Life of Mike with Derick Halliman and Christine Swanson (Ep. 554) episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 12, 2025 · 28 MIN

Life of Mike with Derick Halliman and Christine Swanson (Ep. 554)

from The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast · host Directors Guild of America

Director Derick Halliman discusses his new film, Life of Mike, with fellow Director Christine Swanson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses finding depth in a complex and disillusioned main character, favoring small casts and sets for tight control of his environment, and serving multiple roles as the Director, Co-Producer, Writer and Cinematographer of the film. The film tells the story of Mike Smith, a thriving real estate tycoon, who lives a life devoid of close friends or family. As his birthday unfolds, his wife makes a heartfelt attempt to show him love, setting off a chain of events that make him confront the reality of who genuinely cares for him and who doesn’t. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/september2025/lifeofmike_qna_0725

Director Derick Halliman discusses his new film, Life of Mike, with fellow Director Christine Swanson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses finding depth in a complex and disillusioned main character, favoring small casts and sets for tight control of his environment, and serving multiple roles as the Director, Co-Producer, Writer and Cinematographer of the film. The film tells the story of Mike Smith, a thriving real estate tycoon, who lives a life devoid of close friends or family. As his birthday unfolds, his wife makes a heartfelt attempt to show him love, setting off a chain of events that make him confront the reality of who genuinely cares for him and who doesn’t. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://www.dga.org/events/2025/september2025/lifeofmike_qna_0725

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Life of Mike with Derick Halliman and Christine Swanson (Ep. 554)

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This episode was published on August 12, 2025.

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Director Derick Halliman discusses his new film, Life of Mike, with fellow Director Christine Swanson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses finding depth in a complex and disillusioned main character, favoring...

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