Team Deakins

The Team Deakins podcast is an ongoing conversation between acclaimed cinematographer Roger Deakins and James Deakins, his collaborator, about cinematography, the film business and whatever other questions are submitted. We start with a specific question and end....who knows where! We are joined by guests periodically. Followup questions can be posted in the forums at www.rogerdeakins.com.

JOHN SAYLES - Actor / Writer / Director / Novelist 09/20/2023

JOHN SAYLES - Actor / Writer / Director / Novelist Actor, writer, director, and novelist John Sayles (MATEWAN, BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET, LONE STAR) joins Team Deakins on this episode of the podcast for a discussion covering his long career in filmmaking and in fiction writing. A true multi-hyphenate, John first describes his postgraduate journey from working in an Italian sausage factory to enlisting in the Roger Corman film factory. John reflects on his luck having his first three screenplays produced under the legendary filmmaker and on the lessons he learned shooting his self-funded first feature. Working chiefly in independent American cinema, John considers the times and the market in which he came up that facilitated his filmmaking and offers advice for young filmmakers today. Among the many other topics of discussion, we consider the following: how John decides which medium best serves a story, the benefits of cutting in your head during production, and how comfortable an actor may or may not feel working out of an Econo Lodge in West Virginia. - This episode is sponsored by Dallas Film Commission Instagram: @dallasfilmcommission /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27750342

BILL HADER - Actor / Director / Showrunner 09/13/2023

BILL HADER - Actor / Director / Showrunner Actor, director, and showrunner Bill Hader (BARRY, INSIDE OUT, THE SKELETON TWINS) joins Team Deakins to discuss his multi-faceted career in one of our funnier conversations. Reared in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bill describes how he first rode into town despite an early setback being rejected from film school for being “too entertaining.” We later drive down memory lane as Bill recounts several exciting but terrifying stories of PA’ing on low-budget films around LA—stops include a seven camera setup (all pointed at a map), watching us wrap early on THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE (with envy), and learning what a controlled burn is (and maybe isn’t). Bill also shares his experience co-showrunning BARRY with Alec Berg, a discussion ranging in topics from “what is a tone meeting?” to which takes actor Henry Winkler consistently nails his performance. At the end, Bill discusses his post-BARRY aspirations and the longevity of classic films that, despite their imperfections, stand tall today on the merits of their craft. - This episode is sponsored by Dallas Film Commission Instagram: @dallasfilmcommission /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27706161

JENNY BEAVAN - Costume Designer 09/06/2023

JENNY BEAVAN - Costume Designer Acclaimed costume designer Jenny Beavan (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, CURELLA, A ROOM WITH A VIEW) joins us for a conversation about her craft on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. Hailing from England, Jenny shares how she fell in with the famed Merchant Ivory troupe, and she describes spending her early formative professional years traveling around the world and working alongside the legendary filmmakers. We later consider how, just as with real people, characters reuse clothing and how some costume pieces take on a life of their own. Jenny also reflects on how she adapts after having the wool pulled over her eyes on a project and how designing costumes is never about the clothes themselves but about the stories they tell. At the end, Jenny is generous enough to offer salient advice to budding costume designers. - This episode is sponsored by Dallas Film Commission Instagram: @dallasfilmcommission /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27705948

AVA DUVERNAY - Writer / Director 08/30/2023

AVA DUVERNAY - Writer / Director On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we sit down with writer and director Ava DuVernay (WHEN THEY SEE US, 13TH, SELMA) for a lively conversation about her career and her craft. Ava credits her early love for cinema to her classic-film-loving, night-shift-working aunt, and she describes the lightbulb moment while on location of Michael Mann’s COLLATERAL that catalyzed her transition from running her own boutique publicity agency to filmmaking. Ava later shares David Oyelowo’s persuasive pitch to her to direct SELMA, what changes she made to the script to make the film within its relatively modest budget, and how Oprah lent her influence during the shooting of a pivotal scene. After Ava reveals her newfound love for dailies while shooting her latest feature, we consider the viewing ritual’s collaborative nature, its widespread decline in use, and Ava’s commitment to the process in her future projects. Plus, at the end, Ava tells us which photo of Roger inspires her the most. - This episode is sponsored by Dallas Film Commission Instagram: @dallasfilmcommission /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27643515

