The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Tony Tost discusses his new film, Americana, with fellow Director Mimi Cave in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how the story structure was influenced by Westerns and nonlinear narratives like Pulp Fiction, how he worked with his cinematographer to achieve an analog 1970s aesthetic, and what he learned making this film as a first-time Director. The film follows a waitress with dreams of bigger and better things, who teams up with a military veteran to gain possession of a mysterious and valuable artifact. They soon find themselves in the crosshairs of a ruthless criminal, an unrelenting Western antiquities dealer and an ever increasing list of pursuers as blood is shed to secure the relic.

Director Nisha Ganatra discusses her new film, Freakier Friday, with fellow Director Adele Lim in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses the uniquely complex rehearsal process involved in a body swap comedy, giving background characters prominent scenes so that every character is memorable, and filming in LA to utilize locations across the city while keeping production local. The follow-up to 2003’s Freaky Friday finds Tess and her daughter Anna navigating a shift in family dynamics with Anna’s daughter and stepdaughter. However, they soon discover that lightning might indeed strike twice. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/freakierfriday_qna_0825

Spike Lee, acclaimed director of films like Do the Right Thing, joins Jim Jarmusch for a deep dive into his latest project, Highest 2 Lowest. They discuss Lee's creative partnership with Denzel Washington and the film’s rich references to Black artists. The conversation highlights the moral complexities that drive character motivations and the importance of authenticity in acting. Lee also shares insights on his signature double dolly shot, blending technical mastery with the themes of morality and ethics in storytelling.

Director Nick Rowland discusses his new film, She Rides Shotgun, with fellow Director Michael Mohan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses deliberately casting a younger Actor in the role of the father to shape the narrative around coming into parenthood, his process for Directing the lead child Actor in the film to get the right performances, and aiming for an aesthetic style reminiscent of 70s cinema. The film tells the story of Nathan McClusky, a former convict who makes enemies with a powerful criminal gang after getting out of prison. When the gang retaliates by putting out a hit on his family, Nate must transform his shy eleven-year-old daughter into a force to be reckoned with. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/sheridesshotgun_qna_0825

Matt Shakman, known for directing The Fantastic Four: First Steps and renowned shows like Succession, joins Edward Zwick for an insightful chat. They discuss the balance of family dynamics within the superhero narrative, emphasizing relatable challenges like parental anxiety. Shakman shares his preference for practical effects, evoking a retro futuristic style, and the importance of collaboration in filmmaking. They also touch on the evolving impact of AI technology in visual storytelling, raising questions about the future of creativity in film.

Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady discusses their new film, Folktales, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss the logistics of filming in the unpredictable daylight and wilderness of Norway, creating scenes by finding inspiration in the nature around them, and forging trust as well as capturing formative moments with their teen subjects. Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film follows a class of teenagers who take a gap year to learn wilderness survival and dog sledding in the frozen Norwegian landscape. Guided by their teachers and a pack of Alaskan huskies, they discover their own potential and develop deep relationships with the land, animals and humans around them. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/september2025/docseries_folktales-073125

Director Derick Halliman discusses his new film, Life of Mike, with fellow Director Christine Swanson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses finding depth in a complex and disillusioned main character, favoring small casts and sets for tight control of his environment, and serving multiple roles as the Director, Co-Producer, Writer and Cinematographer of the film. The film tells the story of Mike Smith, a thriving real estate tycoon, who lives a life devoid of close friends or family. As his birthday unfolds, his wife makes a heartfelt attempt to show him love, setting off a chain of events that make him confront the reality of who genuinely cares for him and who doesn’t. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/september2025/lifeofmike_qna_0725

Director Ari Aster discusses his new film, Eddington, with fellow Director Tim Blake Nelson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses finding inspiration for the film in the information spheres of Twitter, interviewing residents of New Mexico on their perspectives of events during the Covid-19 pandemic, and gradually progressing the sense of paranoia in the film until the line between reality and perception is blurred. The film takes us back to May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when a clash over lockdowns and mask mandates polarizes the town of Eddington, New Mexico. When Sheriff Joe Cross gets fed up with the increasing political tensions, he decides to run for Mayor in what ends up being a tense, turbulent and eventually violent mayoral campaign. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/september2025/eddington_qna_0725

Director Gabriel Mascaro discusses his new film, O Último Azul, with fellow Director Lily Mariye in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses crafting a dystopian future that speculates on change in societal practices over technological advancement, finding real-life inspiration for the film in his grandparents’ life, and the rigorous attention to detail that went into the film’s sound design. The film tells the story of 77-year-old Tereza, who has lived her whole life in a small industrial town in Brazil. When she receives an official government order to relocate to a senior housing colony, Tereza decides to take a journey that will fulfill one last wish before her freedom is taken away. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/gcs_o-ultimo-azul_0625

Director Dean DeBlois discusses his new film, How to Train Your Dragon, with fellow Director Phil Lord in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses taking lessons from his background in animation to give his characters defining appearances, utilizing puppeteers to give life to the on-set dragon for stronger performances, and using the remake as an opportunity to flesh out more detail in the characters and setting. This live action remake of the animated hit tells the story of an inventive young Viking named Hiccup, who must face a test and fight his village’s deadly draconic nemesis. But instead of battling the dragon, Hiccup befriends it, and their bond becomes the key to forging a new future as an ancient threat endangers them all. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/how2trainyourdragon_qna_0625