Roofman with Derek Cianfrance and David Gordon Green (Ep. 569)
Director Derek Cianfrance discusses his new film, Roofman, with fellow Director David Gordon Green in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his process of researching the story by consulting with the real Jeffrey Manchester in prison, working with production to recreate a period accurate Toys”R”Us from 2004, and how he aimed to capture the nostalgia of the early 2000s by choosing to film on 35mm.
The film tells the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, a charismatic criminal who goes into hiding on the roof of a Toys “R” Us. Adopting a new identity, he begins to form a relationship with one of the employees, jeopardizing his double life as his past closes in.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/roofman_qna_0925
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The Roses with Jay Roach and Jason Reitman (Ep. 568)
Director Jay Roach discusses his new film, The Roses, with fellow Director Jason Reitman in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with his Actors to find the right balance of dark comedy and drama in the film, collaborating with his spouse and many other musical artists to craft a soundtrack that fit the film’s tone, and how he approached remaking a foreign film for American audiences that may not receive the content in a similar way.
The film tells the story of Ivy and Theo, a couple living a seemingly ideal life with a loving marriage, successful careers and great kids. But when Theo’s career nosedives and Ivy’s ambitions take off, a tinderbox of hidden resentment and fierce competition ignites as the reality of their relationship bubbles to the surface.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/theroses_qna_0925
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One Battle After Another with Paul Thomas Anderson and Steven Spielberg (Ep. 567)
Director Paul Thomas Anderson discusses his new film, One Battle After Another, with fellow Director Steven Spielberg in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how he worked with his Actors to bring to life the distinct characters they inhabited, why Vistavision was the best format to capture the story, and how he discovered the ending sequence by exploring the location.
The film follows Bob Ferguson, a former militant now living a quiet life in hiding with his daughter Willa. When Willa goes missing, Bob must track her down with the help of his fellow revolutionaries and battle the consequences of his past.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/onebattleafteranother_qna_0925a
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Spinal Tap II: The End Continues with Rob Reiner and Paul Feig (Ep. 566)
Director Rob Reiner discusses his new film, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, with fellow Director Paul Feig in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his process of discovering the story in the edit through the Actors’ many improvisational takes, how he aims for a documentary-style feel by forgoing blocking and letting crew appear in the shots, and using real world inspiration of reuniting bands and going viral on the internet as pretext for a sequel.
This follow up to the 1984 feature This is Spinal Tap finds documentarian Marty DiBergi once again shadowing the bandmates of Spinal Tap as they reunite after 15 years to put on one final show.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/spinaltap2_qna_0925
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Code 3 with Christopher Leone and Etan Cohen (Ep. 565)
Director Christopher Leone discusses his new film, Code 3, with fellow Director Etan Cohen in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses collaborating with his co-Writer - who was once a real paramedic - to maintain accuracy, working with his effects team to create realistic wound portrayals, and finding the tone of the film having pulled inspiration from comedy and war films.
The film tells the story of Randy, an overworked paramedic who is about to resign. While training his replacement on his the last 24-hour shift, their routine night quickly spirals into a chaotic, citywide odyssey as they race from one emergency to the next.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/code3_qna_0925
Brought to you by the Directors Guild of America, ”The Director’s Cut” will bring you the behind-the-scenes stories of today’s most talked about films. Each episode features a different director interviewed by one of their peers, leading to revealing conversations about the grueling, but rewarding process of bringing their films to life.
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