DIANA BURTON - Prop Master

DIANA BURTON - Prop Master

Author: James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins April 29, 2026 Duration: 1:04:18

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 191 Diana Burton - Prop Master

In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with prop master Diana Burton (WEST SIDE STORY, OKJA, THE SOPRANOS). We worked with Diana on PASSION FISH—directed by John Sayles (Season 2, Episode 55)—and it was great catching up with her. We learn what the prop department is and isn't responsible for in this episode, and Diana shares how she works with the other departments to help make the best film possible. Diana shares some early career stories from her PA days in New York City, from delivering tuna sandwiches to Madonna to watching a cougar roam the streets in the Upper West Side, and we discuss her thoughts on breaking into the prop department today. Diana also reveals how she approached designing the weapons for the machines in TERMINATOR GENISYS, and we learn why she always enlists an armourer to handle firearms on a shoot. Diana also shares her opinion on continuity, and we discuss how she feels when someone suggests to do something in post rather than in-camera. Plus, Diana reveals how she and two food stylists made all that food for JULIE & JULIA.

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This episode is sponsored by Aputure 


There’s a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who have spent a lifetime in film just start talking, following a thread wherever it leads. That’s the heart of Team Deakins. Roger Deakins, the Oscar-winning cinematographer, and his longtime collaborator and wife, James Ellis Deakins, sit down to unpack questions sent in by listeners, which means every episode begins with a specific point of curiosity-a technical detail, a business dilemma, a philosophical query about storytelling-and unfolds from there. You’ll hear them dig into the craft of cinematography, dissect the realities of the film and television industry, and share stories from their own remarkable journey. The discussion is meandering, insightful, and grounded in decades of practical experience. While it’s primarily their dialogue, they are occasionally joined by guests from across the film world, adding new dimensions to the talk. This isn’t a formal lecture series; it’s an accessible, ongoing dialogue between experts who love what they do. For anyone fascinated by how movies are made, from the lighting of a scene to the navigating of a career, this podcast offers a rare, unfiltered look behind the curtain. The entire project feels like a natural extension of their shared life in art, making each episode a unique and personal listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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