director David E. Talbert in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Story discusses his process in trying to keep the film current, his effort in making a culturally rich comedy, and the ways he fleshes out distinct character personalities while still maintaining the core structure of the story. The film tells the story of seven Black friends who reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway, only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer. Forced to play by the killer’s rules in a deadly game, the friends use their street smarts and knowledge of horror movies to help them stay alive- to mixed results. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/events/2023/august2023/theblackening_qna_0723.aspx

Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music with Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, Taylor Mac and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 419) Jul 13, 2023

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Taylor Mac's 24-Decade History of Popular Music

Directors Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman and performer Taylor Mac discuss their new film, Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, the filmmakers discuss including behind-the-scenes costuming and makeup to drive the narrative, the editing process of turning a 24-hour live show into a shortened recorded special, and telling a multilayered story within the confines of a live taped performance. The film captures the drag star’s exuberant, blatantly gay 24-hour musical performance, featuring skilled performers, creative costumes, and the American myth recounted through sailor's ditties, disco, and sugary pop numbers. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2023/August2023/0623_DocSeries_TaylorMac.aspx

Mending the Line with Joshua Caldwell and Bryan Woods (Ep. 418) Jul 07, 2023

Show notes

Director Joshua Caldwell discusses his new film, Mending the Line, with fellow director Bryan Woods in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Caldwell discusses how his own passion for fly fishing informed the making of the movie, how his research into PTSD and feedback from veterans affected the script, and facing difficulties while shooting in the Montana wilderness. The film tells the story of Colter, a Marine who returns to a VA hospital in Montana after being wounded in Afghanistan. There he meets a Vietnam vet who teaches him fly fishing as a means of coming to terms with his physical and emotional trauma. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/August2023/MendingTheLine_QnA_0623.aspx

About My Father with Laura Terruso and Paul Weitz (Ep. 417) Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

Director Laura Terruso discusses her new film, About My Father, with fellow director Paul Weitz in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Terruso discusses her personal connection to the film, how she portrays a character who is both funny and complex, and her experience working with a veteran actor on set. The film tells the story of a man who is encouraged to bring his immigrant father on a weekend get-together with his fiancée and her wealthy family. The eccentric gathering soon develops into a culture clash, allowing father and son to discover the true meaning of family. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/August2023/AboutMyFather_QnA_0623.aspx

The Boogeyman with Rob Savage and Parker Finn (Ep. 416) Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Director Rob Savage discusses his new film, The Boogeyman, with fellow director Parker Finn in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Savage discusses how he storyboards his visual language as inspired by shots from other movies, working with child actors on set, and designing the creature with the aim of capturing genuine primal childhood fears. Based on the short story by Stephen King, the film tells the story of a high school student reeling from the death of her mother. When a desperate patient of her psychiatrist father unexpectedly shows up at their home seeking help, he leaves behind a chilling paranormal creature that preys on families and feeds on the suffering of its victims. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/July2023/Boogeyman_QnA_0623.aspx

Flamin’ Hot with Eva Longoria and Patricia Cardoso (Ep. 415) Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

Director Eva Longoria discusses her new film, Flamin' Hot, with fellow director Patricia Cardoso in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Longoria discusses securing the project as her feature directing debut, maintaining Chicano authenticity throughout the story, and how the visual language of the film informs the development of the main character. The film tells the true story of how a former Frito Lay janitor disrupted the food industry by channeling his Mexican heritage to turn Flamin' Hot Cheetos from a snack into an iconic global pop culture phenomenon. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/July2023/FlaminHot_QnA_0623.aspx

Art For Everybody with Miranda Yousef and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 414) Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

Director Miranda Yousef discusses her new film, Art For Everybody, with fellow director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Yousef discusses working with a vast array of archival material, navigating the true identity of Kinkade through accounts from friends and family, and applying her skills and expertise as an Editor in her debut as a feature-length documentary filmmaker. The film delivers a portrait of Thomas Kinkade, a complex man both celebrated and disparaged for his kitschy art style- and secretly plagued by demons. Following the discovery of a collection of unexpectedly dark paintings, an investigation is launched into the true personality under Kinkade's façade. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2023/July2023/Art4Everybody_DocSeries_0523.aspx

Sweetwater with Martin Guigui and Jeremy Kagan (Ep. 413) Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

Director Martin Guigui discusses his new film, Sweetwater, with fellow director Jeremy Kagan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Guigui discusses the challenges of maintaining a sense of historical accuracy, finding Globetrotter authenticity in his cast and implementing his vision of how basketball creates a level playing field. The film tells the story of how the game of basketball was changed forever when the New York Knicks took the initiative to integrate the team with the historic introduction of Harlem Globetrotters player, Nathaniel ‘Sweetwater’ Clifton. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/June2023/Sweetwater_QnA_0423-002.aspx

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie with Davis Guggenheim and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 412) Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

Director Davis Guggenheim discusses his new film, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, with fellow director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Guggenheim discusses incorporating documentary, archival and scripted elements, making a movie about more than just Parkinson's disease, and overcoming expectations regarding a documentary about a famous individual. The film follows the actor, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 29, as his public life is unspooled alongside his never-before-seen private journey, and explores what happens when an unwavering optimist confronts an incurable disease. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/June2023/STILL_AMJFMovie_DocSeries_0423.aspx

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