The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Judd Apatow engages in an in-depth conversation with Jeremy Kagan about his filmography and the lessons he's learned over his career. The two discussed his philosophy on directing comedies, the difficulty of cutting scenes from his movies, and how he is able to bring his features in on budget.

Michelle MacLaren, David Nutter, Ken Whittingham, and Jessica Yu, participated in a lively conversation moderated by DGA Past President Paris Barclay, where they delved into who and what inspires them to continue topping themselves artistically on series such as The Morning Show, Game of Thrones, Atypical, Fosse/Verdon and Station 19. Topics of discussion included who they admired when first stating out, what keeps them going during the COVID-19 pandemic-inspired production hiatus and how they expect their work and their process might change in the future.

This episode features an exclusive panel discussion with the directing team of the HBO limited series, Watchmen, presented by the DGA Eastern Directors Council’s Focus on Women Committee. Director Nicole Kassell, Director Steph Green, Actor Regina King, Producer/UPM Karen Lee Wacker, and 1st ADs Keri Bruno and Kayse Goodell met to discuss their experiences of crafting Watchmen in a conversation moderated by Kassell and DGA Fourth Vice President Laura Belsey.

Director Ron Howard engages in an in-depth conversation with Jeremy Kagan about his filmography and the lessons he's learned over his career. The two discussed how blocking can improve a scene that lacks vigor, technical and craft-oriented concerns of A Beautiful Mind, and Apollo 13, and why Mr. Howard hates shooting endings.

Director Ron Howard engages in an in-depth conversation with Jeremy Kagan about his filmography and the lessons he's learned over his career. The two discussed building relationships with collaborators, when he knows he's got the right shot, and directing difficult scenes in movies like Cocoon.

Director Nanette Burstein discusses her new documentary film, Hillary, with fellow director Rebecca Cammisa. Over four episodes, the series uses never-before seen footage from Hillary Rodham Clinton's historic presidential campaign in 2016, weaving together biographical chapters of her life to reveal how she became one of most admired and vilified women in the world.

Director Leigh Whannell discusses his new film, The Invisible Man, with fellow director David F. Sandberg. A modern update to the classic sci-fi-thriller, the film tells the story of Cecilia, who begins to suspect that the suicide of her abusive ex - a wealthy and brilliant scientist - was a hoax. As a series of eerie coincidences begin to threaten the lives of those she loves, Cecilia must convince others that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.

Director Autumn de Wilde discusses her new film, Emma, with fellow director Mike Mills. Adapted from the Jane Austen novel, the film tells the story of Emma Woodhouse, a well-meaning but selfish young woman who meddles in the love lives of her friends while venturing through her won romantic missteps in a small town in 1800s England.

Director Jeff Wadlow discusses his new film, Fantasy Island, with fellow director Christopher Landon. Set on the mythical tropical resort where dreams can come true, the film shifts into nightmare territory as the guests of the enigmatic Mr. Roarke must solve the island's mystery in order to escape with their lives.

Director Nat Faxon & Jim Rash discusses their new film, Downhill, with fellow director Jenna Ricker. Inspired by Ruben Östlund's 2014 feature Force Majeure, Downhill follows a married couple who are forced to reevaluate their relationship after barely escaping an avalanche during a family ski vacation in the Alps.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/Events/2020/April2020/Downhill_QnA_0220.aspx