Deakin's May Not Use Film Again?

[Brennan Klensch]

http://www.slashfilm.com/roger-deakins-digital-35mm-im-ill-film/#more-97487

Wow. When one of the best, if not THE best living cinematographer says it's time to move on...well, yeah. Now, please someone give this man an Epic, as he's quitting film (kind of) because of what he saw out of an Alexa. Not a bad camera. Also, not an epic. nuff said.

Now get Pfister on board and I'll be a happy camper

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

Disagree!

First, no offense but I can't see Deakins even as the best British living cinematographer

an second Pfister already shot with Phantom HD digital speed camera in Inception just because he couldn't use Beaumont VistaVision Camera for that sort of shots...

 

[Adrian Correia]

Menges Sanjin?

 

[Evin Grant]

Disagree!

First, no offense but I can't see Deakins even as the best British living cinematographer

Have you seen The Assassination of Jesse James? Shawshank Redemption? Oh Brother Where Art Thou? Deakins is certainly one of the best cinematographers alive and to say otherwise is just nieve. There is nothing wrong with liking an Alexa, and Deakins going digital helps us all regardless of the camera he uses. I've sure in his career he's used Kodak and Fuji film, Arri and Panavision cameras. He lets the story dictate the camera, not the other way around. I'm sure he'll shoot something on Epic as well, when the right project comes along.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

I think the title of this thread overstates the case.

Deakins has, like many other cinematographers, taken a stance that is basically that you no longer NEED film.

He went on to say that in some places it has the right feel... and noted that he will be adding grain to a section of his current project Now being shot on an Alexa.

Deakins has had a dim view of Red- honestly I think because they are a new player. I don't think it would serve Red to have him test the camera until its much closer to general release. (and shipping in high quantity.)

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

Have you seen The Assassination of Jesse James? Shawshank Redemption? Oh Brother Where Art Thou? Deakins is certainly one of the best cinematographers alive and to say otherwise is just nieve. There is nothing wrong with liking an Alexa, and Deakins going digital helps us all regardless of the camera he uses. I've sure in his career he's used Kodak and Fuji film, Arri and Panavision cameras. He lets the story dictate the camera, not the other way around. I'm sure he'll shoot something on Epic as well, when the right project comes along.

Have all those movies in my DVD/BD collection.

Btw, Deakins is very refine cinematographer but I still think he didn't show his real potential because in the case with Coen Bros I think they have got more from him that he has got from them...he needs more work with other directors...

 

[M Most]

Have all those movies in my DVD/BD collection.

Btw, Deakins is very refine cinematographer but I still think he didn't show his real potential because in the case with Coen Bros I think they have got more from him that he has got from them...he needs more work with other directors...

This is one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever read here. Roger Deakins is not only one of the most celebrated cinematographers in the industry, he has worked with more directors than I can even name, on more varied projects than almost anyone I can think of. If you're going to express your own opinion, you should at least try to come up with one that has some basis in reality.

 

[Zakaree Sandberg]

one of my favorite DPs

 

[Robert Frank]

I think the title of this thread overstates the case.

The title of the article that is linked in the OP is "Roger Deakins on Digital vs. 35mm: “Whether I’ll Shoot On Film Again, I Don’t Know”.

He goes on to mention all the benefits of shooting digital that I would guess REDUser members are already very familiar with, stating:

"It’s faster. I can immediately see what I’m recording. I can time that image on set with a color-calibrated monitor. That coloring goes through the whole system, so it’s tied with the meta-data of the image. So that goes through the whole post-production chain, so it’s not a case of being in a lab and having to sit and then time a shot on a shot-by-shot because this has already got a control on it that’s set the timing for the shot, you know?"

Not trying to be negative but he said nothing that is news, but it is very encouraging to hear someone of his caliber and experience point out the advantages.

Deakins has had a dim view of Red- honestly I think because they are a new player. I don't think it would serve Red to have him test the camera until its much closer to general release. (and shipping in high quantity.)

I will say, respectfully, that it's almost irrelevant whether or not the old guard will accept digital image acquisition as equal to (if not better) than film. A new generation of filmmakers will show just how good digital motion pictures can be, with IMO, world class RED EPIC cameras leading the way.

 

[Joe Taylor]

From my experience when I worked at Otto Nemenz, Roger Deakins was loyal to Otto's as his one-shop rental house and unconditionally devoted to Arriflex as his camera of choice. It really comes as no surprise that Deakins will be shooting with the Alexa as his go to digital cinema camera.

 

[Joe Taylor]

Btw, Deakins is very refine cinematographer but I still think he didn't show his real potential because in the case with Coen Bros I think they have got more from him that he has got from them...he needs more work with other directors...

