The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Till with Chinonye Chukwu and David Oyelowo (Ep. 381) Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

Director Chinonye Chukwu discusses her new film, Till, with fellow director David Oyelowo in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Chukwu speaks about the care necessary in depicting the tragic story, the political act of where to face the camera, and how she is not precious with her footage during the edit. Based on the true story of Mamie Till-Mobley, the film recounts her relentless pursuit of justice for her 14-year-old Emmet Till, who in 1955, was lynched while visiting his cousins in Mississippi. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/December2022/TILL_QnA_1022.aspx

Tár with Todd Field and Greta Gerwig (Ep. 380) Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

Director Todd Field discusses his new film, Tár, with fellow director Greta Gerwig in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Fields speaks about choosing to move the camera less, dealing with "romance vs. finance" conflict during production, and working with Cate Blanchett to form the central character. Set in the international world of classical music, the film follows groundbreaking composter/ conductor Lydia Tear, as her life begins to unravel while preparing both a book launch and much-anticipated live performance of Mahler's Fifth symphony. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: Director Joseph Kosinski discusses his new film, Top Gun: Maverick, with fellow director Jason Reitman in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they speak about how Top Gun came into his life (the first and second time), convincing Tom Cruise to hop back into the cockpit, and the complex process of shooting the actors while flying inside the jets. The sequel film takes us back down the highway to the danger zone as pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, who has spent more than thirty years dodging a promotion that would ground him, is called up on to use his skills to train a detachment of graduates for a perilous special assignment. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/July2022/TopGunMaverick_QnA_0622.aspx

Smile with Parker Finn and Zach Cregger (Ep. 379) Oct 26, 2022

Show notes

Director Parker Finn discusses his new film, Smile, with fellow director Zach Cregger in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Finn speaks about where to put the camera for an effective jump scare, integrating practical effects, and how the film went from planning to be released on Paramount+ to getting a thetrical release. The film follows Dr. Rose Cotter, who after witnessing the bizarre suicide of a patient, goes through increasingly disturbing and daunting experiences, leading her to believe what she is experiencing is supernatural. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/November2022/Smile_QnA_1022.aspx

Bros with Nicholas Stoller and Judd Apatow (Ep. 378) Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

Director Nicholas Stoller discusses his new film, Bros, with fellow director Judd Apatow in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses where the idea for the film came from, how much improv factors into his process for directing actors, and what surprised him about directing the film. The film tells the story of Bobby, a neurotic podcast host who is content not to have a serious relationship. That all changes when he meets Aaron, an equally detached lawyer. As they are repeatedly drawn to each other, both men begin to show their vulnerable sides and find themselves ready for something resembling a commitment. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/November2022/BROS_QnA_1022.aspx

The Good House with Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky (Ep. 377) Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

Directors Maya Forbes & Wallace Wolodarsky discuss their new film, The Good House, with fellow director Susannah Grant in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss their particular method for co-directing, how they approached the tone of the film, and how they built the characters with the actors. The life of New England realtor Hildy Good begins to come to pieces as she rekindles a romance with her old high school flame. As their relationship heats up, their reckless behavior ignites long-buried emotions and family secrets. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/November2022/GoodHouse_QnA_1022.aspx

The Greatest Beer Run Ever with Peter Farrelly and Larry David (Ep. 376) Oct 14, 2022

Show notes

Director Peter Farrelly discusses his new film, The Greatest Beer Run Ever, with fellow director Larry David in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Farrelly speaks about shooting the movie in Thailand, how the real-life story compares to the film, and why he loves to have weather in a movie. Based on a true story, the film follows Chickie, a slacker and former marine living with his parents in 1967 New York. When he decides that the best way to support his friends serving in the Vietnam War is to deliver them cans of beer, Chickie's outlook on the war is forever changed. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/November2022/GreatestBeerRun_QnA_1022.aspx

Moonage Daydream with Brett Morgen and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 375) Oct 12, 2022

Show notes

Director Brett Morgen discusses his new film, Moonage Daydream, with fellow director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Morgen discusses the film's themes of transience, the careful process of mixing the film, and the method he selected the songs that ended up in the movie. Screened as part of the DGA's Documentary Series, Moonage Daydream is a cinematic odyssey exploring the creative and musical journey of David Bowie. This film is the first documentary ever sanctioned by the Bowie estate with access to the artist's archives and features never-before-seen footage and performances spanning Bowie's half-century career. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/November2022/MoonageDaydream_DocSeries_0922.aspx

Amsterdam with David O. Russell and Jon Avnet (Ep. 374) Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

Director David O. Russell discusses his new film, Amsterdam, with fellow director Jon Avnet in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Russell speaks about setting the tone of the movie with his actors, capturing intimacy and immediacy with the camera, and how he personally connected with the story. Set in the 1930s, the film follows a doctor, a nurse, and a lawyer who witness a murder, become suspects themselves, and uncover one of the most secret plots in American history. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/November2022/Amsterdam_QnA_1022.aspx

Don’t Worry Darling with Olivia Wilde and Reed Morano (Ep. 373) Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

Director Olivia Wilde discusses her new film, Don't Worry Darling, with fellow director Reed Morano in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she speaks about reconfiguring the film's opening, melding the film's sound design and score, and guiding the film's ideas without sacrificing the entertainment value. The film follows couple Alice and Jack, who live in a utopian community for the workers of a top-secret project. But when cracks in her supposedly idyllic life begin to appear, Alice can't help questioning exactly what is really going on in this paradise. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/November2022/DontWorryDarling_QnA_0922.aspx

The Woman King with Gina Prince-Bythewood and Stan Lathan (Ep. 372) Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood discusses her new film, The Woman King, with fellow director Stan Lathan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Prince-Bythewood speaks about how she won the job, shooting the final battle in 11 days, and the grueling training process for the actors. Inspired by true events, the film follows general Nanisca, the Agojie's leader, as she prepares the next generation of recruits for a battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/November2022/WomanKing_QnA_0922.aspx

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