ROGER DEAKINS
believed the result would be a very good film. i just never thought people would think it that good!
MFD As a cinematographer, do you see yourself as a translator of the director’s view or can you add your own perspective? RD It’s a little of both and the balance between the two varies depending on the director and the specific project. First and foremost I am a translator of the director’s ‘vision’ but, as the cinematographer, I have a great number of creative decisions to make that impact the success of the end result.
MFD Can you enjoy sitting down to watch a film or do you watch it with your critical cinematographer’s hat on? is there a film out there you wish you had worked on; a book you’d like to turn into a film; an actor or director you’d like to work with (or never again)??... RD i certainly can watch a film for what it is just as I can read a script without thinking about how I might photograph it. if i am watching a film and a little bored, I will then study the lighting or the way the camera moves, but only when the story has lost my interest. if i really like a film, i might watch it a second or third time and analyze why i think it works so well. There are many films i would have liked to photograph but then that version would not be the same as the one that exists. Had I worked on it, i might not like the resulting film as much as the one that exists! my taste in books, as with films, is quite dark so the chances of seeing some of my favorite books being made into films are limited. There is a wonderful science fiction story called ‘Mockingbird’ that I would love to see made into a film. i only hope that there is a great director to do it justice if it ever gets made. As for directors I would like to work with again or those that I would not. Over the years, I have worked with the Coen brothers regularly and also with Sam Mendes so those relationships are obvious.
As for directors I would like never to work with again, I will plead the 5th!!
MFD Any thoughts on how your business is developing away from film and into digital? Do you have to keep changing your skills or get someone else into to work with you on it? RD Even though the tools are changing very rapidly, the skill set is basically the same. A cinematographer’s skills are to do with visual storytelling, with framing and camera movement and with lighting and the use of colour. Digital technology can be complex to understand and it is important for any cinematographer to have a technical grasp of the process, but that process is not the be all and end all to what makes a well- photographed picture.
version, which is a really faithful adaptation of the book, just that the story is timeless and ever more relevant.
MFD Would you like to go into directing? RD I had considered directing early in my career and also again some years ago. The truth is I enjoy my life and work as a cinematographer. I think it is what I do best and the skill set that I have to contribute.
MFD How do you see your future – fishing in the bay or keeping the cameras rolling? RD I am not so eager to give up either!
And finally… a few quickfire questions – Jeans or Black Tie? - Jeans
Beer or Wine? - Beer
Coffee or HerbalTea? – Coffee at work - Herbal tea when I am trying to be healthy.
Fish or Meat? – Fish of course! Roger Deakins shooting ‘Skyfall’
MFD You seem to have a collaborative style of working and have a regular team on films – how do you manage this? RD I work with many of the same crew from film to film, not always but as much as I can. Not only have many of them become good friends but their familiarity with the way I like to work and my familiarity with them makes the whole process of working that much more efficient and fun. i think they enjoy working with me as much as I enjoy working with them.
MFD Which film would you like to remake from a visual point of view if you think you could improve it? RD i think any film could be improved but each is a product of a particular time and circumstances. I would be interested in making another version of ‘1984’. It’s not that I was not happy with the previous
egg white omelette or a night out at the curry house? – An omelette these days, though a good curry was a staple when I lived in london.
Theatre or film? – Film. Beach or city? - Beach Pub or restaurant?- Pub
California sunshine or Devon drizzle? – That is the question! That’s just too hard!
Thanks Roger – give us a call when you’re next home and we’ll meet you down the pub. •
Holly & David Jones 01803 752943
www.mannafromdevon.com
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