Learn from the Master: Sir Roger Deakins Shares His Cinematography Secrets
How Sir Roger Deakins Creates Cinematic Magic: A Video Interview
If you are a vfx artist who loves cinema, you will enjoy this video from GQ. It is a 27-minute interview with Sir Roger Deakins, one of the most influential cinematographers of our time. He reveals the secrets behind some of his most stunning and memorable shots, and how he used various techniques and technologies to create them. In this article, we will summarize some of the highlights of the video and share some of our thoughts on his work.
1917: The One-Shot Illusion
One of the most impressive feats of cinematography in recent years is the one-shot effect in 1917, a war epic that follows two soldiers on a dangerous mission. The film appears to be shot in one continuous take, without any visible cuts or edits. This creates a sense of realism and immersion for the audience, as if they are following the protagonists throughout their journey.
Deakins explains how he achieved this illusion using a combination of long takes, hidden cuts, and digital stitching. He says he used different cameras and rigs for different scenes, depending on the terrain and the action. He also says he had to plan and rehearse every shot meticulously, and coordinate with the actors, the crew, and the director. He admits that it was a challenging and exhausting process, but also very rewarding.
We think that 1917 is a masterpiece of cinematography and storytelling, and we admire Deakins’ skill and vision in creating such a seamless and immersive shot. We also appreciate the technical challenges he faced and the solutions he found to overcome them.
Prisoners: The Dark and Oppressive Mood
Another film that showcases Deakins’ talent for creating mood and atmosphere is Prisoners, a thriller that deals with a father’s desperate search for his missing daughter. The film has a dark and oppressive tone, reflecting the characters’ emotions and the moral ambiguity of the situation.
Deakins reveals how he used lighting, color grading, and framing to convey this mood. He says he used low-key lighting, desaturated colors, and tight compositions to create a sense of claustrophobia and tension. He also says he used natural light sources, such as windows, lamps, or car headlights, to create contrast and depth. He also mentions some of the challenges he faced in shooting in rainy weather and low-light conditions.
We think that Prisoners is a brilliant example of how cinematography can enhance the drama and the suspense of a film. We also think that Deakins’ choices were very effective in creating a dark and oppressive mood that suits the story.
The Shawshank Redemption: The Realistic and Timeless Look
One of the most beloved films of all time is The Shawshank Redemption, a classic drama that explores the themes of hope and redemption in prison. The film has a realistic and timeless look, making it feel authentic and relevant even today.
Deakins recalls his experience of working with Frank Darabont on this film. He reveals how he was inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper and the photography of Walker Evans to create this look. He says he used natural light, soft colors, and wide angles to create a sense of realism and space. He also says he avoided using any filters or effects that would date the film or make it look stylized.
We think that The Shawshank Redemption is a masterpiece of storytelling and cinematography, and we love how Deakins captured the essence of the story and the characters with his camera. We also think that his choices were very wise in creating a realistic and timeless look that makes the film timeless.
Sicario: The Contrast Between Beauty and Brutality
Another film that demonstrates Deakins’ versatility and creativity is Sicario, a crime film that exposes the harsh realities of the war on drugs. The film has a contrast between the beauty of the landscapes and the brutality of the violence, creating a striking visual impact.
Deakins discusses his approach to this film. He reveals how he contrasted the beauty of the landscapes with the brutality of the violence, and how he used natural light, aerial shots, and infrared cameras to create a realistic and gritty look for the film. He says he wanted to show the scale and complexity of the situation, as well as the danger and uncertainty that the characters face. He also says he used different color palettes for different locations, such as yellow for Mexico, blue for Texas, or black for night scenes.
We think that Sicario is a powerful and compelling film that shows Deakins’ ability to create stunning images that serve the story. We also think that his choices were very effective in creating a contrast between beauty and brutality that reflects the theme of the film.
The Big Lebowski: The Fun and Freedom
One of the most fun films that Deakins worked on is The Big Lebowski, a comedy that follows the hilarious misadventures of a slacker who gets involved in a kidnapping scheme. The film has a fun and free-spirited tone, reflecting the personality of the protagonist and the absurdity of the situation.
Deakins recalls his collaboration with the Coen brothers on this film. He reveals how he had a lot of fun working with them, and how they gave him a lot of freedom and trust. He also mentions some of the challenges he faced, such as shooting in bowling alleys and creating dream sequences. He says he used different techniques and styles for different scenes, depending on the mood and the humor.
We think that The Big Lebowski is a hilarious and entertaining film that shows Deakins’ skill and versatility in creating different looks for different genres. We also think that his choices were very fitting for the tone and the comedy of the film.
No Country for Old Men: The Simplicity and Minimalism
Another film that Deakins worked on with the Coen brothers is No Country for Old Men, a film that follows a hunter who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong. The film has a simple and minimalistic look, creating a sense of tension and suspense.
