logo
episode-header-image
Jul 9
1h 19m

A LOOK AT TWO INSPIRATIONAL FILMS - with...

James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins
About this episode

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: Richard Brooks’ IN COLD BLOOD and Jean-Pierre Melville’s ARMY OF SHADOWS. The films may contrast in their expression of cinematic storytelling with each other and with films made today, but we find, over the course of these two episodes, that both films share and build on the fundamental elements of what makes a movie, a movie. This episode focuses on IN COLD BLOOD, and we discuss how the film frequently subverts expectations through its structure, cinematography, and editing. Joe also breaks down composer Quincy Jones’ evocative score, and he reveals how the film radically flew in the face of a soon-to-be-abandoned Hays Code. Additionally, we look at the innovations in filmmaking technologies and techniques from cinema’s youth to the 1960s, and Joe presents his theory of the 30-year-cycle of evolution in the film industry. Plus, we take a moment to consider the links between Soviet propaganda’s understanding of montage and the modern analytics and algorithms that manipulate how images are presented on the internet today. 

-

Recommended Viewing: IN COLD BLOOD (1967), ARMY OF SHADOWS (1969)

-

This episode is sponsored by Aputure & Barco

Up next
Aug 20
FRED SPECKTOR - Agent
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 155 - Fred Specktor - Agent In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with agent Fred Specktor (CAA). Fred has actually seen it all—now in his 90s, he joined the mailroom at MCA (before its dissolution) after graduating college, and he’s been in the ... Show More
54m 42s
Aug 13
TRACY LETTS - Actor / Writer
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 154 - Tracy Letts - Actor / Writer In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with actor and writer Tracy Letts (AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, BUG, HOMELAND). Born and raised in Oklahoma, Tracy struck out for Chicago after high school to find work as an acto ... Show More
1h 4m
Aug 6
STEVEN SODERBERGH - Director
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 153 - Steven Soderbergh - Director In this extended episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with director Steven Soderbergh (BLACK BAG, TRAFFIC, OUT OF SIGHT). Steven credits his father for giving him the movie bug, and he shares how a young adulthood sho ... Show More
1h 32m
Recommended Episodes
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
Mar 2025
Food For Thought: Why make a passion project documentary and give it away for FREE with Giles Alderson & Dan Richardson
Today’s episode is a special one! First for all, the brilliant Phil Hawkins takes the reins as our host. And if that wasn’t exciting enough, the one and only Giles Alderson finally joins us to present his brand-new film! Alongside his longtime friend and co-director/-producer/-wr ... Show More
1h 4m
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
Jan 2024
How To Make a Movie... For TikTok?
Lately, we keep hearing the advice to grab an iPhone and just start shooting a movie. Well, that’s exactly what the team behind The Mountain Murder Tapes did. Not only was filming very simple, but they kept post-production really scrappy and distributed their project on TikTok! I ... Show More
39m 56s
Nov 2024
Superman II (1980) and Toys (1992)
Two twisty behind the scenes stories here. Originally, 1980's Superman II was being shot alongside the original Superman, with Richard Donner directing both. But frictions behind the scenes led to an eventual parting of the ways, a retooling of Superman II, and an eventual emerge ... Show More
1h 6m
Aug 2024
078. Kiyoshi Kurosawa: Tokyo Sonata
In this episode, we’re laughing and crying to the sweet melodies of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 2008 film Tokyo Sonata, and its social commentary on the Japanese nuclear family in the midst of a financial crisis.  We explore the film’s construction of a patriarchal nuclear family, discuss ... Show More
59m 21s
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
Aug 15
Jimmy & Stiggs and Joe Begos
Horror filmmaker Joe Begos went full grindhouse with his latest batshit crazy movie, Jimmy & Stiggs, hitting 1,500 theaters this Friday, August 15th & presented by Eli Roth! Joe reveals how he shot the entire alien gorefest inside his own apartment on 16mm film for under $200k, p ... Show More
1h 4m
Sep 2024
THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER Analysis and Breakdown- 2024 James Earl Jones Tribute
On this episode of The Cine-Files, Steve Morris and John Rocha REPOST their episode on THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER in honor of the passing of James Earl Jones. Steve and John record a new intro for this film exploring James Earl Jones's performance in this film and his importanc ... Show More
2h 9m
Apr 2025
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