The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Julie Dash participates in a conversation with Melina Matsoukas on Dash's career as a filmmaker. She shares details from behind the scenes of her films (Daughters of the Dust, Travel Notes of Geechee Girl, The Rosa Parks Story) and talks about her desire to present narratives with authenticity.

Director Spike Lee participates in a conversation with John Turturro on Lee's early life and influences, his philosophy as a creative, and his beloved Brooklyn. Mr. Lee discusses his directing process using examples from Do the Right Thing, Mo Better Blues, Crooklyn, and Malcolm X.

Director Ang Lee engages in an in-depth conversation with Jeremy Kagan about his filmography and his philosophy regarding craft. Mr. Lee discusses his directing process using examples from Brokeback Mountain, Lust, Caution, and Life of Pi.

Director Ava Duvernay engages in an in-depth conversation with Alex Stapleton about her filmography and her philosophy regarding craft. Ms. Duvernay discusses her directing process using examples from When They See Us, Selma, and Queen Sugar.

Director Mimi Leder engages in an in-depth conversation with Jeremy Kagan about her filmography and the lessons she's learned over her career. Ms. Leder discusses her directing process using examples from The Leftovers, On the Basis of Sex, and The Peacemaker.

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.