Roger Deakins on Instinct, Experience and Defining Cinematography
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Key Takeaways
- Roger Deakins relies on emotional response and instinct rather than fixed technical methods.
- The legendary cinematographer admits he still cannot definitively answer what a cinematographer is.
- In his youth, the camera served as a comforting tool that helped him overcome shyness and interact with reality.
- His visual style draws inspiration from painters like Giorgio de Chirico and his surroundings.
Legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins discussed his artistic process during a walk in Turin, comparing his visual awareness to the works of painter Giorgio de Chirico. Deakins emphasized that his filmmaking decisions stem from emotional reactions to stories rather than rigid methodologies.
Reflecting on his youth in Torquay, Deakins revealed that using a camera initially gave him the confidence to face the world, acting as a buffer between himself and reality. Today, despite his monumental contributions to contemporary cinema, he maintains that defining the essence of a cinematographer remains an elusive task.
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