The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Ami Canaan Mann discusses her new film, Audrey’s Children, with fellow Director Brad Silberling in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses using specific lenses and mis-en-scene to capture the interior thought process of the main character, working with child Actors in order to capture serious performances, and incorporating soft hints of the romance genre in the relationship between two of her leads to foreshadow their real-life relationship. The film tells the story of Dr. Audrey Evans, who in 1969 was the first woman to assume the Chief of Oncology title at the world-renowned Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Battling sexism, the subterfuge of her peers and medical conventions of the time, she develops revolutionary treatments and co-founds the first Ronald McDonald House, impacting millions of lives worldwide. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/june2025/audreyschildren_qna_0425

Director James Hawes discusses his new film, The Amateur, with fellow Director Sarah Pirozek in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses insisting on the protagonist being geeky, clumsy, charming and smart to reflect his novice, utilizing his camera to capture the main character’s degrading perspective as the story unfolds, and how previously working on the show Black Mirror informed aspects of this film. The film tells the story of Charlie Heller, a brilliant CIA decoder whose world comes crashing down after his wife dies in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to act due to conflicting internal priorities, he utilizes his intelligence as the ultimate weapon and travels across the globe to hunt down those responsible. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2025/May2025/The-Amateur_QnA_0425

Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, the creative minds behind 'Novocaine', delve into the wild blend of action and dark comedy in their latest film. They share their nods to 80s and 90s action flicks and the unique fight choreography called 'Nate Fu' for their protagonist, who surprisingly can't feel pain. The duo also reveals their casting journey, emphasizing the compelling dynamics of Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder. Their candid discussion highlights the balance of character depth and the humor woven into the action-packed narrative.

Director Bong Joon Ho, accompanied by his translator Sharon Choi, discusses his new film, Mickey 17, with fellow Director Ava DuVernay in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how his storyboarding process covered every shot, how he approached having a love story for the first time, and the resonance of the film’s social themes with worldwide audiences. The film tells the story of Mickey Barnes, an everyman hired by a tyrannical government to work as an “expendable” - a human clone willing to die for one dangerous mission after another. Repeatedly meeting his end for the advancement of space exploration, the 17th Mickey survives a seemingly fatal expedition and comes face to face with a new problem: Mickey 18. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2025/May2025/Mickey17_QnA_0325

Director Josh Ruben discusses his new film, Heart Eyes, with fellow Director Zelda Williams in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses balancing the tone of romantic comedy and horror while not trying to betray them, the behind the scenes of special effects work that went into the kills, and the creation and influences of the killer’s look. The film follows Ally, a cynical ad executive, and her hopelessly romantic colleague, Jay. After a meeting-turned-date, they accidentally become the next target of “Heart Eyes,” a masked maniac with glowing, red eyes who returns every Valentine's Day to slaughter unsuspecting couples, and must fight for their survival. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2025/April2025/HeartEyes_QnA_0325

Join legendary director Martin Scorsese, known for classics like Goodfellas, and Griffin Dunne, actor and producer of After Hours, as they dive into the making of this cult favorite. They share insights on the film’s original endings and how humor was woven into its serious narrative. Scorsese reflects on the challenges of low budgets in New York cinema, while Dunne shares humorous behind-the-scenes anecdotes. They also discuss the film's evolving reception, highlighting the anxiety-comedy balance that resonates differently across cultures.

Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez), Sean Baker (Anora), Edward Berger (Conclave), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) and James Mangold (A Complete Unknown) engage in a conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 34th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/en/Events/2025/March2025/MTN_TheatricalFeatureFilm2025

Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez), Sean Baker (Anora), Edward Berger (Conclave), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) and James Mangold (A Complete Unknown) engage in a conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 34th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium. Please note: spoilers are included. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/en/Events/2025/March2025/MTN_TheatricalFeatureFilm2025

Director Drew Hancock discusses his new film, Companion, with fellow Director Rob Savage in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses taking inspiration from grounded dramas instead of modern science fiction, working with Actor Sophie Thatcher to establish the feel of the robot character, and his process of discovering shots with his Actors instead of storyboarding parts of the film. The film follows Iris and her boyfriend Josh as they go on a weekend getaway to a remote cabin with a group of friends. When it comes to light that Iris is a companion robot, the vacation unravels into chaos as she goes haywire and exacts revenge. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2025/March2025/Companion_QnA_0225

Director Neil Burger discusses his new film, Inheritance, with fellow Director Sarah Pirozek in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses the technical choices surrounding his decision to shoot the film on an iphone, how he achieved a “stolen” aesthetic by getting authentic hidden shots of his Actors in the real world, and how the blocking and compositional decisions of the film emerged from the limitations imposed by the “stolen” aesthetic. The film tells the story of Maya, who suddenly finds herself at the center of an international conspiracy when she learns that her father was once a spy. In her quest for answers, Maya becomes a target and must travel the globe, mastering her father’s skills and unraveling the mysteries of the past. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/en/Events/2025/March2025/Inheritance_QnA_0225