GREIG FRASER - Cinematographer - THE BATMAN - Part 2 08/23/2023

GREIG FRASER - Cinematographer - THE BATMAN - Part 2 On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we’re sharing the rest of our previously live-streamed conversation between Team Deakins and cinematographer Greig Fraser diving into his work on THE BATMAN. We start by talking all things lighting, and Greig shares how he and his team used non-film light fixtures to achieve a natural look in the film. We later discuss the importance of on-set chemistry and how a great attitude can outweigh experience when crewing. Greig shares how his team worked to match the menace of the Batmobile with the truck in Steven Spielberg’s DUEL and how closely he worked with the art department during production. Greig also reveals which light best complimented Zoë Kravitz’s makeup, and he pulls into focus the potential applications of an adjustable depth of field in the Volume lighting system. A link to the images mentioned in the episode can be found . - This episode is sponsored by Dallas Film Commission & Falca Instagram: @dallasfilmcommission & @falcagram /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27577869

GREIG FRASER - Cinematographer - THE BATMAN - Part 1 08/16/2023

GREIG FRASER - Cinematographer - THE BATMAN - Part 1 On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we’re sharing the first half of our live-streamed conversation between Team Deakins and cinematographer Greig Fraser focusing on his work on THE BATMAN. Greig describes to us what drew him to work on the project in the first place and how, even with COVID delays, he and director Matt Reeves still needed more time to prep. Greig reveals the early conversations he had with Matt about the potential applications of the Volume lighting system and how the interactivity of their intended lighting design precluded the use of bluescreen. We later consider the emotional impact of time of day and, in the face of recent technological advances, the irreplaceability of real actors. We discuss the film’s strength as a character piece and how those characters informed Greig’s design decisions, and we also pull back the cowl on the practicality of superhero capes. A link to the images mentioned in the episode can be found . - This episode is sponsored by Falca & Dallas Film Commission Instagram: @falcagram & @dallasfilmcommission /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27577821

RUTH DE JONG - Production Designer 08/09/2023

RUTH DE JONG - Production Designer Team Deakins is joined by talented production designer Ruth De Jong (OPPENHEIMER, NOPE, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA). A creative scion of the accomplished production designer Jack Fisk, Ruth explains how Jack recruited her to assist him on THERE WILL BE BLOOD and the subsequent ten year partnership in which he was her mentor. She later reflects on how she’s grown after each project as well as how to stay malleable after the train that is production leaves the station. Ruth also describes the invigorating responsibility she felt to deliver on OPPENHEIMER after Christopher Nolan cut days from the schedule to balance the film's budget and the timely encouragement he gave her deep in production. She also shares her experiences working on TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN and how she worked off illustrations and paintings created by David Lynch to build and design the series’ many scenes. - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion & Dallas Film Commission & Falca Instagram: @truecutmotion & @dallasfilmcommission & @falcagram - Recommended Viewing: OPPENHEIMER /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27577695

RYAN COOGLER - Writer / Director 08/02/2023

RYAN COOGLER - Writer / Director On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we’re sharing our thoughtful conversation with writer and director Ryan Coogler (BLACK PANTHER, CREED, FRUITVALE STATION). An Oakland native, Ryan reveals how film became his family’s second language and how his parents fostered his interest in cinema throughout his childhood. Later in our discussion, Ryan shares how he brought an athlete’s mentality to film school by always trying to score a touchdown every time he picked up the camera to prove to himself and to those around him that he could build a career in filmmaking. Ryan also reflects on creating CREED with Sylvester Stallone, praising him as “the perfect collaborator” and acknowledging how he couldn’t begrudge the creator of the ROCKY franchise for his cautiousness towards handing over writing duties for the first time in the franchise’s history. We also discuss how the filmmakers that broke through in the culture Ryan consumed in his youth influenced his professional direction and how, by relying on his crew, Ryan is free to focus on his actors. - This episode is sponsored by Dallas Film Commission & Falca & TrueCut Motion Instagram: @dallasfilmcommission & @falcagram & @truecutmotion /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27487560

BENICIO DEL TORO - Actor 07/26/2023

BENICIO DEL TORO - Actor Team Deakins speaks with actor Benicio del Toro (SICARIO, TRAFFIC, THE FRENCH DISPATCH). Benicio expresses his gratitude to the Stella Adler Studio for serving him as a bastion in which he weathered the storm of rejections he faced early in his career. We discuss the definition of heroes on screen and what it means to play them, and Benicio considers the different demands of acting in superhero films in comparison to more grounded projects. We walk down memory lane remembering working together on SICARIO. Towards the end, we reflect that no production is the same experience and not one was the experience we thought it would be. - This conversation was recorded on May 2, 2023. - This episode is sponsored by Falca & TrueCut Motion & Dallas Film Commission Instagram: @falcagram & @truecutmotion & @dallasfilmcommission /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27340044

