Cinematography is a tough gig, you rack your creative brain trying to figure out how to control the light in your shot only to be left feeling inadequate. In a million years you’d never consider yourself one of the greats and apparently it’s the same for Roger Deakins.
The Maine Film Festival sat down with Deakins and talked about his history with lighting, and out of nowhere he said he doesn’t consider himself one of the greats. Roger. Deakins. The man is nominated for an oscar for crying out loud!
Deakins goes on to talk about his start with homemade lighting fixtures and jerry-rigged equipment he still uses today! It all sounded very independent filmmaking and I had a surreal experience where it felt like Roger Deakins and I shared a moment. So next time you’re frustrated all you have to work with is a string of christmas lights and a lamp, remember you’re not alone and you don’t need thousands of dollars to light your innovative shot.
