Roger Deakins
Sir Roger Deakins | |
|---|---|
 Deakins in 2021 | |
| Born | Roger Alexander Deakins 24 May 1949 |
| Occupation | Cinematographer |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Organization(s) | British Society of Cinematographers American Society of Cinematographers |
| Spouse |
Isabella James Purefoy Ellis
(m.1991) |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Cinematography 2018Blade Runner 2049 20201917 BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography 1997Fargo 2010A Serious Man |
| Website | rogerdeakins |
Sir Roger Alexander DeakinsCBE(born 24 May 1949) is an Englishcinematographer.He is the recipient of fiveBAFTA AwardsforBest Cinematography,and twoAcademy AwardsforBest Cinematographyfrom sixteen nominations. He has collaborated multiple times with directors such as theCoen brothers,Sam Mendes,andDenis Villeneuve.His best-known works includeThe Shawshank Redemption(1994),Fargo(1996),O Brother, Where Art Thou?(2000),A Beautiful Mind(2001),Skyfall(2012),Sicario(2015),Blade Runner 2049(2017), and1917(2019), the last two of which earned him Academy Awards.
An alumnus of theNational Film and Television School,Deakins was named and serves as anHonorary Fellowof the school in recognition of his "outstanding contribution[s] to... British film". He is a member of theBritish Society of Cinematographersand theAmerican Society of Cinematographers,and in 2011 received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the latter organization. Deakins was bestowed a CBE bythe Palacefor his services to film in 2013, and was knighted as aKnight Bachelorin the2021 New Year Honours.[1][2]
Early life[edit]
Deakins was born inTorquayin the English county ofDevon.[3]His father ran a construction company, while his mother was an actress and amateur painter.[4]Deakins attendedTorquay Boys' Grammar School.[5]He took up painting from a young age, and subsequently enrolled in theBath Academy of ArtinBath, Somerset,where he studied graphic design. While studying in Bath, Deakins developed a passion for photography; he cited the photographerRoger Mayne,a guest lecturer at the academy, as a major source of inspiration.[4][6]
After college, Deakins applied to the newly openedNational Film School,but was denied admission as his photography was considered not "filmic" enough. He spent the following year wandering the countryside, photographing rural life in North Devon, before finally being admitted to the National Film School in 1972. DirectorMichael Radfordwas one of Deakins's schoolmates.[4]
Career[edit]
Early career[edit]
After graduating, Deakins found work as a cameraman, assisting in the production of projects for about seven years.[4]An early project of his involved filming a nine-month trip on a yacht as an entrant in theWhitbread Round the World Race,titledAround the World with Ridgeway.[7]Deakins was hired to film two documentaries in Africa. His first,Zimbabwe,was a clandestine documentation of theRhodesian Bush War,while his second,Eritrea – Behind Enemy Lines,depicted theEritrean War of Independence.[7][8]He also shot anthropological documentaries in India and Sudan.[4]
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Deakins was involved in a number of music-related projects, includingBlue Suede Shoes,a music documentary about the Britishrockabillyscene, the concert filmVan Morrison in Ireland,and theRay Daviesmusical filmReturn to Waterloo.He also made short music videos forHerbie Hancock,Eric Clapton,Marvin Gaye,Tracey Ullman,Madness,Level 42andMeat Loaf.[8]
Feature films[edit]
Deakins's first dramatic project was a miniseries titledWolcott,about a black detective working in theEast End of London.The camerawork of the miniseries impressed his former schoolmate and frequent collaborator Michael Radford, who enlisted Deakins for their first dramatic feature, the 1983 filmAnother Time, Another Place.[4][9]The film screened at theCannes Film Festivaland was well-received; subsequently, Deakins and Radford teamed up again onNineteen Eighty-Four(1984), based uponGeorge Orwell'snovel of the same name.[7]The film was praised for its bold, unusual palette,[4]which Deakins achieved through a process known asbleach bypass,where thesilveris retained in the print, creating a washed-out look that reflected Orwell's bleak vision. Deakins was the first Western cinematographer to use the technique, which has since become highly influential and can be seen in films such asSeven(1995) andSaving Private Ryan(1998). Throughout the 1980s, Deakins continued working in Britain, serving as cinematographer for films includingDefence of the Realm(1986),Sid and Nancy(1986),White Mischief(1987; his third feature film with Radford),Stormy Monday(1988) andPascali's Island(1988).[9]
