

The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
Directors Guild of America
Brought to you by the Directors Guild of America, ”The Director’s Cut” will bring you the behind-the-scenes stories of today’s most talked about films. Each episode features a different director interviewed by one of their peers, leading to revealing conversations about the grueling, but rewarding process of bringing their films to life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 9, 2019 • 32min
Sword of Trust with Lynn Shelton and Jake Kasdan (Ep. 213)
Director Lynn Shelton discusses her film, Sword of Trust, with fellow director Jake Kasdan. The film tells the story of Cynthia, who learns that her inheritance from her deceased grandfather is an antique sword that he believed was proof that the South won the Civil War. To sell the sword, Cynthia and her friend Mary team up with a cantankerous pawnshop owner and his man-child employee, who've discovered there's a market for the relic.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2019/Sept2019/SwordOfTrust_QnA_0719.aspx

Jul 31, 2019 • 35min
The Lion King with Jon Favreau and Sam Raimi (Ep. 212)
Director Jon Favreau discusses his film, The Lion King, with fellow director Sam Raimi. A photorealistic remake of the 1994 animated film, the film follows lion prince Simba, the son of King Mufasa of Pride Rock. When Mufasa's death at the hands of his brother Scar results in SImba's exile (and Scar's ascension to the throne), Simba must make new friends, grow up and battle Scar to take back what is rightfully his.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2019/Sept2019/LionKing_QnA_0719.aspx

Jul 12, 2019 • 38min
The Cold Blue with Erik Nelson and Sandra Luckow (Ep. 211)
Director Erik Nelson discusses her film, The Cold Blue, with fellow director Sandra Luckow. The film uses newly restored 4K footage and outtakes from DGA and Oscar-winning director William Wyler's 1944 documentary about the European air war during WWII, The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress, as well as narration from surviving B-17 pilots to pay tribute to both Wyler and the men of the Eighth Air Force.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2019/August2019/NYDocSeries_TheColdBlue.aspx

Jun 28, 2019 • 33min
A Dog’s Journey with Gail Mancuso and Anne Fletcher (Ep. 210)
Director Gail Mancuso discusses her film, A Dog's Journey, with fellow director Anne Fletcher. In the sequel to Lasse Hallström's 2017 feature, A Dog's Purpose, the film brings back the continually reincarnated dog and follows his adventures through multiple lives filled with love, friendship and devotion to his human family.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2019/July2019/A_Dogs_Journey_QnA_0619.aspx

Jun 21, 2019 • 32min
Trial by Fire with Edward Zwick and Max Winkler (Ep. 209)
Director Edward Zwick discusses his film, Trial by Fire, with fellow director Max Winkler. The film tells the tragic and true story of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was convicted of an arson-related triple homicide in 1992. During his 12 years on death row, he forms an unlikely bond with Elizabeth Gilbert, a Houston playwright who battles with the state to expose suppressed evidence that could save him.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2019/July2019/TrialByFire_QnA_0519.aspx

Jun 7, 2019 • 38min
Booksmart with Olivia Wilde and Nicole Holofcener (Ep. 208)
Director Olivia Wilde discusses her film, Booksmart, with fellow director Nicole Holofcener. The film follows, Molly and Amy, two overachieving high school seniors who try to make up for their all work and no play attitude by cramming four years' worth of partying into the night before graduation.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2019/July2019/Booksmart_QnA_0619.aspx

Jun 7, 2019 • 38min
Wine Country with Amy Poehler and Nisha Ganatra (Ep. 207)
Director Amy Poehler discusses her film, Wine Country, with fellow director Nisha Ganatra. The film tells the story of six longtime friends who take a scenic Napa getaway to relax and reconnect during a 50th birthday celebration. But when the alcohol flows, tensions from the past boil over and the women begin questioning their friendships and futures.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2019/July2019/WineCountry_QnA_0519.aspx

May 31, 2019 • 29min
Long Shot with Jonathan Levine and Ruben Fleischer (Ep. 206)
Director Jonathan Levine discusses his film, Long Shot, with fellow director Ruben Fleischer. The film tells the childhood crush, Charlotte, now one of the most influential women in the world. After Fred is hired to be a speechwriter on Charlotte's Presidential campaign, sparks fly and their chemistry leads to a romance, even though on the surface the two have nothing in common
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2019/June2019/LongShot_QnA_0519.aspx

May 31, 2019 • 30min
Breakthrough with Roxann Dawson and Allan Arkush (Ep. 205)
Director Roxann Dawson discusses her film, Breakthrough, with fellow director Allan Arkush. The film tells the true story of how all hope seemed lost after Smith's adopted son, John, fell into an icy Missouri lake and afterwards lay lifeless in a hospital. Even in the face of every scientific prediction and medical case history, Smith's refusal to give up and steadfast belief inspired those around her to continue to pray for John's recovery.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2019/June2019/Breakthrough_QnA_0419.aspx

May 24, 2019 • 39min
Little with Tina Gordon and Tina Mabry (Ep. 204)
Director Tina Gordon discusses his film, Little, with fellow director Tina Mabry. The film tells the story of tech mogul Jordan Sanders, who awakens one morning in her 13-year-old body. With only her long-suffering assistant in on the secret and do-or-die presentation on the line, Jordan must find a way to navigate through her new situation and learn how her ruthless approach to life affects the people around her.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2019/June2019/TinaGordon_Little_QnA_0419.aspx