The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Rob Reiner discusses his new film, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, with fellow Director Paul Feig in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his process of discovering the story in the edit through the Actors’ many improvisational takes, how he aims for a documentary-style feel by forgoing blocking and letting crew appear in the shots, and using real world inspiration of reuniting bands and going viral on the internet as pretext for a sequel. This follow up to the 1984 feature This is Spinal Tap finds documentarian Marty DiBergi once again shadowing the bandmates of Spinal Tap as they reunite after 15 years to put on one final show.

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

Director Oliver Hermanus discusses his new film, The History of Sound, with fellow Director Mike Mills in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with his Actors to find little character details that speak to bigger aspects of their selves, how he walks his sets early in the days to discover opportunities for shots, and how working on his first American production differed from his past filmmaking experiences. The film tells the story of Lionel and David, who are determined to record the lives, voices and music of American culture in the shadow of World War I. But as they travel the American countryside in search of music, the two find love with one another instead. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/historyofsound_qna_0925

Director Anu Valia discusses her new film, We Strangers, with fellow Director Janicza Bravo in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses using the story to explore themes of power, class and loving oneself, working with Actor Kirby Howell-Baptiste to flesh out the protagonist, and collaborating with her Cinematographer to discover opportunities for shots while on-set. The film tells the story of Rayelle, a rural housekeeper who takes on a new and enigmatic job for a therapist client. But after she impulsively claims she can speak to the dead, Rayelle finds herself in an odd position of power and an ever-deepening web of deceit. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/westrangers_qna_0925  

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. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/americana_qna_0825

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