Roger Deakins, the legendary cinematographer, believes Hollywood has changed dramatically, and that many modern films are losing the qualities that once defined great filmmaking.
In an extensive interview with The Guardian, Deakins expresses nostalgia for character-driven movies like “Hud,” which focus on human beings rather than spectacle. Today’s industry, he argues, prioritizes franchise films, superhero epics, and big action spectacles, often leaning heavily on green screens, CGI, and digital post-production.
I think part of the reason is that [digital camera] technologies have advanced to such a state that you don’t have to light a shot
He is equally critical of lens flare, excessive cuts, and the lazy adoption of new technology: “How often do you watch a TV series, and when they cut to a wide shot it’s actually done by a drone? And you go: ‘Oh no, another one.’”
The Hollywood Deakins grew up admiring—he often cites Paul Newman films—is a far cry from the Hollywood of today.
I’m nostalgic for the kind of films that used to be made that aren’t being made any more.
Deakins believes many filmmakers no longer prioritize lighting, composition, and visual storytelling, because digital cameras and post-production make it easier to “fix it later,” often producing flat or oversaturated images. “I think part of the reason is that [digital camera] technologies have advanced to such a state that you don’t have to light a shot,” he explains.
He contrasts this with his own meticulous approach, emphasizing precision and intentionality: “I like the precision, that’s why I’ve loved working with Joel and Ethan [Coen], and with Denis [Villeneuve] … I love that process of finding the scene rather than shooting a lot of stuff and finding it in the cutting room. That’s just sloppy and lazy.”
For Deakins, cinematography is disappearing as a craft, with less attention paid to how the frame itself can tell a story. He mourns the decline of character-driven, visually thoughtful films and remains nostalgic for a Hollywood that valued deliberate storytelling: “Would they make Hud today? Probably not.”