JOHN LEE HANCOCK - Writer / Director

JOHN LEE HANCOCK - Writer / Director

Author: James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins August 26, 2026 Duration: 1:22:05

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 208 John Lee Hancock - Writer / Director

In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with writer and director John Lee Hancock (THE HIGHWAYMEN, THE ROOKIE, A PERFECT WORLD). John was born and raised in Texas and we learn how he made the transition from practicing law to screenwriting and what he stayed busy with to survive in Los Angeles after moving there. John later reflects on learning filmmaking from Clint Eastwood and Kevin Costner during the production of A PERFECT WORLD (which John wrote), and he reveals how he came up with the idea of the film. We also learn how producer Mark Johnson (Season 2, Episode 97) accidentally set him up to direct his first film, and John reveals some of the benefits of being a writer while also working as a director. John also reflects on the grand-scaled production of THE ALAMO, and we discuss the historical and cultural backdrop of Texas at the time of the events of the movie. Towards the end, John shares some information with us about his next film, and we discuss the economic difficulties of filming within the United States that lead to productions shooting abroad. 

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Recommended Viewing: A PERFECT WORLD


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: 50

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