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In honor of THE MUSICAL now in theaters nationwide, we're bringing back our conversation with director Giselle Bonilla who tells us all the details about directing kids, how the production came to be (then almost fell apart) and how Rob Lowe saved the day. The Musical is Bonilla's feature debut. Go see it... now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we talk to Lena Khan, the director of the Netflix hit movie Best of the Best, co-written by Hasan Minaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam. Think Pitch Perfect but with South Asian dance competitions! We discuss casting, how to work with choreography, how to shoot dance sequences in a dynamic way that also doesn't overwork our cast-- and many more things! Lena is an Emmy-nominated writer and director known for bringing unexpected stories to massive audiences. Her first feature film, THE TIGER HUNTER, released in over 70 cities nationwide and garnered effusively positive reviews. Fresh off of its release, Disney tapped Lena to direct FLORA AND ULYSSES, a live action family comedy 40x the budget of her first film, that released this year and was among the top streamed movies in the world for multiple weeks. Lena has received an Emmy nomination for her work in television directing, working on shows ranging from multiple episodes of NEVER HAVE I EVER to THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY. Lena is also producing a show for Disney+, and recently executive produced the Academy Award-nominated documentary short STRANGER AT THE GATE, alongside Malala. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dani Girdwood and Charlotte Fassler are a directing duo under the moniker Similar But Different. They are known for their sharp wit, bold style, and a knack for coaxing out performances that feel effortlessly real— and for being a pretty good time. Dubbed a “female powerhouse duo” by Adweek’s Lindsay Rittenhouse, the duo has been celebrated by Cannes Lions, The British Arrows, Ciclope, AICP Next Awards, The Andy Awards, and Tribeca Film Festival—while also earning nods from Rolling Stone, Billboard, HuffPost, Ad Age, and more.vWith roots in the music video space,  they’ve worked with global artists including Katy Perry, The Chainsmokers, Liam Payne, and Amy Allen. In the commercial arena, they’ve delivered award-winning campaigns for brands like Spotify, Diesel, and Google. Cannes Lions ranked them the 3rd most awarded directors of 2021, and Campaign Magazine placed them among the top 10 directors of the year. Most recently, Dani and Charlotte directed their debut feature for Amazon Studios, MY FAULT: LONDON — a buzzy, wild YA romance action thriller that weaves through the underground racing world and a steamy forbidden romance. The movie was a massive global hit, reaching #1 on the Amazon charts in over 103 countries. The hotly anticipated sequel, YOUR FAULT: LONDON is out now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Originally a Fort Worth, Texas native, Carlson Young attended USC  where she studied Creative Writing while co-starring in SCREAM: The TV Series and appearing in series such as Key and Peele and EMILY IN PARIS. Carlson’s directorial debut, psychological horror fantasy THE BLAZING WORLD, premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, and her sophomore feature for Amazon romcom UPGRADED starring Camila Mendes, Archie Renaux, and Marisa Tomei was the #3 most streamed film worldwide for the platform in 2024. Her third feature, Paramount’s Sophie Turner led thriller TRUST (2025) also dominated global streaming for the platform.  She has not one but TWO Amazon MGM films premiering this year – THE LAST SUNRISE premiered on August 26th and is OUT NOW! It is a feature adaptation of Anna Todd's romance novel starring Maia Reficco and Eva Longoria, and the SECOND is a Christmas comedy CLASHING THROUGH THE SNOW starring Chris Briney and Michelle Randolph which will be released in November later this year!.  THE LAST SUNRISE: During a summer escape to Mallorca with her mother, a young dancer living with severe epilepsy unexpectedly falls for a local fisherman, forcing her to risk her health and embrace living in the moment before hidden family secrets unravel her world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of her team's Emmy nomination for Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes for THE BOYS we're rolling it back to our conversation with Laura Jean (LJ) Shannon!! We think that everyone — costume designers, directors, producers, etc. — could learn a thing (or 5) from the fantastic Laura Jean Shannon, a Specialty Costume Designer with a focus on Superhero’s and other sci/fi & fantasy characters. She brings her knowledge of unconventional designs and construction principles to Specialty Character development in Film and TV projects from the course of her 30 plus year career. LJ serves as