The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Tia Lessin, documentary director (Behind the Labels, The Janes), Carl Deal, filmmaker (Trouble the Water, Citizen Coke), and Amy Goodman, investigative journalist and Democracy Now! anchor, join Ondi Timoner for a lively Q&A. They discuss structuring the film to reveal Amy, archival hunting, Democracy Now!’s role amid media consolidation, threats to independent media, and how the film connects to activism and community campaigns.

Director Kevin Williamson discusses his new film, Scream 7, with fellow Director Paul Feig in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how the original concept of Scream came to be, how he balanced horror and comedy to establish the tone, and the importance and careful use of score needed to maintain the film’s tension. In the newest installment of the Scream franchise, original victim Sidney Prescott hopes to reinvent her life in a different town. But when a new killer emerges, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter becomes his prized target. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2026/april2026/scream7_qna_0326

Tom Harper, director of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man and films like The Aeronauts, shares stories about directing the film sequel. He talks about shifting from TV to a singular cinematic story. He contrasts improvisational shooting with careful prep, discusses working with Cillian Murphy, and explains collaborating closely with his composer to shape the soundtrack.

John Patton Ford, director/writer known for Emily the Criminal, discusses his dark comedy How to Make a Killing. He talks about balancing grounded realism with over-the-top tone. He describes the script's long evolution, intensive location and editing work, and how sound design holds rapid scene shifts together.

Gore Verbinski, acclaimed director of Pirates of the Caribbean and Rango, chats about making Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die and the long road to get it made. He talks tone, balancing apocalyptic stakes with absurdist humor, casting and Sam Rockwell’s scrappy costume, intense diner shooting logistics, and updating the villain into a modern AI.

Emerald Fennell, film director, writer and producer known for stylized, provocative adaptations, discusses her Wuthering Heights. She chats about tonal balance between horror, comedy and desire. She describes surreal production choices like giant strawberries and plaster hands, her approach to adapting Brontë, and collaborating with Charli XCX on a bold soundtrack.

Josh Safdie, kinetic filmmaker, talks scouting New York-area locations and staging a period bowling alley. Ryan Coogler, director focused on Black experience and music, discusses Louisiana locations, set builds, and musical framing. Chloé Zhao, known for intimate naturalism, covers Hamnet staging and directing performances. Paul Thomas Anderson, auteur of character-driven films, talks casting and location scouting. Guillermo del Toro describes production design and thematic locations.

Chloé Zhao, director who uses dream work and somatic prep, talks casting kids and building ensemble language. Josh Safdie, known for raw, nontraditional casting, shares improvised tests and scouting real people. Guillermo del Toro, visual maestro, describes casting by presence and on-set editing. Ryan Coogler, storyteller focused on actors, discusses casting, music and twin-techniques. Paul Thomas Anderson explains casting non-actors and road-movie logistics.

Paul Feig, renowned for his unique blend of comedy and drama, discusses his latest film, The Housemaid, alongside director Lesli Linka Glatter. They delve into the intentional casting of Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, revealing how their on-screen chemistry enhances the narrative. Feig shares insights into the meticulous scouting of a 1908 Gothic house that shaped the film's scenes, and his approach to balancing humor with suspense. The duo also highlights the importance of close-ups in conveying characters' emotions, making for a fascinating conversation about filmmaking.

Bradley Cooper, a talented actor and filmmaker known for works like A Star Is Born, joins fellow director Bennett Miller for an insightful conversation. They delve into the inspiration behind Cooper's latest film, Is This Thing On?, rooted in a true story. He shares his immersive approach to capturing the New York comedy scene, discusses the impact of casting Laura Dern and Will Arnett, and reveals technical choices like handheld cinematography. The duo also reflects on the emotional complexities of co-parenting depicted in the film, making for a captivating discussion.