Deakins comments on his work on this film. He reveals how he tried to keep the cinematography simple and minimalistic, and how he avoided using music or artificial lighting to create tension and suspense. He says he wanted to let the story and the performances speak for themselves, and not distract the audience with any unnecessary elements. He also says he used wide shots, long takes, and natural colors to create a sense of realism and isolation.
We think that No Country for Old Men is a masterpiece of filmmaking and cinematography, and we admire Deakins’ restraint and elegance in creating such a simple and minimalistic look. We also think that his choices were very effective in creating tension and suspense without relying on any gimmicks or tricks.
Skyfall: The Modern and Stylish Look
One of the most popular films that Deakins worked on is Skyfall, a James Bond film that features a villain who attacks MI6 headquarters. The film has a modern and stylish look, reflecting the sophistication and glamour of the franchise.
Deakins talks about his involvement in this film. He reveals how he wanted to give the film a modern and stylish look, and how he used bold colors, silhouettes, and reflections to create striking images. He says he wanted to make the film visually appealing and exciting, as well as coherent and consistent.
We think that Skyfall is a fantastic and thrilling film that shows Deakins’ talent and flair in creating a modern and stylish look. We also think that his choices were very effective in creating a visual identity for the film that suits the franchise.
Fargo: The Sense of Isolation and Coldness
Another film that Deakins worked on with the Coen brothers is Fargo, a film that follows a car salesman who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife. The film has a sense of isolation and coldness, reflecting the setting and the mood of the story.
Deakins reflects on his work on this film. He reveals how he enjoyed shooting in snowy locations, and how he used filters, lenses, and camera movements to create a sense of isolation and coldness. He says he wanted to show the contrast between the white snow and the dark characters, as well as the emptiness and loneliness of the landscape. He also says he used wide shots, static shots, and slow zooms to create a sense of distance and detachment.
We think that Fargo is a brilliant and original film that shows Deakins’ skill and creativity in creating a sense of isolation and coldness. We also think that his choices were very effective in creating a mood and an atmosphere that matches the story.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: The Poetic and Nostalgic Look
One of the most beautiful films that Deakins worked on is The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, a western that depicts the relationship between the legendary outlaw and his killer. The film has a poetic and nostalgic look, reflecting the era and the tone of the story.
Deakins describes his work on this film. He reveals how he wanted to capture the mood and tone of the era, and how he used vintage lenses, soft focus, and natural light to create a poetic and nostalgic look for the film. He says he wanted to show the beauty and the tragedy of the story, as well as the myth and the reality of the characters. He also says he used different color tones for different scenes, such as sepia for flashbacks, blue for night scenes, or green for forest scenes.
We think that The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a masterpiece of cinematography and storytelling, and we love how Deakins captured the essence of the story and the characters with his camera. We also think that his choices were very wise in creating a poetic and nostalgic look that makes the film timeless.
Empire of Light: The New and Exciting Project
The latest project that Deakins is working on is Empire of Light, a drama that stars Olivia Colman as a woman who runs an old cinema. The film is directed by Sam Mendes, who previously collaborated with Deakins on 1917 and Skyfall.
Deakins reveals how he is excited to work with Mendes again, and how he faces some of the challenges in shooting in different locations and lighting conditions. He says he wants to create a realistic and intimate look for the film, and how he uses natural light, practical light sources, and LED screens to achieve that. He also says he uses different cameras and lenses for different scenes, depending on the mood and the style.
We think that Empire of Light is a promising and intriguing film that we are looking forward to seeing. We also think that Deakins will deliver another amazing work of cinematography that will showcase his talent and vision.
Blade Runner 2049: The Futuristic and Dystopian Look
The last film that Deakins talks about in the video is Blade Runner 2049, a sci-fi sequel that follows a new blade runner who discovers a secret that could change the world. The film is a homage to the original film, which is considered a landmark of sci-fi cinema and cinematography.
Deakins reveals how he wanted to pay homage to the original film while creating his own vision, and how he used practical effects, LED screens, and digital enhancements to create a futuristic and dystopian look for the film. He says he wanted to create a contrast between the dark and polluted city and the bright and barren desert, as well as the organic and synthetic elements of the story. He also says he used different color schemes for different scenes, such as orange for Las Vegas, blue for Los Angeles, or green for Wallace’s headquarters.
We think that Blade Runner 2049 is a stunning and spectacular film that shows Deakins’ mastery and innovation in creating a futuristic and dystopian look. We also think that his choices were very effective in creating a visual tribute to the original film while adding his own touch.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this video interview with Sir Roger Deakins, one of the most influential cinematographers of our time. He shared some of his secrets behind some of his most stunning and memorable shots, and how he used various techniques and technologies to create them. We learned a lot from his insights and anecdotes, and we hope you did too. If you’d like more insight into his workflows check out Roger’s amazingly helpful website and podcast.
