Team Deakins

EPISODE 86 - CALEB DESCHANEL - Cinematographer Team Deakins sits down with cinematographer Caleb Deschanel for a great conversation. We learn about his experiences on the BLACK STALLION, BEING THERE, THE RIGHT STUFF, AND THE NATURAL. We talk about the key to being really good in the craft (recognizing a better idea), watching the actor do the performance for the first time, working with operators, the importance of crew choice for a DP, and the difference of operating a camera with the wheels. We also explore the critical relationship between DP and Director and how greatness is not always obvious in the making of something. A wide-reaching conversation that you don't want to miss!

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 168 - Ted Schilowitz - Futurist In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with futurist Ted Schilowitz. Ted has spent his life working in entertainment, from producing commercials in Florida to exploring virtual reality at Fox and Paramount, and we thought his perspective on the relationship between technology and entertainment could help us better understand where we might be headed. Over the course of our conversation, we discover that to think of the future, we need to remember the past, and Ted connects recent developments in technology to a number of breakthroughs he was witness to himself. We learn about Grass Valley—the video equivalent of Silicon Valley—and of the origins of the RED camera system, and Ted reveals Apple's early attempts to bring digital video to their computer systems. We also discuss modern consumer trends and our changing relationships with screens, and we learn about Kodak's missed opportunity in the prehistoric days of digital cameras. Ted later shares his observations on AI, and he makes a prediction of what we'll see over the next five years of cinema.  - This episode is sponsored by Sandstorm & Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 167 - James Laxton - Cinematographer In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with cinematographer James Laxton (THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, ANYTHING, MOONLIGHT). If you've seen a film directed by Barry Jenkins (Season 2, Episode 156), then you've seen James' work. Throughout much of the episode, we discuss his longstanding collaborative relationship with Barry, but we also learn how James tries to fit into the visions of the other directors he's worked with. The three of us share a love for preparation, and we learn how James' prep process has evolved and also stayed the same in both his work with Barry and with other filmmakers. James later reveals his perspective on executing the sweeping camera move in the diner in the final act of MOONLIGHT, and we discuss his work using colour in ANYTHING. We also compare our experiences working in animation, and James reflects on being a terrible assistant camera in his salad years. - Recommended Viewing: ANYTHING, MOONLIGHT, MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Sandstorm

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 166 - Reflections: On Cinematography - written by Roger Deakins In this special "Turning the Tables" episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, cinematographer Roberto Schaefer (Season 1, Episode 162) returns to lead us in a conversation about Roger's new memoir, Reflections: On Cinematography. In the book, Roger tells the story of his life from his childhood in rural, seaside England to the present day, and he reveals the reasoning behind many of the creative and practical decisions of numerous projects, from his early documentary work and music videos to films such as 1984, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, and 1917. In our conversation with Roberto, he asks why Roger decided to write it in the first place, and Roger shares what his ultimate intent was when putting it together. Reflections also features unseen photographs, sketches, and diagrams from Roger's personal archive, and he reflects on the process of picking and choosing which memories and films to write about. This episode will offer a small sample of what to expect in the full book, so if you like what you hear, you can place a pre-order after listening. Reflections: On Cinematography will be available on November 11, 2025 in the United States and Canada, and it will later be available in the UK on February 12, 2026. Pre-order information can be found at this link. Books ordered through the ASC store will be shipped globally while supplies last. - This episode is sponsored by Sandstorm & Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 165 - LEDs - with Tim S. Kang In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we learn about LED lighting. LEDs are now commonplace in productions, and we thought an episode about the technology and its applications could be helpful for anyone with as many questions as us. Our guest is Tim S. Kang, a cinematographer and the principal engineer for imaging applications at Aputure, and we start by learning how Tim came to work on this side of the business. He also helps us understand a number of topics, including: the history of lighting in cinema, the definition of spectrum, the evolution of LEDs, and the possibilities of lighting in post. We also discuss the efforts to institute a standard among LED fixtures, and we reflect on the historical problem cinematographers have always faced: inconsistencies with light sources. - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Sandstorm

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 164 - 28 YEARS LATER - with Anthony Dod Mantle In this special episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle (Season 1, Episode 68) returns to discuss his work on 28 YEARS LATER. The film was shot extensively using modified iPhones, and Anthony shares his early conversations with director Danny Boyle about the film's intended rural setting that informed their decision to commit to using the devices. Anthony later explains how he jailbroke the iPhone's camera system with the help of tech advisors and employees at Apple, and we discuss how the limitations of the phone forced Anthony to adjust the amount of light he used while filming. We also learn how the bar cam system actually works, and Anthony details the type of VFX work done throughout the film. We later investigate why the sequel was shot with an Alexa, and Anthony describes the elaborate build of the Bone Temple location featured prominently in both films. - Recommended Viewing: 28 YEARS LATER - This episode is sponsored by Sandstorm & Aputure

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

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 162 - Dante Spinotti - Cinematographer In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with cinematographer Dante Spinotti (ANT-MAN AND THE WASP, HEAT, THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY DRINKER). During our conversation, Dante reflects on his Italian upbringing and on the formative year he spent shooting photographs in Nairobi, Kenya. Dante has also frequently shot films with director Michael Mann, and he shares a number of stories from their years of working together. While best-known for his work in Hollywood, Dante still found time to shoot films in his native country, and we specifically discuss his experiences working with director Ermanno Olmi on THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY DRINKER. Dante has also survived the Marvel movie machine, and he reflects on the changes in technology and filmmakers' approach to filmmaking that he's witnessed over the course of his career. We also discuss his experiences transitioning to using digital cameras, and we reflect on the value of discipline and preparation—no matter your shooting format. - This episode is sponsored by Sandstorm & Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 161 - Atom Egoyan - Director In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with director Atom Egoyan (SEVEN VEILS, THE SWEET HEREAFTER, EXOTICA) in an extended conversation. Atom was born in Cairo and raised in Canada, and his young love for theatre grew to encompass filmmaking after a hard rejection in college. Throughout our winding conversation, we discuss the creation of many of his films, and Atom asks us a few questions too! Atom's films vary in their visual styles, and he frequently collaborates with cinematographer Paul Sarossy (Season 1, Episode 111), and he reveals how they first met and how they like to work together. Atom also shares why he restructured THE SWEET HEREAFTER in post, and we discuss the power of withholding information from the audience. We also learn why Atom chose to avoid a conventional historical drama when constructing ARARAT, a film about the Armenian Genocide, and we reflect on cinema's ability to communicate the horrors of history. - Recommended Viewing: ARARAT, THE SWEET HEREAFTER - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Sandstorm

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 160 - Mark Friedberg - Production Designer In this extended (and funny) episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with production designer Mark Friedberg (CAUGHT STEALING, JOKER, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD). A native New Yorker, it wasn't until returning to the city after Jack Kerouac-ing around the country that Mark (and his dog) first found work in the film industry as a driver for the Woody Allen production team. Mark was eventually let out of the van, and, throughout our conversation, he reveals how he thought through many of the challenges in his long and impressive career as a designer. Mark is also a staple in Barry Jenkins' (Season 2, Episode 156) stable of collaborators, and we learn how Mark's daughter convinced her father to break his own rules to initially meet with the director. We also discuss technology's place in Mark's design process, and he shares why he rehired the millennial gamers who built MUFASA's Africa to digitally visualize the sets of JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX before physically constructing them.  - Recommended Viewing: THE ICE STORM - This episode is sponsored by Sandstorm & Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 159 - Michael McDonough - Cinematographer We speak with cinematographer Michael McDonough (BOSCH, SUNSET SONG, WINTER'S BONE) in this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. If you listened to our conversation with Debra Granik (Season 2, Episode 158), then you know a bit about Michael already. He fills in what she left out, and we learn how he came to pursue filmmaking as a career after roaming around Rome on a year-long printmaking scholarship during his time in art college. We further discuss his professional partnership with Debra, and we also trade stories about working with director Michael Radford. In addition to his work in film, Michael has shot long-running television series such as FEAR THE WALKING DEAD and BOSCH, and he shares how he does the best he can given the limitations of working in the format. Michael also reflects on how BOSCH incorporates Los Angeles' rich noir history into the show's look, and we learn what advice he would give his younger self if he were starting out again. Among the other topics discussed in our conversation: lighting lessons learned from observing cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond and the allure of Venice Beach in the winter.   - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Sandstorm

