SUZIE DAVIES - Production Designer

SUZIE DAVIES - Production Designer

Author: James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins April 23, 2025 Duration: 59:46

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 138 - Suzie Davies - Production Designer

In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with production designer Suzie Davies (CONCLAVE, SALTBURN, MR. TURNER). Suzie once thought she'd be a sheep farmer, but after working for model-makers on commercials, she found herself drawn to the art department and filmmaking. A frequent collaborator with director Mike Leigh (Season 1, Episode 76), Suzie reveals how they first met and how she works with him within his unique process. We also learn how the boundaries of production inform Suzie's general approach to design, and she shares how she tries to help directors realize their creative visions within these limits. Later, Suzie reflects on the challenge of finding period locations in the modern world, and we discuss how she augments locations to suit the film's reality. Suzie also shares what made the estate in SALTBURN so unique as a location, and we learn how she balanced the production of that film with weekend location scouts in Rome for CONCLAVE. Throughout the episode, Suzie reflects on how she made the most of the opportunities presented to her throughout her career, and we discuss the enduring appeal of being just a sheep farmer.

-

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

Team Deakins
Podcast Episodes
PETER BRADSHAW - Film Critic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:20
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 186 - Peter Bradshaw - Film Critic In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with Peter Bradshaw, the film critic at The Guardian. We normally talk about making movies with our guests, but…
MALGOSIA TURZANSKA - Costume Designer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:54
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 185 - Malgosia Turzanska - Costume Designer In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with costume designer Malgosia Turzanska (HAMNET, PEARL, AIN'T THEM BODIES SAINTS). Malgosia's life in…
FIONA CROMBIE - Production Designer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:56
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 184 - Fiona Crombie - Production Designer In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with production designer Fiona Crombie (HAMNET, THE FAVOURITE, SNOWTOWN). Despite being raised on her fat…
HLYNUR PÁLMASON - Writer / Director [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:38
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 183 - Hlynur Pálmason - Writer / Director In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with writer and director Hlynur Pálmason (THE LOVE THAT REMAINS, GODLAND, A WHITE, WHITE DAY). Throughout…
MARTIN CAMPBELL - Director [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:55
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 182 - Martin Campbell - Director In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with director Martin Campbell (CASINO ROYALE, GOLDENEYE, EDGE OF DARKNESS). Faced with limited options for a caree…
JACK FISK - Production Designer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:53
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 181 - Jack Fisk - Production Designer In this extended episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with production designer Jack Fisk (MARTY SUPREME, THERE WILL BE BLOOD, MULHOLLAND DRIVE). Spanning…
NICHOLAS BRITELL - Composer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:34
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 180 - Nicholas Britell - Composer In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with composer Nicholas Britell (JAY KELLY, DON'T LOOK UP, MOONLIGHT). "How can a score function within a film?" i…
KELLY REICHARDT & CHRISTOPHER BLAUVELT - Director & Cinematographer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:03
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 179 - Kelly Reichardt & Christopher Blauvelt - Director & Cinematographer In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with director Kelly Reichardt and cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt. K…
FATIH AKIN - Writer / Director [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:11
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 178 - Fatih Akin - Writer / Director In this extended episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with writer and director Fatih Akin (AMRUM, IN THE FADE, HEAD-ON). Born in Hamburg, Fatih wrote his f…
JAMES SLATTERY - Colourist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:41
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 177 - James Slattery - Colourist In this extended episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with colourist James Slattery (THE LOST BUS, EMPIRE OF LIGHT, 1917). How does someone become a colourist?…