Roger Deakins

Roger Alexander Deakins, CBE, ASC, BSC (born 24 May 1949) is an English cinematographer best known for his work on the films of the Coen brothers, Sam Mendes, and Denis Villeneuve. Deakins is a member of both the American and British Society of Cinematographers. He received the 2011 American Society of Cinematographers (A.S.C.) Lifetime Achievement Award. Deakins has received thirteen nominations for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

Early life

Deakins was born in Torquay in the English county of Devon, the son of Josephine (née Messum), an actress, and William Albert Deakins, a builder. He attended Torquay Boys' Grammar School. While growing up in Torquay, Deakins spent most of his time in and out of school focusing on his primary interest: painting. Several years later he enrolled in the Bath School of Art and Design (in the city of Bath) where he studied graphic design. While studying in Bath, he discovered his love of photography. As it turned out, he was a very talented photographer, and this led to him being hired to create a photographic documentary of his hometown, Torquay. About a year later, Deakins transferred to the National Film and Television School in Buckinghamshire.