25 Pieces of Juicy Filmmaking Knowledge from Cinematographer Roger Deakins

the Black and Blue by Evan Luzi

Is it really worth my time to give Roger Deakins an introduction?

Surely you already know him as the talented cinematographer behind films like The Shawshank Redemption, A Beautiful Mind, and almost every Coen Brothers film since Fargo.

And by now, as a fan of filmmaking and a filmmaker, you’ve discovered that when Deakins talks, what comes out is a treasure trove of wisdom — only overshadowed by answers so candid and honest that his responses are more engaging than many movies themselves.

No — Roger Deakins needs very little introduction as a master of cinematography.

Instead, it’s best we just get to the point: 25 pieces of filmmaking advice from Roger Deakins himself, pulled from his website RogerDeakins.com where he interacts with fans and filmmakers on all topics from careers to cinematography basics.

Roger Deakins on the Art of Cinematography

Cinematography is a strange blend of creative art and practical resourcefulness. Deakins is aware of this and, while striving for artistic relevance in his films, acknowledges that he sometimes needs to get out of the way and avoid favoring perfectionism over the realistic obstacles of a shoot.

He’s also quick to point out that his job is ultimately to serve the director and that the “art” of cinematography is meaningless when it doesn’t benefit the director’s vision. read more...