The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Martin Guigui discusses his new film, Sweetwater, with fellow director Jeremy Kagan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Guigui discusses the challenges of maintaining a sense of historical accuracy, finding Globetrotter authenticity in his cast and implementing his vision of how basketball creates a level playing field. The film tells the story of how the game of basketball was changed forever when the New York Knicks took the initiative to integrate the team with the historic introduction of Harlem Globetrotters player, Nathaniel ‘Sweetwater’ Clifton. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/June2023/Sweetwater_QnA_0423-002.aspx

Director Davis Guggenheim discusses his new film, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, with fellow director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Guggenheim discusses incorporating documentary, archival and scripted elements, making a movie about more than just Parkinson's disease, and overcoming expectations regarding a documentary about a famous individual. The film follows the actor, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 29, as his public life is unspooled alongside his never-before-seen private journey, and explores what happens when an unwavering optimist confronts an incurable disease. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/June2023/STILL_AMJFMovie_DocSeries_0423.aspx

Director Kyra Sedgwick discusses her new film, Space Oddity, with fellow director Bennett Miller in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Sedgwick discusses discovering the film's locations and look, influences that affected the story's tone, and the movie as a love letter to earth. The film tells the story of Alex, who bewilders his family after he gives up on life on Earth and begins training for a one-way trip to Mars. But an unexpected romance may force him to choose between an uncertain journey to the stars or an even more uncertain journey of the heart. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/May2023/SpaceOddity_QnA_0423.aspx

Director Chad Stahelski discusses his new film, John Wick: Chapter 4, with fellow director Louis Leterrier in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Stahelski discusses the influence location scouting had on setpieces, the preparation required for stunts, and how his earlier work as a Second Unit Director and Stunt Coordinator informed his directorial style. The film finds John Wick forced to take his fight against the High Table across the globe as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld. With the price on his head ever increasing, he faces off against a new enemy with powerful alliances and forces that turn old friends into foes. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/May2023/JohnWickChapterFour_QnA_0423.aspx

Director Linda Yellen discusses her new film, Chantilly Bridge, with fellow director Mary Harron in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Yellen discusses her use of improvisation in both Chantilly Lace and Chantilly Bridge, and utilizing footage from the original film to craft a memory piece and meditation on aging. Set 25 years after her groundbreaking Sundance hit, Chantilly Lace, the film follows a group of lifelong, steadfast friends who reunite and discuss important issues that impact all women. Yellen brings back the same actresses for a story that traverses old and new films alike as old friends deal with the trials and tribulations in their lives. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/May2023/ChantillyBridge_QnA_0423.aspx

Director Zach Braff discusses his new film, A Good Person, with fellow director Zoe Lister-Jones in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Braff discusses the personal inspirations for the film, the challenges in working with a tight schedule, and his desire to add comic relief to the story. The film tells the story of Allison, whose life falls apart following her involvement in a fatal accident. She is brought together with Daniel, a grief-stricken father who is also dealing with the aftermath of that incident. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/May2023/AGoodPerson_QnA_0323.aspx

Tone is probably the strongest element that defines a project and yet, surprisingly, is a topic that is frequently the least discussed on a feature film, pilot, or first season of a television show. DGA members interested in learning more about techniques for determining and subsequently communicating this ever elusive but critical aspect gathered in the Guild’s Los Angeles theater for Special Projects Committee event, Creating & Talking Tone with Your Team. In a conversation moderated by Director Valerie Weiss, Directors Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris, Karyn Kusama and David O. Russell spoke about what has worked and not worked on their productions. In the conversation, the panelists discuss how the topic of tone is implemented throughout their projects and shared their advice on how to achieve tone through music, casting, opening shots and much more. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/April2023/SP-CreatingNTalkingToneWithYourTeam-0323.aspx

Director Matt Smukler discusses his new film, Wildflower, with fellow director Will Speck in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Smukler spoke about how the project transitioned from a documentary to a narrative feature, the challenges of making the shift in format and selecting a cast resembling family. Based on a true story about his extended family that inspired a documentary of the same name, Smukler’s feature centers on Bea, the daughter of two intellectually disabled parents and a set of relatives that can't quite agree on the best way to help. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/May2023/Wildflower_QnA_0323.aspx

Director Michael B. Jordan discusses his new film, Creed III, with fellow director Tim Miller in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Jordan discusses the challenge of directing himself, how the fight scenes were another language within the film, and how anime allowed the themes of the story to resonate. The film follows boxing champion Adonis Creed as he is forced to put his future on the line when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy resurfaces after serving time in prison, eager to settle an old score and prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2023/April2023/Creed003_QnA_0323.aspx

Director Alice Diop discusses her new film, Saint Omer, with fellow director Dee Rees in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Diop speaks about finding ways to expand the court room visually, how her personal experience of watching the trial informed her direction, and relying on intuition to lead her through the making of the film. Based on true events, the film tells the story of Rama, a successful author living in Paris, who travels to the northern town of Saint Omer to attend the trial of a young Senegalese women accused of murdering her baby daughter. Rama's plan to write a book about the case unravels when she is forced to reckon with memories of her own immigrant mother as well as her impending motherhood. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2023/March2023/GCS_SaintOmer_0123.aspx