In 1991, Deakins began his long-term collaboration with theCoen brothers,starting with the filmBarton Fink.The Coens had been impressed with Deakins's work, and reached out to him after their previous collaboratorBarry Sonnenfeldleft to pursue a career in directing.[4]The film won the Coens' theFestival de Cannes1991Palme d'Orand Best Director awards (andJohn Turturrothe award for Best Actor),[10]and earned Deakins best cinematography awards fromNew York,ChicagoandLos Angelesfilm critics circles.[citation needed]
In 1994, the year Deakins was admitted to theAmerican Society of Cinematographers,[4]he served as cinematographer forThe Shawshank Redemption,which earned him his firstAcademy Awardnomination forBest Cinematography,and his firstAmerican Society of Cinematographers Award.[4]He received two further Academy Award nominations in that decade, forFargo(1996) andKundun(1997).[8]
For the Coen brothers filmO Brother, Where Art Thou?(2000), Deakins spent some two months fine-tuning the look, turning the lush green Mississippi landscape into a burnt, autumnal yellow and desaturating the overall image. This feat madeO Brotherthe first ever feature film to be digitallycolor-correctedin its entirety,[11]and earned Deakins his fourth Academy Award nomination.[12]The following year, for his work in the Coen brothers'The Man Who Wasn't There(2001), Deakins received his fifth Oscar nomination[13]and won his firstBAFTA Award for Best Cinematography.[14]
In 2008, Deakins received dual Oscar nominations—his sixth and seventh—forThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford(2007) andNo Country for Old Men(2007). He was the first cinematographer to achieve such a feat sinceRobert Surtees,who was nominated forThe Last Picture ShowandSummer of '42in 1972.[15]Deakins served as director of photography forStephen Daldry'sThe Reader(2008) but left mid-production due to delays and previous commitments, and was replaced byChris Menges.The two cinematographers received a shared nomination for Best Cinematography at the81st Academy Awards.[16]
Deakins worked with the Coens on the 2010 westernTrue Grit—their eleventh collaboration—for which he received his ninth Oscar nomination.[17]
Deakins signed on as cinematographer forSkyfall(2012), having previously worked with directorSam MendesonJarhead(2005) andRevolutionary Road(2008).[18]For his work, Deakins received another Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography, eventually losing toClaudio MirandaofLife of Pi—his 10th nomination without securing a win.[19]
In addition to his live-action work, Deakins served as both cinematographer and visual consultant on the 2011 animated filmRango(2011), and also served as a visual consultant on animated features, includingWALL-E(2008),Puss in Boots(2011),Rise of the Guardians(2012),The Croods(2013), theHow to Train Your Dragontrilogy (2010, 2014 and 2019).[20]andVivo(2021).[21]
Starting withPrisoners(2013), Deakins began working with directorDenis Villeneuve.The two proceeded to collaborate onSicario(2015) andBlade Runner 2049(2017), with Deakins earning Oscar nominations for all three films.[22]For his work onBlade Runner 2049,Deakins received his first Academy Award for Best Cinematography on his 14th nomination.[23]
Deakins reunited with Sam Mendes on the 2019 war film1917,filmed and edited to appear asone uninterrupted take,for which he received his second Academy Award on his 15th nomination.[24]
Personal life[edit]
Deakins married Isabella James Purefoy Ellis (b. January 1954,[25]professionally known as James Ellis Deakins[26]and often referred to simply as James[27][28]) on 11 December 1991.[29]They had met in 1991 in Los Angeles on the set ofDavid Mamet'sHomicide,where she was working as the script supervisor.[27]The two began dating after theHomicideproduction finished and were married within about six months.[27]Since then, James Ellis has "ovesee[n] the digital workflow of... film[s]",[28]and they have worked together on various projects, includingThe Goldfinchand1917.[26]As of February 2020, they reside inKingswear,Devon, andSanta Monica, California.[28]
Deakins has kept a boat since beginning such activities with his father as a child—with him, first asailboat,then amotorboat—and he currently keeps one inTorquay,his hometown, to which he often goes (and from which he fishes) when in Britain.[27][28]
When inDevonhe enjoys running,[27][28]and has maintained a passion for still photography.[28]In 2021, Deakins released a book of his black-and-white still photographs,Byways.[30]
Since 2005, Deakins has maintained a website through which he frequently communicates with admirers and other industry practitioners. His correspondence includes answering fan questions and offering cinematography tips.[3][4]Since April 2020 he and his wife have hosted theTeam Deakinspodcast, whose guests have includedSam Mendes,John Crowley,andDenis Villeneuve.[31][32]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
Short film
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Bad Loser | Richard Ryan | With Brian Williams |
| 1980 | Box On | Lindsey Clennell | With Jeff Baynes, John Davey, Mike Fox and Chris Morphet |
| 1981 | Towers of Babel | Jonathan Lewis |
