The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Bradley Cooper, a talented actor and filmmaker known for works like A Star Is Born, joins fellow director Bennett Miller for an insightful conversation. They delve into the inspiration behind Cooper's latest film, Is This Thing On?, rooted in a true story. He shares his immersive approach to capturing the New York comedy scene, discusses the impact of casting Laura Dern and Will Arnett, and reveals technical choices like handheld cinematography. The duo also reflects on the emotional complexities of co-parenting depicted in the film, making for a captivating discussion.

Craig Brewer, an acclaimed film director known for his character-driven narratives, joins fellow director Taylor Hackford for a vibrant discussion. They dive into Brewer's new film, Song Sung Blue, exploring how he cast Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, and the emotional journey of the true story behind the Neil Diamond tribute act. Brewer shares the challenges of balancing tones and achieving creative staging, while Hackford reflects on the charm of Jackman’s performance, revealing newfound respect for Diamond's music.

Mona Fastvold, the talented director behind The Testament of Ann Lee, dives into her creative process with fellow filmmaker Darius Marder. They explore how her background in movement influenced the film's choreography, discussing the emotional depth behind the barn burning scene. Mona emphasizes the importance of portraying authentic womanhood, touching on themes of trauma and leadership through Ann Lee's journey. The conversation also highlights the challenges of historical accuracy and the parallels between Shaker traditions and the filmmaking process.

Rian Johnson, the acclaimed director behind Knives Out and Glass Onion, chats with fellow filmmaker Jon Watts about his new film, Wake Up Dead Man. They dive into Johnson's personal themes, particularly the role of faith in storytelling, and how it shaped the narrative. The conversation also explores casting choices, notably Josh O'Connor, and Johnson’s unique approach to merging drama with mystery. Insights into on-set dynamics, lighting as a storytelling tool, and respectful representations of faith add depth to their engaging discussion.

Josh Safdie, known for his gripping films, joins Ben Affleck to delve into his latest work, Marty Supreme. They explore the film's genesis, sparked by an intriguing book and Safdie’s experiences with 1950s table tennis culture. Safdie shares his meticulous casting process, treating every actor as essential to the narrative. He emphasizes the importance of immersive production design and authentic period details. The conversation also touches on editing for emotional impact and the film's themes of ambition and self-discovery.

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.