Team Deakins – Details, episodes & analysis

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 104 - STEVE DUNN - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Assistant director Steve Dunn (WALK THE LINE, A LITTLE PRINCESS, DANCES WITH WOLVES) joins us on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast to discuss his life and career in a candid conversation. Steve fell in love with film as a child living in Venezuela, and after returning to America, he ended up convincing his university professors to accept course-specific short films in place of term papers. After graduating from USC, Steve drove off to Atlanta and landed a two-week PA gig alongside the GUNSMOKE crew on a mercenary job during the classic show’s break in schedule. Steve later reveals how he made the transition from low-budget filmmaking in middle America to more mainstream filmmaking in Hollywood, and we learn how Steve leveraged his relationship with director Paul Schrader to break into assistant directing. Steve discusses how, as an assistant director, he keeps things moving at any cost, and he shares why he sometimes elects to designate himself as the lighting rod of blame on difficult shoots. We also discuss how Steve manages the different personalities on set, and he shares a number of episodes from his career in which he lost or narrowly avoided losing his job. Towards the end, we also learn how Steve came to finally work with director Robert Altman, one of his cinematic heroes.

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This episode is sponsored by Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 103 - IVAN SEN - DIRECTOR

On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we’re speaking with director Ivan Sen (LIMBO, GOLDSTONE, MYSTERY ROAD). In addition to directing his films, Ivan is simultaneously responsible for the editing, cinematography, sound, and a myriad of departments typically delegated to others—his being a one man crew is a frequent point of discussion, and we learn how shooting on his own (or with relatively few collaborators) allows him to capture the emotional moments elusive to the circus of larger productions. We learn how Ivan’s childhood moving around inland Australia informs the subjects of his films, and we discuss the power of place and its place in Ivan’s story development process. During our discussion of his latest film, LIMBO, Ivan reflects on the increasing sense of formalism in his work and why he feels more excited for and more sensitive to the filmmaking process now than when he was just starting out. Towards the end, Ivan also shares his thoughts on the state of the Australian film industry and on being aware of the market realities of filmmaking and film exhibition when developing a project.

We deeply admire Ivan’s films, and we were thrilled to be able to speak with him about them.

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Recommended Viewing: LIMBO

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This episode is sponsored by Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 94 - BILL BENNETT - CINEMATOGRAPHER

On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, cinematographer Bill Bennett speaks with us about the world of commercial filmmaking. Born into a family of engineers, Bill came to love art through his mother’s own development as an artist, and he quickly changed majors in college to pursue his passion. Finding his way to LA, Bill built sets for commercials for years until breaking his way into camera operating and eventually cinematography in the field. Bill reveals how commercial filmmakers transitioned from film to digital formats and of his involvement in the development of the Arriflex 435 camera, a major breakthrough at the time. Bill later reflects on the impact of the Arri Alexa camera on the design of digital cameras at large and on the moment a digital camera demonstrated its value as a viable replacement for film cameras to him on a car commercial shoot. Bill also shares plenty of advice for young filmmakers looking to enter the world of commercial production and what his own views are on what makes someone stand out from the crowd. Towards the end, we discuss how commercial filmmaking is changing with new technologies like artificial intelligence and volume lighting systems.

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This episode is sponsored by Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 4 - MAT BERGEL - PROPS

Team Deakins is so pleased to welcome props maestro Mat Bergel (ROBIN HOOD, HUGO, TRAINSPOTTING) to the podcast. Mat starts this conversation by detailing how he got into the movie business through managing restaurants, and landed in the props department. He explains why some of the hardest work for the props team involve eating, drinking, and smoking scenes. We talk about the different kinds of acting styles that relate to props, and why some actors latch onto them, while others seem to dismiss them out of hand. Then things get exciting with tales of jostled Faberge eggs, missing Rolex watches, and a stolen Picasso! You won’t want to miss this one!

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 3 - TOBY JONES - ACTOR

In this episode, Team Deakins sits down with the talented actor, Toby Jones (TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, INFAMOUS, THE HUNGER GAMES, ATOMIC BLONDE). We touch on a lot of subjects during the conversation including the all important relationship between an actor and a director. We talk about what an actor needs from a director and the necessity of sharing a common vision with the director. Toby also speaks about the responsibility and the freedom of playing figures from history. And we drill down to some practical points such as how to use the props without relying on them and the different processes of different actors. A very articulate look into the work of an actor that you won’t want to miss!

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 2  ROD MCLEAN - ART DIRECTOR

Team Deakins looks into the role of the art director with the talented Rod McLean (BLADERUNNER 2049, ZERO DARK THIRTY, 1917). We have a lot of fun delving into his role and cover such topics of the advantages/disadvantages of shooting a location or set, the difficulties of a far location, working on small movies and the fragility of creativity. Rod is very generous in sharing his knowlege and experience.  A lot of information in one episode! Don't miss it!⁠

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 1 - RICHARD CHEAL - SPECIAL EFFECTS

Team Deakins is joined by Special Effects (SFX) Technician RICHARD CHEAL (THE BATMAN, SPECTRE, STAR WARS) and we learn lots about the world of SFX. Richard tells us how the SFX team collaborates with many departments in the aim of making the shot the best it can be. The relationship of SFX and the DP is examined. And we go into detail about many shots in THE BATMAN and learn what they entailed. It was a very thorough look at the many aspects of Special Effects. You won't want to miss this episode.

RECOMMENDED EPISODE VIEWING: The Batman

EPISODE 163 - Byways

Team Deakins discusses Roger’s new book BYWAYS as we head into a hiatus from the podcast. In this episode, we discuss what taking stills gives to Roger that film does not, how he enjoys observing things and places, how there is no pressure to shoot anything specific, what he likes to take images of, and why he prefers to shoot in black and white. We talk about his time shooting for the Beaford Archive and developing his eye. He likes dedicating his day to shooting on his stills camera and he only takes iPhone photographs when he’s fishing. We discuss our incredible and collaborative experience working with Damiani, the publishers of BYWAYS.

IMAGES WE DISCUSSED: The Joy of Flight (72), Budapest Runners (116), and Lightning Strikes (131)

EPISODE 162- Roberto Schaefer - Cinematographer

Team Deakins is joined by cinematographer Roberto Schaefer (THE KITE RUNNER, QUANTUM OF SOLACE, MONSTER’S BALL) for a great conversation. In this episode, we discuss Roberto’s journey into the industry (a serendipitous one). Roberto talks about his experiences working with directors Christopher Guest and Marc Forster, both of whom he has collaborated with many times. We learn what Roberto’s approach was to lighting the film Best In Show and how he will not take a job if his initial reaction is clouded with doubt – he believes in following your instincts! We discuss the lighting cameraman, preserving a single vision while shooting multiple cameras, the rise of sky panels, shooting for television, and much more! 

EPISODE 161 - Peter Kohn - First Assistant Director 

Team Deakins sits down with first assistant director Peter Kohn (LA LA LAND, BIRDMAN, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) for a conversation. In this episode, Peter tells us how his father’s career in the industry influenced his aspirations and his taste in films– he loves watching and working on musicals. Peter shares stories from working on the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy and Birdman, working with Gordon Willis, and doing smoke on the set of Ridley Scott’s The Duellists. Together we talk about what makes a successful assistant director, having a big first day on set, the many factors that dictate the shooting schedule, and even car work. Peter also sneaks in a few questions about 1917!