Team Deakins

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 95 - RICK CARTER - PRODUCTION DESIGNER Production designer Rick Carter (THE FABELMANS, AVATAR, MUNICH) joins us on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. Despite growing up around Hollywood, Rick was a rebel, and it wasn’t until after dropping out of college and traveling the world as a hippy that Rick finally found his way into filmmaking. Rick shares why he fell into the art department and, throughout the episode, reflects on how he conceptualizes spaces with his fellow filmmakers before bringing them into our reality. Rick also reflects on the podcast itself—it being an archive of filmmakers of a certain epoch of filmmaking—and eagerly adds his own voice to its chorus. We also focus on Rick’s experiences working on director Steven Spielberg’s MUNICH and on the decision-making that went into finding the location for the staircase scene set in Athens. - Recommended Viewing: MUNICH - 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. - This episode is sponsored by Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 93 - DANIEL KALUUYA - ACTOR On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we're speaking with actor Daniel Kaluuya (JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH, GET OUT, SICARIO). A former class clown from Camden Town, Daniel describes his early initiation into the London youth theatre and arts scene up until being scouted to write and act on the popular British show SKINS. We had the pleasure of working with him on SICARIO, and he reveals how much the production changed his perception of acting and empowered him to try “doing nothing” in a scene. We learn about the discipline he applies during prep to inhabit his characters, and we discuss the particular challenges and responsibilities of playing Fred Hampton in JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH. Later, Daniel discusses his preparation for GET OUT and reflects on his experience being the face of a film that blew up far beyond his initial expectations. Daniel also reveals what he learned about himself following a year-and-a-half-long sabbatical from acting after shooting SICARIO. Throughout the episode, Daniel shares his love for working with directors who have something to say and know what they need to shoot to say it. - Recommended Viewing: GET OUT, SICARIO - This episode is sponsored by Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 92 - DON BURGESS - CINEMATOGRAPHER On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with cinematographer Don Burgess (AQUAMAN, CONTACT, FORREST GUMP). Always the outdoorsman, Don spent much of his youth and young adulthood filming sports movies and learning the ropes while hanging off them on the side of a mountain. We learn how he fell in with director Robert Zemeckis in a pivotal meeting to shoot FORREST GUMP and how they typically prepare and work together through production. We also discuss Don’s night work on CAST AWAY and the difficulties of working on a tropical island. We reflect on deriving strength from longtime crew members, and Don reveals how, after the introduction of film incentives, he’s since developed local crews around the world. Later, Don gives us a recent example of when he was able to remotely DP a shot across the Pacific Ocean with his trusted New Zealand crew. Among his many illustrious credits, Don can also boast of surviving the 2nd unit on the arduous production of director William Friedkin’s SORCERER. - This episode is sponsored by Godox

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 91 - LIZA BAMBENEK - 1ST AC 1st assistant cameraperson Liza Bambenek (THE CURSE, THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS, SICARIO) joins us on this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. We get a full breakdown of the camera department in this episode, and we discuss the duties and responsibilities of the different positions with Liza. We had the pleasure of working with her on SICARIO and NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, and we can attest to her expertise. From small town Minnesota down a winding path to Santa Fe, Liza reflects on her life and career throughout the episode, and we consider the qualities we find most helpful in a member of the team and the characteristics commonly found in the world of filmmaking that inspire us to keep creating. We also discuss the importance of mentorship and the strength and responsibility of admitting that you don’t know something to your teammates. Liza later reflects on the evolution of female representation in the camera department and in crews overall, and she shares how the Santa Fe film market has matured since its implementation of film incentives.  - This episode is sponsored by Godox