Roger Deakins: Half a Century Behind the Camera, and a Film World in Flux

Cinematographer Roger Deakins reflects on five decades behind the camera, his craft as lighting and visual storytelling, and the collaborative nature of filmmaking. In conversation with his wife James, he discusses his new memoir Reflections: On Cinematography, his preference for careful, minimalist shooting over flashy tech, and his concerns about how AI, streaming, and CGI are reshaping Hollywood toward more event-driven cinema. He laments the loss of character-driven films, outlines the discipline of lighting and planning, and notes how Team Deakins and outreach work aim to demystify the industry for newcomers while acknowledging a changing future for film.