the Super Hero Costume Designer and Associate Producer on Amazon’s hit shows THE BOYS and GEN V as well as the highly anticipated origin story, VOUGHT RISING. Her most recent work includes the Robots on critically acclaimed MURDERBOT as well as Specialty Characters in RED ONE. Collaborating with Director Jake Kasdan and Star Dwayne Johnson again as she did Costume Designing the smash hit “JUMANJI:WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE” and the forthcoming 3rd installment of the JUMANJI franchise. Shannon’s other film credits include: IRONMAN, ELF, CHEF and ZATHURA , directed by Jon Favreau. TWO GUNS, directed by Baltazar Kormakur, SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD, directed by Edgar Wright; REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, directed by Darren Aronofsky; and many more… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Vika chats with the writer-director and lead actor of feature film HONEYJOON! Lilian T. Mehrel & Ayden Mayeri share their process, what it was like to film in Portugal, and how to get actors interested in your film as a first time feature director. You can keep up with the film screenings, buy the blu ray or get merch on their SUBSTACK In the film, June and her Persian-British mom Lela travel to the romantic Azores for a grief anniversary, with contrasting ways of coping. A hot-and-deep surfer takes them on a tour as we surf the waves of life, loss, flirting - an unforgettable ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of Corrin's feature debut, CORPUS, which just premiered at Fantasia 2026, we're bringing back our conversation about writing, directing, and working as an Intimacy Coordinator in Hollywood. Intimacy Coordination is still a relatively new aspect of the film and television industry and we have the incredible Corrin Evans (Maxxxine, American Horror Stories, Dicks: The Musical, the After films & more) on to discuss what the role entails, how she got into the work & how it has informed her own work as a writer and director. If you're an IC, a director or an actor this is a MUST LISTEN. If you enjoy this conversation, check out Corrin's podcast THE ACHE. & Follow Daddy Dailies on instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we chat with Kimmy Gatewood, multi-hyphenate extraordinaire and director of Disney's latest installment of mega-franchise musicals, Descendants: Wicked Wonderland! From directing to writing and producing, bringing characters to life in film and television, and more, multi-hyphenate award winning lady-boss Kimmy Gatewood has quickly made a name for herself in the entertainment industry.  She has directed many acclaimed series like Girls5Eva (produced by Tina Fey), Crazy Ex Girlfriend, Single Drunk Female, Welcome to Flatch (produced by Paul Feig), Timeline (produced by Will Gluck), Ghosts, Up Here, The Big Leap, and Chicken Sisters. She has also found success in the family space, winning an 2021 Daytime Emmy for Best Directing for her work on Sesame Street, earning a 2022 Emmy nomination for directing The Baby-Sitter’s Club, which won the 2022 Emmy for Outstanding Family Viewing Series, and Muppets Mayhem, for which she was again nominated for best directing and again won the 2023 Emmy for Outstanding Family Viewing Series.  Kimmy’s feature directorial debut Good on Paper starring Iliza Shlesinger premiered in Netflix’s top ten in summer 2021. She also directed Patti Harrison and Tim Hedeicker in Team Coco’s audio movie My Guy Died streaming on audible. She was most recently the Producing Director of Going Dutch Season 2 starring Denis Leary for Fox. She directed Disney’s mega-franchise musical Descendants Wicked Wonderland , OUT NOW ON Disney+.  You may recognize her from her on-screen role as Coach Crowley on Atypical and Stacey on Netflix’s critically acclaimed series GLOW.  Descendants: Wicked Wonderland - Red and Chloe's peace is shattered when an unexpected new villain, Maddox Hatter, emerges and captures the Queen of Hearts, forcing them to join forces with a crew of allies to save Wonderland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joy Gorman Wettels is a career producer and founder of JOY COALITION,  a production venture focused on bridging generations through purpose-driven content. A leading voice at the intersection of entertainment and social impact, Gorman partners with organizations on youth mental health, justice reform, and inclusive storytelling. She originated the new adaptation of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE , premiering July 9th on NETFLIX… and it’s ALREADY been renewed for Season 2.  