The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Queenpins with Aron Gaudet & Gita Pullapilly and Cindy Chupack (Ep. 316)

Directors Aron Gaudet & Gita Pullapilly discuss their new film, Queenpins, with fellow director Cindy Chupack in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. Inspired by a true story, the film is about a bored and frustrated suburban homemaker, who hatches an illegal coupon club scheme with her best pal to scam millions from mega-corporations and deliver deals to fellow coupon clippers.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/October2021/Queenpins_QnA_092111.aspx

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings with Destin Daniel Cretton and Jon M. Chu (Ep. 315)

Director Destin Daniel Cretton discusses his new film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, with fellow director Jon M. Chu in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. The film welcomes a new superhero into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, telling the story of a martial arts master who must confront the past he thought he'd left behind when he is drawn in to the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/October2021/ShangChi_QnA_092105.aspx

Reminiscence with Lisa Joy and J.J. Abrams (Ep. 314)

Director Lisa Joy discusses her new film, Reminiscence, with fellow director J.J. Abrams in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. The film tells the story of Nick, a futuristic private investigator who helps his clients access lost memories. When an alluring new client named Mae disappears, Nick becomes obsessed with finding her and uncovers a violent conspiracy.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
www.dga.org/Events/2021/October…nce_QnA_082129.aspx

Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain with Morgan Neville and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 313)

Director Morgan Neville discusses his new film, Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, with fellow director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. The film reveals how Bourdain went from chef at an obscure New York restaurant to a bestselling author, world traveler, Emmy-winning television writer and producer, and one of the most notorious and beloved figures in the food world and beyond.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/October2021/LA_DocSeries_RoadRunner.aspx

Respect with Liesl Tommy and Radha Blank (Ep. 312)

Director Liesl Tommy discusses his new film, Respect, with fellow director Radha Blank in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. The film follows the remarkable life of the “Queen of soul” Aretha Franklin, from her early days singing in her father's church choir to becoming a legendary international musical superstar.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/September2021/Respect_QnA_0821.aspx

Stillwater with Tom McCarthy and Scott Cooper (Ep. 311)

Director Tom McCarthy discusses his new film, Stillwater, with fellow director Scott Cooper in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. The film tells the story of Bill, an unemployed oil-rig roughneck who flies to Marseille to visit his estranged daughter Allison, who is imprisoned for a murder she claims she did not commit. Bill embarks on a mission to exonerate Allison despite language barriers, cultural differences and a complicated legal system.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/September2021/StillWater_QnA_0821.aspx

Night of the Kings with Philippe Lacôte and Alex Stapleton (Ep. 310)

Director Philippe Lacôte discusses his new film, Night of the Kings, with fellow director Alex Stapleton in a virtual Q&A. Set in Ivory Coast’s MACA Prison — an institute ruled by its inmates — the film tells the story of an ailing inmate king who assigns a young new prisoner to entertain the population with stories, but the ritual storyteller must keep the tales going all night long or forfeit his own life.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/September2021/GCS_NightoftheKings_0721.aspx

False Positive with John Lee and Sarah-Violet Bliss (Ep. 309)

Director John Lee discusses his new documentary film, False Positive, with fellow director Sarah-Violet Bliss in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. The film tells the story of Lucy and Adrian, a couple attempting to conceive who find a dream doctor in the illustrious Dr. Ingle. But after becoming pregnant with a healthy baby girl, Lucy begins to notices something sinister through Hindle's gleaming charm.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/August2021/FalsePositive_QnA_062127.aspx

The Craft of the Director with Barry Jenkins (Ep. 308)

Director Barry Jenkins participates in a conversation with DGA President Thomas Schlamme on Jenkins' filmography, drawing examples from Medicine for Melancholy, Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk, and The Underground Railroad.

The Boy from Medellín with Matthew Heineman and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 307)

Director Matthew Heineman discusses his new documentary film, The Boy from Medellín, with fellow director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. The film provides an immersive look at a dramatic week in the life of international superstar J Balvin. As he prepares for his sold out stadium concert in his hometown of Medellín, Colombia, public pressure and political unrest grow around him forcing him to reflect on how he will use his voice.