I don't know Sanjin.
- The Coen's
- Martin Scorsese
- Sam Mendes
- David Mamet
- John Sayles
- Tim Robbins
- Alex Cox
- Edward Zwick
- Andrew Dominik
- M. Night Shyamalan (you can take that one or leave it an exercise)
- Bob Rafelson
- Frank Darabont
- Ron Howard
- Norman Jewison
- Michael Apted
- Mike Figgis

Those are are just a few director's that he's worked with since the mid 80's and I'm sure when Roger is at his next job interview the HR person will recognize at least two or three of those names. Just saying.

 

[Brennan Klensch]

deakins is amazing. only a few people even come close to touching him

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

This is one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever read here. Roger Deakins is not only one of the most celebrated cinematographers in the industry, he has worked with more directors than I can even name, on more varied projects than almost anyone I can think of. If you're going to express your own opinion, you should at least try to come up with one that has some basis in reality.

I don't know Sanjin.
- The Coen's
- Martin Scorsese
- Sam Mendes
- David Mamet
- John Sayles
- Tim Robbins
- Alex Cox
- Edward Zwick
- Andrew Dominik
- M. Night Shyamalan (you can take that one or leave it an exercise)
- Bob Rafelson
- Frank Darabont
- Ron Howard
- Norman Jewison
- Michael Apted
- Mike Figgis

Those are are just a few director's that he's worked with since the mid 80's and I'm sure when Roger is at his next job interview the HR person will recognize at least two or three of those names. Just saying.

Probably I didn't say in a right words but the facts still stays that except Coen Bros no any other director that he already worked before with didn't call him to do it again (please correct me if I'm wrong here).

That fact says a lot and just to name a few important directors like a Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Paul Haggis, Sam Mendes, etc,...

Directors mostly choose cinematographers anyway...

And now go back and again read my (as somebody already said) ridiculous statement...

 

[M Most]

And now go back and again read my (as somebody already said) ridiculous statement...

It's still ridiculous because you refuse to show any respect for a man who's considered something of a giant of our industry. Whether you personally like his work or not, the body of work Roger has accumulated deserves everyone's respect. Especially from those who aren't even in the same league in terms of artistic accomplishment.

 

[Paul Steinberg]

From my experience when I worked at Otto Nemenz, Roger Deakins was loyal to Otto's as his one-shop rental house and unconditionally devoted to Arriflex as his camera of choice. It really comes as no surprise that Deakins will be shooting with the Alexa as his go to digital cinema camera.

Maybe he just wanted a digital camera with a viewfinder and recording media. :shocked: <zing>

A good friend of mine got just got his Alexa package 1 week after ordering. It's taking really really nice pictures.

 

[Brennan Klensch]

Maybe he just wanted a digital camera with a viewfinder and recording media. :shocked: <zing>

A good friend of mine got just got his Alexa package 1 week after ordering. It's taking really really nice pictures.

no doubt, i know it does, but i mean, and I know i'm kind of jumping the gun here, but I honestly have to wonder what one sees in an Alexa OVER and Epic. Obviously, each camera does things differently, however, there are very very very few reasons why an Alexa should be chosen OVER an Epic; viewfinder (optical) sure, that's pretty sweet, and recording workflows, also sweet and really a great overall look. But what's amazing is that the MX and the Alexa are usually neck and neck, but the MX doesn't have nearly all of the features of an Epic. If the question was between those two cameras, then sure, I'd understand more, but as it stands, I really have no clue.

 

[Brennan Klensch]

Sanjin,

It's cool if you're not as big on deakins as a lot here, just curious, who is your favorite, or maybe even top 5? i really respect your opinions around here, so, shed some light on me

my top 5 are

1. Conrad Hall (RIP)
2. Roger Deakins
3. Matthew Libatique
4. Seamus McGarvey
5. Caleb Deschanel

 

[sergio arguello]

I never thought id agree with sanjin, but Deakins isnt one of my personal favorites either. If i was in need of a DP id prefer Lubezki myself, but thats what makes the art, art. Its purely subjective...

top 10
1.christopher Doyle
2.emmanuel Lubezki
3.Darius Khandji
4.Janusz Kaminski
5.Dante Spinotti
6.Peter Pau
7.caleb Deschenel
8.Pawel Edelman
9.Wally Pfister
10.Bruno Delbonnel

but thats not to say the man isnt massively talented

 

[Antonio Forjaz]

my top

Eduardo Serra, Emmanuel Lubezki (Chivo), Vittorio Storaro, Chris Menges, Janus Kaminski, Darius Khondji, Andrzej Sekula, Jordan Cronenweth, Michael Chapman

but I think all are really great and I can't make a TOP list, I like them all

 

[Christian Munoz D]

I am not too worried about Deakins using Red. He is not hooked on a specific kind of technology I am sure he will use Epic sooner or later.
Back on 2000 he said "I think eventually cinema will be electronic....and that will have a huge effect in the nature of movie making and movies. I mean, obviously it's gonna open a whole new way being able to create images"


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