The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Foe with Garth Davis and Darius Marder (Ep. 436)

Director Garth Davis discusses his new film, Foe, with fellow Director Darius Marder in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Davis discusses playing with themes of reality, identity and change, utilizing locations as their own character, and working with actors to create scenes with multilayered meanings.
The film tells the story of Hen and Junior, who farm a secluded piece of land which has been in Junior’s family for generations. But their quiet life is thrown into turmoil when an uninvited stranger shows up at their door with a startling proposal.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/November2023/FOE_QnA_1023.aspx

Killers of the Flower Moon with Martin Scorsese and Ti West (Ep. 435)

Director Martin Scorsese discusses his new film, Killers of the Flower Moon, with fellow Director Ti West in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Scorsese discusses lifting dialogue from real historical accounts when working on the script and its structure, speaking with current Osage tribal members to include their suggestions and accounts, and the fashioning of the title sequence and how a hundred-year-old camera was used in the crafting of it.
The film tells the story of the true, serial murders of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation, which came to be known as the Reign of Terror. Set in 1920s Oklahoma and told through the impossible romance of Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle, the film depicts the systematic conspiracy and murders, which spark a major F.B.I. investigation.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/November2023/KOTFM_QnA_1023.aspx

Reptile with Grant Singer and Louis Leterrier (Ep.434)

Director Grant Singer discusses his new film, Reptile, with fellow Director Louis Leterrier in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Singer discusses the genres he drew from to achieve his tone, his experience working alongside Benicio del Toro on the production end, and how he saw music as a drive for the film’s pacing.
The film tells the story of Tom Nichols, a New England detective investigating the brutal murder of a young real estate agent. Though he's unflinching in his pursuit for justice, the case slowly begins to dismantle the illusions in his own life.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/November2023/Reptile_QnA_1023.aspx

Cassandro with Roger Ross Williams and Dee Rees (Ep. 433)

Director Roger Ross Wiliams discusses his new film, Cassandro, with fellow Director Dee Rees in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Williams discusses how he treated the story like a superhero narrative to guide his character’s transformation, how he established a progressing color palette with his DP to reflect the progression of the story, and how he integrated his documentary skills to create a naturally changing narrative.
The film tells the true story of Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler who rose to fame and became an LGBTQ icon after participate in lucha libre wrestling matches as “Cassandro the Exotico.”
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/November2023/Cassandro_QnA_0923.aspx

Fair Play with Chloe Domont and Olivia Wilde (Ep. 432)

Director Chloe Domont discusses her new film, Fair Play, with fellow Director Olivia Wilde in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Domont discusses how she used production design to drive the mood, how she intended her camera and audio to invoke the style of thrillers and horror movies, and how she worked to develop stronger emotional connections between her leading actors and create a more nuanced relationship for her characters.
The film tells the story of Emily and Luke, a young couple working at a cutthroat hedge fund, who find themselves tested when an unexpected promotion threatens to unravel far more than their recent engagement.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/November2023/FairPlay_QnA_0923.aspx

Bottoms with Emma Seligman and Gene Stupnitsky (Ep. 431)

Director Emma Seligman discusses her new film, Bottoms, with fellow Director Gene Stupnitsky in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Seligman discusses the difficulty of cutting favorite scenes to keep the tone she envisioned, building the world of a high school comedy with a unique set of rules, and the influences she pulled across films to form her vision.
The film tells the story of best friends PJ and Josie, two gay teens who take the unusual approach of launching a high school fight club in a plan to meet girls and lose their virginity. But soon they find themselves in over their heads when the most popular students begin to beat each other up.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://cms.dga.org/Events/2023/October2023/Bottoms_QnA_0923.aspx

They Cloned Tyrone with Juel Taylor and Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Ep. 430)

Director Juel Taylor discusses his new film, They Cloned Tyrone, with fellow Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Taylor discusses how test screenings helped him refine the film, the pitching process that helped start the project and how he mixed filmic inspirations to achieve his unique tone.
The film tells the story of Fontaine, Slick Charles and Yo-Yo, an unlikely trio who discover a nefarious government cloning conspiracy and embark on a mission to save their neighborhood.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/October2023/TheyClonedTyrone_QnA_0923.aspx

