Team Deakins

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

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 214 Maryann Brandon - Editor
In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with editor Maryann Brandon (THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, THE FORCE AWAKENS, ALIAS). Maryann was recruited by NYU to enter its film program, and after graduating alongside classmates such as Spike Lee, Ang Lee, and Ernest Dickerson (Season 2, Episode 58), she found work on Bob Rafelson's BLACK WIDOW. Throughout the episode, we discuss Maryann's approach to editing, how she manages the workload on large Hollywood franchise films such as STAR WARS and STAR TREK, and her longtime working relationship with director J.J. Abrams. We learn how they first met and how she balanced editing the series ALIAS while occasionally directing the 2nd unit, and she reveals why she decided to commit to editing full time. Maryann edited the first HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON film, which we also consulted on, and we compare how different working in animation is to live action. Maryann later reflects on the reception to PASSENGERS, and we discuss her opinion on focus groups and test screenings. Plus, Maryann shares her advice for younger editors.
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This episode is sponsored by Aputure & BenQ

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 213 Adam Bricker - Cinematographer
In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with cinematographer Adam Bricker (HACKS, CHEF'S TABLE, AMERICAN VANDAL). After being hosted by Adam at several Q&A's around Los Angeles, we turn the tables on him, and we ask him about his own career, learning about his journey from Chicago to Los Angeles and the many hours he put in cold-calling filmmakers on Craigslist to pitch himself as a cinematographer. We also discuss the value of having an agent as a DP, and Adam reflects on the privilege of having been able to work in Los Angeles during an extended city-wide downturn in production shoot days. Adam was also the sole cinematographer across five seasons and nearly 50 episodes on HACKS, a comedy series on HBO MAX, and he reveals how he and the other filmmakers approached shooting the show, from location scouting and prepping to grabbing the footage on the day. Adam also reflects on nailing the final shot of the series, and he shares how he endeavored to imbue a single-camera sensibility into the multi-cam show. Plus, we discuss Adam's relationship with light meters.
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Recommended Viewing: HACKS
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This episode is sponsored by BenQ & Aputure