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 158 - Debra Granik - Director In this extended episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with director Debra Granik (LEAVE NO TRACE, WINTER'S BONE, DOWN TO THE BONE). Debra's films carry the traditions of social realism into the 21st century, and throughout our conversation we discuss the movement's place in the United States and around the world, her approach to the work, and why she's faced difficulty finding the means to shoot and distribute films that direct attention towards American poverty with clear and empathetic eyes. We also learn about the college professor and the films he screened that influenced her attitude towards filmmaking the most, and she reflects on being further inspired by the spirit of Dogme 95, a filmmaking movement co-founded by director Thomas Vinterberg (Season 1, Episode 101). We later discuss her extensive use of non-actors in her films, and she shares how the local community featured in WINTER'S BONE helped improve the film. We also reflect on the legacy and genius of Charles Dickens, and Debra answers the question, "What is the scariest four letter word in American storytelling?" - Recommended Viewing: LEAVE NO TRACE, WINTER'S BONE, DOWN TO THE BONE - This episode is sponsored by Barco & Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 157 - Garret Dillahunt - Actor In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with actor Garret Dillahunt (NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES, DEADWOOD). We worked with Garret on NO COUNTRY and JESSE JAMES, and we had a wonderful time catching up with him. Garret shares how he made his way from rural Washington to the graduate program for acting at NYU, and we learn why he made the leap from theatre to film and television. While trading stories from NO COUNTRY, Garret shares a humorous episode involving himself, actor Tommy Lee Jones, the Coen brothers, and a bowl of wrapped candies, and we marvel at the Coens' ability to nudge actors into shooting their storyboards. In the latter half of our conversation, Garret recalls his experiences shooting the television series DEADWOOD, and we learn how those experiences set the tone for the rest of his career. Garret also reveals how showrunner David Milch wrote the show as they shot it, and we discuss the different strategies and approaches to coverage. Plus, we discuss dealing with imposter syndrome, and Garret reflects on the actor-in-a-supporting-role's tricky task of trying to find the vibe on a set at 2AM. - Recommended Viewing: NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES, DEADWOOD - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Barco

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 156 - Barry Jenkins - Director In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with director Barry Jenkins (MUFASA: THE LION KING, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, MOONLIGHT). How did Barry get from South Florida to Hollywood? What did he learn about himself on his walkabout around the country after leaving the industry? What did Barry struggle with in the gap between the release of his debut feature and MOONLIGHT? How did he survive the gonzo shooting schedule of THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD? Why MUFASA? Barry answers all these questions and speaks on craft, process, and so much more in this extended and enriching conversation about his life, his films, and the many years he spent not actually making anything. Barry and his film school friends Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak also produce movies through their production company PASTEL, and we discuss why he feels it's important to help introduce new filmmakers and new voices—particularly now. Plus, Barry reveals the premise of his unrealized Stevie Wonder time-travel script.  - Recommended Viewing: THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, MOONLIGHT, MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY - This episode is sponsored by Barco & Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 155 - Fred Specktor - Agent In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with agent Fred Specktor (CAA). Fred has actually seen it all—now in his 90s, he joined the mailroom at MCA (before its dissolution) after graduating college, and he's been in the business ever since. After a stint as movie mogul Lew Wasserman's assistant at MCA, Fred was fired, and he recounts his journey bouncing between outfits until landing at CAA where he has represented top Hollywood talent for the past four decades. Fred's long career as an agent is populated with moments such as networking at a car accident and attending an acting class with Jack Nicholson, and he shares many of them with us throughout the episode. We also discuss the differences in Hollywood, moviegoing, and filmmaking between today and the previous century, and we learn how he still tackles his work with verve after a lifetime on the job. Plus, Fred makes his prediction for the future of the movies. - If you enjoy listening to Fred, we recommend reading THE GOLDEN HOUR. Fred's career and life is one of the subjects of the novel which was written by previous guest (and Fred's son) Matthew Specktor (Season 2, Episode 146). - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Barco

