The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Dave Green discuss his new film, Coyote vs. Acme, with fellow Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the story behind the film’s distribution, his on-set tactics for shooting a mixed live action/animation film, and working with animators from a variety of backgrounds to capture the energy of the Looney Tunes series.

The film tells the story of Wile E. Coyote, who, after decades of enduring catastrophic product failures at the hands of ACME Inc., decides to finally fight back. Teaming up with a billboard accident lawyer, he takes on the company and their slick corporate counsel, exposing a cover-up that’s been blowing him up in the name of profit.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/oct2026/coyotevacme_qna_0826

Director Adam Shankman discuss his new film, Stop! That! Train!, with fellow Director Nzingha Stewart in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how films like Airplane! and Hot Shots! influenced the style of comedy, how shooting limitations led to inventive workarounds, and finding opportunities for a joke in every corner of the film.

The film tells the story of best friend stewardesses Tess and DeeDee, out of a job after their train line is discontinued. After sneaking aboard the luxurious Glamazonian Express where they are constantly upstaged by the snooty first-class crew, a massive storm arises, and they must all work together to prevent disaster.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/august2026/stopthattrain_qna_0626

Director Michael Sarnoski discuss his new film, The Death of Robin Hood, with fellow Director Drew Pearce in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses juxtaposing themes of violence and serenity for a fresh take on the Robin Hood myth, how he worked with Actor Hugh Jackman when filming gritty setpieces and action scenes, and discovering Composer Jim Ghedi who scored the old folk sound of the film.

The film tells the story of the famed thief, grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder. Finding himself gravely injured after a battle he thought would be his last, he ends up in the hands of a mysterious woman and is offered an opportunity at salvation.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/august2026/thedeathofrobinhood_qna_0626

Director Olivia Wilde discuss her new film, The Invite, with fellow Directors Matt and Ross Duffer in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angles. In the conversation, she discusses choosing the project from a want to tell a stripped down story with no gloss, her roles Directing and Acting in the film, and the origin of Actor Edward Norton’s memorable monologue.

The film tells the stories of Joe and Angela - their marriage on thin ice - as they decide to invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors over for a dinner party. As the event unfolds, the night spirals into unexpected places, potentially reigniting the spark in their marriage or lighting the match that could burn it all down.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/august2026/theinvite_qna_0626

Director Julian Schnabel discuss his new film, In the Hand of Dante, with fellow Director Benny Safdie in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses his spontaneous approach to his directing style, casting Actors in double roles between the film’s two time periods, and his choice to shoot the two settings in a mixture of black and white and color film.

Based on the 2002 novel by Nick Tosches, the film tells the story of a 21st Century scholar, on the run after stealing a rumored original manuscript of The Divine Comedy from a mafia don. Meanwhile, in the 14th Century, Dante himself navigates political exile and undergoes a spiritual awakening while trying to write his masterpiece.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/august2026/inthehandofdante_qna_0626