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Meet the Nominees: Feature Film Symposium

February 2, 2019

71st Annual DGA Awards

On Saturday morning, February 2, the DGA presented its membership with a unique opportunity to celebrate the craft of directing during the 28th Annual Meet the Nominees: Feature Film symposium. Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film Award nominees Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born), Alfonso Cuarón (Roma), Peter Farrelly (Green Book), Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman), and Adam McKay (Vice) joined moderator Jeremy Kagan onstage for an in-depth discussion about their work.

“As always, this is one of our most popular events of the year – a celebration of the craft of directing. It’s an extraordinary and rare pleasure to be in the company of our outstanding feature film director nominees as they share the stories of their individual journeys in bringing their films to life,” said DGA President Thomas Schlamme as he welcomed the standing room only crowd packing the Guild’s Los Angeles Theater. “We are fortunate that all five of this year’s nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film have joined us today. Each of these fine directors join an illustrious line of filmmakers throughout Guild history who have represented the best in directorial achievement. Congratulations to each of you.”

Following the traditional screening of a clip from each film, Kagan led the nominees in a lively roundtable discussion of technical and creative processes of each director from pre-production to final cut. As usual, the spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect was evident even though in a matter of hours, only one of them would be able to take home this year’s DGA Award for Feature Film Award. However, on this morning it was clear that they were all winners.

 

 

Below watch video highlights.

You can watch the full panel by clicking the video above. Or listen to the panel in podcast form by clicking the following links: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Find all of our podcasts here. 

Meet the Nominees: Feature Film Symposium:

  • Directed by: Jim Drake
  • Director of Photography: Chad Wilson
  • Stage Manager: Tracey Smith Baumert
See photos in the gallery below.

Pictures & Video

photos by Byron Gamarro

View slideshow
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Director Alfonso Cuarón explains his theory of the "evil killer" and how it attempts to sabotage the director when making a film like Roma.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Director Bradley Cooper details the importance of finding a specific "quality" within an actor when casting A Star is Born.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Director Peter Farrelly speaks about trying to convince Viggo Mortenson to take on the lead role of Tony Lip in Green Book and how it led to casting Mahershala Ali.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Director Spike Lee talks about his use of the double dolly shot in BlacKkKlansman and developing it as his signature early in his career.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Director Adam McKay highlights a comedic moment that was improvised in the mostly dark Vice and shares an insight into his directorial style with Christian Bale who plays former Vice President Dick Cheney.
DGA President Thomas Schlamme welcomes the audience to the 28th Annual Meet the Nominees: Feature Film event.
The Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film Award nominees make their way into DGA Theater One.
Feature film award nominees DGA Award Nominees Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born), Peter Farrelly (Green Book), Adam McKay (Vice), Alfonso Cuarón (Roma), and Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman), join moderator Jeremy Kagan on the stage.
Director Peter Farrelly speaks about what led to his directorial choices on Green Book.
Directors Adam McKay and Alfonso Cuarón are amused by an answer to a question from moderator Jeremy Kagan.
Director Spike Lee discusses the journey to the making of BlacKkKlansman.
Director Bradley Cooper enjoys the moment with his fellow feature directing award nominees.
A capacity audience of DGA members and guests fills the DGA Los Angeles Theater for one of the premier events of the year.

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