Other TV projects include the critically acclaimed drama 13 REASONS WHY, UNPRISONED & SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD among others. We talk to her about her love for Little House and how this adaptation differs and expands upon the beloved books and original TV show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Izabel Pakzad is an Iranian-Greek American filmmaker, writer, and actor. She wrote and directed her debut feature film, Find Your Friends (2026), starring Helena Howard (Madeline's Madeline,) Bella Thorne (Divinity,) Chloe Cherry (Euphoria,) Zion Moreno (Gossip Girl,) Sophia Ali (Uncharted,) and Chris Bauer (The Wire.) FIND YOUR FRIENDS - Amber and her friends visit Joshua Tree for a fun girls' trip but face hostility from locals. As tensions escalate and Amber's dark past surfaces, their rebellion ignites - turning their desert getaway into a jaw-dropping game of revenge.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chelsea Bruland is an Emmy-nominated stunt coordinator and second unit director. Originally from Australia, Chelsea began as an actor before discovering her passion for action storytelling. She’s earned a Children and Family Emmy nomination for stunt coordinating Descendants: The Rise of Red and recently coordinated Is God Is and Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters, both of which are in theaters at the moment, and the Netflix hit show The Hunting Wives.helsea is also among the first female stunt coordinators in Australia to be graded under the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, marking a significant milestone in the field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She's The He is a trans coming-of-age comedy currently in theaters across the United States. Siobhan McCarthy (they/them) talks to us about the making of the film, the why behind it, and the way their cast came together in the most perfect way. Not Your Daddy's Films hosted a special screening for the community, and now you get to be part of it too. find out about screenings near you: https://shesthehemovie.com/ Follow Not Your Daddy's Films Follow Daddy Dailies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The perfect modern RomCom doesn't exist--- hold the phone-- Voicemails For Isabelle just entered the chat! You've cried, you've laughed, you've shared your love for this movie with your internet friends and now you can geek out with us & writer/director LEAH MCKENDRICK! We chat with Leah about her RomCom non negotiables, her first two features MFA and Scrambled, and her advice on writing and directing. Be warned, spoilers ahead! EDITED BY ABBY BENSON Follow Daddy Dailies Follow Not Your Daddy's Films Follow Leah McKendrick Watch Voicemails for Isabelle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Nora Kirkpatrick the writer and director of this month's COUPLES WEEKEND to talk about her fascinating journey from rockstar and actor to filmmaker. Nora grew up in rural Iowa before graduating from UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film and Television. Upon graduation, Nora joined Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, won a GRAMMY and toured the world, playing Coachella, Lollapalooza, Glastonbury and SXSW, among others. Nora honed her writing skills while on tour, and upon leaving the group, hit the ground running, selling shows to CBS, Hulu, Paramount and Comedy Central, among others.  She was recently a writer on Amazon's Emmy and Golden Globe nominated hit series, DAISY JONES AND THE SIX, a writer/co-producer on the  Amazon series, THE RUNAROUNDS, from the creators of OUTER BANKS. And prior to that Nora created, wrote and directed a 15- episode interactive television show for EKO and FunnyOrDie called THE COOP, co-starred Tony Hale, Bobby Moynihan, Bridget Everett and Margaret Cho. She created, wrote and directed DOOR NO. 1, a first of its kind live-action VR comedy series, starring Snoop Dogg and Ravi Patel, for Hulu, directed on THE GOLDBERGS and was the first woman ever to direct a campaign for Bud Light. She also recently wrapped production on her second feature, WHODUNNIT a rom-com starring Lana Condor and Jack Whitehall and will be released in late 2026, and is currently a writer/producer on Amazon's upcoming series ESCORTED starring Brett Goldstein.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giselle Bonilla received her MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute Conservatory. Her thesis film, THE BULLFIGHTER, won the Student Director's Guild of America Grand Prize Award, and received Special Mention for Best Comedy at Palm Springs' Shortsfest. Giselle is a Latino Film Institute x Netflix Inclusion Fellow, Telluride FilmLAB Fellow, and an alum of the Sundance Institute as an Ignite x Adobe Fellow. Her feature directorial debut, THE MUSICAL, premiered in U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and is based on a short of the same title she and her crew made while at AFI. The feature was executive produced by her mentors: director, Jonathan Levine, and producer, Gillian Bohrer. THE MUSICAL stars Tony-award winner: Will Brill, Gillian Jacobs, and is produced by and starring Rob Lowe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices