Team Deakins

EPISODE 96 - BEN COOKE - Stunt Coordinator, 2nd Unit Director Team Deakins looks into the world of movie stunts with Stunt Coordinator and 2nd Unit Director, Ben Cooke (MULAN, 1917, SKYFALL, CASINO ROYALE). We learn about the different areas of stunt work and the different experiences of being a stunt double or a stunt coordinator on a film. He talks about his experience of stunt doubling Daniel Craig in the Bond movies and tells us all about the huge stunt in Quantum of Solace and how learned he was doing it just the day before. We also talk about the stunts in Snow White and the Huntsman. Other areas we covered were working with locals in a large stunt sequence, the most undervalued aspects of a stunt job, dealing with an actor who wants to do all his own stunts, and creating stunts that fit into the tone of the movie. As he was the stunt coordinator on the film 1917, we dived into that experience in detail. We learned a lot about this area of filmmaking in this episode - don't miss it!

EPISODE 95 - EMMA PILL - Location Manager Team Deakins sits down with Location Manager extraordinaire Emma Pill (1917, SPECTRE, INCEPTION, THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM). In this episode, we learn lots about the function of the location department and the importance of their role. She tells us she sees her job as walking a tight rope between the production world and the real world and how she learned early how important it is to be honest with the owners of locations who often don't know what the reality of having a film crew in their home or building will be like. We learn about the importance of coming up with solutions to locations with logistical problems, how she became an expert on Moroccan locations, how she deals with schedule changes, and the importance of having a signed contract for the location. She also goes into the details of being the location manager on Bourne Ultimatum, Blade Runner 2049, and 1917. A great deep dive into the role of Location Manager!

EPISODE 94 - SHAUN CONWAY - Gaffer Team Deakins has a great conversation with Australian gaffer Shaun Conway(MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, MULAN, ALIEN:COVENANT). He shares not only the basics of the job of a gaffer, but he also goes into detail about working with different cinematographers and how important it is to quickly learn their working style and preferences. He tells us about his experiences of working with DP Mandy Walker and the various movies they've collaborated on. He also shares the challenges of filming Mad Max: Fury Road and Alien Covenant. In the latter movie, he worked closely with the production designer so lighting could be placed in the set as part of the design. We talk about the different styles of lighting and what they require. A detailed look at lighting through the eyes of a gaffer!

EPISODE 93 - SKIP LIEVSAY - Sound Designer/Editor/Mixer Team Deakins has the chance to catch up with the guru of sound, Skip Lievsay (GRAVITY, ROMA, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN). We use the opportunity to learn the different roles and responsibilities in the sound department, from onset mixer to re-recording mixer, sound editor, and sound designer. He shares with us some experiences on the films, True Grit, Inside Llewyn Davis, No Country for Old Men, and O Brother, Where Art Thou. We learn how the sound was conceived and executed for the movie Gravity. He also talks about working with Robert Altman and his love of sound. He even gets into the different sound formats and why one format might suit a movie better than another as well as choices of mics on the shoot. A great look into the world of movie sound!

EPISODE 92 - BOB YEOMAN - Cinematographer Team Deakins has a great conversation with cinematographer Bob Yeoman (THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, MOONRISE KINGDOM, SPY). He's a frequent collaborator with Wes Anderson and he walks us through how they work together. We learn their way of prep and how they collaborate on the set. It becomes clear why their work together is so special. We should warn you that after listening to this episode you will want to be part of their collaboration! He shares with us how Wes works with actors, how he negotiates his lighting with Wes and breaks down specific scenes on the film Darjeeling Limited. He also touches on his experience with Paul Feig, the problems of working with multiple cameras and operating the camera. You won't want to miss his story about the film shot on the 27mm lens! A fun, informative episode! RECOMMEND EPISODE VIEWING: Darjeeling Limited

EPISODE 91 - TURNING THE TABLES - FARGO Team Deakins gets the tables turned on them in this episode. Cinematographer Joshua James Richards (Nomadland, The Rider, God's Own Country) turns the spotlight on us and asks questions about the movie Fargo. We speak about specific shots and how they were done. We also talk about covering wider subjects, how a camera move can add to the strength of the scene, working with different directors, and the importance of cinematographer supporting the performances using natural light, and what limitations can give to a movie. We cover a lot of ground, including finding inspiration, the Coen Brothers' unique talents, as well as the importance of the DP understanding editing. So we go into detail about the movie Fargo as well as many broader topics. Josh was thorough! PDF Clip List can be found here. RECOMMENDED EPISODE VIEWING - Fargo

Cinematographer Bradford Young discusses serving the story through cinematography, his lens choices, and his unique lighting approach of subtracting elements. He shares his experiences on Arrival and working on Star Wars. They also talk about choosing projects, collaborating with directors, and navigating cinematography challenges.

EPISODE 89 - GUY HENDRIX DYAS - Production Designer Team Deakins sits down with production designer, Guy Hendrix Dyas (INCEPTION, GEMINI MAN, ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE). We cover many subjects, including the importance of drawing and illustrating for Production Designers, the need for learning the director's visual language, forming a relationship with a new director, and the sadness he feels at the end of each project. Guy shares his experiences of working with Terry Gilliam, Shekhar Kapur, and Chris Nolan. He breaks down the set in Inception that was in the snow and the challenges that it brought and talks about the Japanese influence on the design of Inception. We also get into the design of the films Agora and Elizabeth: The Golden Years. A very interesting looking into the world of the Production Designer!

EPISODE 88 - SEAMUS MCGARVEY - Cinematographer Team Deakins has a fun conversation with cinematographer Seamus McGarvey (ATONEMENT, ANNA KARENINA, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN). He shares what he loves about filmmaking - the collaboration, the democracy of ideas that grow stronger as you define, and how the medium of film is a great medium for social exchange and political change. He talks about the differences of working with varying directors - such as Les Blair, Michael Winterbottom, Sam Taylor Johnson, Tom Ford, Oliver Stone, and Joe Wright. He likes the terror of not working with a locked-in storyboard or shot list! We even get into the experience of shooting television and learn what he likes and what he doesn't like. We cover a lot of ground in this episode and, since it's Seamus, we shared a lot of laughs along the way!

EPISODE 87 - GREGOR WILSON - Production Manager Team Deakins speaks with Gregor Wilson, (JUSTICE LEAGUE, PRISONERS, MAN OF STEAL), and looks closely at the role of production manager. Gregor tells us that one of the first important things he does is hiring the right crew and working to lock in the budget. We learn about Bond companies and the function they fulfill. Gregor shares his experience on Prisoners - his witnessing the relationship between Denis and Roger, his surprise at the cable costs of the camera crew, and the role the weather played in the shooting of the film. He also talks about mistakes that can be made in his role, the importance of stress management, and dealing with the long hours of production. We also delve into keeping up with new technology and dealing with rebates. A deep dive into the wide-ranging role of the production manager!