The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

James Cameron, a legendary filmmaker behind blockbusters like Titanic and Avatar, joins fellow director Guillermo del Toro for a captivating discussion. They delve into the intricacies of performance capture and its comparison to traditional filming. Cameron reveals the moral complexities in his characters and the thematic depth of family and duty in Avatar: Fire and Ash. They reflect on the importance of the theatrical experience and how the sequels advocate for environmental awareness. Prepare for insights into character creation and groundbreaking visual effects!

Director James L. Brooks discusses his new film, Ella McCay, with fellow Director Albert Brooks in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his process of casting and how he found Actor Emma Mackey for the lead role, shares how he works with his Cinematographers and Actors, and takes time to reflect on his storied career and history with Albert Brooks. The film tells the story of Ella, a young politician who suddenly becomes the governor of her state after the longtime incumbent accepts a cabinet position with the president. Trying to navigate this new rough and tumble realm of politics, she finds that her fractured family relationships may pose an even bigger challenge. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2026/january2026/ellamccay_qna_1225

Director Hikari discusses her new film, Rental Family, with fellow Director Nicole Holofcener in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses working with Actor Brendan Frasier to capture a character out of their element, working with her Cinematographer to capture the beauty of Japan, and how she wanted to use this film to address the real life loneliness epidemic. The film tells the story of Phillip, an actor struggling to find work and purpose in Tokyo. After discovering a company that hires actors to play a role in real people’s lives, he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds and rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the beauty of human connection. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2026/january2026/rentalfamily_qna_1125

Directors Daniel Junge and Sam Pollard discusses their new film, I Was Born This Way, with fellow Director Jade Jenise Dixon in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss trying to paint an honest, human portrait of Carl Bean, how they manage the collaborative directorial process in their creative partnership, and working with figures such as Lady Gaga, Billy Porter and Maxine Waters to investigate what the titular song means to them. Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film tells the story of Carl Bean, who survived the oppression of racism and homophobia, and found his voice through a mainstream music career. But dissatisfied with his path to stardom, Bean chose a life of activism, founding LGBTQ+ and AIDS relief organizations to help underserved populations. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2026/january2026/docseries_iwasbornthisway-1125

Join film director Jon M. Chu, renowned for his vibrant musicals like In the Heights and Crazy Rich Asians, as he chats with fellow director Rob Marshall. They dive into the creative process behind Wicked: For Good, emphasizing the significance of performance over spectacle. Chu shares insights on tackling complex themes of power and friendship, reveals the unique challenges of filming both Wicked installments back-to-back, and discusses the collaborative magic of crafting new songs with Stephen Schwartz.

Richard Linklater, acclaimed filmmaker known for his character-driven works like Boyhood, joins fellow director Jason Reitman to discuss his film Nouvelle Vague. He shares challenges of creating a French film without fluency in the language and his meticulous research into Godard’s Breathless. Linklater delves into using visual effects to recreate 1959 Paris, his naturalistic rehearsal processes, and how he captures authentic character moments. Their conversation is filled with insights into filmmaking's spontaneous nature and cinematic nostalgia.

Chloé Zhao, an acclaimed director celebrated for her unique storytelling and visuals, chats with fellow filmmaker Barry Jenkins about her latest project, Hamnet. They delve into the collaborative process with writer Maggie O’Farrell and explore the emotional depth of loss portrayed in the film. Zhao shares her innovative casting techniques, discusses somatic and dream work to unlock actors' performances, and highlights the significance of capturing chaos and order through her cinematographer, Lukasz Zal. Their conversation reveals the art of storytelling as a transformative journey.

Director Edgar Wright discusses his new film, The Running Man, with fellow Director Daniel Scheinert in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the vast number of locations where the film was shot, how he favored practical effects work and his attitudes on computer generated effects, and his vision for a dystopian future where technology simultaneously regresses as it advances. The film tells the story of Ben Richards, a working-class man in a near future society who is convinced to enter the popular and deadly television show The Running Man as a last resort to escape poverty. But as the show hunts him down, Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into a fan favorite and a threat to the entire system as he must outwit not just the game’s hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2026/january2026/runningman_qna_1125

Director Sean McNamara discusses his new film, Soul on Fire, with fellow Director Dean Alioto in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses finding a balance in humor throughout the story as a reflection of the real John’s personality, how he works with his Actors and puts emphasis his rehearsal process, and incorporating the real John O’Leary with some creative filmmaking tactics. The film tells the true story of John O’Leary, who survived a tragic accident as a young boy that left him severely burned all over his body. Recovering from his injury, he goes on to become a motivational speaker and inspire millions of people to make the world a better place. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/december2025/soulonfire_qna_1125

Director Ben Stiller discusses his new film, Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost, with fellow Director Ethan Hawke in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses how the project began as a reaction after his father passed, how the title originated from some of his mother’s personal philosophies, and how interviewing his family members and going through archives revealed much about his parents he did not know. Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film tells the story of comedic duo Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, exploring their impact both on popular culture and at home. In the process, Ben turns the camera on himself to examine the generational lessons we all can learn from those we love. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/december2025/docseries_stillerandmeara-1125