Welcome to the DMF.
I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Sara Alessandrini, who dives deep into the hierarchy of film production and the often misunderstood roles of directors and producers.

Sara has met her fair share of people who love calling themselves “director” but shy away from the responsibilities that come with it — and she’s not afraid to talk about it. With experience in both Italy and the United States, she’s seen firsthand how dramatically different directors can be, and how those differences shape a set.

She explains that a true director isn’t defined by a title but by vision — the clarity to know what they want and the communication skills to guide an entire team toward that goal. Sara opens up about her film school journey, the early mistakes she made, and how learning every role on set fundamentally changed her approach to directing.

Her insights offer a grounded, realistic look at what it actually takes to lead a production. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or simply curious about how movies get made, Sara breaks down the challenges, misconceptions, and triumphs of directing with honesty and experience.

Join us as she pulls back the curtain on the real work happening behind the scenes — and why knowing your craft inside and out is absolutely essential.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more industry insight and filmmaking wisdom.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:07 - The Role of a Director

00:01:23 - The Importance of Understanding Different Roles in Filmmaking

00:03:32 - Learning from Mistakes and Gaining Experience

00:04:34 - The Decision to Learn All Aspects of Filmmaking

00:05:25 - Experiences Working in the Egyptian Theater

00:06:42 - The Love for Music Videos

00:08:34 - The Birth of 'This is What New Yorkers Say'

00:10:30 - Frustrations with the Movie Industry

00:15:30 - Leaving the Egyptian Theater and Working with Netflix

00:16:10 - The Challenges of Building Safety Standards in California

00:17:37 - Frustration with the Response to COVID

00:18:11 - Political Interests and Experiences in Rome

00:19:18 - Encounter with Dario Argento

00:20:35 - Involvement in the Screening of Suspiria

00:23:44 - Keeping Updated with Press Conferences During COVID

00:24:38 - Discovering and Admiring Cuomo

00:26:37 - Desire to Improve Society

00:28:21 - Conclusion

Check out Sara's website, where you can learn more about the documentary miniseries and find links to watch it!

https://www.thisiswhatnewyorkerssay.com 

https://www.instagram.com/lasava.alessandrini/