DMF Episode 306 — Filmmaker Sara Alessandrini (Part 2): "You Need to Know the Real Role of a Director!"

Welcome to the DMF.I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Sara Alessandrini, who dives deep into the hierarchy of film production and the often misunderstood roles of directors and producers.Sara has met her fair share of people who love calling themselves “director” but shy away from the responsibilities that come with it — and she’s not afraid to talk about it. With experience in both Italy and the United States, she’s seen firsthand how dramatically different directors can be, and how those differences shape a set.She explains that a true director isn’t defined by a title but by vision — the clarity to know what they want and the communication skills to guide an entire team toward that goal. Sara opens up about her film school journey, the early mistakes she made, and how learning every role on set fundamentally changed her approach to directing.Her insights offer a grounded, realistic look at what it actually takes to lead a production. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or simply curious about how movies get made, Sara breaks down the challenges, misconceptions, and triumphs of directing with honesty and experience.Join us as she pulls back the curtain on the real work happening behind the scenes — and why knowing your craft inside and out is absolutely essential.Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more industry insight and filmmaking wisdom.00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:07 - The Role of a Director00:01:23 - The Importance of Understanding Different Roles in Filmmaking00:03:32 - Learning from Mistakes and Gaining Experience00:04:34 - The Decision to Learn All Aspects of Filmmaking00:05:25 - Experiences Working in the Egyptian Theater00:06:42 - The Love for Music Videos00:08:34 - The Birth of 'This is What New Yorkers Say'00:10:30 - Frustrations with the Movie Industry00:15:30 - Leaving the Egyptian Theater and Working with Netflix00:16:10 - The Challenges of Building Safety Standards in California00:17:37 - Frustration with the Response to COVID00:18:11 - Political Interests and Experiences in Rome00:19:18 - Encounter with Dario Argento00:20:35 - Involvement in the Screening of Suspiria00:23:44 - Keeping Updated with Press Conferences During COVID00:24:38 - Discovering and Admiring Cuomo00:26:37 - Desire to Improve Society00:28:21 - ConclusionCheck out Sara's website, where you can learn more about the documentary miniseries and find links to watch it! https://www.thisiswhatnewyorkerssay.com https://www.instagram.com/lasava.alessandrini/