The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Lynn Shelton discusses her film with fellow director Ava DuVernay. The film follows Chris, a 38-year-old ex-con who is finally granted parole after twenty years behind bars, largely due to the tireless advocacy and support of his high-school teacher, Carol. After the two are reunited, Carol begins to realize Chris' feelings for her have turned romantic, a situation complicated by the fact she is married with a teenage daughter, who has also befriended the awkward parolee.

Director John Krasinski discusses his film with fellow director Doug Liman. Set in a very near future when most of Earth's population has been eradicated, the film follows a family survivors forced to live in silence as they hide from savage extraterrestrial creatures that hunt exclusively by sound.

Director Jason Reitman discusses his film with fellow director Karyn Kusama. The film stars Charlize Theron as a New York suburban mom whose life is slowly being drained away by the challenges of raising two kids and a newborn. When she is sent help in the form of a gifted night nanny named Tully, she is at first hesitant to accept the assistance but comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful and surprising young woman.

Director Randal Kleiser discusses his film Grease along with several others including The Blue Lagoon, White Fang, and Big Top Pee-Wee with moderator Jeremy Kagan. After a special 4k restoration screening of Grease at the DGA theater, Kleiser and speaks in-depth about the film and his career as a director.

Director Susan Walter discusses her film with fellow director Maria Burton. The film tells the story of Senna, a clothing designer whose life seems to be spiraling out of control until she unexpectedly meets Adam, her perfect match, at her 46th birthday party. Expecting never to meet again, the two serendipitously reunite at her 47th birthday party and Senna's life begins to flourish.

Director Sean McNamara discusses his film with fellow director Helen Hunt. Based on a true story, the film follows a high school volleyball team and their coach, who overcome their grief after the sudden death of their star player and band together in hopes of winning the state championship.

Director Lynne Ramsay discusses her film with fellow director Maggie Greenwald. The film tells the story of a traumatized veteran who tracks down missing girls for a living. When he takes the case of finding the daughter of a rising politician who's running for the Senate, he uncovers a conspiracy that may lead to his awakening or his death.

David McCoy Barrett moderates the Under Cover: An Evening with the Directing Team from The Americans featuring Actor/Directors Noah Emmerich, Director/Executive Producer Christopher Long, UPM/Executive Producer Mary Rae Thewlis, UPM/Co-Producer Tyson Bidner, and 1st AD Charlie Foster

The discussion covers a variety of topics including working with "the J's" (aka Showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields), the challenges of budgeting a period spy series shooting New York for Washington D.C., and how Rhys and Emmerich made the transition from acting to directing.

Director James Keach discusses his film with fellow director Lynne Littman. The film tells the inspirational story of Augie Nieto, a fitness industry luminary, who is diagnosed with ALS in 2005. Today, he takes on ALS with his wife Lynne, leading the race to a cure in the fight to save his own life and the lives of millions.

Director Trudie Styler discusses her debut film with fellow director Ira Sachs. The film tells the story of Billy Bloom, a confident and flamboyant teen newly relocated to an ultra-conservative high school in the deep South. After suffering persecution and bullying, he decides to wear his inner freak with pride and run for homecoming queen.