The Treatment

Director Steven Soderbergh (Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Erin Brockovich, Traffic) likes to use each film he makes as a way to clear his head and palate. He goes from low budget, stark digital film to lush the studio film, The New German. He'll discuss navigating both worlds and what they have in common.

As creator and executive producer of Everybody Loves Raymond, Phil Rosenthal did more than just add humor. He helped the cast--from novice to veteran--understand its reality.  It's all in his book, Youre Lucky You’re Funny.

Writer-director Brad Silberling (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Moonlight Mile) came up with the film 10 Items or Less about an iconic star affair to dip his doe into indie-film waters. Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby, The Shawshank Redemption) decided to take the role as star and producer.  Hear all about the ripple effect.

Integrating movie stars into ensemble dramas is not just a social experiment for director Ed Zwick (About Last Night, Glory, Thirtysomething, Legends of the Fall, The Last Samurai), it's how he works.  You can see it in his new film, Blood Diamond.

Writer-director Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) continues exploring themes of life, death and rebirth in his new film, The Fountain. It's a lot to cram into an action-adventure, melodramatic epic.

Envy. Pettiness. Betrayal.  They're all elements of –comedy?  Yes, if you're talking about the work of writer-director-actor Christopher Guest.  He follows Best in Show and Mighty Wind with For Your Consideration, inside dealist showbiz. It's all for your consideration.

Gorillas in the Mist.  Coalminer's Daughter. Many of director Michael Apted's films have a journalistic bent. But his documentaries have a soulful touch, like the series following a group of 12 people.  The first one was called 7 Up. The new one is 49 Up.  We'll discuss marking time--on film.

Phillip Noyce's Catch a Fire follows he real life story of an black South African who is radicalized after being wrongly accused. It follows the director's Rabbit Proof Fence and The Quiet American.  The film is about being awakened to the world around you and moments that change your life forever.

Sex and a need to connect in the days after 9/11 are both integral to the director John Cameron Mitchell's second film as a director, Shortbus. Lyrical, literal and fanciful, it's his follow up to Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He reveals life from the other side of the camera.

After career performances under directors such as Martin Scorsese and Neil Jordan, Forest Whitaker (Platoon, Bird, The Crying Game, Ghost Dog, The Shield) is getting noticed for his work under a first-time director.  Whitaker’s portrayal of Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland is taking him new places.  We find out exactly where.