SEASON 2 - EPISODE 201 Dean Goodine - Prop Master

In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with prop master Dean Goodine (THE ORDER, THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES, UNFORGIVEN). From a small lumber town in Canada, Dean almost committed his life to the oil fields of Alberta before turning to film. Throughout the episode, Dean helps us understand what a prop master does for a movie, and, drawing on his extensive experience with firearms safety, we also discuss how he keeps sets safe. While learning what Dean's responsibilities are as a prop master, he shares how he collaborates with the costume department, and we also discuss how he adapts to working with different directors. In addition to film, Dean has also worked in television, and he reflects on dealing with the phenomenon of fandom while working on STARGATE. We also discuss the state of the Canadian film industry, historical and present-day, and Dean reveals how his own research and prep process has stayed the same. We worked with Dean on JESSE JAMES, and we had a great time catching up with him.

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If you enjoyed listening to Dean, you can learn more about him and his career in his book "They Don't Pay Me To Say No: My Life in Film and Television Props"

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 200 Tana Dubbe - Key Grip

In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with key grip Tana Dubbe (ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, A STAR IS BORN, IRON MAN). Throughout the episode, Tana illuminates the responsibilities of the lesser publicized position, and she shares how and why she became one herself. We also learn how a key grip might work with the cinematographer, such as Tana's frequent collaborator Matty Libatique (Season 1, Episode 84), during prep and production, and we discuss her observations on the different working conditions of smaller and larger scaled projects. Tana later shares how her job has changed with the advent of new lighting and camera technologies, and she reveals how she and her team might work with the gaffer, electrical department, and the rigging grips to bring what a cinematographer wants into reality. We also discuss the importance of assembling a team you can trust to not only do the job but also treat others fairly, and Tana reflects on the evolution of women in the grip department.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 199 Scott Frank - Writer / Director

In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with writer and director Scott Frank (DEPT. Q, THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT, LOGAN). Scott has worked across film and television over the course of his career, and as fans of his latest show, DEPT. Q, we were thrilled to have him on to talk about his work. Scott reveals how a college professor's life advice and interest in his budding screenwriting abilities eventually led to an office on the Paramount lot at age 24, and throughout the episode we discuss Scott's views on writing, directing, and the importance of character in a story. Scott also shares what he learned from watching his feature screenplays get made by other directors, and we learn why he decided to direct his own work himself. We later discuss his approach to casting and coverage, and Scott shares numerous pieces of advice from filmmakers such as Steven Soderbergh (Season 2, Episode 153), Sydney Pollack, and his own very wise wife.

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Recommended Viewing: DEPT. Q

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 198 Fernando Meirelles - Director

In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with director Fernando Meirelles (THE TWO POPES, BLINDNESS, CITY OF GOD). Despite growing up with a filmmaking-loving father, it wasn't until Fernando graduated from architecture school, smuggled film equipment into Brazil, produced television and commercials through a video production company, and met cinematographer César Charlone (Season 2, Episode 174) that he finally directed his first feature. During our discussion of CITY OF GOD, we learn how he, the crew, and a cast of non-professional (and young) actors prepared for the shoot, and Fernando reveals how they strategized to capture the necessary footage while filming in a favela. We later learn how Fernando incorporates improvisation while working with actors during production, and, while reflecting on working with actors who like to plan far in advance, he shares a story from his time working with actor Anthony Hopkins on THE TWO POPES. Fernando later reveals why he planned to quit filmmaking after THE CONSTANT GARDNER and why BLINDNESS brought him back, and he shares what his biggest regret is.

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Recommended Viewing: CITY OF GOD

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