The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

The Craft of the Director with Spike Lee (Ep. 266)

Director Spike Lee participates in a conversation with John Turturro on Lee's early life and influences, his philosophy as a creative, and his beloved Brooklyn. Mr. Lee discusses his directing process using examples from Do the Right Thing, Mo Better Blues, Crooklyn, and Malcolm X.

The Craft of the Director with Ang Lee (Ep. 265)

Director Ang Lee engages in an in-depth conversation with Jeremy Kagan about his filmography and his philosophy regarding craft. Mr. Lee discusses his directing process using examples from Brokeback Mountain, Lust, Caution, and Life of Pi.

The Craft of the Director with Ava Duvernay (Ep. 264)

Director Ava Duvernay engages in an in-depth conversation with Alex Stapleton about her filmography and her philosophy regarding craft. Ms. Duvernay discusses her directing process using examples from When They See Us, Selma, and Queen Sugar.

The Craft of the Director with Mimi Leder (Ep. 263)

Director Mimi Leder engages in an in-depth conversation with Jeremy Kagan about her filmography and the lessons she's learned over her career. Ms. Leder discusses her directing process using examples from The Leftovers, On the Basis of Sex, and The Peacemaker.

The Craft of the Director with Judd Apatow (Ep. 262)

Director Judd Apatow engages in an in-depth conversation with Jeremy Kagan about his filmography and the lessons he's learned over his career. The two discussed his philosophy on directing comedies, the difficulty of cutting scenes from his movies, and how he is able to bring his features in on budget.

A Conversation with Episodic Television Directors (Ep. 261)

Michelle MacLaren, David Nutter, Ken Whittingham, and Jessica Yu, participated in a lively conversation moderated by DGA Past President Paris Barclay, where they delved into who and what inspires them to continue topping themselves artistically on series such as The Morning Show, Game of Thrones, Atypical, Fosse/Verdon and Station 19. Topics of discussion included who they admired when first stating out, what keeps them going during the COVID-19 pandemic-inspired production hiatus and how they expect their work and their process might change in the future.

A Conversation with the Women Behind Watchmen (Ep. 260)

This episode features an exclusive panel discussion with the directing team of the HBO limited series, Watchmen, presented by the DGA Eastern Directors Council’s Focus on Women Committee. Director Nicole Kassell, Director Steph Green, Actor Regina King, Producer/UPM Karen Lee Wacker, and 1st ADs Keri Bruno and Kayse Goodell met to discuss their experiences of crafting Watchmen in a conversation moderated by Kassell and DGA Fourth Vice President Laura Belsey.

The Craft of the Director with Ron Howard Part 2 (Ep. 259)

Director Ron Howard engages in an in-depth conversation with Jeremy Kagan about his filmography and the lessons he's learned over his career. The two discussed how blocking can improve a scene that lacks vigor, technical and craft-oriented concerns of A Beautiful Mind, and Apollo 13, and why Mr. Howard hates shooting endings.

The Craft of the Director with Ron Howard Part 1 (Ep. 258)

Director Ron Howard engages in an in-depth conversation with Jeremy Kagan about his filmography and the lessons he's learned over his career. The two discussed building relationships with collaborators, when he knows he's got the right shot, and directing difficult scenes in movies like Cocoon.

Hillary with Nanette Burstein and Rebecca Cammisa (Ep. 257)

Director Nanette Burstein discusses her new documentary film, Hillary, with fellow director Rebecca Cammisa. Over four episodes, the series uses never-before seen footage from Hillary Rodham Clinton's historic presidential campaign in 2016, weaving together biographical chapters of her life to reveal how she became one of most admired and vilified women in the world.

The Invisible Man with Leigh Whannell and David F. Sandberg (Ep. 256)

Director Leigh Whannell discusses his new film, The Invisible Man, with fellow director David F. Sandberg. A modern update to the classic sci-fi-thriller, the film tells the story of Cecilia, who begins to suspect that the suicide of her abusive ex - a wealthy and brilliant scientist - was a hoax. As a series of eerie coincidences begin to threaten the lives of those she loves, Cecilia must convince others that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.

Emma with Autumn de Wilde and Mike Mills (Ep. 255)

Director Autumn de Wilde discusses her new film, Emma, with fellow director Mike Mills. Adapted from the Jane Austen novel, the film tells the story of Emma Woodhouse, a well-meaning but selfish young woman who meddles in the love lives of her friends while venturing through her won romantic missteps in a small town in 1800s England.

Fantasy Island with Jeff Wadlow and Christopher Landon (Ep. 254)

Director Jeff Wadlow discusses his new film, Fantasy Island, with fellow director Christopher Landon. Set on the mythical tropical resort where dreams can come true, the film shifts into nightmare territory as the guests of the enigmatic Mr. Roarke must solve the island's mystery in order to escape with their lives.

Downhill with Nat Faxon & Jim Rash and Jenna Ricker (Ep. 253)

Director Nat Faxon & Jim Rash discusses their new film, Downhill, with fellow director Jenna Ricker. Inspired by Ruben Östlund's 2014 feature Force Majeure, Downhill follows a married couple who are forced to reevaluate their relationship after barely escaping an avalanche during a family ski vacation in the Alps.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2020/April2020/Downhill_QnA_0220.aspx

Premature with Rashaad Ernesto Green and Dawn Wilkinson (Ep. 252)

Director Rashaad Ernesto Green discusses his new film, Premature, with fellow director Dawn Wilkinson. Set in a hot summer in Harlem, Green's film tells the story of 17-year-old poet Ayanna who is drawn into a relationship with Isaiah, a young music producer who moves to the city just as Ayanna is about to leave for college.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2020/April2020/Premature_QnA_0220.aspx

Meet the Nominees Theatrical Feature Film Symposium 2020 - Part 3 of 3 (Ep. 251)

Sam Mendes, Bong Joon Ho, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Taika Waititi engage in a conversation with Jeremy Kagan for the 29th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium on their nominated films. Part three shares the nominees' thoughts on working with actors and the lessons they learned on their movie.

Meet the Nominees Theatrical Feature Film Symposium 2020 - Part 2 of 3 (Ep. 250)

Sam Mendes, Bong Joon Ho, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Taika Waititi engage in a conversation moderated by Jeremy Kagan for the 29th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium on their nominated films. Part two shares the nominees' thoughts on dealing with anxiety, how they tackle pre-production issues, and the language they use to adjust an actor's performance.

Meet the Nominees Theatrical Feature Film Symposium 2020 - Part 1 of 3 (Ep. 249)

Sam Mendes, Bong Joon Ho, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Taika Waititi engage in a conversation moderated by Jeremy Kagan for the 29th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium on their nominated films. Part one shares the nominees' thoughts on where they like to be on set when directing and share details about shooting the openings and closings of their film.

Three Christs with Jon Avnet and Rodrigo García (Ep. 248)

Director Jon Avnet discusses his new film, Three Christs, with fellow director Rodrigo García. The film follows a Michigan psychiatrist as he treats three paranoid schizophrenic patients, each of whom believes that he is Jesus Christ. Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2020/March2020/JonAvnet_discusses_ThreeChrists_QnA_0120.aspx

Pain and Glory with Pedro Almódovar and Kenneth Lonergan (Ep. 247)

Director Pedro Almodóvar discusses his new film, Pain and Glory, with fellow director Kenneth Lonergan. This deeply personal film from Spain tells the story of Salvador Mallo, a depressed director who is thinking of leaving filmmaking because of chronic health problems. A series of encounters, both real and remembered, leads Mallo to reflect on the choices he's made. Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2019/Dec2019/GCS_PainYGlory_0919.aspx