Sound of Freedom with Alejandro Monteverde and Alonso Alvarez-Barreda (Ep. 429)

Director Alejandro Monteverde discusses his new film, Sound of Freedom, with fellow Director Alonso Alvarez-Barreda in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Monteverde discusses how he wanted to depict horror through beauty in his cinematography, his real life inspirations for the film and how he balanced tone to make the movie impactful but not onerous.
The film tells the story of a former government agent-turned-vigilante who embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue children from sex traffickers. After rescuing a young boy, he learns the boy’s sister is still captive and decides to quit his job and embark on a dangerous mission deep in the Colombian jungle to save her.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/October2023/SoundOfFreedom_QnA_0923.aspx

Blue Beetle with Ángel Manuel Soto and Jaume Collet-Serra (Ep. 428)

Director Ángel Manuel Soto discusses his new film, Blue Beetle, with fellow Director Jaume Collet-Serra in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Soto discusses how he kept the theme of family central to the film, his deliberate choices when casting each role, and the importance of fleshing out his characters.
The film tells the story of a young man, made into a superhero after being chosen by an alien entity to be its symbiotic host. After Jaime Reyes, a recent college graduate, is bestowed with a suit of armor capable of extraordinary powers, it forever changes his destiny but never the bond with him and his family.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/October2023/BlueBeetle_QnA_0823.aspx

Last Flight Home with Ondi Timoner and Susanna Styron (Ep. 427)

Director Ondi Timoner discusses her new film, Last Flight Home, with fellow Director Susanna Styron in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Timoner discusses how she viewed the filming of this documentary as her own form of therapy, how she transitioned between the roles of daughter and filmmaker while behind and in front of the camera, and the effect of the film on her father’s closest friends and family.
The film tells the story of Timoner’s father, Eli Timoner, during the 15-day waiting period before medically terminating his own life. Once a swashbuckling entrepreneur, now bedridden, Timoner says goodbye to those closest to him while they struggle to reconcile with his choice.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/en/Events/2023/October2023/LastFlightHome_DocSeries_0823

The Beanie Bubble with Kristin Gore, Damian Kulash, Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton (Ep. 426)

Directors Kristin Gore and Damian Kulash discuss their new film, The Beanie Bubble, with fellow Directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss the evolution of the script over the years, the limitations in using real likenesses and Beanie Babies, and structuring the story as a rise and fall for its many characters.
The film tells the story behind the Beanie Baby toy obsession that took off in the 1990s, centered on manufacturer-turned-billionaire Ty Warner, and the women who were integral to his success.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/en/Events/2023/September2023/BeanieBubbleQnA_0823

Little Richard: I Am Everything with Lisa Cortés and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 425)

Director Lisa Cortés discusses her new film, Little Richard: I Am Everything, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Cortés discusses her thought processes when structuring the film, applying her knowledge and experiences from the music industry to the production, and her attempts to shake up the structure of a typical music documentary.
The film tells the story of music legend Little Richard, combining a wealth of his archival and performance footage to reveal the true Black queer origins of rock n’ roll. As the icon’s story is unspooled, so too are the contradictions between his life and music, as he gave the world what he was never able to give himself.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/September2023/DocSeries_LittleRichardIAE-0723.aspx

Afire with Christian Petzold and Michael Almereyda (Ep. 424)

Director Christian Petzold discusses his new film, Afire, with fellow Director Michael Almereyda in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Petzold discusses the autobiographical elements of the film, the meaning and thought process behind the encroaching fire, and its dystopian as well as its pandemic influences.
The film tells the story of a group of young friends who vacation in a house by the Baltic Sea as an encroaching forest fire threatens the group. As the days grow hotter and the fire nears, both temperature and tensions rise, allowing emotions of happiness, lust and love to give way to jealousies, resentments and tensions among the group.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/August2023/GCS_Afire_0723.aspx

Earth Mama with Savanah Leaf and Celine Song (Ep. 423)

