Team Deakins

PETER JAMES - Cinematographer

Sep 18, 2024

Peter James, a seasoned cinematographer known for his work on 'Mao's Last Dancer' and 'Driving Miss Daisy,' shares his inspiring journey from battling dyslexia to mastering the art of cinematography. He offers a fascinating lighting trick and reflects on the intense challenges faced while filming 'Black Robe' in the Canadian wilderness. James also discusses the emotional connections cinematographers have with scripts and the evolving role of technology in filmmaking, emphasizing the art of blending traditional techniques with modern advancements.

01:11:38

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Episode guests

Peter James

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Quick takeaways

Peter James emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience in cinematography, which shaped his foundational understanding of filmmaking techniques.

He highlights the critical role of meticulous preparation and collaboration with directors to ensure a unified vision for the film’s aesthetics.

James discusses the evolution of filmmaking technology from film to digital, appreciating its creative benefits while reminiscing about the tactile aspects of traditional filmmaking.

Deep dives

The Journey to Cinematography

Peter James shares his early experiences that led him to cinematography, revealing a mix of luck and passion. Struggling with dyslexia, he discovered his love for photography through a school teacher involved in TV shows. Encouraged by a family member, he secured an interview at a local studio where he immersed himself for five years. This hands-on experience in various roles provided a strong foundation, igniting a lifelong quest to excel in cinematography, including aspirations of winning an Oscar.

Intro

1min

From Dyslexia to Cinematography

20min

Directors and the Filmmaking Process

5min

Filming Challenges and Triumphs in 'Black Robe'

11min

Creative Challenges and Personal Growth in Cinematography

4min

Crafting Visual Narratives in Film

11min

Cinematographic Collaborations

15min

Exploring Cinematography and the Impact of AI on Filmmaking

4min

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 107 - PETER JAMES - CINEMATOGRAPHER

On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, cinematographer Peter James (MAO’S LAST DANCER, BLACK ROBE, DRIVING MISS DAISY) joins us to talk about his career. Growing up in Sydney, Australia, Peter spent five years in his youth working at a small studio working on commercials and local television programs before finding his to working on features. Peter shares his process for overcoming his dyslexia to break down scripts, and at one point in the conversation, he even teaches us a new lighting trick. Peter later discusses how he and the crew battled the elements to shoot the colonial-era set BLACK ROBE on location in the Canadian wilderness. Towards the end, we conduct some forensics on Peter’s IMDb page, and we reflect on the power of the inverse-square law.

Recommended Viewing: BLACK ROBE

This episode is sponsored by Aputure

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Team Deakins

PETER JAMES - Cinematographer

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Journey to Cinematography

Learning by Doing

The Importance of Preparation

Adapting Techniques for Diverse Projects

Evolving Technology in Filmmaking

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts