The Making Of

"The Making Of" explores the creative pros behind the most innovative films & TV shows in recent history.

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149 episodes
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Episodes149

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Jun 24, 2025 · 46 min
"The Sopranos" Director Alan Taylor on "House of the Dragon," "Mad Men" & "Game of Thrones"
In this episode, we welcome Alan Taylor. Alan is an Emmy-winning Director who has worked on shows including “The Sopranos,” “Six Feet Under,” “Sex in the City,” “The West Wing,” “Mad Men,” “Deadwood,” “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon”. He’s also directed films such as The Many Saints of Newark, Thor: The Dark World, and Terminator: Genisys. In our chat, he shares about his early days, cinematic inspirations, experiences on epic shows such as “The Sopranos,” working with James Gandolfini — plus many insights into his creative process and workflow. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Commercial shoots require speed and precision, which is why Dubai-based freelance editor Nikolay Ivanov depends on AJA’s Io 4K Plus for fast, reliable I/O for on set editorial. Find out how he uses the technology alongside other creative tools to collaborate with stakeholders and deliver cuts while the camera is still rolling. Read the Story Here Vimeo L.A. Event: Tuesday, June 24 | Vidiots A night of inspiring Vimeo Staff Picks + live filmmaker commentary! Join the Vimeo curation team as they screen recent Staff Picked films with live, unscripted commentary from some of the best creators on Vimeo. 6:30pm Doors7:30-9pm Films + commentary 9-11pm Reception - complimentary drinks + bites! RSVP required. Screening and reception are free to attend! Register here Thunderbolt 5 Speed. Ultra Portable Storage. The OWC Envoy Pro Ultra the first portable SSD to harness the power of Thunderbolt 5, delivering real-world speeds over 6000MB/s in a rugged, pocket-sized design. With up to 4TB of capacity and next-gen bandwidth, it’s built for high-res video, VFX, and demanding post-production workflows—anytime, anywhere. Lightweight, bus-powered, and blazing fast, it redefines what portable storage can do. Explore it here New Solutions from Videoguys: Now through June 30, 2025, get more value when you buy an Atomos monitor-recorder from Videoguys.com! Purchase a Ninja or Ninja Ultra and receive a FREE qualified 240GB SSD. Upgrade to a Shogun Classic, Shogun Ultra, or Sumo 19SE and get a FREE qualified 480GB SSD. To claim your free drive, simply buy from Videoguys.com and complete the mail-in rebate directly through Atomos. With five big reasons to go Atomos—record direct from the sensor, enable a direct-to-edit workflow, capture longer sessions, access pro monitoring tools, and share your shoot—this is the perfect time to upgrade. Act fast, this offer ends June 30, 2025! Call Videoguys at 800-323-2325 to find the right Atomos monitor-recorder for your workflow. Browse here Check out the ZEISS Otus ML: Now on sale, the Otus ML 1.4/50mm photography lens from ZEISS is the new generation of high-quality optics for your photographic art. Find it at your favorite photo retailer! Explore it here Podcast Rewind: June 2025 - Ep. 87… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. Promote your products or services to over 200,000 filmmakers, TV production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter… contact us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 18, 2025 · 38 min
"Severance" Cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné on Filming the Series, Working with Ben Stiller, & More
In this episode, we welcome Jessica Lee Gagné. Jessica is the cinematographer of the award-winning series, “Severance”. In our chat, she shares about her upbringing, early inspirations, and path to becoming a Director of Photography. She also sheds light on her longtime collaboration with Ben Stiller on both “Escape at Dannemora” and “Severance”. In addition, she talks about the tools and techniques used to capture this groundbreaking series — and offers invaluable advice for filmmakers today. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Commercial shoots require speed and precision, which is why Dubai-based freelance editor Nikolay Ivanov depends on AJA’s Io 4K Plus for fast, reliable I/O for on set editorial. Find out how he uses the technology alongside other creative tools to collaborate with stakeholders and deliver cuts while the camera is still rolling. Read the Story Here Vimeo L.A. Event: Tuesday, June 24 | Vidiots A night of inspiring Vimeo Staff Picks + live filmmaker commentary! Join the Vimeo curation team as they screen recent Staff Picked films with live, unscripted commentary from some of the best creators on Vimeo. 6:30pm Doors7:30-9pm Films + commentary 9-11pm Reception - complimentary drinks + bites! RSVP required. Screening and reception are free to attend! Register here Thunderbolt 5 Speed. Ultra Portable Storage. The OWC Envoy Pro Ultra the first portable SSD to harness the power of Thunderbolt 5, delivering real-world speeds over 6000MB/s in a rugged, pocket-sized design. With up to 4TB of capacity and next-gen bandwidth, it’s built for high-res video, VFX, and demanding post-production workflows—anytime, anywhere. Lightweight, bus-powered, and blazing fast, it redefines what portable storage can do. Explore it here New Solutions from Videoguys: Now through June 30, 2025, get more value when you buy an Atomos monitor-recorder from Videoguys.com! Purchase a Ninja or Ninja Ultra and receive a FREE qualified 240GB SSD. Upgrade to a Shogun Classic, Shogun Ultra, or Sumo 19SE and get a FREE qualified 480GB SSD. To claim your free drive, simply buy from Videoguys.com and complete the mail-in rebate directly through Atomos. With five big reasons to go Atomos—record direct from the sensor, enable a direct-to-edit workflow, capture longer sessions, access pro monitoring tools, and share your shoot—this is the perfect time to upgrade. Act fast, this offer ends June 30, 2025! Call Videoguys at 800-323-2325 to find the right Atomos monitor-recorder for your workflow. Browse here OWC Announces Powerful New Updates to Jellyfish, Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Solutions Other World Computing (OWC®), a trusted leader in high-performance storage, memory, connectivity, software, and accessories that empower creative and business professionals to maximize performance, enhance reliability, and streamline workflows, today announced the latest software release for its acclaimed OWC Jellyfish network-attached storage (NAS) solution. The new updates, designed specifically for video production teams, introduce a redesigned Jellyfish Manager and an all-new Jellyfish Media Manager, delivering smarter media workflows, deeper integrations, and unprecedented visibility into team activity and storage performance. Read more here Check out the ZEISS Otus ML: Now on sale, the Otus ML 1.4/50mm photography lens from ZEISS is the new generation of high-quality optics for your photographic art. Find it at your favorite photo retailer! Explore it here Podcast Rewind: June 2025 - Ep. 86… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. Promote your products or services to 198K filmmakers, TV & broadcast production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter… email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 13, 2025 · 37 min
"Atlanta" Producer Stefani Robinson On Writing/Producing "Adults," "Fargo," "What We Do in the Shadows," & More
In this episode, we welcome Stefani Robinson. Stefani is a 6x Emmy-nominated Writer/Producer, who has worked on shows including “Atlanta,” “Fargo,” “What We Do in the Shadows” and “Adults”. In our chat, she shares her upbringing, early inspirations, pathway into television, and experiences working on a variety of hit shows. She also provides a healthy dose of inspiration and advice for up-and-coming creators. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Commercial shoots require speed and precision, which is why Dubai-based freelance editor Nikolay Ivanov depends on AJA’s Io 4K Plus for fast, reliable I/O for on set editorial. Find out how he uses the technology alongside other creative tools to collaborate with stakeholders and deliver cuts while the camera is still rolling. Read the Story Here Vimeo L.A. Event: A night of inspiring Vimeo Staff Picks + live filmmaker commentary! Join the Vimeo curation team as they screen recent Staff Picked films with live, unscripted commentary from some of the best creators on Vimeo. 6:30pm Doors7:30-9pm Films + commentary 9-11pm Reception - complimentary drinks + bites! RSVP required. Screening + reception are free to attend! Register here Thunderbolt 5 Speed. Ultra Portable Storage. The OWC Envoy Pro Ultra the first portable SSD to harness the power of Thunderbolt 5, delivering real-world speeds over 6000MB/s in a rugged, pocket-sized design. With up to 4TB of capacity and next-gen bandwidth, it’s built for high-res video, VFX, and demanding post-production workflows—anytime, anywhere. Lightweight, bus-powered, and blazing fast, it redefines what portable storage can do. Explore it here New Solutions from Videoguys: Now through June 30, 2025, get more value when you buy an Atomos monitor-recorder from Videoguys.com! Purchase a Ninja or Ninja Ultra and receive a FREE qualified 240GB SSD. Upgrade to a Shogun Classic, Shogun Ultra, or Sumo 19SE and get a FREE qualified 480GB SSD. To claim your free drive, simply buy from Videoguys.com and complete the mail-in rebate directly through Atomos. With five big reasons to go Atomos—record direct from the sensor, enable a direct-to-edit workflow, capture longer sessions, access pro monitoring tools, and share your shoot—this is the perfect time to upgrade. Act fast, this offer ends June 30, 2025! Call Videoguys at 800-323-2325 to find the right Atomos monitor-recorder for your workflow. Browse here Check out the ZEISS Otus ML: Now on sale, the Otus ML 1.4/50mm photography lens from ZEISS is the new generation of high-quality optics for your photographic art. Find it at your favorite photo retailer! Explore it here Featured Film Festival: The 14th Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival (EMIFF) celebrates its eighth consecutive year on MovieMaker Magazine’s prestigious “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” list for 2025. Set in beautiful Palma de Mallorca, EMIFF stands out for its vibrant international community and commitment to bridging cultures through film. This year, the festival proudly presents its unique 4th annual Cinematography Focus, dedicated to honoring the art and craft of cinematography with special screenings, panels, and masterclasses. With its filmmaker-friendly atmosphere, stunning Mediterranean backdrop, and dedication to innovation and diversity, EMIFF is a must-enter festival for storytellers seeking inspiration, connection, and industry recognition. Learn more here Last Submission Deadlines: July 6th and August 6th, 2025. Festival Dates: October 21st - 29th, 2025. Podcast Rewind: June 2025 - Ep. 85… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. Promote your products or services to 190K filmmakers, broadcast production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter… email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 11, 2025 · 46 min
"Get Out" Cinematographer Toby Oliver, ACS on Making the Jordan Peele Thriller, Working on "Apple Cider Vinegar," & More
In this episode, we welcome Toby Oliver, ACS. Toby is an award-winning cinematographer of projects including Get Out, Insidious: The Last Key, M3GAN 2.0, “Apple Cider Vinegar” and “Dead to Me.” In our chat, he shares about his early days, education, and his collaboration with Jordan Peele on Get Out. He also dives deep into his latest TV series — and offers many insights for up-and-coming filmmakers today. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Commercial shoots require speed and precision, which is why Dubai-based freelance editor Nikolay Ivanov depends on AJA’s Io 4K Plus for fast, reliable I/O for on set editorial. Find out how he uses the technology alongside other creative tools to collaborate with stakeholders and deliver cuts while the camera is still rolling. Read the Story Here Thunderbolt 5 Speed. Ultra Portable Storage. The OWC Envoy Pro Ultra the first portable SSD to harness the power of Thunderbolt 5, delivering real-world speeds over 6000MB/s in a rugged, pocket-sized design. With up to 4TB of capacity and next-gen bandwidth, it’s built for high-res video, VFX, and demanding post-production workflows—anytime, anywhere. Lightweight, bus-powered, and blazing fast, it redefines what portable storage can do. Explore it here Screamfest Horror Film Festival: The 25th annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival call for entries deadlines are approaching! Screenplay submission deadline is June 15th. Winning screenplay receives $1,000 cash prize, software and more. Deadlines for new genre feature films and shorts are regular 7/15, final 8/1 and extended final 8/15. For more information visit screamfestla.com New Solutions from Videoguys: Now through June 30, 2025, get more value when you buy an Atomos monitor-recorder from Videoguys.com! Purchase a Ninja or Ninja Ultra and receive a FREE qualified 240GB SSD. Upgrade to a Shogun Classic, Shogun Ultra, or Sumo 19SE and get a FREE qualified 480GB SSD. To claim your free drive, simply buy from Videoguys.com and complete the mail-in rebate directly through Atomos. With five big reasons to go Atomos—record direct from the sensor, enable a direct-to-edit workflow, capture longer sessions, access pro monitoring tools, and share your shoot—this is the perfect time to upgrade. Act fast, this offer ends June 30, 2025! Call Videoguys at 800-323-2325 to find the right Atomos monitor-recorder for your workflow. Browse here Featured Book Release: The Director’s Guide to Everything is the ultimate road map for mastering the craft. More than just a guide — it’s a masterclass in how to turn your vision into reality. The Director’s Guide delivers a comprehensive, no-nonsense education in the art and science of directing — with practical knowledge drawn from decades of experience in the trenches of motion picture production. www.adakinpress.com Pre-orders only for now. Shipping July 1st. One-Lens 360 Plates. Seamless by Design. IgelkottPlates.com offers the only plug-and-play driving and environment plates made specifically for virtual production. No stitching, no setup fuss—just clean, calibrated material designed to drop into any pipeline with zero surprises. Built for real-time workflows and in-camera results. Learn more here Check out the ZEISS Otus ML: Now on sale, the Otus ML 1.4/50mm photography lens from ZEISS is the new generation of high-quality optics for your photographic art. Find it at your favorite photo retailer! Explore it here Podcast Rewind: June 2025 - Ep. 84… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. Promote your products or services to 190K filmmakers, broadcast production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter… email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 4, 2025 · 52 min
