The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Dean Craig discusses his new film, The Estate, with fellow director Alex Grossman in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Craig speaks about encouraging actors to bring ideas to their roles, the perks of directing your own material, and how he prefers making shot lists over storyboarding. In the film, two sisters are pitted against their greedy extended family members in a battle to win over their terminally ill, difficult to please Aunt, in hopes of becoming the beneficiaries of her wealth. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/December2022/TheEstate_QnA_1122.aspx

Directors Mark Mylod and Lorene Scafaria discuss their film, The Menu, in a Q&A session. They talk about building the ensemble cast, filming in one location, and handling controlled chaos. The film follows a couple dining at an exclusive restaurant with surprise twists. They also discuss the challenges of creating a dynamic set, crafting a scary menu, and the similarities between directing and running a kitchen.

Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu discusses his new film, Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, with fellow director Rodrigo García in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Iñárritu shares his thoughts on how fiction can elucidate truth, the four years of developing the script, and the joyful process of editing his own work. The film follows a renowned Mexican journalist and documentary filmmaker who is compelled to return to his native country, unaware that this simple trip will force him to grapple with intimate questions about identity, mortality, Mexican history, and what it means to be human in these peculiar times. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2023/January2023/Bardo_QnA_1122.aspx

Director Rian Johnson and fellow director Phil Lord discuss the process of creating 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery', including their inspiration from Agatha Christie novels and 70s/80s movies, the challenge of creating a narrative twist, and the importance of preparation and collaboration in filmmaking.

Director Ryan Coogler discusses his new film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, with fellow director Tyler Perry in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Coogler talks about how he approached the tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman after his passing, writing and directing from his worst fears, and staying tapped into his inner child when faced with challenging directing decisions on the film. The sequel to 2018's megahit Black Panther finds the people of Wakanda grieving the untimely death of King T'Challa and facing off against intervening world powers. However, when an advanced hidden nation threatens to destroy them, someone else must pick up the clawed gauntlet. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2023/January2023/BlackPantherWF_QnA_1122.aspx

Director Steven Spielberg discusses his new film, The Fabelmans, with fellow director Paul Thomas Anderson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Spielberg discusses the development of the script with Tony Kushner, the process of directing Gabrielle LaBelle to play a version of himself, and the feeling of rediscovering his family through his camera. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2023/January2023/Fabelmans_QnA_1122.aspx

Director Tobias Lindholm discusses his new film, The Good Nurse, with fellow director Scott Cooper in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Lindholm talks about casting Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain, wrestling with the true crime genre, and learning how to shoot diner scenes from David Fincher. Based on true events, a nurse risks her life to uncover the truth after she begins to suspect her colleague is responsible for a series of mysterious patient deaths. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/December2022/TheGoodNurse_QnA_1122.aspx

Director Maria Schrader discusses her new film, She Said, with fellow director R.J. Cutler in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Schrader speaks about shooting in the New York Times building, communicating the humanity of the leads rather than portraying an heroic treatment, and what it was like showing the film to Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor. The film recounts the true story of how New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor broke one of the most important stories in a generation - one which unveiled decades of silence on the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood and helped launch the #MeToo movement. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2023/January2023/SheSaid_QnA_1122.aspx

James Gray, director of Armageddon Time, discusses reconstructing his past onscreen, directing the actors who played his real-life family, and portraying the melancholic tone of the movie. Matt Reeves and Gray explore their personal and autobiographical experiences, reflecting on childhood memories, filming challenges, and the significance of warmth and love in storytelling.

Director Evgeny Afineevsky discusses his new film, Freedom on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom, with fellow director Raymond De Felitta in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Afineevsky shares insights about working with nine editors on the project, engaging a crew in Russia to shoot footage, and counteracting the propaganda war of the current conflict. The film depicts Ukraine's battle for freedom following Russian President Vladimir Putin's unprovoked invasion in early 2022, as told through the personal stories of civilians, children, soldiers, and doctors. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/December2022/FreedomOnFire_DocSeries_1022.aspx