The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid! with Matt Tyrnauer and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 492)

Director Matt Tyrnauer discusses his new film, Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid!, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his cinema verite approach to the nuances of Carville’s life, puzzling where and how to include Carville’s wife, Mary Matalin in the film, and finding a new wind in his documentary following Joe Biden’s exit from the presidential race.
Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film follows the Democratic consultant’s career, from his rise to fame in 1992 to his current effort with Kamala Harris’ campaign. As he navigates America’s tumultuous 2024 election cycle, Carville is portrayed not only in his political element, but also in his personal life.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/Oct2024/DocSeries_CARVILLE-0924

My Old Ass with Megan Park and Siân Heder (Ep. 491)

Director Megan Park discusses her new film, My Old Ass, with fellow Director Siân Heder in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses finding and the means of capturing her tone, discovering scenes with the help of scouting the locations and the process of casting of Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza as the two leads.
The film tells the story of teenager Elliott who, after her first time taking mushrooms on a summer vacation, is visited by a 39-year-old version of herself. Through this apparition of her older self, she learns valuable lessons about family, friends, love and coming to terms with her sexual orientation.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/Oct2024/MyOldAss_QnA_0924

Skincare with Austin Peters and Mimi Cave (Ep. 490)

Director Austin Peters discusses his new film, Skincare, with fellow Director Mimi Cave in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses striving for a more authentic LA than the Hollywood image, creating something within the “Sunshine Noir” genre and working with Elizabeth Banks to discover her character.
The film tells the story of skincare mogul Hope Goldman, whose business is thrown off the rails when a rival beauty parlor arrives in her neighborhood. With the help of her friend, Jordan, she seeks to uncover the person intent on ruining both her business and her reputation.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/Oct2024/Skincare_QnA_0924

Alien: Romulus with Fede Alvarez and Leigh Whannell (Ep. 489)

Director Fede Alvarez discusses his new film, Alien: Romulus, with fellow Director Leigh Whannell in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his process for crafting scenes, creating a believable relationship between a human and android character, and working with the effects team from previous films.
This continuation of the Alien franchise tells the story of a group of young space colonizers with a plan to scavenge a derelict space station. Instead, once they arrive, they discover they might not be alone.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/Oct2024/AlienRomulus_QnA_0824

The Deliverance with Lee Daniels and Adam Shankman (Ep. 488)

Director Lee Daniels discusses his new film, The Deliverance, with fellow Director Adam Shankman in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses making a horror film for the first time with his characters at the forefront, playing with serious and campy tonal points, and discovering his portrayals of religious imagery while considering his own beliefs.
The film tells the story of Ebony, a struggling single mother who moves her family into a new home for a fresh start. But when strange occurrences inside the home threaten to tear the family apart, Ebony soon finds herself locked in a battle for her and her children’s lives.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/Oct2024/TheDeliverance_QnA_0824

I Am: Celine Dion with Irene Taylor and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 487)

Director Irene Taylor discusses her new film, I Am: Celine Dion, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses discovering the purpose of her film as she was making it, Celine’s effort to participate more in the making of the film and being deliberate about how much she wanted to explore Celine’s stardom alongside more sensitive topics in her home life.
Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film tells the story of the Canadian singer’s past and present as well as the sacrifices she’s made to continue performing for her beloved fans, all while managing her life-altering illness.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2024/Sept2024/DocSeries_IAMCelineDion-0824

Fly Me to the Moon with Greg Berlanti and Dan Gilroy (Ep. 486)

Director Greg Berlanti discusses his new film, Fly Me to the Moon, with fellow Director Dan Gilroy in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how his past work in film and television lead to him creating this film, utilizing authentic digital and practical production design to recreate aspects of the Apollo missions not seen before onscreen, and working with his actors to channel the tone of a classic workplace romantic comedy genre.
The film tells the story of Kelly, a marketing director, who’s brought on to fix NASA’s waning public image against the wishes of NASA’s launch director, Cole. But when the White House deems the mission too important to fail, Kelly and Cole must work together and stage a fake landing as the launch grows nearer.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/August2024/FlyMe2DMoon_QnA_0724

MaXXXine with Ti West and Sean Baker (Ep. 485)

Director Ti West discusses his new film, MaXXXine, with fellow Director Sean Baker in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses filming his X trilogy without pause, working with Actor Mia Goth to develop her characters between each film, and using familiar film production steps as horror setpieces.
The third entry in West’s trilogy of X films tells the story of Maxine, an adult film star looking to break into mainstream cinema in 1980s Hollywood. But when a mysterious killer begins stalking starlets on the strip, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/August2024/MaXXXine_QnA_0724

Ezra with Tony Goldwyn and Michael Pressman (Ep. 484)

Director Tony Goldwyn discusses his new film, Ezra, with fellow Director Michael Pressman in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses accurately casting the role of Ezra, utilizing selective shooting styles to capture the emotion he aimed for, and working with his friend and screenwriter - whose own experience the film is based on - to craft this story.
The film tells the story of Max, a stand-up comedian struggling to co-parent his autistic son, Ezra, with his ex-wife. But when he’s forced to confront difficult decisions about his son’s future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a transcendent impact on both their lives.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/August2024/Ezra_QnA_0624

The Fall Guy with David Leitch and Jerry Zucker (Ep. 483)

Director David Leitch discusses his new film, The Fall Guy, with fellow Director Jerry Zucker in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses striking a balance with the tension between jokes and action sequences, working with his actors to allow space for improvisation, and filming a meta-narrative feature that reveals how the magic tricks of movie stunts are accomplished.
The film tells the story of Colt, a stuntman trying to win back his ex-girlfriend while recovering from a nearly career-ending accident. But after the star of her movie disappears, he’ll have to search for the missing actor, solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life, all while getting beat up at his day job.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/July2024/FallGuy_QnA_0524

