Team Deakins

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 88 - JOHN KNOLL - VFX SUPERVISOR On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, VFX supervisor John Knoll (THE BATMAN, ROGUE ONE, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) joins us to talk about his career and his craft. Despite growing up among an academic family of engineers, scientists, and medical professionals, John fell in love with the fantastic imagery of cinema and television, and he saw miniature work as his way into filmmaking. From cold-calling Industrial Light & Magic at 15 to later working for them, John reflects on his life as one who turns hobbies into professions, and we learn how John fuses technology with art in his work. John reveals, with great clarity, how slit-scans are actually composed and shares how he used the effect to generate the illusion of the Starship Enterprise entering and exiting warp speed. We later discuss the leadership responsibilities of being a supervisor, including giving negative feedback in such a way that elevates a collaborator’s work. Towards the end, we also discuss the enduring appeal of miniatures for audiences and filmmakers alike. In addition to his work in VFX, John (alongside his brother Thomas) invented Photoshop, the popular photo-editing software used around the world. - This episode is sponsored by Godox

Production designer Stefan Dechant discusses his career journey from storyboards to production design, innovative technologies in filmmaking, collaboration with directors like Joel Coen, and creating expressionistic sets for THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 86 - DIANNA FREAS - SET DECORATOR On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we’re joined by set decorator Dianna Freas (FOR ALL MANKIND, LONE STAR, THUNDERHEART). Studying illustration and fine arts at Syracuse and Parsons, she later attended NYU and found her skills well suited to set design. After an early career period working as a co-production designer alongside husband and production designer Dan Bishop, Dianna transitioned to set decoration full time. Throughout the episode, Dianna defines some of the myriad of roles within the art and set decoration departments. What are lead men? How does she work with a buyer? What does the set decoration coordinator typically oversee? Who keeps the books? Who's responsible for that lamp? The demarcations are many, the responsibilities are numerous, and Dianna maps it all out for us with clarity. We later extoll the virtue of flexibility, and Dianna gives advice to anyone looking to break into the art department. - This episode is sponsored by Godox & the Dallas Film Commission

Renowned composer Hans Zimmer discusses his early career, purpose of film scores, procrastination habits, working with Denis Villeneuve, personal connection to The Lion King, Hollywood sound, and the joy of conducting an orchestra. Topics include creating environment for director's story, value of originality, and working with DPs for emotional storytelling through music. Zimmer's deep emotional journeys in music composition, AI's impact on music creation, and embracing filmmaking as a gift are also explored.

Writer and director Wim Wenders shares his journey from film student to creating iconic movies like PARIS, TEXAS. He discusses his early struggles, inspirations, and the making of his films, including insights into his creative process and future of filmmaking. Wim reveals personal anecdotes and reflections on his unique approach to storytelling.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 83 - PAUL SCHNEIDER - ACTOR On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with actor Paul Schneider (BRIGHT STAR, THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES, GEORGE WASHINGTON). Growing up in a small town in North Carolina, Paul shares how working in film and television never crossed his mind until a pivotal viewing of Jane Campion’s THE PIANO. Attending film school following the encouragement and support of a high school teacher, Paul studied editing but found himself frequently cast in his friends’ short films, culminating in a performance in GEORGE WASHINGTON, shot entirely by his film school friends. Paul later shares how, to prepare for a role in Jane Campion’s BRIGHT STAR, he practiced his Scottish accent by studying a copy of TRAINSPOTTING. We later discuss the importance of a director having a clear vision for a film and loving a collaborative director who includes their crew and cast in their creative decision making process. Paul also reveals the secret character trait that informed his character in JESSE JAMES, and we discuss the emotional mathematics of the collaboration found in filmmaking that result in a film’s final cut. - This episode is sponsored by the Dallas Film Commission & Godox

In this podcast, Garrett Brown, the inventor of the Steadicam, shares how he revolutionized filmmaking by creating a camera stabilizing tool. He discusses the biomechanics and design of the Steadicam, its impact on iconic films like THE SHINING, and working with directors like Stanley Kubrick. Garrett's journey from invention to implementation showcases his innovative contributions to the film industry.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 81 - RICK HEINRICHS - PRODUCTION DESIGNER Production designer Rick Heinrichs (GLASS ONION, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, SLEEPY HOLLOW) joins us in conversation on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. From doodling on his homework to drafting the fantastical worlds of Tim Burton, we cover the breadth of Rick’s career in this conversation. Rick shares with us his experience studying at CalArts and learning how to think creatively from filmmakers like Alexander McKendrick and others of his caliber. Rick later reflects on his time as a starting animator at Disney and his early work in the art department before making the full transition to working as a production designer. We reminisce about our time together working on FARGO and THE BIG LEBOWSKI, and Rick shares what it was like to initially work with the Coen brothers and bring the visions in their heads into reality. During our discussion of THE LAST JEDI, Rick shares what went into creating the relatively realistic feeling prevalent throughout the film and how everyone bought into Rian Johnson’s direction for its look. We also consider the importance of tone and the paramountcy of character under which we all ultimately labour.  - This episode is sponsored by the Dallas Film Commission

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 80 - 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 - This episode is sponsored by the Dallas Film Commission

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 79 - 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. - This episode is sponsored by the Dallas Film Commission