Team Deakins

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 219 Tim Squyres - Editor
In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with editor Tim Squyres (GEMINI MAN; LIFE OF PI; CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON). Throughout the episode, Tim shares his thoughts on many aspects of editing, with topics ranging from finding the right cut of a scene with the director to dealing with studio notes and screening reactions. Tim also shares how he first met director Ang Lee and why he thinks they've continued to work together since 1991, and we learn how Tim cut films such as CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and LUST, CAUTION despite not understanding the film's spoken language. We also learn how Tim adapts his process to different directors, and we discuss how he feels when he receives a mountain of coverage on a scene. Tim, through his work with Ang, has cut a number of films on the edge of technological advancements from 3D projection to elevated framerates, and he shares how the process of cutting those films differs and mirrors the process of cutting a film following a traditional American cinematic format. We also discuss Tim's role as another judge for performance, and Tim shares his involvement in the sound mixing of a movie. Tim edited UNBROKEN (which we shot) and we had a wonderful time catching up with him.
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This episode is sponsored by BenQ

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 218 Peter Kosminksy - Director
In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with director Peter Kosminsky (WOLF HALL, THE UNDECLARED WAR, THE STATE). Peter's work as a director encompasses both film and television which covers topics including the Falklands War, ISIS, Thomas Cromwell, and an Emily Brontë novel. Throughout the episode, Peter reflects on the highs and lows of his career, from standing up to the BBC over censorship to being chosen by Hilary Mantel to adapt WOLF HALL for television, and we discuss his general thoughts on directing, casting, and writing. Peter also reflects on his difficult experience directing 1992's WUTHERING HEIGHTS while being undermined by the film's producers, and we discuss how the experience shaped the rest of his career and approach as a director. We later question Peter about his work on THE STATE, a fictional four-part miniseries about ISIS, and we learn how he approached making a show about radicalization and contemporary issues that were actively developing while creating the series. Peter also shares his views on the changing cultural power of television, and we discuss the effects of the rise of streaming services on the economics of creating a series.
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This episode is sponsored by BenQ

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 217 Nikolaus Summerer - Cinematographer
In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with cinematographer Nikolaus Summerer (COLOR BOOK, DARK, WHO AM I). If you listened to our conversation with director David Fortune (Season 2, Episode 206), then you know a little bit about Nikolaus already, but in this episode, Nikolaus tells us everything David didn't: how he took advantage of going to film school with a class of wannabe Fellinis, how he persevered to break into the German film industry in Munich, and how he has developed his skills across a wide variety of projects. Nikolaus frequently collaborates with director Baran bo Odar across TV and film, and we discuss how Nikolaus and the rest of the crew shot shows such as DARK and the short-lived 1899. We learn how the look of DARK developed to help international audiences understand different time-periods in German history, and Nikolaus reflects on trying to make the sets of 1899 feel real within the Volume. Nikolaus also shares why he chose to shoot COLOR BOOK, and he reveals how he used his connections at ARRI to secure the right monochromatic camera to shoot the film's striking black-and-white cinematography.  
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This episode is sponsored by BenQ

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 216 Denise Di Novi - Producer
In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with producer Denise Di Novi (PRACTICAL MAGIC 2, LITTLE WOMEN, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS).  Denise has been producing for nearly 40 years, and throughout the episode we discuss her career and what she's learned from the many films she's helped create. Denise shares how she first encountered the script for HEATHERS, and we learn how the film was developed and produced, and we discuss whether the film could even get made today. Following HEATHERS, Denise teamed with director Tim Burton as his producing partner, and she reflects on the transition from producing primarily independent films to producing movies alongside major Hollywood studios. Denise has also produced two LITTLE WOMEN adaptations—in 1994, written by Robin Swicord (Season 2, Episode 209) and in 2019 with Greta Gerwig's version—and she reflects on her experiences being involved in both and reveals what finally gave Greta's screenplay the greenlight. We also learn how she finds and develops projects with filmmakers, and she reflects on her strategy for putting any given film together and what she looks for in a director when taking meetings.
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This episode is sponsored by BenQ

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 215 SKYFALL - with Adam Bricker
"Turning the Tables" returns in this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. The film in focus: SKYFALL. Cinematographer Adam Bricker (Season 2, Episode 213) hosts us this time, and he walks us through the film's major sequences and moments and asks us about the logistical challenges we overcame, the creative intentions behind the vision for the film, and how we and the rest of the cast and crew filmed a globe-trotting adventure almost entirely in the UK. We also reflect on prioritizing practical filmmaking over visual effects, and we discuss the franchise's place in English culture and in cinema. We also reveal the aspect of James Bond's journey in the film that appealed to us enough to accept director Sam Mendes' (Season 1, Episode 18) offer to shoot the film, and we share how the production kept everything moving forward despite numerous last minute changes. Plus, we discuss the importance of a cinematographer needing to know what a shot will look like before rolling the equipment off the truck.
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Recommended Viewing: SKYFALL
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This episode is sponsored by BenQ & Aputure