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga with George Miller and Edgar Wright (Ep. 482)

Director George Miller discusses his new film, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, with fellow Director Edgar Wright in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses utilizing Unreal Engine in his storyboarding process, utilizing a mixture of authentic locations and digital effects to achieve his vision, and the evolution of the series leading up to this installment.
The prequel to Mad Mad: Fury Road tells the origin story of Furiosa, who was snatched from her idyllic birthhome at a young age and enslaved by the warlord Dementus. But when Dementus encounters opposing warlord Immortan Joe, Furiosa strattles the line of freedom and fury as the two tyrants clash for dominance over the wasteland.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/July2024/Furiosa_QnA_0524

Poolman with Chris Pine and Patty Jenkins (Ep. 481)

Director Chris Pine discusses his new film, Poolman, with fellow Director Patty Jenkins in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with Actors as a Director who came from acting, his preference of shooting on film instead of digital, and learning to be intuitive when working with a small budget.
The film tells the story of Darren, an unwavering optimist who spends his days looking after the pool of  an LA apartment block. But when a femme fatale asks him to look into a shady business deal, Darren uncovers hidden truths about his beloved city and himself.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/July2024/Poolman_QnA_0524

Power with Yance Ford and Kristi Jacobson (Ep. 480)

Director Yance Ford discusses his new film, Power, with fellow Director Kristi Jacobson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses the endeavor of going through hundreds of years of archival material, how he wanted to challenge the notion of traditional experts in a documentary by approaching people from police-impacted communities, and the post production journey that led him to include his narration in the documentary.
The film investigates the American policing system, which has exploded in scope and scale over hundreds of years. Driven to contain threats to social order, now it can be described by one word: Power.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes with Wes Ball and Barry Jenkins (Ep. 479)

Director Wes Ball discusses his new film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, with fellow Director Barry Jenkins in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the importance of mis-en-scene and notes taken from his time helming the Maze Runner series, working in a production that relied heavily on mocap and digital replacement, and the unique process he underwent with his editors in the cutting process.
Set 300 years after the events of the previous apes trilogy, the film tells the story of a young ape named Noa, who defies his tyrannical king and teams up with a human to embark on a harrowing journey. On his quest, he’ll uncover mysteries that lead him to question everything he’s been taught and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/June2024/KingdomOfThePOTA_QnA_0524

Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa with Lucy Walker and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 478)

Director Lucy Walker discusses her new film, Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses comparing and contrasting the act of mountain climbing with the struggle of personal life, exploring Lhakpa’s children’s arcs to add to the stakes of the story, and finding and fighting for the end of her feature.
The film follows the true story of Lhakpa Sherpa, the first Nepali woman to summit and survive Mount Everest. Now a single mother living a quiet life in Connecticut, she returns to the mountain in hopes of building a better life for her family.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/June2024/DocSeries_MountainQueen-0524

The Idea of You with Michael Showalter and Kay Cannon (Ep. 477)

Director Michael Showalter discusses his new film, The Idea of You, with fellow Director Kay Cannon in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the in-depth process of casting the Hayes character, working with a songwriter who writes for real pop bands to make a full soundtrack, and taking care to craft a realistic story that respects the genre.
The film tells the story of Solène, who while chaperoning her daughter at Coachella, finds instant chemistry with the lead singer of a popular boyband. But while their whirlwind romance creates an undeniable spark, it isn’t long before his superstar status causes challenges, and Solène discovers life in the spotlight may be more than she bargained for.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/June2024/IdeaOfYou_QnA_0524

The Greatest Hits with Ned Benson and Marc Webb (Ep. 476)

Director Ned Benson discusses his new film, The Greatest Hits, with fellow Director Marc Webb in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses filming at landmark Los Angeles locations to ingrain the city as part of the story, working with the cinematographer to artistically convey the time traveling sequences, and working with his composer to craft a soundtrack that compliments a musically-inclined story.
The film tells the story of Harriet, who discovers that specific songs can transport her to the past to relive cherished moments with her former partner. But after meeting someone new in the present, she struggles to decide whether to alter the past and reclaim what she lost, or make peace with it and move on.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/June2024/GreatestHits_QnA_0424

Sasquatch Sunset with David Zellner, Nathan Zellner and James Ponsoldt (Ep. 475)

Directors David and Nathan Zellner discuss their new film, Sasquatch Sunset, with fellow Director James Ponsoldt in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss working with actors who are performing in full makeup, their use of live animals throughout the film, and utilizing a score that integrates the sounds of nature as an instrument.
The film tells the story of a family of sasquatches living in the misty forests of North America. Over the course of one year, they embark on an absurdist, epic, hilarious, and ultimately poignant journey as they fight for survival in an ever-changing world.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/SasquatchSunset_QnA_0424

In the Land of Saints and Sinners with Robert Lorenz and Brian Helgeland (Ep. 474)

Director Robert Lorenz discusses his new film, In the Land of Saints and Sinners, with fellow Director Brian Helgeland in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses retaining the film’s authenticity in its Irish cast and texture of its 1970s setting, balancing the tone with moments of humor and severity, and using landscape shots of the remote Irish location to accentuate the mood of the film.
The film tells the story of Finbar Murphy, a man living a quiet life in a remote Irish fishing village, eager to leave his dark past behind. But when a menacing crew of terrorists arrive, he is forced to choose between keeping his secret identity hidden, or defending his community from the encroaching violence.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/LandofSaintsNSinners_QnA_0424

Immaculate with Michael Mohan and Adam Robitel (Ep. 473)

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