The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Michael Mohan discusses his new film, Immaculate, with fellow Director Adam Robitel in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how his personal background played into his making of the film, his creative partnership with actress Sydney Sweeney on and off the camera, and using Italian locations to try and keep the setting in a timeless state. The film tells the story of Cecelia, an American nun who is offered a new role at a picturesque convent in the Italian countryside. But once there, her dream assignment quickly turns into a living nightmare when she discovers her new home harbors a sinister secret and unspeakable horrors. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/Immaculate_QnA_0324

Director Maureen Bharoocha discusses her new film, The Prank, with fellow Director Lena Khan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses the influence of Hitchcock and Heathers on her tone, utilizing the score to control tension throughout the film, and working with Rita Moreno to portray the Actor in her first villain role. The film follows Ben and Tanner, two seemingly ordinary high school seniors. But when they both fail a physics test, they decide to exact revenge on their teacher by framing her for the murder of a missing student. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/ThePrank_QnA_0324

Director Denis Villeneuve discusses his new film, Dune: Part Two, with fellow Director Steven Spielberg in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the throes of filming in the desert in comparison with Lawrence of Arabia, the comic and painterly inspirations for his imagery, and adjusting his adaptation to closer fit Frank Herbert’s original intentions. In this sequel to 2021’s Dune, Paul unites with Chani and the Fremen people while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Torn between love and the fate of the universe, he attempts to prevent a terrible future, in this continued adaptation of Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking novel. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/DunePartTwo_QnA_0324

Director Jeff Wadlow discusses his new film, Imaginary, with fellow Director Ari Sandel in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with a child actor, creating his creatures with a renowned creature effect house, and collaborating with the film’s lead, DeWanda Wise, as a producing partner. The film follows Jessica, whose daughter develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear they find in the basement of her childhood home. What begins as innocent games quickly becomes sinister, as they realize that the bear is much more than just a stuffed toy. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/Imaginary_QnA_0324

Director Johan Renck discusses his new film, Spaceman, with fellow Director Crystal Moselle in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses Adam Sandler’s casting and role in helping the film take off, consulting with real astronauts about the loneliness and melancholy of space, and working with an Actor and cgi character on a set simulating zero-g. The film tells the story of Jakub, an astronaut on a solo mission at the edge of the solar system. Increasingly concerned with the life he left behind, he sets out to fix his marriage with the help of a mysterious timeless creature living in the bowels of his ship. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/April2024/Spaceman_QnA_0224.aspx

Director Nicholaus Goossen discusses his new film, Drugstore June, with fellow Director Sammi Cohen in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his first time writing, directing and editing a film himself, balancing his Actors’ improvisational scenes with the script when working on a tight shooting timeline, and referencing indie 80s and 90s movies to achieve a cinematic texture. The film tells the story of June, a wannabe-influencer whose life grows increasingly complicated as she juggles personal and interpersonal problems. Taking matters into her own hands, June heads out to get over her ex, solve a crime and become more of an adult. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/April2024/DrugstoreJune_QnA_0224.aspx

Director Reinaldo Marcus Green discusses his new film, Bob Marley: One Love, with fellow Director Jeffrey W. Byrd in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses shooting in Jamaica to include authentic actors and locations, finding his Bob Marley in the 11th hour, and having Ziggy Marley supervising on-set. The film tells the inspirational true story of Bob Marley, the legendary Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter and guitarist, and his journey as he becomes a pioneer and master of his craft. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/April2024/BobMarley1Love_QnA_0224.aspx

Martin Scorsese, Greta Gerwig, Alexander Payne, Yorgos Lanthimos and Christopher Nolan engage in a conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 33rd 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/2024/March2024/MTN_TheatricalFeatureFilm2024

Martin Scorsese, Greta Gerwig, Alexander Payne, Yorgos Lanthimos and Christopher Nolan engage in a conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 33rd 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/2024/March2024/MTN_TheatricalFeatureFilm2024

Director Zack Snyder discusses his new film, Rebel Moon: Part One - A Child of Fire, with fellow Director Louis Leterrier in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how he aimed to capture the post-Star Wars pulp science fiction aesthetic, his process when pitching the film, and how he worked on stunt scenes with his Actors. The film tells the story of Kora, who crash-lands on a moon at the edge of the universe, and finds new life among peaceful farmers. But when peace is traded for bloodshed, newly formed revolutionaries must learn to fight together to defend their land, and survive the war on their moon. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2024/February2024/RebelMoon_QnA_1223.aspx