logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
1h 9m

BEN DAVIS - Cinematographer

James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins
About this episode

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 131 - Ben Davis - Cinematographer

In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with cinematographer Ben Davis (THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, LAYER CAKE). During our conversation, we talk all things cinematography, and we learn what it was about a film set that initially appealed to a younger Ben. We also discuss the importance of knowing how a film is going to be cut, and Ben reflects on his path working up the grades of the camera department. A frequent collaborator with director Martin McDonagh (Season 2, Episode 19), Ben shares how he and Martin typically prep, and he describes their process for working on THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN. We also discuss how Ben balances shooting with multiple cameras, and he compares the experiences of shooting on films with many resources against those with much fewer. We later discuss the pitfalls of pre-vis, and we reflect on the different practices of manipulating film stock and digital footage. Plus, Ben shares his best impression of producer Dino De Laurentiis

-

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
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
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
Jun 2023
How to go from Indie film to studio blockbuster with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts director Steven Caple Jr. and actors Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback
On part 2 of our Transformers: Rise of the Beasts special with chat going from indie films to huge studio movies with director Steven Caple jr. Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir are also joined by Judas and the Black Messiah actor Dominique Fishback and In the Heights star Anthony Ra ... Show More
53m 57s
Feb 2023
#553 — Lily James & Shazad Latif, Jon Favreau
As a great lady once sang, what's love got to do with it? Everything, is usually the answer, and that certainly drives this week's episode of the Empire Podcast and, indeed, the new rom-com What's Love Got To Do With It, whose stars, Lily James and Shazad Latif, pop onto a laptop ... Show More
1h 35m
Dec 2024
NOW AND BEN
Presenting a new feature on the Take Channel. ANORA has been one of the most talked-about films of 2024 so we sent supersub BEN BAILEY SMITH to speak to director Sean Baker. In this interview you can hear Ben talk to Sean about how he judges his own work, his love of Chihuahuas, ... Show More
21m 15s
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
Nov 2024
129. Gaslight (w/ Joseph McBride)
We sit down with film historian Joseph McBride to discuss George Cukor's 1944 film, Gaslight. We discuss Cukor's reputation among the great studio directors, his skill working with actors, the social and political dimensions of the film, including what makes diagnosing and resist ... Show More
1h 10m
Sep 2022
What's The Cost of Doing Work You Care About? Jerrod Carmichael Explains
Filmmakers want to present our craft to the world, and that craft is made with a particular vision. Sometimes sticking to this vision means we will lose out on other opportunities. Comedian and filmmaker, Jerrod Carmichael, explains why he is willing to take that risk. In this ep ... Show More
32m 20s
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
Aug 2019
How to Edit a Star Wars Movie with Rogue One and Monsters Editor Col Goudie with Phil Hawkins, Giles Alderson & Robbie McKane hosting.
This week we sat down with wonderful editor Colin Goudie who regales us with his wonderful stories about editing the incredible Gareth Edwards film Monsters and Star Wars: Rogue One. How both films differed in budget but yet were the same in terms of emotion and making sure the s ... Show More
55m 28s