In the Heights with Jon M. Chu and Nisha Ganatra (Ep. 306)

Director Jon M. Chu discusses his new film, In the Heights, with fellow director Nisha Ganatra in a spoiler-filled Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. The film tells the story of a likeable bodega owner named Usnavi in the tight-knit community of Washington Heights, NY, who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes for a better life. But when he inherits a fortune, Usnavi discovers he has mixed feelings about closing his store and retiring.

Golden Arm with Maureen Bharoocha and Lucia Aniello (Ep. 305)

Director Maureen Bharoocha discusses her new film, Golden Arm, with fellow director Lucia Aniello in a spoiler-filled Q&A at the DGA theater. The film tells the story of Melanie, a nice girl baker who must trade whisks for barbells after her best friend Danny ropes her into taking her spot at the National Ladies Arm Wrestling Championship.

Meet the Nominees Theatrical Feature Film Symposium 2021 - Part 3 of 3 (Ep. 304)

Listen to Chloé Zhao, Lee Isaac Chung, Emerald Fennell, David Fincher, and Aaron Sorkin continue their conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 30th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium on their nominated films. Part three wraps up the discussion as the nominees talk about working with assistant directors, the last images of their film, and how they handle pressure.

Meet the Nominees Theatrical Feature Film Symposium 2021 - Part 2 of 3 (Ep. 303)

Listen to Chloé Zhao, Lee Isaac Chung, Emerald Fennell, David Fincher, and Aaron Sorkin continue their conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 30th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium on their nominated films. Part two finds the nominees discussing actors: tailoring the right approach to an actor’s working style, the importance of establishing confidence in their key collaborators, and readjusting performance to fit the film.

Meet the Nominees Theatrical Feature Film Symposium 2021 - Part 1 of 3 (Ep. 302)

Chloé Zhao, Lee Isaac Chung, Emerald Fennell, David Fincher, and Aaron Sorkin engage in a conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 30th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium.
Part one finds the nominees discussing advice they've gotten from other directors, how they prepare for the first day on a shoot, and where they like to position themselves on set.

I Carry You With Me with Director Heidi Ewing and Rodrigo Garcia (Ep. 301)

Director Heidi Ewing discusses her new film, I Carry You with Me, with fellow director Rodrigo García in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the story of Iván, a young aspiring chef in Mexico who is working to support the mother of his child. Iván begins an affair with a handsome teacher, who unlike Iván is out as a gay man. After their relationship comes to light, Iván makes the painful decision to cross the border to advance his culinary career, promising his son and newfound love he will return.

The High Note with Director Nisha Ganatra and Laura Terruso (Ep. 300)

Director Nisha Gantra discusses her new film, The High Note, with fellow director Laura Terruso in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the story of Maggie, the overworked personal assistant to superstar singer Grace Davis. When Grace's manager presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change both of their lives forever.

Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar with Director Josh Greenbaum and Guillermo Del Toro (Ep. 299)

Director Josh Greenbaum discusses his new film, Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar, with fellow director Guillermo del Toro in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the story of best friends Barb and Star, who leave their small Midwestern town for the first time to vacation in Vista Del Mar, Florida and soon find themselves tangled up in adventure, love, and a villain’s evil plot to murder the entire town.

Our Friend with Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite and Maryam Keshavarz (Ep. 298)

Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite discusses her new film, Our Friend, with fellow director Maryam Keshavarz in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the inspiring true story of Matt and Nicole Teague, whose lives are upended after Nicole is diagnosed with terminal cancer. As Matt's duties become increasingly overwhelming, the couple's best friend makes a huge sacrifice to stay with his friends and lend a hand.

Greyhound with Director Aaron Schneider and Justine Bateman (Ep. 297)

Director Aaron Schneider discusses his new film, Greyhound, with fellow director Justine Bateman in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film follows a WWII Navy officer on his first war-time command assignment: defending an Allied merchant ship convoy through the Atlantic. When the convoy comes under attack by a German submarine wolfpack, the officer must battle the enemy, the elements and his own doubts to see the mission through.