The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast Lilly with Rachel Feldman and Amber Sealey (Ep. 545)
May 23, 2025
Rachel Feldman, director of the impactful film 'Lilly', is joined by Amber Sealey for a candid discussion. They explore the true story of Lilly Ledbetter, a factory worker fighting for equal pay, and the emotional parallels between Lilly’s journey and filmmaking. Feldman shares insights on using archival footage to enhance storytelling and the challenges female directors face in Hollywood. The conversation reveals how the film serves as a beacon of hope for gender equality, touching on diverse audience reactions in a divided landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Parallel Struggles of Rachel and Lilly
- Rachel Feldman relates her filmmaking perseverance to Lilly Ledbetter's long fight for equal pay.
- Both faced systemic discrimination, but Feldman highlights the progress for women in TV directing compared to other sectors.
Instant Connection to Lilly Ledbetter
- Feldman first saw Lilly Ledbetter on TV discussing gender equity and felt an instant, gut-level connection.
- She immediately contacted Lilly the next day to explore telling her story in film.
Archival Footage Enhanced Film
- Archival footage was added late in post-production after initial cuts lacked depth.
- An editor suggested including real historic footage, which Feldman embraced and found powerful.
