Sir Roger Deakins, the revered British cinematographer behind some of cinema's most iconic visuals, has revealed that despite a career spanning almost five decades, he still experiences profound anxiety when embarking on new film productions. The visionary director of photography, whose credits include critically acclaimed works such as The Shawshank Redemption, Fargo, A Beautiful Mind, and the Oscar-winning 1917, openly discussed his ‘ongoing nervousness’ and how he feels ‘terrified’ on new sets during an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs.
Speaking to host Lauren Laverne, Sir Roger explained that the unfamiliarity of new people and situations can be challenging until he finds his comfort zone. However, he also believes this very stress and pressure are crucial motivators. “If you didn’t feel that stress and pressure, I don’t think you would be trying to do your best,” he remarked, emphasising his commitment to creating work that feels deeply personal to him. He also shared that he often feels most confident with his eye to the camera’s eyepiece, describing it as a form of ‘escaping reality’ through the lens, providing a certain distance.
The celebrated cinematographer, known as a “master of light,” also touched upon his distinctive working method, which involves personally operating the cameras. This approach, he admitted, has occasionally put him at odds with certain directors, including Sir Ridley Scott, leading to mutual decisions that a collaboration might not be the right fit. Sir Roger has frequently collaborated with esteemed directors such as the Coen brothers, Sam Mendes, Michael Radford, and Denis Villeneuve, crafting the visual landscapes for films like No Country For Old Men, Skyfall, Sicario, and Blade Runner 2049.
Beyond his professional insights, Sir Roger shared deeply personal reflections on the traumatic death of his mother from multiple sclerosis when he was just nine years old. He recounted fragmented memories of her illness, including his father carrying her to the car during a beach trip, and described her final years spent in bed. Her passing, and the subsequent period, which included his father’s brief remarriage, led him to immerse himself in his work, a coping mechanism for the grief he felt unable to process at the time, particularly after not being permitted to attend her funeral.
Sir Roger Deakins’ immense contribution to film has been widely recognised, earning him two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and five BAFTA Awards. His services to film were honoured with a CBE in 2013, and he was further knighted in the 2021 New Year Honours. The full Desert Island Discs episode featuring Sir Roger can be accessed and listened to on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 4.