Roger Deakins (born May 24, 1949) is a highly acclaimed British cinematographer known for his exceptional work in film. With a career spanning over four decades, he has established himself as one of the most influential and respected cinematographers in the industry. Deakins is celebrated for his stunning visual style, innovative techniques, and ability to convey emotion through lighting and composition. He has collaborated multiple times with directors such as the Coen brothers, Sam Mendes, and Denis Villeneuve.
Early Life and Education[]
Roger Deakins was born in Torquay, Devon, England. He developed an interest in photography at an early age and pursued his passion by studying at the Art College in Bath. After graduating, he began his career in the British television industry, working as a cinematographer on various projects before transitioning to feature films.
Awards and Nominations[]
Roger Deakins has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including:
- Academy Awards: 15 nominations; 2 wins for Blade Runner 2049 (2018) and 1917 (2019).
- BAFTA Awards: 14 nominations; 5 wins.
- American Society of Cinematographers Awards: 3 wins.
His work has been recognized by various film festivals and organizations, cementing his status as a leading figure in cinematography.
Personal Life[]
Roger Deakins is married to Isabella James Purefoy Ellis, on 11 December 1991. They had met in 1991 in Los Angeles on the set of David Mamet's Homicide, where she was working as the script supervisor. The two began dating after the Homicide production finished and were married within about six months. Since then, James Ellis has "ovesee[n] the digital workflow of... film[s]", and they have worked together on various projects, including The Goldfinch and 1917. As of February 2020, they reside in Kingswear, Devon, and Santa Monica, California.
Deakins has kept a boat since beginning such activities with his father as a child—with him, first a sailboat, then a motorboat—and he currently keeps one in Torquay, his hometown, to which he often goes (and from which he fishes) when in Britain.
Since 2005, Deakins has maintained a website through which he frequently communicates with admirers and other industry practitioners. His correspondence includes answering fan questions and offering cinematography tips. Since April 2020 he and his wife have hosted the Team Deakins podcast, whose guests have included Sam Mendes, John Crowley, and Denis Villeneuve.
Filmography[]
- Another Time, Another Place (1983)
- Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)
- Return to Waterloo (1984)
- Shadey (1985)
- Defence of the Realm (1986)
- Sid and Nancy (1986)
- Personal Services (1987)
- White Mischief (1987)
- Pascali's Island (1988)
- Stormy Monday (1988)
- The Kitchen Toto (1988)
- Air America (1990)
- Mountains of the Moon (1990)
- The Long Walk Home (1990)
- Barton Fink (1991)
- Homicide (1991)
- Passion Fish (1992)
- Thunderheart (1992)
- The Secret Garden (1993)
- The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
- Dead Man Walking (1995)
- Courage Under Fire (1996)
- Fargo (1996)
- Kundun (1997)
- The Big Lebowski (1998)
- The Siege (1998)
- Anywhere but Here (1999)
- The Hurricane (1999)
- O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
- A Beautiful Mind (2001)
- Dinner with Friends (2001)
- The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)
- House of Sand and Fog (2003)
- Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
- Levity (2003)
- The Ladykillers (2004)
- The Village (2004)
- Jarhead (2005)
- In the Valley of Elah (2007)
- No Country for Old Men (2007)
- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
- Doubt (2008)
- Revolutionary Road (2008)
- The Reader (2008)
- A Serious Man (2009)
- The Company Men (2010)
- True Grit (2010)
- In Time (2011)
- Skyfall (2012)
- Prisoners (2013)
- Unbroken (2014)
- Sicario (2015)
- Hail, Caesar! (2016)
- Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
- The Goldfinch (2019)