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 154 - Tracy Letts - Actor / Writer In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with actor and writer Tracy Letts (AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, BUG, HOMELAND). Born and raised in Oklahoma, Tracy struck out for Chicago after high school to find work as an actor in the city's active theatre scene, and we learn why Tracy began writing plays himself. We also discuss cinema's role as a messenger for exposing the stories of the stage to rural American communities without access to the theatre, and he shares his mixed experiences adapting his plays into films, from director William Friedkin's tense vision of BUG to the Hollywood ensemble version of his Pulitzer Prize winning play AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. An accomplished actor as well, Tracy reflects on seeking advice for performing for the camera from his seasoned HOMELAND castmates Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin, and he reveals how he felt when, after being replaced on a film he had written, he was asked to act in additional scenes invented for his character. Plus, Tracy quotes a critical review that ironically sold out the remaining shows of his first play KILLER JOE.  - This episode is sponsored by Barco & Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 153 - Steven Soderbergh - Director In this extended episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with director Steven Soderbergh (BLACK BAG, TRAFFIC, OUT OF SIGHT). Steven credits his father for giving him the movie bug, and he shares how a young adulthood shooting short films and writing spec scripts in Louisiana led to the 8-years-in-the-making overnight success of his debut feature: SEX, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE. We spend much of the episode discussing Steven's insights into directing and filmmaking, and he opens up about his transition into shooting his own films under the alias Peter Andrews. Steven also reflects on directing OUT OF SIGHT, recalling how he ended up with the job, when a studio note protected him from his own instinct to be lean in the film's edit, and why he felt the movie was at stake when he went to war to cast Jennifer Lopez. Steven also stresses the importance of character and reputation in the business, and he recalls the pitfalls of acting like an egomaniac that he witnessed while crewing in his early days. We also discuss the value of establishing a basic grammar and set of rules specific to the film one is making, and Steven shares how he tries to listen to what a movie wants "itself" to be. - Recommended Viewing: OUT OF SIGHT  - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Barco

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 152 - Lucy Prebble - Playwright / Writer Playwright and writer Lucy Prebble (SUCCESSION, I HATE SUZIE, ENRON) joins us in this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. Lucy's plays frequently incorporate the physical space of the stage in the telling of the story and involve the audience in engaging and creative ways, and we were excited to talk to her about storytelling both on stage and on screen. We learn how, after a bookish childhood, she eventually found the courage to have her own plays put on, and she reflects on her experiences running her own television show and working on others'. Lucy also wrote for the amply-budgeted video game DESTINY, and she shares (as much as she's allowed to) how the writing process works for something with that many resources. Lucy also reveals the real-world events that inspired her plays ENRON and THE SUGAR SYNDROME, and we learn how she identifies the real human relationships at the heart these stories. We also discuss the value of empathy and deadlines for a writer, and Lucy makes a prediction for the future of the theatre in the digital age. Plus, we observe that many of history's greatest writers were really just frustrated actors. - This episode is sponsored by Barco & Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 151 - Dave Freeth - Inventor of the Stabileye In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with Dave Freeth, a recipient of a Scientific and Engineering Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the invention of the Stabileye. The Stabileye is a remotely-operated, motorized camera stabilization system, and we used the equipment extensively on 1917 to pull the film off. Dave originally started out in an apprenticeship for watchmaking but soon found himself working for the Ministry of Defence until making the transition into the film industry. We asked Dave to come on the podcast to discuss the Stabileye's inception and design, and he describes the underlying mechanics that not only power the Stabileye but other stabilization systems in use today. We talk about gyroscopes, satellites, lasers, and even gravity! He also shares how the Stabileye is adapting to newer camera models, and he reveals some surprising potential developments in sensor technology. We learn a lot in this episode, and we were excited to celebrate Dave's recent recognition with him.  - This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Barco

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 150 - A LOOK AT TWO INSPIRATIONAL FILMS - with Joe Walker - Part 2 In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we finish our two-part conversation with editor Joe Walker (Season 1, Episode 35) about two of our favourite films: Richard Brooks' IN COLD BLOOD and Jean-Pierre Melville's ARMY OF SHADOWS. Following the previous episode, we shift our focus towards ARMY OF SHADOWS, contrasting the film's measured pacing with the rapidity of its violence that punctuates several points in the story. We reflect on the emotional effect of the movie's unique sense of rhythm and handmade nature, and we discuss the use (and absence) of music throughout the film. We also reflect on the film's near-lack of inserts and intimacy, and we share how the film successfully adapts the essence of the book from which it is based despite making several story changes. Roger was in college at the time of both films' theatrical runs, and he shares what it was like watching them with contemporary audiences. Later, Joe reveals why he and director Denis Villeneuve (Season 1, Episode 25) vary their film diet and watch "slower" films such as ARMY OF SHADOWS to refresh their brains, and Joe observes that fisherman make great camera operators. - Recommended Viewing: IN COLD BLOOD (1967), ARMY OF SHADOWS (1969) - This episode is sponsored by Barco & Aputure