Episode

Ella McCay with James L. Brooks and Albert Brooks (Ep. 591)

Podcast
The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
Published
Dec 17, 2025
Duration seconds
1989
Processing state
not_requested
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https://thedirectorscutadgapodcast.podbean.com/e/ella-mccay-with-james-l-brooks-and-albert-brooks-ep-591/
Audio
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/wx9nbz39ifh4j92e/Ella_McCay_with_James_L_Brooks_and_Albert_Brooks_Ep_591_6chg0.mp3
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Summary

Director James L. Brooks discusses his new film, Ella McCay, with fellow Director Albert Brooks in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his process of casting and how he found Actor Emma Mackey for the lead role, shares how he works with his Cinematographers and Actors, and takes time to reflect on his storied career and history with Albert Brooks. The film tells the story of Ella, a young politician who suddenly becomes the governor of her state after the longtime incumbent accepts a cabinet position with the president. Trying to navigate this new rough and tumble realm of politics, she finds that her fractured family relationships may pose an even bigger challenge. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2026/january2026/ellamccay_qna_1225