The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Gabriel Mascaro discusses his new film, O Último Azul, with fellow Director Lily Mariye in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses crafting a dystopian future that speculates on change in societal practices over technological advancement, finding real-life inspiration for the film in his grandparents’ life, and the rigorous attention to detail that went into the film’s sound design. The film tells the story of 77-year-old Tereza, who has lived her whole life in a small industrial town in Brazil. When she receives an official government order to relocate to a senior housing colony, Tereza decides to take a journey that will fulfill one last wish before her freedom is taken away. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/gcs_o-ultimo-azul_0625 [https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/gcs_o-ultimo-azul_0625]

Director Dean DeBlois discusses his new film, How to Train Your Dragon, with fellow Director Phil Lord in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses taking lessons from his background in animation to give his characters defining appearances, utilizing puppeteers to give life to the on-set dragon for stronger performances, and using the remake as an opportunity to flesh out more detail in the characters and setting. This live action remake of the animated hit tells the story of an inventive young Viking named Hiccup, who must face a test and fight his village’s deadly draconic nemesis. But instead of battling the dragon, Hiccup befriends it, and their bond becomes the key to forging a new future as an ancient threat endangers them all. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/how2trainyourdragon_qna_0625 [https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/how2trainyourdragon_qna_0625]

Director Joseph Kosinski discusses his new film, F1: The Movie, with fellow Director Dan Gilroy in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses traveling the world for coverage of the real F1 race tracks, consulting with drivers to capture a faithful perspective during the racing sequences, and working with Composer Hans Zimmer for a soundtrack that could work in unison with the volume of an F1 event. The film tells the story of Sonny Hayes, a once promising driver who was sidelined after an accident decades ago. Coaxed out of retirement to mentor the hotshot rookie prodigy of a struggling F1 team, Sonny rides his road to redemption. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/f1-themovie_qna_0625 [https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/f1-themovie_qna_0625]

Director James Madigan discusses his new film, Fight or Flight, with fellow Director Rawson Marshall Thurber in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses aiming for the right tonal mixture in action-violence and comedy, working with Actor Josh Hartnett on stunt choreography within a limited rehearsal period, and casting supporting Actors by feeling out their connection to their roles. The film tells the story of disgraced American operative Lucas Reyes offered one last shot at redemption: locate and ID an elusive target known as “The Ghost” on a flight from Bangkok to San Francisco. But when he finds the plane is filled with elite assassins who have orders to eliminate them both, Reyes and his target must team up to protect themselves. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/fightorflight_qna_0625 [https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/fightorflight_qna_0625]

Director Celine Song discusses her new film, Materialists, with fellow Director Mona Fastvold in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she discusses how the film was inspired by her own time as a matchmaker, the differences in dating culture values across countries that contributed to crafting the narrative, and how the process of casting the right Actors for her roles mirrored the matchmaker theme of the film. The film tells the story of Lucy, a successful New York City matchmaker who maintains that she will only marry a wealthy man. But when she becomes entangled in a romantic triangle with Harry, a charming billionaire, and her ex-boyfriend John, she finds her plans are not so clear cut. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/materialists_qna_0625 [https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/materialists_qna_0625]