Roger Deakins is one of the most iconic cinematographers in modern cinema. He has worked on various films, from critically acclaimed dramas to blockbuster action films. His work has earned him 12 Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography, making him one of the most decorated cinematographers in history.
Who is Roger Deakins
If you’re a movie buff, you’ve likely heard the name Roger Deakins mentioned in conversations about cinematography. He’s one of the industry’s most respected and accomplished cinematographers, and his work has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. But who is Roger Deakins, and what makes his work so special? Let’s take a closer look.
Roger Deakins is a British cinematographer who has worked on over 90 feature films, including some of the most critically acclaimed and successful movies of the past few decades. He was born in Torquay, England, in 1949 and grew up loving photography and the outdoors. After studying photography and film at art school, he began his career in the film industry as a cameraman on documentaries and television shows in the 1970s.
Deakins’ breakthrough in feature films came in the mid-1980s when he worked with the Coen Brothers on their neo-noir crime thriller “Blood Simple.” He went on to collaborate with the Coens on many of their most famous movies, including “Fargo,” “The Big Lebowski,” and “No Country for Old Men.” Deakins’ work on these films was praised for its striking use of light and shadow and its ability to convey mood and atmosphere.
Roger Deakins Films
Acting | |
2020 | Cursed Films (1 episode) as Self |
2020 | Allied Forces: Making 1917 a Self |
2015 | Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter (1 episode) as Self |
2010 | A Cinematic Life: The Art and Influence of Conrad Hall as Himself |
2009 | The Rules of Film Noir as Himself |
2006 | The Maltese Falcon: One Magnificent Bird as Self |
2006 | Film Noir: Bringing Darkness to Light as Self |
2006 | Cinematographer Style as Self |
2006 | Who Needs Sleep? as Himself |
2000 | The Coen Brothers as Self |
Camera | |
2022 | Empire of Light … Director of Photography |
2019 | 1917… Camera Operator… Director of Photography |
2019 | The Goldfinch … Director of Photography |
2017 | Blade Runner 2049 … Director of Photography |
2016 | Hail Caesar! … Director of Photography |
2015 | Sicario… “A” Camera Operator… Director of Photography |
2014 | Unbroken… Camera Operator… Director of Photography |
2013 | Prisoners… Camera Operator… Director of Photography |
2012 | Skyfall… Camera Operator… Director of Photography |
2011 | In Time … Director of Photography |
2011 | Rango … Director of Photography |
2010 | True Grit… Camera Operator… Director of Photography |
2010 | The Company Men … Director of Photography |
2009 | A Serious Man … Director of Photography |
2008 | Revolutionary Road … Director of Photography |
2008 | Doubt … Director of Photography |
2008 | The Reader … Director of Photography |
2007 | The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford… “A” Camera Operator… Director of Photography |
2007 | In the Valley of Elah … Director of Photography |
2007 | No Country for Old Men… Camera Operator… Director of Photography |
2005 | Jarhead … Director of Photography |
2004 | The Village … Director of Photography |
2004 | The Ladykillers … Director of Photography |
2003 | House of Sand and Fog … Director of Photography |
2003 | Intolerable Cruelty … Director of Photography |
2003 | Levity … Director of Photography |
2001 | A Beautiful Mind … Director of Photography |
2001 | The Man Who Wasn’t There … Director of Photography |
2001 | Dinner with Friends … Director of Photography |
2000 | O Brother, Where Art Thou? … Director of Photography |
1999 | Anywhere but Here … Director of Photography |
1999 | The Hurricane … Director of Photography |
1998 | The Siege … Director of Photography |
1998 | The Big Lebowski … Director of Photography |
1997 | Kundun … Director of Photography |
1996 | Courage Under Fire … Director of Photography |
1996 | Fargo … Director of Photography |
1995 | Dead Man Walking … Director of Photography |
1994 | The Shawshank Redemption … Director of Photography |
1994 | The Hudsucker Proxy … Director of Photography |
1993 | The Secret Garden … Director of Photography |
1992 | Passion Fish … Director of Photography |
1992 | Thunderheart … Director of Photography |
1991 | Barton Fink … Director of Photography |
1991 | Homicide … Director of Photography |
1990 | The Long Walk Home … Director of Photography |
1990 | Air America … Director of Photography |
1990 | Mountains of the Moon … Director of Photography |
Roger Deakins Career
Deakins started as a camera assistant in the early 1970s, working on commercials and feature films. In 1984 he made his debut as a cinematographer for the film 1984. Since then, he has worked on over 90 films, all in various capacities, including camera operator, cinematographer, and director. He is best known for his work on films such as The Shawshank Redemption, True Grit, Skyfall, Fargo, and The Big Lebowski.
