Team Deakins

ALFONSO CUARÓN - Writer / Director

Jul 24, 2024

Acclaimed writer and director Alfonso Cuarón discusses his journey in filmmaking, from his early days in Mexico to working on Hollywood projects like HARRY POTTER. He shares insights on visual effects, storytelling, and collaborating with cinematographers like Emmanuel Lubezki. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of filmmaking and the impact of television on the industry.

01:22:00

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Episode guests

Alfonso Cuarón

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Quick takeaways

Alfonso Cuarón's early exposure to cinema and photography influenced his visual storytelling passion.

Experimentation with natural light and cinematography techniques shaped Cuarón's cinematic style.

Collaboration, visual effects, and hands-on approach are crucial for enhancing the filmmaking process.

Deep dives

Alfonso Caron's Journey into Filmmaking

Alfonso Caron describes his early fascination with film as a child, admiring the storytelling and visuals. He explains how documentaries about filmmaking, such as 'The Making of a Pochicacity', ignited his passion for directing and cinematography. Caron details his hands-on experience in various roles, from assisting in documentaries to becoming an established first assistant director in Mexico.

Intro

3min

Journey into Cinematography and Collaboration with Emmanuel Lubezki

9min

Challenges of Government Sponsorship and Independent Filmmaking in Mexico

2min

Journey in Filmmaking: Challenges, Collaborations, and Rediscovery

15min

Evolution and Passion for Filmmaking

5min

Collaborations in Cinematography

19min

The Role of Storyboarding in Filmmaking

5min

Evolution of Cinematography and Filmmaking Techniques

20min

Exploring the Evolution of Cinematography and Artistry in Lighting

3min

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 99 - ALFONSO CUARÓN - WRITER / DIRECTOR

Writer and director Alfonso Cuarón (ROMA, CHILDREN OF MEN, Y TU MAMÁ TAMBIÉN) joins us on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast to talk about his career and about filmmaking. Growing up in Mexico, Alfonso sought solace in the cinema, and he crewed and assisted on documentaries around the country throughout his youth, setting the foundation for his visual sensibilities by studying the photography of Ansel Adams and observing a DP manipulate natural light to shoot vegetables. After directing his first feature, Alfonso was brought to Hollywood by director Sydney Pollack to work on an episode of the anthology series FALLEN ANGELS, and Alfonso recalls for us his encouraging conversation with actor Alan Rickman that helped him overcome the petrifying pressure of shooting within the Hollywood machine. Alfonso later shares how director Guillermo del Toro convinced him to helm the third HARRY POTTER film, and he reveals which elements of the franchise he pushed to evolve and change. Alfonso also reflects on his relationship with visual effects, and we discuss why prep and bringing one’s collaborators into one’s process brings out the best in any film. Towards the end, Alfonso reflects on his experiences working on his upcoming limited series and shares his fear that television, not cinema, is the one conquering the other; however, despite this fear, we discuss the past, present, and potential future of filmmaking through an optimistic lens.

This episode is sponsored by Aputure

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Team Deakins

ALFONSO CUARÓN - Writer / Director

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Alfonso Caron's Journey into Filmmaking

Transitioning Into Cinematography

Challenges and Growth in Filmmaking

Cinematic Evolution and Craftsmanship

Empowering Future Filmmakers

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts