logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
1h 10m

LUKASZ ZAL - Cinematographer

James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins
About this episode

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 102 - LUKASZ ZAL - CINEMATOGRAPHER

On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we’re speaking with cinematographer Lukasz Zal (THE ZONE OF INTEREST, COLD WAR, IDA). Born and raised in Poland, Lukasz yearned to express himself creatively in his youth, but it wasn't until he filmed a communion that he found his creativity was best practiced through cinematography. We also learn how Lukasz took over the role of cinematographer on IDA and how he and director (and fellow Pole) Pawel Pawlikowski worked together. He later reveals the humorous reason the camera finally moves at the end of the film, and we discuss how shooting the film in colour and then converting the footage into black and white affected the final images. Later, Lukasz shares his experiences working on DOVLATOV in St. Petersburg, and we take a moment to appreciate the rich cinematic and artistic traditions of the Russian people. Towards the end, we also discuss the practical challenges of shooting THE ZONE OF INTEREST and how director Jonathan Glazer’s idea of “Big Brother in Nazi Germany” informed the ultimate tone of the film.

-

This episode is sponsored by Aputure

Up next
Today
A LOOK AT TWO INSPIRATIONAL FILMS - with Joe Walker - Part 1
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 149 - A LOOK AT TWO INSPIRATIONAL FILMS - with Joe Walker - Part 1 In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, editor Joe Walker (Season 1, Episode 35) returns for the first half of a two-part discussion about the filmmaking behind two of our favourite films: ... Show More
1h 19m
Jul 2
PULLING A FILM TOGETHER - with Paula McGann
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 148 - Pulling a Film Together - with Paula McGann In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with Paula McGann (1917, DARKEST HOUR, MIDNIGHT SKY). We had the pleasure of working with Paula on 1917, and we asked her to come on the podcast to discuss t ... Show More
1h 13m
Jun 25
TURNING THE TABLES - 'TRUE GRIT' - with David Mullen
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 ar ... Show More
1h 19m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2023
“Mutt” Director and Actor Unpack Career-Launching First Feature
Vuk Lungulov-Klotz is a transgender filmmaker, cinematographer, and director of short films such as Still Liam and River Fork. Vuk’s feature film, Mutt, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The film’s leading actor, Lio Mehiel, won the Special Jury Acting Award at the fe ... Show More
1h 13m
Nov 2023
Michael Newton, "It's a Wonderful Life" (British Film Institute, 2023)
Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life is one of the best-loved films of Classical Hollywood cinema, a story of despair and redemption in the aftermath of war that is one of the central movies of the 1940s, and a key text in America's understanding of itself. This is a film that rem ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 2021
Dune DP Greig Fraser and Editor Joe Walker Break Down Crafting a Cinematic Epic
Get ready for tons of insight on this massive film! In this episode, we talk about... How the team conquered the challenge of presenting such a dense, beloved, and influential book on the screen. How the team tried to keep elements of the book that may not be the most cinematic, ... Show More
1h 19m
Dec 2024
A Complete Unknown with James Mangold and Guillermo del Toro (Ep. 518)
Director James Mangold discusses his new film, A Complete Unknown, with fellow Director Guillermo del Toro in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how he intended on making the songs integral scenes instead of separating the drama from the ac ... Show More
36m 4s
Jan 2025
Guy Pearce on Acting, On set tips, Working with Directors and 'The Brutalist'
The wonderful actor Guy Pearce joins us this week to talk acting and his new feature film The Brutalist. Already nominated for a BAFTA and an OSCAR for Best Supporting Actor, Giles Alderson sat down with the aforementioned nominated Guy Pearce to chat working with inspirational d ... Show More
41m 24s
May 2023
A Step-By-Step Guide to Indie Film: From Labs to Sundance to Theaters
Laurel Parmet is a director and writer who has been nominated and awarded for her shorts, Kira Burning and Spring. Kara Durrett is a producer who works in both independent film and television, producing films such as Save Yourselves! and Topside. We were honored to speak to both ... Show More
1h 6m
Dec 2023
'Share?' Director Ira Rosensweig on Full Stack Filmmaking
Ira Rosensweig is the director and editor of Share?, a science fiction thriller that was shot entirely from one fixed camera angle. This film will creep you out, but in a good way, as it prompts you to take an honest look at your relationship with social media. In today’s episode ... Show More
46m 22s
Apr 18
The Secret to a Calm Film Set with Director Mimi Cave
Director Mimi Cave joins No Film School’s GG Hawkins and guest co-host Madison Lanesey for a candid conversation about her path from dance to directing, maintaining artistic vision in the studio system, and fostering a grounded and collaborative atmosphere on set. Mimi opens up a ... Show More
1h 3m
Dec 2024
James Mangold Unwraps the Craft of "A Complete Unknown"
In this episode of No Film School, GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman sit down with acclaimed director James Mangold to dive into the making of his latest film, A Complete Unknown. Known for iconic works like Logan and Ford v Ferrari, Mangold shares deep insights into his creative pr ... Show More
44m 1s
May 2024
Poolman with Chris Pine and Patty Jenkins (Ep. 481)
Director Chris Pine discusses his new film, Poolman, with fellow Director Patty Jenkins in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with Actors as a Director who came from acting, his preference of shooting on film instead of digital, and ... Show More
32m 19s