"Andor" Editor Yan Miles, ACE on Cutting The Star Wars Series, "The Crown," & More
In this episode, we welcome Yan Miles, ACE. Yan is an Emmy-winning editor who has cut shows including “Andor,” “The Crown,” “Sherlock,” “Rome” and “Game of Thrones.” In our chat, he shares about his early days, pathway into editing, his career trajectory, and working on “Andor.” In addition, he talks about the tools and techniques used to cut this show — and other insights from a life shaping stories. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Commercial shoots require speed and precision, which is why Dubai-based freelance editor Nikolay Ivanov depends on AJA’s Io 4K Plus for fast, reliable I/O for on set editorial. Find out how he uses the technology alongside other creative tools to collaborate with stakeholders and deliver cuts while the camera is still rolling. Read the Story Here Thunderbolt 5 Speed. Ultra Portable Storage. The OWC Envoy Pro Ultra the first portable SSD to harness the power of Thunderbolt 5, delivering real-world speeds over 6000MB/s in a rugged, pocket-sized design. With up to 4TB of capacity and next-gen bandwidth, it’s built for high-res video, VFX, and demanding post-production workflows—anytime, anywhere. Lightweight, bus-powered, and blazing fast, it redefines what portable storage can do. Explore it here Visit ZEISS at Cine Gear LA Join ZEISS Cinematography at this year's Cine Gear Expo in LA! We’ll be onsite with our Cincraft Scenario camera tracking and all of our great cinema lenses. Come to our booth # 938 - just off Courthouse Square – and say hi! New Solutions from Videoguys: Now through June 30, 2025, get more value when you buy an Atomos monitor-recorder from Videoguys.com! Purchase a Ninja or Ninja Ultra and receive a FREE qualified 240GB SSD. Upgrade to a Shogun Classic, Shogun Ultra, or Sumo 19SE and get a FREE qualified 480GB SSD. To claim your free drive, simply buy from Videoguys.com and complete the mail-in rebate directly through Atomos. With five big reasons to go Atomos—record direct from the sensor, enable a direct-to-edit workflow, capture longer sessions, access pro monitoring tools, and share your shoot—this is the perfect time to upgrade. Act fast, this offer ends June 30, 2025! Call Videoguys at 800-323-2325 to find the right Atomos monitor-recorder for your workflow. Browse here One-Lens 360 Plates. Seamless by Design. IgelkottPlates.com offers the only plug-and-play driving and environment plates made specifically for virtual production. No stitching, no setup fuss—just clean, calibrated material designed to drop into any pipeline with zero surprises. Built for real-time workflows and in-camera results. Learn more here Podcast Rewind: May 2025 - Ep. 83… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. Promote your products or services to 180K filmmakers, broadcast production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter. Email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
May 28, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
"Friendship" Cinematographer Andy Rydzewski on Shooting the A24 Film, His Career Path, & More
In this episode, we welcome Andy Rydzewski. Andy is cinematographer of the brand-new A24 film, Friendship. In our chat, he shares about his early inspirations, filmmaking education, and about working on this comedy starring Paul Rudd. He also talks about all the cameras, lights, lenses and techniques employed on this feature — and offers advice for other filmmakers working to level-up their craft. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Introducing the all-new KUMO 6464-12G Redesigned for maximum reliability and performance, KUMO 6464-12G is a high-capacity 12G-SDI router featuring 64x 12G-SDI inputs and 64x 12G-SDI outputs that enables cost-effective signal routing for production and post. Ganged dual- and quad-port routing configurations let users combine multiple inputs and outputs for Dual Link video and key, 4K, UltraHD, and Quad Link 8K workflows. KUMO offers seamless routing of uncompressed, compressed, or camera raw signals. Learn more. High-Capacity Storage Meets Pro-Level Docking The OWC Gemini delivers the best of both worlds—massive dual-drive storage and essential connectivity in one sleek Thunderbolt solution. Perfect for post-production pros, it offers RAID-ready backup, 2.5Gb Ethernet, an SD card reader, and ports for all your gear. Whether you’re editing footage or offloading media, Gemini keeps your workflow fast, organized, and ready for anything. Explore it here One-Lens 360 Plates. Seamless by Design. IgelkottPlates.com offers the only plug-and-play driving and environment plates made specifically for virtual production. No stitching, no setup fuss—just clean, calibrated material designed to drop into any pipeline with zero surprises. Built for real-time workflows and in-camera results. Learn more here New Solutions from Videoguys: The Move 4K is the latest PTZ camera from PTZOptics, featuring auto-tracking for a more intelligent video production workflow. The Move 4K is available in 12x, 20x, or 30x zooms, and is capable of 4K at 60fps (1080p at 60fps over SDI), future-proofing your technology investment while still accommodating HD and Full HD video resolutions equipment. The Move 4K offers high performance in low-light scenarios, PoE+ capabilities, and a built-in tally light. The PTZOptics Move 4K is starting at $1,999.00 and is available at Videoguys.com Explore it here Check out the ZEISS Otus ML: Now on sale, the Otus ML 1.4/50mm photography lens from ZEISS is the new generation of high-quality optics for your photographic art. Find it at your favorite photo retailer! Learn more here Podcast Rewind: May 2025 - Ep. 82… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. Promote your products or services to 180K filmmakers, broadcast production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter. Email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
May 22, 2025 · 40 min
Filmmakers Amanda & Michael Drexton on their New Feature, Getting Distribution, & More
In this episode, we welcome Amanda and Michael Drexton. Known as The Drextons, this filmmaking duo has their directorial debut, entitled Sour Party, releasing soon. Their film was the winner of the Andrews/Bernard Award, presented by Decentralized Pictures, Steven Soderbergh and Roman Coppola. In our chat, they share their backstories, pathways into filmmaking, and about the making of this project. They also talk about getting distribution — and offer practical advice for other creatives working their way up. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Introducing the all-new KUMO 6464-12G Redesigned for maximum reliability and performance, KUMO 6464-12G is a high-capacity 12G-SDI router featuring 64x 12G-SDI inputs and 64x 12G-SDI outputs that enables cost-effective signal routing for production and post. Ganged dual- and quad-port routing configurations let users combine multiple inputs and outputs for Dual Link video and key, 4K, UltraHD, and Quad Link 8K workflows. KUMO offers seamless routing of uncompressed, compressed, or camera raw signals. Learn more. High-Capacity Storage Meets Pro-Level Docking The OWC Gemini delivers the best of both worlds—massive dual-drive storage and essential connectivity in one sleek Thunderbolt solution. Perfect for post-production pros, it offers RAID-ready backup, 2.5Gb Ethernet, an SD card reader, and ports for all your gear. Whether you’re editing footage or offloading media, Gemini keeps your workflow fast, organized, and ready for anything. Explore it here Featured Event: DCS Pre-Cine Gear Kickoff Party Thursday, June 5 | 6PM - 9PM PDTJoin us as Canon hosts the Digital Cinema Society and fellow creatives from the HPA, CML, SMPTE, LACPUG, Filmmakers Alliance, PERG, and LAPPG.Enjoy great food, drinks, raffle prizes, & mingle with fellow creatives as we gear up for Cine Gear Expo 2025! Event is open to all, but confirmed RSVPs are mandatory. Free parking available… Free RSVP here One-Lens 360 Plates. Seamless by Design. IgelkottPlates.com offers the only plug-and-play driving and environment plates made specifically for virtual production. No stitching, no setup fuss—just clean, calibrated material designed to drop into any pipeline with zero surprises. Built for real-time workflows and in-camera results. Learn more here New Solutions from Videoguys: The Move 4K is the latest PTZ camera from PTZOptics, featuring auto-tracking for a more intelligent video production workflow. The Move 4K is available in 12x, 20x, or 30x zooms, and is capable of 4K at 60fps (1080p at 60fps over SDI), future-proofing your technology investment while still accommodating HD and Full HD video resolutions equipment. The Move 4K offers high performance in low-light scenarios, PoE+ capabilities, and a built-in tally light. The PTZOptics Move 4K is starting at $1,999.00 and is available at Videoguys.com Explore it here Check out the ZEISS Otus ML: Now on sale, the Otus ML 1.4/50mm photography lens from ZEISS is the new generation of high-quality optics for your photographic art. Find it at your favorite photo retailer! Learn more here Podcast Rewind: May 2025 - Ep. 81… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. Promote your products or services to over 170K filmmakers, TV & broadcast production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter. Email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
May 16, 2025 · 38 min
Werner Herzog Film Award Winner Harley Chamandy on Making "Allen Sunshine," Filming on 16mm, & More
In this episode, we welcome Harley Chamandy. Harley is an independent filmmaker who just released his debut feature, Allen Sunshine. His film was awarded the prestigious Werner Herzog Award, selected and presented by the legend himself. In our chat, Harley shares about his early days, his cinematic inspirations, the genesis of this award-winning project, and various tales on his filmmaking journey. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Introducing the all-new KUMO 6464-12G Redesigned for maximum reliability and performance, KUMO 6464-12G is a high-capacity 12G-SDI router featuring 64x 12G-SDI inputs and 64x 12G-SDI outputs that enables cost-effective signal routing for production and post. Ganged dual- and quad-port routing configurations let users combine multiple inputs and outputs for Dual Link video and key, 4K, UltraHD, and Quad Link 8K workflows. KUMO offers seamless routing of uncompressed, compressed, or camera raw signals. Learn more. Vimeo Toronto Event May 20 | TIFF Lightbox A night of inspiring Vimeo Staff Picks + live filmmaker commentary! 7pm Doors7:30-9pm Films + commentary 9-11pm Reception - complimentary drinks + bites! Screening + reception are free to attend. RSVP here High-Capacity Storage Meets Pro-Level Docking The OWC Gemini delivers the best of both worlds—massive dual-drive storage and essential connectivity in one sleek Thunderbolt solution. Perfect for post-production pros, it offers RAID-ready backup, 2.5Gb Ethernet, an SD card reader, and ports for all your gear. Whether you’re editing footage or offloading media, Gemini keeps your workflow fast, organized, and ready for anything. Explore it here One-Lens 360 Plates. Seamless by Design. IgelkottPlates.com offers the only plug-and-play driving and environment plates made specifically for virtual production. No stitching, no setup fuss—just clean, calibrated material designed to drop into any pipeline with zero surprises. Built for real-time workflows and in-camera results. Learn more here Amberock Productions Re-Releases The Actor on New Distribution Platforms Amberock Productions in association with Grateful Z today announced that The Actor, in celebration of the one-year anniversary of its initial release, has been picked up by distribution company Indie Rights and is now available on more streaming platforms. Now available in the U.S. on YouTube TV, Amazon, Fandango Home Movies, and Fawesome, The Actor has received extraordinary critical acclaim as an independent comedy/thriller/crime feature, including: “A fun ride filled with depth, nostalgia and rock n’ roll” from Rolling Stone UK; “A gripping action-comedy” from USA Today; and a special nod to the film’s soundtrack from Film Threat: “Collective Soul’s rock sound is as comforting as a mac ‘n cheese jacuzzi, all warm, gooey, and familiar.” The Actor, Amberock’s third feature film, was primarily shot in and around Fort Worth, TX, home of Amberock Productions during the Covid-19 pandemic when Hollywood was primarily closed for business. Read more here ZEISS Demos One-Click Virtual Lens Tech for VFX & Compositing Extension of CinCraft ecosystem aids clear DoP & Post Artist communication ZEISS announces that it is in development on a new virtual lens technology that will allow visual effects and compositing artists to apply an authentic lens look in one step. Demonstrated for the first time at FMX in Stuttgart, Germany on May 7, this new breakthrough replicates the visual characteristics and animated behavior of actual lenses on computer-generated content. The new ZEISS technology is part of the CinCraft ecosystem, dedicated to simplifying VFX workflows. Read more here New Solutions from Videoguys: The Move 4K is the latest PTZ camera from PTZOptics, featuring auto-tracking for a more intelligent video production workflow. The Move 4K is available in 12x, 20x, or 30x zooms, and is capable of 4K at 60fps (1080p at 60fps over SDI), future-proofing your technology investment while still accommodating HD and Full HD video resolutions equipment. The Move 4K offers high performance in low-light scenarios, PoE+ capabilities, and a built-in tally light. The PTZOptics Move 4K is starting at $1,999.00 and is available at Videoguys.com Explore it here Podcast Rewind: May 2025 - Ep. 80… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. To promote your products or services to 168K filmmakers, broadcast & live event production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter, email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
May 13, 2025 · 38 min
AJA's Abe Abt on New Solutions for Broadcast, Film, & the Creator Economy
In this episode, we welcome Abe Abt. Abe is Senior Product Consultant at AJA Video Systems, where he helps guide product development and liaisons with various departments. In our chat, he shares his backstory and about all the latest AJA innovations for the broadcast, film and video industry. He also talks about workflow trends he’s seeing — and offers advice for the next generation of content creators. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Introducing the all-new KUMO 6464-12G Redesigned for maximum reliability and performance, KUMO 6464-12G is a high-capacity 12G-SDI router featuring 64x 12G-SDI inputs and 64x 12G-SDI outputs that enables cost-effective signal routing for production and post. Ganged dual- and quad-port routing configurations let users combine multiple inputs and outputs for Dual Link video and key, 4K, UltraHD, and Quad Link 8K workflows. KUMO offers seamless routing of uncompressed, compressed, or camera raw signals. Learn more. Vimeo Toronto Event May 20 | TIFF Lightbox A night of inspiring Vimeo Staff Picks + live filmmaker commentary! 7pm Doors7:30-9pm Films + commentary 9-11pm Reception - complimentary drinks + bites! Screening + reception are free to attend. Free RSVP here OWC Launches “My OWC” App to Further Streamline Setup, Support, and Ownership Experience Other World Computing (OWC®), a trusted leader in high-performance storage, memory, connectivity, software, and accessories that empower creative and business professionals to maximize performance, enhance reliability, and streamline workflows, today announced the launch of the My OWC app on iOS. From when the box is opened, the new intuitive mobile companion streamlines every stage of the customer experience, empowering users to effortlessly set up and manage their OWC products, access personalized support, and stay up to date with push notifications – all from the palm of their hand. Learn more here The Glass Dome Rises - Powered by Igelkott Plates Netflix’s The Glass Dome is climbing the charts in the U.S. Behind the scenes: Igelkott Driving Plates. Built from the ground up for In-Camera VFX, captured with One-Lens 360 technology. No stitching. No compromises. No problem. Want the same power behind your production? 📩 Email us: hello@igelkottfilm.se High-Capacity Storage Meets Pro-Level Docking The OWC Gemini delivers the best of both worlds—massive dual-drive storage and essential connectivity in one sleek Thunderbolt solution. Perfect for post-production pros, it offers RAID-ready backup, 2.5Gb Ethernet, an SD card reader, and ports for all your gear. Whether you’re editing footage or offloading media, Gemini keeps your workflow fast, organized, and ready for anything. Explore it here ZEISS Demos One-Click Virtual Lens Tech for VFX & Compositing Extension of CinCraft ecosystem aids clear DoP & Post Artist communication ZEISS announces that it is in development on a new virtual lens technology that will allow visual effects and compositing artists to apply an authentic lens look in one step. Demonstrated for the first time at FMX in Stuttgart, Germany on May 7, this new breakthrough replicates the visual characteristics and animated behavior of actual lenses on computer-generated content. The new ZEISS technology is part of the CinCraft ecosystem, which is dedicated to simplifying VFX workflows. Read more here New Solutions from Videoguys: The Move 4K is the latest PTZ camera from PTZOptics, featuring auto-tracking for a more intelligent video production workflow. The Move 4K is available in 12x, 20x, or 30x zooms, and is capable of 4K at 60fps (1080p at 60fps over SDI), future-proofing your technology investment while still accommodating HD and Full HD video resolutions equipment. The Move 4K offers high performance in low-light scenarios, PoE+ capabilities, and a built-in tally light. The PTZOptics Move 4K is starting at $1,999.00 and is available at Videoguys.com Explore it here Podcast Rewind: May 2025 - Ep. 79… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. Promote your products or services to 165K filmmakers, broadcast & live event production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter… email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
May 8, 2025 · 47 min
Steve Bannerman on the Studio of the Future, the State of the Industry, & More
In this episode, we welcome back Steve Bannerman. Steve is a film industry veteran with experiences working at Amazon MGM Studios, Apple, Local Hero Post, and Real By FAKE. In our chat, he shares about the state of the film industry, evolving workflows — and ideas about a studio of the future. He also offers recommendations for filmmakers working today about embracing change and new technologies. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Introducing the all-new KUMO 6464-12G Redesigned for maximum reliability and performance, KUMO 6464-12G is a high-capacity 12G-SDI router featuring 64x 12G-SDI inputs and 64x 12G-SDI outputs that enables cost-effective signal routing for production and post. Ganged dual- and quad-port routing configurations let users combine multiple inputs and outputs for Dual Link video and key, 4K, UltraHD, and Quad Link 8K workflows. KUMO offers seamless routing of uncompressed, compressed, or camera raw signals. Learn more. Vimeo Toronto Event May 20 | TIFF Lightbox A night of inspiring Vimeo Staff Picks + live filmmaker commentary! 7pm Doors7:30-9pm Films + commentary 9-11pm Reception - complimentary drinks + bites! Screening + reception are free to attend. RSVP here High-Capacity Storage Meets Pro-Level Docking The OWC Gemini delivers the best of both worlds—massive dual-drive storage and essential connectivity in one sleek Thunderbolt solution. Perfect for post-production pros, it offers RAID-ready backup, 2.5Gb Ethernet, an SD card reader, and ports for all your gear. Whether you’re editing footage or offloading media, Gemini keeps your workflow fast, organized, and ready for anything.Explore it here ZEISS Demos One-Click Virtual Lens Tech for VFX & Compositing Extension of CinCraft ecosystem aids clear DoP & Post Artist communication ZEISS announces that it is in development on a new virtual lens technology that will allow visual effects and compositing artists to apply an authentic lens look in one step. Demonstrated for the first time at FMX in Stuttgart, Germany on May 7, this new breakthrough replicates the visual characteristics and animated behavior of actual lenses on computer-generated content. The new ZEISS technology is part of the CinCraft ecosystem, which is dedicated to simplifying VFX workflows. Learn more here New Solutions from Videoguys: The Move 4K is the latest PTZ camera from PTZOptics, featuring auto-tracking for a more intelligent video production workflow. The Move 4K is available in 12x, 20x, or 30x zooms, and is capable of 4K at 60fps (1080p at 60fps over SDI), future-proofing your technology investment while still accommodating HD and Full HD video resolutions equipment. The Move 4K offers high performance in low-light scenarios, PoE+ capabilities, and a built-in tally light. The PTZOptics Move 4K is starting at $1,999.00 and is available at Videoguys.com Read more here The Glass Dome Rises - Powered by Igelkott Plates Netflix’s The Glass Dome is climbing the charts in the U.S. Behind the scenes: Igelkott Driving Plates. Built from the ground up for In-Camera VFX, captured with One-Lens 360 technology. No stitching. No compromises. No problem. Want the same power behind your production? 📩 Email us: hello@igelkottfilm.se Check out the ZEISS Otus ML: Now on sale, the Otus ML 1.4/50mm photography lens from ZEISS is the new generation of high-quality optics for your photographic art. Find it at your favorite photo retailer! Learn more here Podcast Rewind: May 2025 - Ep. 78… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. Advertise your products or services to 160K film industry, broadcast & TV production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter… email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
May 5, 2025 · 38 min
Adobe's Jason Druss Shares On The Latest Solutions, AI, & Much More
In this episode, we welcome Jason Druss. Jason is Sr. Product Marketing Manager for Video at Adobe. In our chat, he shares about his backstory, experience as a colorist, and his role at Adobe, where his expertise and understanding of the creative community help drive innovation and growth of their applications. Jason also talks about the latest updates to Premiere Pro, including advanced AI solutions — and he offers priceless advice for editors and creatives alike in their career journey. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Introducing the all-new KUMO 6464-12G Redesigned for maximum reliability and performance, KUMO 6464-12G is a high-capacity 12G-SDI router featuring 64x 12G-SDI inputs and 64x 12G-SDI outputs that enables cost-effective signal routing for production and post. Ganged dual- and quad-port routing configurations let users combine multiple inputs and outputs for Dual Link video and key, 4K, UltraHD, and Quad Link 8K workflows. KUMO offers seamless routing of uncompressed, compressed, or camera raw signals. Learn more. Vimeo Toronto Event May 20 | TIFF Lightbox A night of inspiring Vimeo Staff Picks + live filmmaker commentary! 7pm Doors7:30-9pm Films + commentary 9-11pm Reception - complimentary drinks + bites! Screening + reception are free to attend. RSVP here High-Capacity Storage Meets Pro-Level Docking The OWC Gemini delivers the best of both worlds—massive dual-drive storage and essential connectivity in one sleek Thunderbolt solution. Perfect for post-production pros, it offers RAID-ready backup, 2.5Gb Ethernet, an SD card reader, and ports for all your gear. Whether you’re editing footage or offloading media, Gemini keeps your workflow fast, organized, and ready for anything.Take a look here The Glass Dome Rises - Powered by Igelkott Plates Netflix’s The Glass Dome is climbing the charts in the U.S. Behind the scenes: Igelkott Driving Plates. Built from the ground up for In-Camera VFX, captured with One-Lens 360 technology. No stitching. No compromises. No problem. Want the same power behind your production? 📩 Email us: hello@igelkottfilm.se Check out the ZEISS Otus ML: Now on sale, the Otus ML 1.4/50mm photography lens from ZEISS is the new generation of high-quality optics for your photographic art. Find it at your favorite photo retailer! Learn more here A New Solution from Videoguys… The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is built for adventure, fitting seamlessly into your mobile lifestyle while delivering blazing-fast NVMe performance with read speeds up to 1050MB/s and write speeds up to 1000MB/s. Designed for content creators and on-the-go professionals, this high-capacity drive is tested and compatible with iPhone, making it easy to free up space on your smartphone. Its rugged design offers up to three-meter drop protection, IP65 water and dust resistance, and a durable silicone shell for extra security. Backed by a 5-year limited warranty, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is now available in an impressive new 8TB capacity at Videoguys.com. Read more here Podcast Rewind: May 2022 - Ep. 1… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. Advertise your products or services to 160K film industry, broadcast & TV production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter… email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 29, 2025 · 42 min
ZEISS' Tony Wisniewski on the New Otus ML, Photo Market's Resurgence, & More
In this episode, we welcome back Tony Wisniewski. Tony runs marketing at ZEISS for their photo and cine divisions in America, and helps support photographers, filmmakers and cinematographers every day. In our chat, we hear about their latest updates to the Otus family of lenses, including the brand-new Otus ML. Also, Tony shares about the resurgent photo market — and where things might be heading in the coming months and years. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Introducing the all-new KUMO 6464-12G Redesigned for maximum reliability and performance, KUMO 6464-12G is a high-capacity 12G-SDI router featuring 64x 12G-SDI inputs and 64x 12G-SDI outputs that enables cost-effective signal routing for production and post. Ganged dual- and quad-port routing configurations let users combine multiple inputs and outputs for Dual Link video and key, 4K, UltraHD, and Quad Link 8K workflows. KUMO offers seamless routing of uncompressed, compressed, or camera raw signals. Learn more. High-Capacity Storage Meets Pro-Level Docking The OWC Gemini delivers the best of both worlds—massive dual-drive storage and essential connectivity in one sleek Thunderbolt solution. Perfect for post-production pros, it offers RAID-ready backup, 2.5Gb Ethernet, an SD card reader, and ports for all your gear. Whether you’re editing footage or offloading media, Gemini keeps your workflow fast, organized, and ready for anything.Take a look here Check out the ZEISS Otus ML: Now on sale, the Otus ML 1.4/50mm photography lens from ZEISS is the new generation of high-quality optics for your photographic art. Find it at your favorite photo retailer! Learn more here The Glass Dome Rises - Powered by Igelkott Plates Netflix’s The Glass Dome is climbing the charts in the U.S. Behind the scenes: Igelkott Driving Plates. Built from the ground up for In-Camera VFX, captured with One-Lens 360 technology. No stitching. No compromises. No problem. Want the same power behind your production? 📩 Email us: hello@igelkottfilm.se A New Solution from Videoguys… The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is built for adventure, fitting seamlessly into your mobile lifestyle while delivering blazing-fast NVMe performance with read speeds up to 1050MB/s and write speeds up to 1000MB/s. Designed for content creators and on-the-go professionals, this high-capacity drive is tested and compatible with iPhone, making it easy to free up space on your smartphone. Its rugged design offers up to three-meter drop protection, IP65 water and dust resistance, and a durable silicone shell for extra security. Backed by a 5-year limited warranty, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is now available in an impressive new 8TB capacity at Videoguys.com. Read more here Featured Book: Engage Filmmakers This new report offers a detailed look at what filmmakers read, share, and trust. Based on over 1.5 million articles and posts, Engage Filmmakers is designed for organisations that want to reach filmmaking audiences in a meaningful way. It shows what topics resonate, which formats perform best, and how to build lasting credibility. What’s inside:• Audience segmentation by filmmaking role• The content formats that get attention• Platform strategies backed by real data• Practical guidance for building trust with filmmakers If your team creates content or campaigns for the film industry, this is built to help you do it better. Explore here — 10% off for “The Making Of” readers! Upcoming NYC Event: Gold Women’s Health & Business Conference Join us Thursday, May 8 in NYC for the Gold Women’s Health & Business Conference—an empowering afternoon focused on elevating women in business and well-being. Learn SEO, Marketing Strategies, Funding resources, & Wellness insights for women. This powerful experience is designed for Founders, Creatives, & Professionals ready to thrive in 2025 and beyond. For in-person and virtual tickets, visit here Podcast Rewind: April 2025 - Ep. 76… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. If you’d like to promote your products or services to 160K filmmakers, content creators, broadcast and live event production pros reading this, please email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 24, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Industry Analyst Stephen Follows on Film Financing, Festivals, Distribution, & More
