243 episodes

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.

Team Deakins James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 1K Ratings

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.

    JUAN JOSÉ CAMPANELLA - Writer / Director

    JUAN JOSÉ CAMPANELLA - Writer / Director

    On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, writer and director Juan José Campanella (THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES, VIENTOS DE AGUA, SON OF THE BRIDE) joins us for a conversation about his career (of which we have been longtime and passionate fans). After moonlighting as a film student and watching odd-paired double bills at local theaters in Buenos Aires, Juan attended film school at NYU and eventually returned to Argentina after 10 years to continue his career. We learn how Juan and his team pulled off the stadium scene in THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES and why he conceived of the single-shot aesthetic for that particular moment in the film. Juan later shares how his longtime creative partnership with actor Ricardo Darín has developed over the years and what Juan saw in a performance of Ricardo’s that made him believe he was a formidable actor. Juan also shares his approach to rehearsals and how he’s helped actors justify lines that, initially, they have difficulty delivering. Towards the end, Juan reflects on the differences between television and film, the response towards a film based on its distribution strategy, and the changing tastes of audiences.

    Recommended Viewing: THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES
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    This episode is sponsored by the Dallas Film Commission
    Instagram: @dallasfilmcommission

    • 1 hr 18 min
    DAN BISHOP - Production Designer

    DAN BISHOP - Production Designer

    On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with production designer Dan Bishop (FOR ALL MANKIND, MAD MEN, PASSION FISH). From painting scenery on MY DINNER WITH ANDRE to designing the future on FOR ALL MANKIND, Dan has seen it all. We learn how he drew from history to design the world of MAD MEN, and he reveals when and how the series transitioned from film to digital. Later, Dan, after pointing out the tools of his trade were no different from Da Vinci’s for most of his career, reviews the relatively recent advances in computer software and hardware that enable him and his department to quickly and digitally construct and present design ideas. We later reflect on the quest to find the elusive “perfect location” and the varying levels of location scouts’ photography skills. We also discuss the alchemy that takes place when combining light, fabrics, and colours in a physical space and the benefits and drawbacks of working on set versus on location.
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    This episode is sponsored by the Dallas Film Commission
    Instagram: @dallasfilmcommission

    • 1 hr 17 min
    PABLO HELMAN - VFX Supervisor

    PABLO HELMAN - VFX Supervisor

    Visual effects supervisor Pablo Helman (KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, THE IRISHMAN, JARHEAD) joins us on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. Born in Argentina, Pablo spent his youth playing music professionally and touring South America with his band before graduating from UCLA and working for several effects houses before ultimately ending up at Industrial Light & Magic where, for the past 27 years, Pablo has hung his hat. Throughout the episode, Pablo shares how he approaches implementing VFX into a film and how he works with directors and the various heads of departments during production to ensure the effects serve the story being told. Pablo also reveals how the de-aging technology used in THE IRISHMAN was developed, how it actually works, and why its development was led with the intent to preserve an actor’s performance. Later, Pablo shares several stories from working on KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, from scanning and reproducing a miniature oil derrick to wrangling digital cows. Towards the end, we consider how VFX is just another tool to use to create the reality of a film and discuss why you ultimately can’t escape from what you shoot.
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    This episode is sponsored by the Dallas Film Commission & Aputure
    Instagram: @dallasfilmcommission & @aputure.lighting

    • 1 hr 9 min
    PENNY ROSE - Costume Designer

    PENNY ROSE - Costume Designer

    Costume designer Penny Rose (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, THE COMMITMENTS) joins us on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. Despite dressing actors at a local theatre (as a teenager) and later working alongside fashion designer Elio Fiorucci (as an interpreter), costume design didn’t occur to Penny as a career path until she found herself in the position (as the last-minute backup) on a commercial for director Adrian Lyne. Penny spent the next decade working with and learning from the preeminent English commercial directors of the time, following them into features and further developing her abilities as a costume designer. Penny later breaks down the costume department for us, and we discuss what qualities she looks for in her team members. We also learn how she builds out the look of a character with the director and the actor and of the diplomacy she exercises between the two when a disagreement arises. Towards the end, we reflect on the demands and pleasures of the vagabond lifestyle of a filmmaker.
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    This episode is sponsored by Aputure & the Dallas Film Commission
    Instagram: @aputure.lighting & @dallasfilmcommission

    • 1 hr 3 min
    DEB AQUILA - Casting Director

    DEB AQUILA - Casting Director

    Casting director Deb Aquila (CODA, LA LA LAND, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION) joins us on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Deb grew up in an arts-loving family, whose encouragement to enter the field led her to attend NYU and study under Stella Adler. Pivoting into casting, Deb found herself working on the hit series MIAMI VICE for two seasons before growing into a veteran independent casting director. Deb breaks down what really goes on in the audition room and how she works with actors to bring out their best performances as she hunts for the right choice for a part. We learn how she works with directors after being brought on to a project, and she shares how a character can evolve over the course of the audition process. Deb later shares what her responsibilities are as a studio executive at Paramount and how she balances those with her responsibilities as a casting director. Towards the end, we discuss “casting” personalities, when hiring both the cast and crew, and the value of creating a safe space for actors to give their best performances during the shoot.
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    This episode is sponsored by Aputure
    Instagram: @aputure.lighting

    • 1 hr 3 min
    LUC MONTPELLIER - Cinematographer

    LUC MONTPELLIER - Cinematographer

    Cinematographer Luc Montpellier (WOMEN TALKING, AWAY FROM HER, AUTUMN HEARTS) joins us on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. Hailing from rural Canada, Luc reflects on his childhood growing up with a deep love for film and later knuckling down to get into film school, both by building his portfolio and threatening the school with an endless stream of applications until his acceptance. We learn how the Canadian government supports its country’s film industry and how that support has evolved over time, and we consider the different pathways for young filmmakers to gain experience in both Canada and the United Sates. We later mine the fine details of Luc’s approach to shooting the deceptively “simple” WOMEN TALKING and how he and director Sarah Polley identified when and how to visually express the women’s story and their evolving characters. And, towards the end, Luc thanks us for responding to his email years ago following a difficult professional experience.
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    Recommended Viewing: WOMEN TALKING
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    This episode is sponsored by Aputure
    Instagram: @aputure.lighting

    • 1 hr 12 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
1K Ratings

1K Ratings

cavalier👹 ,

I love this

Thanks for doing this

Instagram Cat Mom ,

Love this

Thank you both for sharing with the Dallas community and for bringing Dallas Film Commission Tony & Andrew on as guests! So interesting to learn more about what states do differently and incentives. Great podcast 😺

Cristian Medellin ,

For Everyone who wants Insight from true working professionals in the industry

I've been listening to the Team Deakins since their first release of the podcast. Every topic they talk about relates to the Guests work on and how they got to their current position. This is truly inspiring as it shows how these people, some from small towns or no relation to someone in the industry, can make it to a position in big films. It shows that it is possible, and a good insight of the days/work they put into a project. Without this I wouldn't know what I do now or wouldn't have the courage to say I know what my next steps are to join the film industry, all I wish is that I can one day work along side the Deakins Team as they are a force of beauty.

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