Acclaimed costume designer Jenny Beavan shares her experiences working with the Merchant Ivory troupe, reusing clothing for characters, and the stories that costumes tell. She reflects on adapting after being deceived on a project and offers advice to aspiring costume designers.

In this episode, Ava DuVernay, writer and director of WHEN THEY SEE US, 13TH, SELMA, discusses her transition from running a publicity agency to filmmaking, her experience directing SELMA on a modest budget, and the power of dailies in her latest project. She also reflects on the impact of classic films on her childhood and shares her insights on the film industry's potential for positive change.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 51 - GREIG FRASER - CINEMATOGRAPHER - THE BATMAN - PART 2 On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we’re sharing the rest of our previously live-streamed conversation between Team Deakins and cinematographer Greig Fraser diving into his work on THE BATMAN. We start by talking all things lighting, and Greig shares how he and his team used non-film light fixtures to achieve a natural look in the film. We later discuss the importance of on-set chemistry and how a great attitude can outweigh experience when crewing. Greig shares how his team worked to match the menace of the Batmobile with the truck in Steven Spielberg’s DUEL and how closely he worked with the art department during production. Greig also reveals which light best complimented Zoë Kravitz’s makeup, and he pulls into focus the potential applications of an adjustable depth of field in the Volume lighting system.   A link to the images mentioned in the episode can be found here. - This episode is sponsored by Dallas Film Commission & Falca

Cinematographer Greig Fraser discusses his work on THE BATMAN, including the challenges faced during production due to COVID-19. He talks about the creative process behind developing the film's visual aesthetic, the use of unique lenses, and the impact of location choices. They also explore the intersection of live-action and animation, the pros and cons of using live techniques versus computer-generated effects in shooting Batman, and different approaches to cinematography.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 49 - RUTH DE JONG - PRODUCTION DESIGNER Team Deakins is joined by talented production designer Ruth De Jong (OPPENHEIMER, NOPE, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA). A creative scion of the accomplished production designer Jack Fisk, Ruth explains how Jack recruited her to assist him on THERE WILL BE BLOOD and the subsequent ten year partnership in which he was her mentor. She later reflects on how she’s grown after each project as well as how to stay malleable after the train that is production leaves the station. Ruth also describes the invigorating responsibility she felt to deliver on OPPENHEIMER after director Christopher Nolan cut days from the schedule to balance the film's budget and the timely encouragement he gave her deep in production. She also shares her experiences working on TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN and how she worked off illustrations and paintings created by David Lynch to build and design the series’ many scenes. - Recommended Viewing: OPPENHEIMER - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion & Dallas Film Commission & Falca

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 48 - RYAN COOGLER - WRITER / DIRECTOR On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we’re sharing our thoughtful conversation with writer and director Ryan Coogler (BLACK PANTHER, CREED, FRUITVALE STATION). An Oakland native, Ryan reveals how film became his family’s second language and how his parents fostered his interest in cinema throughout his childhood. Later in our discussion, Ryan shares how he brought an athlete’s mentality to film school by always trying to score a touchdown every time he picked up the camera to prove to himself and to those around him that he could build a career in filmmaking. Ryan also reflects on creating CREED with Sylvester Stallone, praising him as “the perfect collaborator” and acknowledging how he couldn’t begrudge the creator of the ROCKY franchise for his cautiousness towards handing over writing duties for the first time in the franchise’s history. We also discuss how the filmmakers that broke through in the culture Ryan consumed in his youth influenced his professional direction and how, by relying on his crew, Ryan is free to focus on his actors. - This episode is sponsored by Dallas Film Commission & Falca & TrueCut Motion

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 47 - BENICIO DEL TORO - ACTOR Team Deakins speaks with actor Benicio del Toro (SICARIO, TRAFFIC, THE FRENCH DISPATCH). Benicio expresses his gratitude to the Stella Adler Studio for serving him as a bastion in which he weathered the storm of rejections he faced early in his career. We discuss the definition of heroes on screen and what it means to play them, and Benicio considers the different demands of acting in superhero films in comparison to more grounded projects. We walk down memory lane remembering working together on SICARIO. Towards the end, we reflect that no production is the same experience and not one was the experience we thought it would be. - This conversation was recorded on May 2, 2023. - This episode is sponsored by Falca & TrueCut Motion & Dallas Film Commission

Writer, director, and actor Sarah Polley discusses her early career in acting, transitioning to directing, and the inspiration she drew from director Atom Egoyan. She also reveals the Sidney Lumet film that helped her while working on WOMEN TALKING. Sarah shares insights on collaboration, preparation, and the challenges of adapting a conversation-based story. She addresses the challenges faced by women in the film industry and highlights the power of collaboration and trust in filmmaking.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 45 - SANTIAGO MITRE - WRITER / DIRECTOR Team Deakins enjoys a conversation with writer and director Santiago Mitre (ARGENTINA, 1985; PAULINA; THE SUMMIT) on this episode of the podcast. Santiago begins by telling us how he found his way to filmmaking at an early age and how his politically active family informed the subjects of his films. Later, we discuss using cinema to think about the problems of one’s country, and Santiago expresses his growing interest in exploring Argentinian history on-screen following his experience creating ARGENTINA, 1985. We also touch on the film’s global resonance today and its cathartic reception by Argentinean audiences. Towards the end, Santiago shares how he re-cast a major role in the riotous PETITE FLEUR and the lessons he learned from the film’s production that he applied to ARGENTINA, 1985. - Recommended Viewing: ARGENTINA, 1985; PAULINA - This episode is sponsored by Falca & TrueCut Motion  

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 44 - PAUL MESCAL - ACTOR Team Deakins sits down with actor Paul Mescal (AFTERSUN, NORMAL PEOPLE, GOD’S CREATURES) on this episode of the podcast. During our thoughtful conversation, Paul reveals the advice he received from actor Emily Watson and from his Gaelic football coach that he applies to his craft every day. We also discuss his work on AFTERSUN, and Paul heaps praise on the script and the direction of the film which attracted him to the project. We later discuss the pros and cons of shooting in and out of continuity, and we commiserate over the unproductiveness of scheduling scenes without considering their dramatic functions within the overall piece.  - Recommended Viewing: GOD’S CREATURES - This episode is sponsored by TrueCut Motion & Falca