In this episode, we welcome Stephen Follows. Stephen is an expert industry analyst, as well as a writer, producer and educator. In our chat, he shares his backstory and his thoughts on the worlds of film financing, festivals, and distribution. He also speaks about how he decodes the industry through data — and provides a “Crystal Ball” view of where things might be heading in the coming years. Stephen also offers real-world advice for filmmakers on how best to position themselves for the evolving road ahead. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Explore AJA’s New Solutions for Next-Gen Production and Broadcast Ahead of NAB 2025, AJA debuted innovative solutions for production and broadcast professionals, including the BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8 IP video bridge for remote workflows/streaming/backhaul, the DANTE-12GAM IP audio embedder/disembedder, and KUMO 6464-12G compact SDI router. Find out how your facility, pipeline, or project can benefit from the flexibility these new tools provide here. OWC Powers Indie Horror-Comedy Screamboat From set to post, the Screamboat team trusted OWC to keep their horror-comedy production running smoothly. Atlas media cards captured the action, while Envoy Pro FX and ThunderBlade drives enabled fast offloads. In post, the ThunderBay Flex 8 anchored their workflow with high-capacity, high-performance storage. Explore how OWC powered this ambitious indie project every step of the way. Read more here Featured Book: Engage Filmmakers This new report offers a detailed look at what filmmakers read, share, and trust. Based on over 1.5 million articles and posts, Engage Filmmakers is designed for organisations that want to reach filmmaking audiences in a meaningful way. It shows what topics resonate, which formats perform best, and how to build lasting credibility. What’s inside:• Audience segmentation by filmmaking role• The content formats that get attention• Platform strategies backed by real data• Practical guidance for building trust with filmmakers If your team creates content or campaigns for the film industry, this is built to help you do it better. Explore here — 10% off for “The Making Of” readers! Check out the ZEISS Otus ML: Now on sale, the Otus ML 1.4/50mm photography lens from ZEISS is the new generation of high-quality optics for your photographic art. Find it at your favorite photo retailer! Learn more here A New Solution from Videoguys: The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is built for adventure, fitting seamlessly into your mobile lifestyle while delivering blazing-fast NVMe performance with read speeds up to 1050MB/s and write speeds up to 1000MB/s. Designed for content creators and on-the-go professionals, this high-capacity drive is tested and compatible with iPhone, making it easy to free up space on your smartphone. Its rugged design offers up to three-meter drop protection, IP65 water and dust resistance, and a durable silicone shell for extra security. Backed by a 5-year limited warranty, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is now available in an impressive new 8TB capacity at Videoguys.com. Browse it here Upcoming NYC Event: Gold Women’s Health & Business Conference Join us Thursday, May 8 in NYC for the Gold Women’s Health & Business Conference—an empowering afternoon focused on elevating women in business and well-being. Learn SEO, Marketing Strategies, Funding resources, & Wellness insights for women. This powerful experience is designed for Founders, Creatives, & Professionals ready to thrive in 2025 and beyond. Visit us here Podcast Rewind: April 2025 - Ep. 75… “The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky. Promote your products or services to 155K filmmakers, content creators, TV, broadcast & live event production pros reading this newsletter… email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 17, 2025 · 43 min
Director Steven C. Miller on "Werewolves," His Creative Process, Independent Filmmaking, & More
In this episode, we welcome Steven C. Miller. Steven is a veteran director with credits including Werewolves, Line of Duty, First Kill, Marauders, Silent Night, and Under the Bed. In our chat, he shares about his early days, education, and pathway into filmmaking. He also takes us behind-the-scenes of creating his recent horror film, Werewolves, starring Frank Grillo, Katrina Law, and Lou Diamond Phillips. In addition, Steven offers many insights for filmmakers getting in the game and working their way up. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Explore AJA’s New Solutions for Next-Gen Production and Broadcast Ahead of NAB 2025, AJA debuted innovative solutions for production and broadcast professionals, including the BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8 IP video bridge for remote workflows/streaming/backhaul, the DANTE-12GAM IP audio embedder/disembedder, and KUMO 6464-12G compact SDI router. Find out how your facility, pipeline, or project can benefit from the flexibility these new tools provide here. OWC Powers Indie Horror-Comedy Screamboat From set to post, the Screamboat team trusted OWC to keep their horror-comedy production running smoothly. Atlas media cards captured the action, while Envoy Pro FX and ThunderBlade drives enabled fast offloads. In post, the ThunderBay Flex 8 anchored their workflow with high-capacity, high-performance storage. Explore how OWC powered this ambitious indie project every step of the way. Read more here Featured Filmmaking Book: Kubrick: An Odyssey The definitive biography of the creator of 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining, and A Clockwork Orange, presenting the most in-depth portrait yet of the groundbreaking filmmaker.The enigmatic and elusive filmmaker Stanley Kubrick has not been treated to a full-length biography in over twenty years.Stanley Kubrick: An Odyssey fills that gap. This definitive book is based on access to the latest research, especially Kubrick's archive at the University of the Arts, London, as well as other private papers plus new interviews with family members and those who worked with him. It offers comprehensive and in-depth coverage of Kubrick’s personal, private, public, and working life. Stanley Kubrick: An Odyssey investigates not only the making of Kubrick's films, but also about those he wanted (but failed) to make like Burning Secret, Napoleon, Aryan Papers, and A.I. Read more here ZEISS Introduces the Otus ML: The ZEISS Otus ML lenses are crafted for photographers who live to tell stories. Inspired by the legendary ZEISS Otus family, the new lenses bring ZEISS’ renowned optical excellence combined with precise mechanics to mirrorless system cameras. Thanks to the distinctive ZEISS Look of true color, outstanding sharpness and the iconic “3D-Pop” of micro-contrast, your story will come to life exactly like you envisioned. A wide f1.4 aperture provides outstanding depth of field directing attention to your focus area, providing a soft bokeh that elegantly separates subjects from the background. The aspherical design effectively minimizes distortion and chromatic aberrations. Coupled with ZEISS T* coating that reduce reflections within a lens, minimizing lens flare and enhancing image contrast, and color fidelity. Learn more here A New Solution from Videoguys: The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is built for adventure, fitting seamlessly into your mobile lifestyle while delivering blazing-fast NVMe performance with read speeds up to 1050MB/s and write speeds up to 1000MB/s. Designed for content creators and on-the-go professionals, this high-capacity drive is tested and compatible with iPhone, making it easy to free up space on your smartphone. Its rugged design offers up to three-meter drop protection, IP65 water and dust resistance, and a durable silicone shell for extra security. Backed by a 5-year limited