TURNING THE TABLES - 'TRUE GRIT' - with David Mullen

TURNING THE TABLES - 'TRUE GRIT' - with David Mullen

Author: James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins June 25, 2025 Duration: 1:19:12

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 147 - Turning the Tables - TRUE GRIT - David Mullen

Cinematographer David Mullen (Season 1, Episode 83 & Season 2, Episode 113) returns for a new edition of the "Turning the Tables" series in this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast. David's questions center around our work on the Coen Brothers' 2010 version of TRUE GRIT, and we had a wonderful time answering them. In addition to the questions concerning how we actually made the film, we also discuss the long history of westerns and the visual variety within the genre. We also reveal the story behind the push-in in the opening shot of the film, what was on location and what was on stage, and how we shot the river crossing scene. We later reflect on working with then-child actor Hailee Steinfeld, and we discuss the script's unique and engaging dialogue. We also reflect on the utility of cowboy hats and on the visual strength of westerns directed by John Ford and Sergio Leone, and we swap stories from our early-career, low-budget exterior shoots. Topics also include: film stocks, aspect ratios, lighting locations and sets, and nighttime nightmares shooting a black mare against a black sky.

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Recommended Viewing: TRUE GRIT (2010)

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This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Profoto


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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