SARAH POLLEY - Writer / Director / Actor 07/19/2023

SARAH POLLEY - Writer / Director / Actor Team Deakins sits down with writer, director, and actor Sarah Polley (WOMEN TALKING, STORIES WE TELL, AWAY FROM HER) on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. In the beginning, Sarah discusses her early career in acting and how she stepped away to focus on political activism. We later ask Sarah about the challenges transitioning from acting to directing, and she describes realizing that even if she didn’t consider herself an expert in the role, she recognized that she was the expert in the stories she was deciding to tell. At one point, Sarah credits director Atom Egoyan with setting the template for creating meaningful experiences making meaningful films which she applies to her own projects. Also revealed: which Sidney Lumet film Sarah found the most helpful to study while working on WOMEN TALKING. - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion & Falca Instagram: @truecutmotion & @falcagram - Recommended Viewing: WOMEN TALKING /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27340014

SANTIAGO MITRE - Writer / Director 07/12/2023

SANTIAGO MITRE - Writer / Director Team Deakins enjoys a conversation with writer and director Santiago Mitre (ARGENTINA, 1985; PAULINA; THE SUMMIT) on this episode of the podcast. Santiago begins by telling us how he found his way to filmmaking at an early age and how his politically active family informed the subjects of his films. Later, we discuss using cinema to think about the problems of one’s country, and Santiago expresses his growing interest in exploring Argentinian history on-screen following his experience creating ARGENTINA, 1985. We also touch on the film’s global resonance today and its cathartic reception by Argentinean audiences. Towards the end, Santiago shares how he re-cast a major role in the riotous PETITE FLEUR and the lessons he learned from the film’s production that he applied to ARGENTINA, 1985. - This episode is sponsored by Falca & TrueCut Motion Instagram: @falcagram & @truecutmotion - Recommended Viewing: ARGENTINA, 1985; PAULINA /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27339957

PAUL MESCAL - Actor 07/05/2023

PAUL MESCAL - Actor Team Deakins sits down with actor Paul Mescal (AFTERSUN, NORMAL PEOPLE, GOD’S CREATURES) on this episode of the podcast. During our thoughtful conversation, Paul reveals the advice he received from actor Emily Watson and from his Gaelic football coach that he applies to his craft every day. We also discuss his work on AFTERSUN, and Paul heaps praise on the script and the direction of the film which attracted him to the project. We later discuss the pros and cons of shooting in and out of continuity, and we commiserate over the unproductiveness of scheduling scenes without considering their dramatic functions within the overall piece. - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion & Falca Instagram: @truecutmotion & @falcagram - Recommended Viewing: GOD’S CREATURES /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27226803

MATT REEVES - Director 06/28/2023

MATT REEVES - Director Team Deakins sits down with director Matt Reeves (THE BATMAN, CLOVERFIELD, WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES) for a fascinating discussion. Matt indulges our appreciation for the craft behind THE BATMAN and shares how he and his collaborators envisioned Gotham and Batman as a city and as a person that could exist within our own world. We discuss how Matt’s use of visual effects has evolved and the importance of references to maintain a level of reality in fully computer-generated shots. Throughout the episode, Matt reflects on how he spent much of his career learning how to have a career and how every new project is like enrolling in film school all over again. - This episode is sponsored by Falca & TrueCut Motion Instagram: @falcagram & @truecutmotion - Recommended Viewing: CLOVERFIELD /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27194844

DAVE CHAMEIDES - Camera and Steadicam Operator 06/21/2023

DAVE CHAMEIDES - Camera and Steadicam Operator Today, Team Deakins is joined by camera and steadicam operator Dave Chameides (SNOWFALL, THE WEST WING, ER) on the latest episode of the podcast. During our conversation, we discuss the effectiveness of the cinematography in 1917 and Dave’s contribution to the creation of the final shot in ST. VINCENT. We also consider the responsibility an operator has towards the actors in front of the lens and the role of camera operation in storytelling. Towards the end, Dave also shares advice for anyone interested in steadicam operation as a possible career path. - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion & Falca Instagram: @falcagram & @truecutmotion /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/27097695

JOHN DE BORMAN - Cinematographer 06/14/2023

JOHN DE BORMAN - Cinematographer Team Deakins is happy to share our conversation with cinematographer John de Borman (AN EDUCATION, THE FULL MONTY, THE MIGHTY) on this episode of the podcast. We discuss working with different types of directors and battling the increasingly complex logistics of modern filmmaking and the ballooning number of crew sizes on projects. We also share our experiences working with actors of varying dispositions and the puzzles that arise during production to bring out their best performances. Finally, John offers advice for future cinematographers and highlights a skill he developed that elevated and enriched his work. - This episode is sponsored by Falca & TrueCut Motion Instagram: @falcagram & @truecutmotion /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26955999

