The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Meet the 2024 Nominees for Theatrical Feature Film - Part 2 of 2 (Ep. 466)

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

Meet the 2024 Nominees for Theatrical Feature Film - Part 1 of 2 (Ep. 465)

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

Rebel Moon: Part One - A Child of Fire with Zack Snyder and Louis Leterrier (Ep. 464)

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

The Boys in the Boat with George Clooney and Jon Watts (Ep. 463)

Director George Clooney discusses his new film, The Boys in the Boat, with fellow Director Jon Watts in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the logistical nuances of filming scenes on the water, finding actors who could inhabit their characters and show physical prowess, and taking notes from other rowing movies as well as borrowing filming techniques from the actual 1936 Olympics.
The film tells the true story of the University of Washington men’s rowing team, who stun the world when they unexpectedly win gold at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/BoysInTheBoat_QnA_1223.aspx

The Iron Claw with Sean Durkin and Catherine Hardwicke (Ep. 462)

Director Sean Durkin discusses his new film, The Iron Claw, with fellow Director Catherine Hardwicke in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how he aimed to make a complex narrative exploring the absence of grief, filming with live wrestling fans during the ring scenes, and utilizing one-takes to keep the performances authentic.
The film tells the true story of the Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, and under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/TheIronClaw_QnA_1223.aspx

Silent Night with John Woo and Brian Helgeland (Ep. 461)

Director John Woo discusses his new film, Silent Night, with fellow Director Brian Helgeland in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his influence echoed throughout modern action films, the importance of classic Hollywood and musical films to his taste, and telling a story absent of any dialogue starring a speechless character.
The film tells the story of Brian, a man who witnesses the death of his son when the boy is caught in gang crossfire on Christmas Eve. Recovering from a wound that cost him his voice, Brian embarks on a bloody quest to punish those responsible, all without uttering a word.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/SilentNight_QnA_1223.aspx

Honor Student with Tamika Miller and Paris Barclay (Ep. 460)

Director Tamika Miller discusses her new film, Honor Student, with fellow Director Paris Barclay in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses writing the character of the shooter against normal type, the secret meaning of her compositions, and decisions that would consider addressing the subject matter tastefully.
The film tells the story of a Washington prep school student, outraged after having lost his twin brother in a mass shooting. Wanting to take the matter into his own hands, he attempts to teach America a lesson it will never forget.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/HonorStudent_QnA_1223.aspx

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes with Francis Lawrence and Marc Webb (Ep. 459)

Director Francis Lawrence discusses his new film, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, with fellow Director Marc Webb in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses capturing a retro-futuristic visual aesthetic, utilizing his camera language while swapping between two main character points of view, and his visualization and rehearsal process for stunt work and action scenes.
In this prequel to the popular franchise, a young Coriolanus Snow mentors for the 10th Hunger Games and develops feelings for the female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, years before he becomes the tyrannical president of Panem.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/TheHungerGameBSS_QnA_1223.aspx

Ferrari with Michael Mann and Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Ep. 458)

Director Michael Mann discusses his new film, Ferrari, with fellow Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses integrating melodrama into the story by balancing the family and industry, crafting a believable time period through color composition and mis-en-scene, and including real locations and historical participants in the film.
The film tells the story of Enzo Ferrari, who in the summer of 1957 finds his auto empire in crisis. To regain his status, he enlists his team in the Mille Miglia, a treacherous thousand-mile race across Italy.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/Ferrari_QnA_1223.aspx

Saltburn with Emerald Fennell and David Lowery (Ep. 457)

Director Emerald Fennell discusses her new film, Saltburn, with fellow Director David Lowery in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses making an unlikeable protagonist that the audience could empathize with, crafting the story while incorporating the gothic genre, and utilizing cinematography to accentuate feelings of seduction and desire.
The film tells the story of Oliver, an Oxford student struggling to find his place, who befriends the charming and aristocratic Felix. Finding himself drawn into Felix’s world, Oliver is invited to Saltburn, the sprawling and eccentric family estate for a summer never to be forgotten.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/Saltburn_QnA_1223.aspx

The Color Purple With Blitz Bazawule And Gina Prince-Bythewood (Ep. 456)

Director Blitz Bazawule discusses his new film, The Color Purple, with fellow Director Gina Prince-Bythewood in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the importance of sketching in his artistic process, how his background in music prepared him for the film, and trying to identify the heart of the original text in order to do the story justice.
The film spans decades to tell the story of Celie, a woman who faces many hardships throughout her life. But ultimately she finds strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood, on her journey to independence.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/TheColorPurple_QnA_1223.aspx

Origin with Ava DuVernay and Ed Zwick (Ep. 455)

Director Ava DuVernay discusses her new film, Origin, with fellow Director Ed Zwick in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses constructing the metalayers of the narrative, her intentional choice of the film format and look, and working with her composer to reflect music from multiple eras.
The film follows author Isabel Wilkerson as she sets out on a path of global investigation following a tremendous personal tragedy. In what would become her novel, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent, she chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/Origin_QnA_1223.aspx

