Team Deakins

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 197 Michael Connelly - Author
In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with author Michael Connelly. Michael is best known for the Harry Bosch, Lincoln Lawyer, and Renée Ballard series, and many of his novels have been adapted for film and television. During our conversation, we learn what inspired Michael to become a crime novelist, how the character of Harry Bosch came together, and why he gravitated to television for adapting the bulk of his work for screens. Michael discusses his involvement in his shows, and we discuss the creative and practical decisions behind adapting some novels in the series over others. Michael also spent over a dozen years as a crime reporter in Florida and in Los Angeles, and he shares why he made the career decision and how it helped build the foundation for the crime stories he went on to write. As huge BOSCH fans, we were thrilled to be able to talk to Michael about his work.
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Recommended Viewing: BOSCH

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 196 Drew Kunin - Production Sound Mixer
In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with production sound mixer Drew Kunin (DISCLOSURE DAY; HER; CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON). Throughout the episode, Drew helps us understand how a production sound mixer might do his or her job in a number of different circumstances, drawing on experiences ranging from building a recording booth on wheels for HER to mixing CROUCHING TIGER phonetically using a pinyin script. Drew also describes the type of equipment he might use in certain situations, and he reflects on the changes in technology and in technique he's witnessed since he started his career. He later shares his approach to mixing tracks on set, and we discuss how his mixes can influence what happens in post. Drew also recounts his experience of being one of two Americans on the crew of CROUCHING TIGER in China, and he gives us a quick demonstration on the difference between Mandarin and Cantonese. We worked with Drew on THE GOLDFINCH and THE SECRET GARDEN, and we had a great time catching up with him.
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This episode is sponsored by Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 195 Jafar Panahi - Director
In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with director Jafar Panahi (IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT, NO BEARS, THE WHITE BALLOON). Growing up amidst poverty in Tehran, Jafar's love for cinema began in childhood and led him to enroll in the film program at university. Unsatisfied with his final student film, he destroyed it, but he reveals to us why and shares how his approach to directing every subsequent film changed for the better. Throughout the episode, we discuss how he actually makes his movies—both as a filmmaker and as a citizen contesting with censorship and an authoritarian government. We discuss the making of THE WHITE BALLOON and THE CIRCLE, and Jafar shares how he attempts to make the events in his films feel as if they really happened. We also learn how and why he brings in non-actors during the casting process, and he reveals how he and his crew try to avoid government raids. We also discuss the making of IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT, which features a return to a more traditional form of storytelling compared with Jafar's preceding films, and he reflects on his period of making films while being banned from filmmaking.
Translation conducted by Sheida Dayani.
This conversation was recorded on February 12, 2026.
If you enjoyed this episode, we recommend listening to our conversation with director Mohammad Rasoulof (Season 2, Episode 121).
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Recommended Viewing: THE WHITE BALLOON, THIS IS NOT A FILM, THE CIRCLE
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This episode is sponsored by Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 194 Buddy Squires - Cinematographer
In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with cinematographer Buddy Squires (THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, BEYOND THE BEACH: THE HELL AND THE HOPE, BASEBALL). Buddy has worked on countless documentaries, ranging from vérité to recreations, and we spend the episode discussing how he sees his work and what he tries to achieve while capturing images of events happening in real time. Buddy has also worked with director Ken Burns since they met in college, and he gives us insight into their lifelong collaboration and their approach to portraying history. Buddy also recalls the winding path he took to reach documentary filmmaking, and he reflects on the filmmakers, photographers, and films that inspired him the most at the time. Buddy later reflects on his experiences shooting the humanitarian work featured in BEYOND THE BEACH across the Middle East, and we ask him if he feels documentaries can make a difference. We also discuss how digital camera technology has made Buddy's job easier, and he shares his review of the drone footage from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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This episode is sponsored by Aputure

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 193 Lydia Dean Pilcher - Producer / Director
In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with producer and director Lydia Dean Pilcher (A CALL TO SPY, QUEEN OF KATWE, THE DARJEELING LIMITED). From producing plays in her parents' garage to making feature films and documentaries seen around the world, Lydia has always been drawn to the power of stories. Throughout our conversation, we discuss the lifelong impact of growing up in the United States during the Vietnam War era, her varied work as a producer and director, and how she developed her skills working in the New York film scene. Lydia also reflects on her longtime collaboration with director Mira Nair, and we learn how Lydia helped produce many of Mira's films such as MISSISSIPPI MASALA and THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST. She later helps clear up the differences between the numerous producer credits, and she reflects on how the business of producing and financing films has changed how she does her job nowadays. Plus, Lydia reveals which mountain she slept on while attending the inaugural edition of the Sundance Film Festival and which previous guest of the podcast spent nine weeks of nights working in the prop department of Martin Scorsese's AFTER HOURS.
If you enjoyed listening to Lydia, then you'll love listening to her husband (and production designer) Mark Friedberg (Season 2, Episode 160).
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This episode is sponsored by Aputure