HELEN KEARNS - Editor 06/07/2023

HELEN KEARNS - Editor Team Deakins is happy to host editor Helen Kearns (GOOD NIGHT OPPY, THE KEEPERS, ASSASSINS) on this episode of the podcast. Helen reveals how earlier studio involvement in financing and distribution has affected documentary filmmaking, both in helpful and disruptive terms. We discuss the challenges (and comforts) of editing GOOD NIGHT OPPY during the pandemic and the finding the balance between telling a story and being honest when editing documentaries. - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion & Falca Instagram: @truecutmotion & @falcagram /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26955966

RUTH E. CARTER - Costume Designer 05/31/2023

RUTH E. CARTER - Costume Designer Wake up! Today’s Team Deakins Podcast forecast: costume designer Ruth E. Carter (MALCOLM X, BLACK PANTHER, LOVE & BASKETBALL). In an insightful conversation, Ruth shares how she integrated 3D printing into the design and production of costumes for BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER and how she collaborates with the visual effects department to augment her designs. Ruth also reveals how she intuits a director’s potential reaction to costume ideas based on how they themselves dress. Finally, we clarify what are and are not a costume designer’s responsibilities, and Ruth advocates for the increased participation of the costume designer in pre-production and post-production. You won’t regret listening to this episode, “and that’s the double truth, Ruth!” - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26844114

PATRICK TRESCH - Cinematographer 05/24/2023

PATRICK TRESCH - Cinematographer Team Deakins is happy to have cinematographer Patrick Tresch (MY ENGLISH COUSIN, DIRTY GOLD WAR, MOTHER LODE) on today’s new episode of the podcast. We discuss gaining a documentary subject’s trust in the early stages of a project and the difficulties of filming someone who intellectually agrees to be filmed but subconsciously resists. Patrick also shares the insight he gained into how people relate with their environment after filming the indigenous peoples of the Amazon, and he reveals what it took to make his mother finally understand what it is exactly he’s doing. Enjoy the episode! - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26792553

PETER SARSGAARD - Actor 05/17/2023

PETER SARSGAARD - Actor Team Deakins is happy to host actor Peter Sarsgaard (THE BATMAN, BOYS DON’T CRY, JARHEAD) on today’s new episode of the podcast. Peter shares the types of projects he prefers to work on and the different forms of direction he finds effective. We learn how he became involved in THE BATMAN, and he recounts the grueling six-day-long shoot he survived to capture his pivotal scene in the film. We were so happy to speak with Peter, and we hope you enjoy what he has to say! - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26747670

STUART WILSON - Sound Mixer - THE BATMAN 05/10/2023

STUART WILSON - Sound Mixer - THE BATMAN Team Deakins is glad to welcome back sound mixer Stuart Wilson (THE BATMAN, THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, SPECTRE) to discuss his wonderful work on THE BATMAN. Stuart shares how his team used the film’s costumes to their advantage when miking the actors, and we learn how they utilized Catwoman’s wigs to hide mics when the catsuit often offered no other options. We also learn how Stuart juggled a myriad of mixes simultaneously to facilitate communication between the actors and the director between and during takes. We hope you enjoy the episode! - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26735886

RUSSELL CARPENTER - Cinematographer 05/03/2023

RUSSELL CARPENTER - Cinematographer Team Deakins speaks with cinematographer Russell Carpenter (TITANIC, TRUE LIES, AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER). We wade through the years-long process of shooting AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, and Russell describes the unique environment James Cameron created to realize the film. We compare working on smaller, less effects-heavy projects with the contrary and discuss the joys of knowing what you got on the day and the immediacy of that type of filmmaking. Enjoy! - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26583960

CAROLINE THOMPSON - Writer / Director 04/26/2023

CAROLINE THOMPSON - Writer / Director Team Deakins is happy to share our conversation with writer, director, and novelist Caroline Thompson (EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, BLACK BEAUTY, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS). We talk about the life of a screenwriter and the commitment Caroline demonstrated throughout her career. Towards the end of our conversation, Caroline also shares some straightforward advice for young screenwriters and filmmakers. Enjoy the episode! - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26583855

STEVE NICOLAIDES - Producer 04/19/2023

STEVE NICOLAIDES - Producer Team Deakins is pleased to share our conversation with producer Steve Nicolaides (BOYZ N THE HOOD, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, A FEW GOOD MEN). We discuss the shell game that is building and balancing the budget for a film before and during production, and Steve shares his thoughts on the role of the producer in post-production. At the end of our conversation, Steve leaves us with some wisdom for budding producers and production managers. We hope you enjoy the episode! - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26480595

KATE MCCULLOUGH - Cinematographer 04/12/2023

KATE MCCULLOUGH - Cinematographer Team Deakins is pleased to share our conversation with the talented cinematographer Kate McCullough (THE QUIET GIRL, NORMAL PEOPLE, MONSTER). We talk with Kate about how she applies the skills she developed while shooting documentaries onto her narrative projects. We also dive into what she was looking for in locations and her strategies in framing and composition on THE QUIET GIRL. We had such a nice time speaking with Kate, and we hope you enjoy listening to what she has to say just as much! - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26407257

KOKAYI AMPAH - Location Manager 04/05/2023

KOKAYI AMPAH - Location Manager Location manager Kokayi Ampah (THE COLOR PURPLE, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, MILLION DOLLAR BABY) reunites with Team Deakins and shares his wisdom gleaned from his long career. Kokayi answers our many questions and details both the creative and logistical day-to-day work that goes into location management. He also shares how he views the role as a function in the greater filmmaking process. Towards the end of our conversation, Kokayi even asks us a couple of questions! There’s a lot to learn from Kokayi, and we hope you enjoy listening to him as much as we did! /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26394171

CHAYSE IRVIN - Cinematographer 03/29/2023

CHAYSE IRVIN - Cinematographer Team Deakins chats with the creative cinematographer Chayse Irvin (BLONDE, BLACKKKLANSMEN, HANNAH) about filmmaking and his career. We discuss the benefits of preparing for a scene and then finding it on the day, and Chayse describes how he brings an audience into his work through his compositions. Chayse speaks on his ongoing collaboration with artist and director Khalil Joseph and the unique and artistically productive environment he creates. Roger and James also dive into Chayse’s work on Andrew Dominik’s BLONDE and the similarly unique challenges he faced when shooting the film. We hope you enjoy the episode! - Recommended Episode Viewing: BLONDE, HANNAH /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26312070

BENJAMIN CARON - Director 03/22/2023

BENJAMIN CARON - Director Today, we’re happy to share our lively and humorous conversation with director Benjamin Caron (SHARPER, ANDOR, THE CROWN). We discuss Ben’s early TV movie TOMMY COOPER: NOT LIKE THAT, LIKE THIS and the challenges he overcame to make it, as well as a reflection on Tommy Cooper himself. We also dive into Ben’s experience filming SHARPER and finding the right ending for the film. We hope you enjoy the episode! - Recommended Episode Viewing: TOMMY COOPER: NOT LIKE THAT, LIKE THIS /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26231784

BILLY WILLIAMS - Cinematographer 03/15/2023

BILLY WILLIAMS - Cinematographer Cinematographer Billy Williams, BSC (WOMEN IN LOVE, ON GOLDEN POND, GANDHI) has seen it all, and he’s sharing a generous amount of that with us on today’s episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. Billy reveals what it was like to work with the spirited and thoughtful Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda on ON GOLDEN POND as well as his thoughts on Ben Kingsley’s transformative performance in GANDHI. The advances in digital cameras and the effect on lighting design are discussed, and Billy recounts the difficulties of grading footage of a baby that, over the course of 12 takes of crying, turned purple. We hope you all enjoy this conversation as much as we did. - Recommended Episode Viewing: WOMEN IN LOVE, ON GOLDEN POND, GANDHI /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26172684

ZAYNE AKYOL - Director 03/08/2023

ZAYNE AKYOL - Director Team Deakins shares our conversation with director Zayne Akyol (ROJEK; GULISTAN, LAND OF ROSES). Having shot two feature-length documentaries in dangerous environments, Zayne reflects with Roger & James on the therapeutic limits of filmmaking and the unique life experiences presented to documentary filmmakers. She speaks on her collaboration with her cinematographers and knowing when and what to shoot, even while soldiers shoot at their drone on its maiden flight over a land on fire. We hope you enjoy the episode! - Recommended Episode Viewing: ROJEK; GULISTAN, LAND OF ROSES /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/26110461

BVK - The German Society of Cinematographers 03/01/2023

BVK - The German Society of Cinematographers Whether you’re listening for the first time or reliving the livestream, you’ll hear something new from this conversation between Team Deakins and members of the BVK (The German Society of Cinematographers). The origin of the Team Deakins Podcast is revealed, the balance between the creative and logistical demands of a shoot are discussed, and the pursuit of simplicity in one’s work is considered by both James, Roger, and members of the BVK. Roger further talks about the design of 1917’s shots, the definition of dark in THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD, and sleeping on the floor of an office while in film school. There’s a lot to learn from this episode, and we hope you enjoy listening! /episode/index/show/teamdeakins/id/25992339

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