Director Savanah Leaf discusses her new film, Earth Mama, with fellow Director Celine Song in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Leaf discusses her familial inspiration for the story, working with a lead who isn’t typically an actor, and using cinematography as a method to bring out more from the actors.
The film tells the story of Gia, a young pregnant woman with two children in the foster care system, who lives her life on the margins. As she works to make a life for herself and her kids, she fights the system in hopes of reclaiming her family, in this heavy yet hopeful look at young motherhood.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2023/September2023/EarthMama_QnA_0723.aspx

Joy Ride with Adele Lim and Jason Ensler (Ep. 422)

Director Adele Lim discusses her new film, Joy Ride, with fellow Director Jason Ensler in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Lim discusses working on a film as a first-time director, channeling the energy of the cast into their characters and how she accomplished scenes when plans didn’t work out.
The film tells the story of four Chinese-American friends on an international trip in search of one of their birth mothers. Audrey, Lolo, Kat and Deadeye experience friendship, belonging, debauchery and eventually discover the universal truth of what it means to know and love who you are
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/August2023/JoyRide_QnA_0723.aspx

R.M.N. with Cristian Mungiu and Victoria Hochberg (Ep. 421)

Director Cristian Mungiu discusses his new film, R.M.N., with fellow Director Victoria Hochberg in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Mungiu discusses the importance of diagetic sound and ambience in the film, the subconscious effect the film’s visual imagery contributes to the mood, and how he takes the time to fully understand his material before working on a film.
The film tells the story of a father who returns home to his family in their Transylvanian village in Romania after a violent incident at his job in Germany. When the local factory hires foreign workers, deep-rooted impulses and animosities emerge, causing ethnic and economic resentments and shattering the veneer of peace in the community.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/August2023/GCS_RMN_0723.aspx

The Blackening with Tim Story and David E. Talbert (Ep. 420)

Director Tim Story discusses his new film, The Blackening, with fellow Director David E. Talbert in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Story discusses his process in trying to keep the film current, his effort in making a culturally rich comedy, and the ways he fleshes out distinct character personalities while still maintaining the core structure of the story.
The film tells the story of seven Black friends who reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway, only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer. Forced to play by the killer’s rules in a deadly game, the friends use their street smarts and knowledge of horror movies to help them stay alive- to mixed results.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/events/2023/august2023/theblackening_qna_0723.aspx

Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music with Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, Taylor Mac and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 419)

Taylor Mac's 24-Decade History of Popular Music
Directors Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman and performer Taylor Mac discuss their new film, Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, the filmmakers discuss including behind-the-scenes costuming and makeup to drive the narrative, the editing process of turning a 24-hour live show into a shortened recorded special, and telling a multilayered story within the confines of a live taped performance. The film captures the drag star’s exuberant, blatantly gay 24-hour musical performance, featuring skilled performers, creative costumes, and the American myth recounted through sailor's ditties, disco, and sugary pop numbers. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/Events/2023/August2023/0623_DocSeries_TaylorMac.aspx

Mending the Line with Joshua Caldwell and Bryan Woods (Ep. 418)

Director Joshua Caldwell discusses his new film, Mending the Line, with fellow director Bryan Woods in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Caldwell discusses how his own passion for fly fishing informed the making of the movie, how his research into PTSD and feedback from veterans affected the script, and facing difficulties while shooting in the Montana wilderness.
The film tells the story of Colter, a Marine who returns to a VA hospital in Montana after being wounded in Afghanistan. There he meets a Vietnam vet who teaches him fly fishing as a means of coming to terms with his physical and emotional trauma.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/August2023/MendingTheLine_QnA_0623.aspx

About My Father with Laura Terruso and Paul Weitz (Ep. 417)

Director Laura Terruso discusses her new film, About My Father, with fellow director Paul Weitz in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, Terruso discusses her personal connection to the film, how she portrays a character who is both funny and complex, and her experience working with a veteran actor on set.
The film tells the story of a man who is encouraged to bring his immigrant father on a weekend get-together with his fiancée and her wealthy family. The eccentric gathering soon develops into a culture clash, allowing father and son to discover the true meaning of family.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/August2023/AboutMyFather_QnA_0623.aspx