The Persian Version with Maryam Keshavarz and Crystal Moselle (Ep. 454)

Director Maryam Keshavarz discusses her new film, The Persian Version, with fellow Director Crystal Moselle in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she discusses finding inspiration in her family and world events, achieving authenticity in her locations and production design, and aiming for representation in a grounded and personal story.
The film tells the story of Leila, an Iranian-American woman who strives to find balance in her opposing cultures. But when her large family gathers in New York for her father’s heart transplant, a family secret is uncovered that catapults Leila and her mother into an exploration of the past.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/PersianVersion_QnA_1123.aspx

Dream Scenario with Kristoffer Borgli and Tim Heidecker (Ep. 453)

Director Kristoffer Borgli discusses his new film, Dream Scenario, with fellow Director Tim Heidecker in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with Actor Nicolas Cage to create the character he envisioned, his writing process and the influences that went into the story, and how he borrowed from multiple genres in an effort to transcend categorization.
The film tells the story of Paul, a family man who finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers start mysteriously seeing him in their dreams. But when his nighttime appearances start taking a nightmarish turn, Paul is forced to navigate his newfound infamy.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/DreamScenario_QnA_1123.aspx

The Holdovers with Alexander Payne and Jason Reitman (Ep. 452)

Director Alexander Payne discusses his new film, The Holdovers, with fellow Director Jason Reitman in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses where the inspiration for the story originated, his favorite aspects of each of the three lead actors’ performances, and the filmic inspirations that contributed to the tone of the story.
The film tells the story of Paul, a cranky history teacher at a boarding school in the 1960s, forced to chaperone a handful of students with nowhere to go over Christmas break. There, he forms an unlikely bond with a troubled student and the school’s head cook, who lost her son in the Vietnam War.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/Holdovers_QnA_1123.aspx

Leave the World Behind with Sam Esmail and Luke Greenfield (Ep. 451)

Director Sam Esmail discusses his new film, Leave the World Behind, with fellow Director Luke Greenfield in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the changes he considered when adapting the book to screen, working with the Obama family as producers, and the amount of preparation he underwent before going into production.
The film tells the story of Amanda and Clay, who rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids. Their getaway is upended when two strangers arrive bearing news of a mysterious cyberattack and the possibility of the collapse of life as we know it.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/LeaveTheWorldBehind_QnA_1123.aspx

May December with Todd Haynes and Gregg Araki (Ep. 450)

Director Todd Haynes discusses his new film, May December, with fellow Director Gregg Araki in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses scouting for the right location to match the specific time and feel of the story, casting and working with longtime collaborator Julianne Moore, and playing with framing and reflections to mirror the multifaceted narrative of the story.
The film tells the story of Gracie and Joe, a married couple who, two decades prior, were the subject of a scandalous tabloid romance. When an actress visits their home to research Gracie for a movie role, the uncomfortable details from the scandal emerge, causing long-dormant emotions to resurface.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/MayDecember_QnA_1123.aspx

Miranda’s Victim with Michelle Danner and Sarah Pirozek (Ep. 449)

Director Michelle Danner discusses her new film, Miranda’s Victim, with fellow Director Sarah Pirozek in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she discusses the intention behind her casting choices, how she aimed to capture a classic era through cinematography and editing, and how she sought to explore her lead character’s mindset in tandem to the events of the story.
The film tells the story of Patricia Weir, who in 1963, was kidnapped and brutally raped by Ernesto Miranda. Committed to seeing him pay for the crime, her life is destroyed by America’s legal system as she triggers a law that transforms the nation.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/December2023/MirandasVictim_QnA_1123.aspx

Maestro with Bradley Cooper and Todd Phillips (Ep. 448)

Director Bradley Cooper discusses his new film, Maestro, with fellow Director Todd Phillips in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with Bernstein’s children and how he was given the project, the practice that went into major performance scenes, and capturing the thought process of Leonard Bernstein while in the dual roles of lead Actor and Director of the film.
The film tells the story of world renowned American composer Leonard Bernstein and his decade-spanning journey with Felicia Montealegre. A love letter to life and art, their relationship is an emotionally epic portrayal of endurance, passion and family.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/Maestro_QnA_1123.aspx

Radical with Christopher Zalla and Braden King (Ep. 447)

Director Christopher Zalla discusses his new film, Radical, with fellow Director Braden King in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses how the children’s POV informed his cinematography choices, his personal journey in finding a story that resonated with him, and how he worked with Actors of various backgrounds to achieve the types of characters he envisioned.
The film tells the story of Sergio Juarez, a sixth grade teacher in a Mexican border town full of neglect, corruption and violence. Saddled with the worst performing students, he tries a radical new method to unlock his students' curiosity, potential, and maybe even their genius.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2023/December2023/Radical_QnA_1123.aspx