Team Deakins

Kleber Mendonça Filho, a Brazilian writer and director famed for films like Bacurau and Neighboring Sounds, dives into the rich tapestry of Brazilian history and politics in this discussion. He reflects on his creative process, revealing how Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing inspired his storytelling style. His latest film, The Secret Agent, explores Brazil's military dictatorship while showcasing his unique blend of social critique and genre elements. Kleber also shares insights on funding films in Brazil and the significance of setting his stories in Recife.

In this engaging conversation, Jeffrey Lee, Ph.D., Chief Product Officer at Fiilex and expert in LED technology, shares his fascinating journey from physics to film lighting. He explains how color is created in LED fixtures using semiconductor materials and phosphors, and the challenges of spectral spikes in color output. The discussion covers the evolution of LED technology, practical on-set implications of aging lights, and the engineering hurdles of making compact, powerful LEDs. Jeffrey even teases future innovations, like larger tiled LED sources and potential laser technologies.

Cristian Mungiu, a renowned Romanian film director, shares insights into his impactful storytelling and filming techniques. He discusses how growing up under Ceaușescu influenced his creative journey and filmmaking choices. Mungiu highlights the balance between artistic control and working in Romania versus Hollywood. He elaborates on the importance of realism in his works, the process of casting, and his approach to long takes and sound editing. He also previews his upcoming film, Fjord, exploring themes of identity and societal issues.

Edgar Wright, a celebrated filmmaker known for blending comedy and action, shares his journey from making Super 8 films in southwest England to directing blockbusters like Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver. He reveals how Mike Leigh's work influenced Shaun, and discusses the challenges of transitioning to Hollywood while maintaining his creative identity. Wright dives into his meticulous storyboarding process, the innovative filming techniques he employed, and teases his upcoming adaptation of The Running Man, promising a fresh take faithful to Stephen King.

Ted Schilowitz, a futurist and entertainment technologist from 20th Century Fox and Paramount Global, dives deep into the evolution of technology in film. He discusses the groundbreaking RED camera and its impact on democratizing filmmaking. Ted shares insights about the rise of VR, its future, and the delicate balance between storytelling and technology. He predicts that AI will reshape production, making it more cost-effective while emphasizing the importance of human creativity. His perspective offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of cinema.

James Laxton, an award-winning cinematographer known for his work with Barry Jenkins on films like Moonlight, shares fascinating insights into his career. He discusses the evolution of his prep process and the importance of collaboration with directors. Laxton breaks down the iconic restaurant shot in Moonlight and the use of color in Anything to depict character emotions. He reflects on his indie beginnings, how small locations enhance authenticity, and the challenges of transitioning to virtual production while maintaining the essence of live-action filmmaking.

Cinematographer Roberto Schaefer, known for his work on films like Monster's Ball and Finding Neverland, leads a captivating discussion with Roger Deakins about Roger's memoir. They explore the art of lighting, balancing naturalism and storytelling. Roger shares insights from his documentary roots, revealing how that experience shaped his cinematic style. He reflects on creative decisions across iconic films, his preferred methods over technology, and the deep importance of collaboration with a trusted crew. Get a glimpse into Roger's world of cinematography!

Tim S. Kang, a cinematographer and principal engineer at Aputure, dives into the world of LED lighting. He shares his fascinating journey from engineering to cinematography, highlighting the historical evolution of cinema lighting from carbon arcs to modern LEDs. Tim discusses the significance of image-based lighting and how 360 cameras can help achieve consistent daylight. He also emphasizes the need for standardization in lighting technology and explains the importance of matching spectra to ensure accurate color reproduction, especially for skin tones.

In a captivating discussion, Anthony Dod Mantle, the award-winning cinematographer known for his work on Slumdog Millionaire, shares his groundbreaking approach to shooting 28 Years Later using modified iPhones. He details his unique collaboration with director Danny Boyle, emphasizing the aesthetic choices that influenced their decision to use consumer tech. Anthony discusses the challenges of achieving professional-grade visuals with iPhones, including adapting lenses and stabilization methods, and reflects on balancing beauty and violence in the film's storytelling.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 163 - Iris Prize LGTBQ+ Film Festival - with Lewis Bayley In this special episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with Lewis Bayley, Industry Coordinator for the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Lewis invited us to speak with him about filmmaking earlier this year, and what you'll hear is that recorded conversation. We had the pleasure of discussing many topics with Lewis, such as the overall importance of film festivals and our longtime efforts giving back to younger generations of filmmakers. Additionally, we share a few work stories from our long careers, Roger gives a preview of what to expect in his upcoming memoir, Reflections, and James reveals the game she played with director Martin Scorsese while we were shooting KUNDUN in the Moroccan desert. The Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival is hosted annually in Cardiff, Wales with talks, panels, and screenings of shorts and features highlighting the myriad of experiences within the global LGBTQ+ community, and we were happy to be a small part of their 19th edition. - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Sandstorm