SEASON 2 - EPISODE 35 - RUSSELL CARPENTER - CINEMATOGRAPHER

Team Deakins speaks with cinematographer Russell Carpenter (TITANIC, TRUE LIES, AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER) on this episode of the podcast. We dive headfirst into Russell's professional relationship with director James Cameron, beginning with a chance encounter at a local TV station that led to Russell working on some of the biggest movies in history. Russell also shares his appreciation for the technical challenges of working on Cameron's films and describes the sink-or-swim nature of filming TITANIC. We later discuss being submerged in anxiety when starting out and mustering the courage and discipline to put yourself out there. We also touch on developing a 'cinematic immunity' during production that instills the supernatural confidence needed to shoot a film. Wading through the years-long process of shooting AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, Russell describes the unique environment Cameron created to realize the film. Additionally, 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.

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This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 34 - 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. No other episode has featured this much discussion on animals and filmmaking! We cover working with horses on BLACK BEAUTY, apes on BUDDY, and birds in THE SECRET GARDEN. Caroline offers insight into the creative and logistical challenges of working with animals and of their unpredictable but inimitable benefits when compared to their digital counterparts. Towards the end of our conversation, Caroline also shares some straightforward advice for young screenwriters and filmmakers. Enjoy the episode!

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This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 33 - 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!

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This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 32 - 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!

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This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 31 - 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!

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 30 - 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!

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Recommended Episode Viewing: BLONDE, HANNAH

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 29 - 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!

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Recommended Episode Viewing: TOMMY COOPER: NOT LIKE THAT, LIKE THIS

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 28 - 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.

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Recommended Episode Viewing: WOMEN IN LOVE, ON GOLDEN POND, GANDHI

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 27 - 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!

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Recommended Episode Viewing: ROJEK; GULISTAN, LAND OF ROSES

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 26 - 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!