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