Television[edit]
Miniseries
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Wolcott | Colin Bucksey |
TV movies
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The House | Mike Figgis |
| Return to Waterloo | Ray Davies | |
| 2001 | Dinner with Friends | Norman Jewison |
Documentary works[edit]
Short film
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Mothers Own | Ernest Abbeyquaye | |
| 1977 | Empty Hand | David Litchfield | With Howard Sharp |
| 1979 | Steppin' Out | Lyndall Hobbs | |
| Champions | Mike Wallington | With Terry Jenkins |
Film
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Welcome to Britain | Ben Lewin | |
| 1977 | Before Hindsight | Jonathan Lewis | |
| 1978 | Chimurenga - The War in Zimbabwe | Antonia Caccia | |
| 1980 | Blue Suede Shoes | Curtis Clark | |
| 1979 | Van Morrison in Ireland | Michael Radford | With Jeff Baynes, Bill Marshall and Chris Morphet |
| 1983 | Alan Bush: A Life | Anna Ambrose | WithDick Pope |
| 1984 | The Cinema of Stephen Dwoskin |
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Just for Today | Berny Stringle | TV special; WithDick Pope |
| 1980-1982 | Worlds Apart | Chris Curling Peter Loizos |
2 episodes |
| 1981 | Years of Lightning | Andrew Piddington | Episode "1958: Now Dig This" |
Critical reception[edit]
Deakins is often cited as one of the greatest and most influential cinematographers of all time.[33][34][35]His consistent output led fellow cinematographerRobert Elswitto jokingly suggest that the American Society of Cinematographers should establish a special award for "films shot by Roger Deakins."[4]Deakins received 13 Academy Awards nominations without a win, a fact often lamented by journalists and film critics.[36][37][38]His first Oscar win (on his 14th nomination) forBlade Runner 2049[39]at the90th Academy Awardswas widely reported and met with great enthusiasm.[23]
Deakins is among the most respected and sought-after cinematographers in the film business. His involvement in a film could secure the casting of established stars—a distinction usually reserved for auteur directors.[3]He was hired to shootThe Shawshank Redemptionat the insistence ofTim Robbins,who had previously worked with him on the Coen brothers filmThe Hudsucker Proxy.[40]Josh Brolinagreed to join the cast ofSicarioonly after hearing of Deakins's involvement.[3]WhenRyan Goslingaccepted his role inBlade Runner 2049,he cited the involvement of Deakins as a factor for his decision.[41]
Awards and recognition[edit]
He has been nominated for sixteenAcademy Awards,winning theAcademy Award for Best Cinematographytwice—on his fourteenth and fifteenth nominations—forBlade Runner 2049(2017)[42]and1917(2019).[43][44]He has been named as an Honorary Fellow of hisalma mater,theNational Film and Television SchoolinBeaconsfield,Buckinghamshire,an honour which recognises "outstanding contribution to the British film and television industry" On 28 February 2020.[45]
Deakins is the recipient of fiveBAFTA AwardsforBest Cinematography,[46]forThe Man Who Wasn't There(2001) in that same year,[14]and forNo Country for Old Men(2007),[14]True Grit(2010),[47]Blade Runner 2049(2017),[5]1917(2019),[48]each in the year following their release. As well, two films that he shot,Fargo(1996),[49][50]andA Serious Man(2009),[51]wonIndependent Spirit Awards for Best Cinematographyin the year after their release.
He received theRoyal Photographic Society's Lumière Award for major achievement in cinematography, video or animation in 2009.[52] TheNational Board of Review,a group of New York-based reviewers whose organization dates to 1909, honoured Deakins in 2007 with its award for Career Achievement in Cinematography.[53]Deakins went on to receive theAmerican Society of Cinematographersand theBritish Society of CinematographersLifetime Achievement Award in 2011 and 2015 respectively.[54][55]
Deakins was appointedCommander of the Order of the British Empire(CBE) in the2013 Birthday Honoursfor services to film.[56]He wasknightedin the2021 New Year Honours,also for services to film.[57][1][2]
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roger deakins Wolcott.
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External links[edit]
- Roger DeakinsatIMDb
- Video interview with Roger Deakins,FILMdetail
- Filmed interview with Roger Deakins on The Reel Show
- I just had to pinch myself,interview with Roger Deakins on ITV Local Westcountry
- Information on Roger Deakins at the International Cinematographers Guild
- An interview with Roger DeakinsfromInDigest Magazine
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
- 1949 births
- Alumni of Bath School of Art and Design
- Alumni of the National Film and Television School
- Best Cinematographer Academy Award winners
- Best Cinematography BAFTA Award winners
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- English cinematographers
- Independent Spirit Award winners
- Knights Bachelor
- Living people
- People educated at Torquay Boys' Grammar School