An idealistic young politician juggles her family and work life in Director James L. Brooks’ comedic-drama, Ella McCay.

Brooks’ film spins the tale of Ella, a 34-year-old woman who becomes the governor of her state after the longtime incumbent governor suddenly accepts a cabinet position in the incoming Obama administration. Supported by her aunt through the rough and tumble world of politics, she finds that navigating relationships with her husband, brother and her estranged, charming, but problematic father who has just re-entered her life, may be some of her biggest challenges of them all.

On December 6, after the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles, Brooks discussed the making of Ella McCay during a Q&A moderated by Director Albert Brooks (Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World), who also appears in the film.

During the conversation, James Brooks spoke about how he works with his actors during the casting process.

“Instead of just sitting there and saying, ‘Do it again,’ or anything, I just try and go to work during the audition and just see what happens out of that mix. It’s like a work session for me... time goes, these are not five minute auditions.”

Brooks’ other directorial credits include the feature films How Do You Know, Spanglish and I’ll Do Anything; and an episode of Terra X History. He is a two-time nominee for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for As Good as It Gets (1997) and Broadcast News (1987). Brooks took home both the DGA Award and the Academy Award for his 1983 feature, Terms of Endearment.

Brooks has been a DGA member since 1983 and has served as a member of the Western Directors Council.