QUYEN TRAN - Cinematographer

QUYEN TRAN - Cinematographer

Author: James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins January 15, 2025 Duration: 1:03:52

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 124 - Quyen Tran - Cinematographer

On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with cinematographer Quyen Tran (AHSOKA, MAID, PALM SPRINGS). We start the episode with Quyen's harrowing recollection of her experience in New York City on 9/11, and she reflects on how the event steered her life towards filmmaking. While studying film at UCLA, Quyen fell into documentary filmmaking, and she shares how she's since branched into directing television and miniseries. She reveals who gave her the initial push to even try directing, and she reveals what she enjoys about it compared to cinematography. We also discuss the films and shows that influenced Quyen early in life, and we share our appreciation for the universal visual storytelling in THE BENNY HILL SHOW and I LOVE LUCY. We later learn how Quyen used lighting to lean into the darker moments of the sci-fi comedy PALM SPRINGS, and she shares how she feels her experiences as a director has made her a better cinematographer. Plus, Quyen reveals what we included in the "Roger Deakins lighting kit" distributed to her class while we were the cinematographer-in-residence at UCLA years ago.

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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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