Team Deakins James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 93 - DANIEL KALUUYA - ACTOR
On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we're speaking with actor Daniel Kaluuya (JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH, GET OUT, SICARIO). A former class clown from Camden Town, Daniel describes his early initiation into the London youth theatre and arts scene up until being scouted to write and act on the popular British show SKINS. We had the pleasure of working with him on SICARIO, and he reveals how much the production changed his perception of acting and empowered him to try “doing nothing” in a scene. We learn about the discipline he applies during prep to inhabit his characters, and we discuss the particular challenges and responsibilities of playing Fred Hampton in JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH. Later, Daniel discusses his preparation for GET OUT and reflects on his experience being the face of a film that blew up far beyond his initial expectations. Daniel also reveals what he learned about himself following a year-and-a-half-long sabbatical from acting after shooting SICARIO. Throughout the episode, Daniel shares his love for working with directors who have something to say and know what they need to shoot to say it.
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Recommended Viewing: GET OUT, SICARIO
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This episode is sponsored by Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 92 - DON BURGESS - CINEMATOGRAPHER
On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with cinematographer Don Burgess (AQUAMAN, CONTACT, FORREST GUMP). Always the outdoorsman, Don spent much of his youth and young adulthood filming sports movies and learning the ropes while hanging off them on the side of a mountain. We learn how he fell in with director Robert Zemeckis in a pivotal meeting to shoot FORREST GUMP and how they typically prepare and work together through production. We also discuss Don’s night work on CAST AWAY and the difficulties of working on a tropical island. We reflect on deriving strength from longtime crew members, and Don reveals how, after the introduction of film incentives, he’s since developed local crews around the world. Later, Don gives us a recent example of when he was able to remotely DP a shot across the Pacific Ocean with his trusted New Zealand crew. Among his many illustrious credits, Don can also boast of surviving the 2nd unit on the arduous production of director William Friedkin’s SORCERER.
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This episode is sponsored by Godox

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 91 - LIZA BAMBENEK - 1ST AC
1st assistant cameraperson Liza Bambenek (THE CURSE, THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS, SICARIO) joins us on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. We get a full breakdown of the camera department in this episode, and we discuss the duties and responsibilities of the different positions with Liza. We had the pleasure of working with her on SICARIO and NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, and we can attest to her expertise. From small town Minnesota down a winding path to Santa Fe, Liza reflects on her life and career throughout the episode, and we consider the qualities we find most helpful in a member of the team and the characteristics commonly found in the world of filmmaking that inspire us to keep creating. We also discuss the importance of mentorship and the strength and responsibility of admitting that you don’t know something to your teammates. Liza later reflects on the evolution of female representation in the camera department and in crews overall, and she shares how the Santa Fe film market has matured since its implementation of film incentives. 
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This episode is sponsored by Godox

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 90 - DENNIS MUREN - VFX SUPERVISOR
Visual effects supervisor Dennis Muren (JURASSIC PARK, TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY, STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI) joins us on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast to discuss his lifelong craft. From playing with stop motion to working on the original STAR WARS, Dennis was interested in visual effects at an early age, and throughout the episode he reflects on the evolution of the field following the advent of computer generated imagery. We learn how Dennis prioritizes emotionality when building VFX into a shot and how he consults with a director and the crew  to come up with the best shots for the film. We also learn about the shift away from using models towards computer generated imagery and about the loss of certain aspects of reality that came with transition. We discuss the focusing power of deadlines, and Dennis later shares some advice for young filmmakers looking to breaking the field of VFX. Also included: how Dennis set up a prehistoric video call to coordinate the VFX of JURASSIC PARK across the globe with director Steven Spielberg in 1993.
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This episode is sponsored by Godox

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 89 - ELLEN MIROJNICK - COSTUME DESIGNER
Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick (OPPENHEIMER, WALL STREET, FATAL ATTRACTION) joins us on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. A born and bred New Yorker, Ellen jumped right into costume design on a low-budget feature in New Orleans where she quickly (and easily) took to the role as the department head. She later spent two films working and studying under famed costume designer Sandy Powell before being recruited by director Adrian Lyne to work on FATAL ATTRACTION (one of many films in which she would work with actor Michael Douglass). During our discussion of OPPENHEIMER, Ellen shares the notes she received from director Christopher Nolan that informed her approach to the design of the film’s costumes and reflects on the challenge posed by needing to design costumes that could be shot in black-and-white in one setup and in colour in the next. Ellen also reflects on the challenge of designing the film’s costumes to seamlessly reflect changes in time without losing the characters across numerous decades of story. Towards the end, we discuss the importance of creating costumes that are not only right for the period, but right for the actors who need to wear them.
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This episode is sponsored by Godox

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 88 - JOHN KNOLL - VFX SUPERVISOR
On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, VFX supervisor John Knoll (THE BATMAN, ROGUE ONE, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) joins us to talk about his career and his craft. Despite growing up among an academic family of engineers, scientists, and medical professionals, John fell in love with the fantastic imagery of cinema and television, and he saw miniature work as his way into filmmaking. From cold-calling Industrial Light & Magic at 15 to later working for them, John reflects on his life as one who turns hobbies into professions, and we learn how John fuses technology with art in his work. John reveals, with great clarity, how slit-scans are actually composed and shares how he used the effect to generate the illusion of the Starship Enterprise entering and exiting warp speed. We later discuss the leadership responsibilities of being a supervisor, including giving negative feedback in such a way that elevates a collaborator’s work. Towards the end, we also discuss the enduring appeal of miniatures for audiences and filmmakers alike. In addition to his work in VFX, John (alongside his brother Thomas) invented Photoshop, the popular photo-editing software used around the world.
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This episode is sponsored by Godox