Deakins has been nominated for 15 Academy Awards and 11 BAFTAs for his work. He has won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography twice, the first for the film The Man Who Wasn’t There in 2002 and the second for Blade Runner 2049 in 2017.
Family/Personal Life
Deakins was born in Torquay, Devon, England, on May 24th, 1949. He attended Torquay Boys’ Grammar School and studied at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.
Deakins is married to James Deakins, an editor, and producer who has worked on several of his films. They have three daughters together.
Achievements/Accolades
Deakins has been nominated for 15 Academy Awards, including 12 for Best Cinematography, making him one of the most celebrated cinematographers in film history. He won his first Oscar for The Man Who Wasn’t There in 2002 and his second for Blade Runner 2049 in 2017. He has also been nominated for 11 BAFTAs and won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Cinematographers in 2011 and BAFTA in 2017. Deakins has also won numerous awards from other film festivals, including the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals.
Before Fame
Deakins’ first foray into the film industry came when he was working as a clapper-loader for commercials and music videos. He then worked his way up to becoming a camera operator, eventually debuting as a cinematographer on the 1984 film 1984. During this time, he honed his skills, learning from some of the best in the business and gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience that would serve him well in the coming years.
Trivia
He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2011 for his services to film. He has won 15 Academy Awards nominations, 11 BAFTA Award nominations, 7 ASC Award wins, and 2 American Society of Cinematographers Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Deakins is widely considered one of the best cinematographers in the world. He has worked with many acclaimed directors, including Sam Mendes, Joel and Ethan Coen, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Ridley Scott. He has also been honored for his work several times by the American Society of Cinematographers.
In addition to his award-winning films, Deakins also works in television. He has directed episodes of such shows as Game of Thrones and True Detective.
Roger Deakins’s Net Worth
Roger Deakins is an English cinematographer and director with a net worth of $25 million. He is best known for his work on films like The Shawshank Redemption, True Grit, Skyfall, Fargo, and The Big Lebowski.
Deakins began his career in the early 1970s as a camera assistant for various British films. He worked his way up to become a cinematographer in the 1980s and has since worked on over 90 films, including several Academy Award-winning films.
Conclusion
Roger Deakins is one of the most celebrated cinematographers in film history, and right, fully so. His unique style and artistry have graced some of the greatest films ever. Vereen was recognized for his work with 15 Academy Award nominations, 11 BAFTA nominations, 7 ASC wins, and 2 American Society of Cinematographers Lifetime Achievement Awards. His work speaks for itself and will be remembered for future generations.
Roger Deakins – FAQs
What are some notable films that Roger Deakins has worked on?
Some of the most notable films that Roger Deakins has worked on include The Shawshank Redemption, True Grit, Skyfall, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Prisoners, Sicario, and Blade Runner 2049. He has also worked on several television series, such as Game of Thrones and True Detective.
How many awards has Roger Deakins won?
Roger Deakins has won 15 Academy Awards, 11 BAFTA nominations, 7 ASC wins, and 2 American Society of Cinematographers Lifetime Achievement Awards. He was also awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2011 for his services to film.
How many Oscars has Roger Deakins won for Best Cinematography?
Roger Deakins has won two Oscars for Best Cinematography. He won his first Oscar for The Man Who Wasn’t There in 2002 and his second for Blade Runner 2049 in 2017. He has been nominated for 12 Academy Awards for cinematography, making him one of the most celebrated cinematographers in film history.
What is Roger Deakins’ approach to cinematography?
Roger Deakins is widely considered one of the world’s best cinematographers, and his cinematography approach reflects this. He often favors natural lighting, contrasting colors, and wide-angle shots for tension and atmosphere. He also uses camera movements to draw attention to specific elements within a shot or scene, such as a character’s face or an object of significance.
What are some of the challenges that Roger Deakins faces when working on a film?
One of the main challenges Roger Deakins faces when working on a film is his limited time to create his shots. Cinematographers typically have only a few weeks to capture all their shots, so there is little time for experimentation and fine-tuning.