The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Scarlett Johansson discusses her new film, Eleanor the Great, with fellow Director Frank Oz in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she discusses how she sees table reads as essential to getting her Actors on the same wavelength, characteristics she looks for in a Directorial Team, and some of the lessons she learned from Directors when working with them as an Actor. The film tells the story of 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein, who moves from her Florida retirement community to Manhattan after losing her best friend of seventy years. Soon after, she meets a group of Holocaust survivors and feels compelled to tell a story about her past that takes on a dangerous life of its own. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/eleanorthegreat_qna_0925

Director Werner Herzog discusses Les Blank’s film Burden of Dreams, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the value he saw in Blank documenting the making of Fitzcarraldo, shares further insight into aspects of the shoot the documentary didn’t cover, and reflects on his memories of the late Actor Claudia Cardinale. Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film follows Director Werner Herzog during the filming of Fitzcarraldo, the story of one man’s attempt to build an opera house deep in the Amazonian jungle. As the production unfolds, the crew has to overcome a number of setbacks, including difficult Actors, unpredictable weather and the logistics of getting a boat over a mountain, all with the determination of realizing Herzog’s vision. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/docseries_burdenofdreams-0925

Join Benny Safdie, acclaimed director of films like Uncut Gems, as he shares insights into his solo debut, The Smashing Machine, in a captivating conversation with Christopher Nolan. They dive into the challenges of directing Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, crafting a jazz score that echoes the film’s emotional depth, and the innovative cinematography choices that reveal characters' inner lives. Safdie also discusses gaining trust from real-life inspiration Mark Kerr and the cathartic moment of screening the film at Venice.

Derek Cianfrance, an acclaimed director known for character-driven films, joins David Gordon Green to discuss his new project, Roofman. He dives into researching the real Jeffrey Manchester and crafting an engaging narrative that merges comedy and tragedy. Cianfrance shares insights on creating a nostalgic 2004 Toys “R” Us set and emphasizes the importance of spontaneity during filming. He also reveals his approach to editing, audience testing, and musical choices that shape the film’s emotional tone.

Director Jay Roach discusses his new film, The Roses, with fellow Director Jason Reitman in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with his Actors to find the right balance of dark comedy and drama in the film, collaborating with his spouse and many other musical artists to craft a soundtrack that fit the film’s tone, and how he approached remaking a foreign film for American audiences that may not receive the content in a similar way. The film tells the story of Ivy and Theo, a couple living a seemingly ideal life with a loving marriage, successful careers and great kids. But when Theo’s career nosedives and Ivy’s ambitions take off, a tinderbox of hidden resentment and fierce competition ignites as the reality of their relationship bubbles to the surface. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/theroses_qna_0925

Director Paul Thomas Anderson discusses his new film, One Battle After Another, with fellow Director Steven Spielberg in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how he worked with his Actors to bring to life the distinct characters they inhabited, why Vistavision was the best format to capture the story, and how he discovered the ending sequence by exploring the location. The film follows Bob Ferguson, a former militant now living a quiet life in hiding with his daughter Willa. When Willa goes missing, Bob must track her down with the help of his fellow revolutionaries and battle the consequences of his past. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/onebattleafteranother_qna_0925a  

Rob Reiner, the legendary filmmaker behind classics like This Is Spinal Tap and The Princess Bride, joins Paul Feig for a captivating conversation about Spinal Tap II. They dive into the art of editing improvisations to create a cohesive film and how Reiner employs a documentary style by letting the crew appear in shots. He shares stories of rallying rock legends like Paul McCartney for authentic performances and discusses how internet culture inspired the sequel. Collaboration, emotion, and satire intertwine in this engaging filmmaking exploration.

Director Christopher Leone discusses his new film, Code 3, with fellow Director Etan Cohen in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses collaborating with his co-Writer - who was once a real paramedic - to maintain accuracy, working with his effects team to create realistic wound portrayals, and finding the tone of the film having pulled inspiration from comedy and war films. The film tells the story of Randy, an overworked paramedic who is about to resign. While training his replacement on his the last 24-hour shift, their routine night quickly spirals into a chaotic, citywide odyssey as they race from one emergency to the next. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/code3_qna_0925

Director Bill Condon discusses his new film, Kiss of the Spider Woman, with fellow Director Greg Berlanti in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how the interpretations from previous adaptations influenced his vision, how he approached shooting the dream sequences in contrast to the prison scenes, and the complex choreography that went into staging the musical sequences with Actor Jennifer Lopez. This reimagining of the 1976 novel and Tony Award-wining Broadway musical tells the story of Valentín, a political prisoner who shares a cell with Molina, a gay window dresser convicted of public indecency. To escape the grim reality of their incarceration, Molina entertains Valentín by recounting the plot of a Hollywood musical starring his favorite silver screen diva, Ingrid Luna. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/kissofthespiderwoman_qna_0925

Director Justin Tipping discusses his new film, Him, with fellow Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with his VFX team to create the x-ray scenes and their thematic function, the mixture of rehearsals and sports training he had his Actors go through to prepare for their roles, and putting consideration into the structures and locations of his settings to emphasize feelings of oppression and disorientation. The film tells the story of Cameron “Cam” Cade, a promising young football player who’s invited to train at the isolated compound of legendary quarterback Isaiah White. But things turn unsettling as White takes his protégé on a blood-chilling journey into the pursuit of excellence at all costs. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/him_qna_0925