The Director's Cut - A DGA Podcast

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 discusses 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

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

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

Director Maureen Bharoocha discusses her new film, The Prank, with fellow Director Lena Khan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses the influence of Hitchcock and Heathers on her tone, utilizing the score to control tension throughout the film, and working with Rita Moreno to portray the Actor in her first villain role. The film follows Ben and Tanner, two seemingly ordinary high school seniors. But when they both fail a physics test, they decide to exact revenge on their teacher by framing her for the murder of a missing student. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/ThePrank_QnA_0324

Director Denis Villeneuve discusses his new film, Dune: Part Two, with fellow Director Steven Spielberg in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the throes of filming in the desert in comparison with Lawrence of Arabia, the comic and painterly inspirations for his imagery, and adjusting his adaptation to closer fit Frank Herbert’s original intentions. In this sequel to 2021’s Dune, Paul unites with Chani and the Fremen people while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Torn between love and the fate of the universe, he attempts to prevent a terrible future, in this continued adaptation of Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking novel. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/DunePartTwo_QnA_0324

Director Jeff Wadlow discusses his new film, Imaginary, with fellow Director Ari Sandel in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with a child actor, creating his creatures with a renowned creature effect house, and collaborating with the film’s lead, DeWanda Wise, as a producing partner. The film follows Jessica, whose daughter develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear they find in the basement of her childhood home. What begins as innocent games quickly becomes sinister, as they realize that the bear is much more than just a stuffed toy. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/Imaginary_QnA_0324

Director Johan Renck discusses his new film, Spaceman, with fellow Director Crystal Moselle in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses Adam Sandler’s casting and role in helping the film take off, consulting with real astronauts about the loneliness and melancholy of space, and working with an Actor and cgi character on a set simulating zero-g. The film tells the story of Jakub, an astronaut on a solo mission at the edge of the solar system. Increasingly concerned with the life he left behind, he sets out to fix his marriage with the help of a mysterious timeless creature living in the bowels of his ship. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/April2024/Spaceman_QnA_0224.aspx

Director Nicholaus Goossen discusses his new film, Drugstore June, with fellow Director Sammi Cohen in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his first time writing, directing and editing a film himself, balancing his Actors’ improvisational scenes with the script when working on a tight shooting timeline, and referencing indie 80s and 90s movies to achieve a cinematic texture. The film tells the story of June, a wannabe-influencer who’s life grows increasingly complicated as she juggles personal and interpersonal problems. Taking matters into her own hands, June heads out to get over her ex, solve a crime and become more of an adult. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/April2024/DrugstoreJune_QnA_0224.aspx

Director Reinaldo Marcus Green discusses his new film, Bob Marley: One Love, with fellow Director Jeffrey W. Byrd in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses shooting in Jamaica to include authentic actors and locations, finding his Bob Marley in the 11th hour, and having Ziggy Marley supervising on-set. The film tells the inspirational true story of Bob Marley, the legendary Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter and guitarist, and his journey as he becomes a pioneer and master of his craft. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/April2024/BobMarley1Love_QnA_0224.aspx

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

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

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

Director George Clooney discusses his new film, The Boys in the Boat, with fellow Director John 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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