warranty, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is now available in an impressive new 8TB capacity at Videoguys.com. Check it out here Featured Event: Cine Gear Expo LA | Universal Studios Lot June 6-7, 2025 A revered film and television production mecca, Universal Studios Lot is known for their legendary stages, beautifully appointed theatres, and outdoor city streets, parks & squares— seen in countless film and television spectacles. "We are excited to welcome the Cine Gear community to this iconic destination," announces Cine Gear Expo Co-Founder/CEO Juliane Grosso. “The Universal Lot offers an abundance of everything we look for to create a valuable and unforgettable experience." A crossroads of filmmakers and cutting-edge technology, Cine Gear Expo is known globally as the best place in filmmaking to discover groundbreaking innovations, connect with top-tier creatives, and discover the latest gear from mainstay brands and next-gen innovators at hundreds of industry booths. Attendees can hone their skills at hands-on equipment demos, pick up tips at filmmaker panels, and enjoy educational sessions, screenings, and guild & association presentations — topped off by world-class mingling with friends & colleagues. Beyond the expo, other offerings include Cine Gear's Film Series Screenings and a Master Class featuring renowned filmmaker instructors. Register here Podcast Rewind: April 2025 - Ep. 74… “The Making Of” is published by Michael Valinsky. Advertise your products or services to 152K filmmakers, video pros, TV, broadcast and live event production pros reading this newsletter, email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 1, 2025 · 50 min
Aputure's Mitch Gross on Lighting Technologies, Cinematography and Filmmaking
In this episode, we welcome Mitch Gross. Mitch is Global Director of Product Marketing at Aputure. In our conversation, he shares about his early days, career as a cinematographer in New York City, as well as his experiences working at top companies such as AbelCine, Panasonic, and Aputure. Mitch also offers tons of educational information about cameras, lights, and lenses — and other insights for filmmakers in the trenches. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Explore AJA’s New Solutions for Next-Gen Production and Broadcast Ahead of NAB 2025, AJA debuted innovative solutions for production and broadcast professionals, including the BRIDGE LIVE 3G-8 IP video bridge for remote workflows/streaming/backhaul, the DANTE-12GAM IP audio embedder/disembedder, and KUMO 6464-12G compact SDI router. Find out how your facility, pipeline, or project can benefit from the flexibility these new tools provide here. Vimeo NAB Event: April 7th | The Beverly Theater A night of inspiring Vimeo Staff Picks, creative community, and drinks! Meet fellow filmmakers, NAB community, and say hi to the Vimeo team! 7pm Doors open8-9pm Film screening9-11pm Vimeo Party — beer, wine, + bites! RSVP required. Free tickets here Igelkott Studios: Redefining Driving Plates Say goodbye to the limitations of array rig plates. Igelkott’s precision-crafted single-lens driving plates deliver perfect parallax, seamless stitching, and true-to-life depth—no mismatched angles or post headaches. The choice of top filmmakers for flawless in-camera realism. Experience the future of driving plates at www.igelkottplates.com Oscars Night Puts OWC Jellyfish in the Middle of the Action OWC Jellyfish was front and center on Oscars night, supporting the behind-the-scenes editing and post workflows that brought the evening to life. From pre-show prep to real-time content delivery, discover how OWC’s high-performance shared storage powered the Academy’s digital team. See how professionals rely on Jellyfish when the pressure’s on—and the world is watching. Read the full story » A New Solution Available from Videoguys… The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is built for adventure, fitting seamlessly into your mobile lifestyle while delivering blazing-fast NVMe performance with read speeds up to 1050MB/s and write speeds up to 1000MB/s. Designed for content creators and on-the-go professionals, this high-capacity drive is tested and compatible with iPhone, making it easy to free up space on your smartphone. Its rugged design offers up to three-meter drop protection, IP65 water and dust resistance, and a durable silicone shell for extra security. Backed by a 5-year limited warranty, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is now available in an impressive new 8TB capacity at Videoguys.com. Check it out here ZEISS Cinema To Present New Solutions at NAB 2025 ZEISS Cinema is proud to be presenting our Scenario camera tracking solution at 2025 NAB CineCentral in the North Hall. Join ZEISS on Monday, April 7th at 2:30pm in North Hall for a hands-on presentation of how this technology can save you time and cost of IVFX, and post-production workflow. For more info, visit here Cartoni Celebrates 90th Anniversary with New E-Series Launch at NAB Show Cartoni celebrates the company’s 90th anniversary at NAB Las Vegas. Find them in the show’s North Hall at booth #N2539. Cartoni will showcase their latest support systems, heads, pedestals, and Lifto PTZ elevation columns in a retrospective ranging from the company’s earliest 1935 cinema tripod (complete with a 1936 Mitchell NC camera courtesy of the American Society of Cinematographers) to their recently announced E-Series of broadcast/cinema Encoded Heads. Visit here Podcast Rewind: March 2025 - Ep. 73… “The Making Of” is published by Michael Valinsky. To advertise your products or services to 150K filmmakers, TV, broadcast and live event production pros reading this newsletter, email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 26, 2025 · 44 min
Director of Photography Ian Seabrook on Underwater Cinematography, Working on Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny, The Rescue, & More
In this episode, we welcome Ian Seabrook. Ian is a leading Underwater Director of Photography who has worked on films including Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, The Cabin in the Woods, Man of Steel, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, Godzilla, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Deadpool 2, Glass, It Chapter Two, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The Rescue, and Last Breath. In our chat, he shares about his roots, education, and early days in filmmaking on through working on many of the biggest Hollywood productions today. He also speaks at length about camera technology — and offers recommendations for emerging filmmakers. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: How Cromorama solves HDR production challenges with AJA ColorBox Cromorama is transforming HDR workflows for live production across the globe, using AJA ColorBox and its integrated ORION-CONVERT pipeline to power SDR/HDR transforms, quality control checks, and more for high-stakes productions like the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship. Find out how in this interview with Cromorama CEO and CTO Pablo Garcia here Igelkott Studios: Redefining Driving Plates Say goodbye to the limitations of array rig plates. Igelkott’s precision-crafted single-lens driving plates deliver perfect parallax, seamless stitching, and true-to-life depth—no mismatched angles or post headaches. The choice of top filmmakers for flawless in-camera realism. Experience the future of driving plates at www.igelkottplates.com Oscars Night Puts OWC Jellyfish in the Middle of the Action OWC Jellyfish was front and center on Oscars night, supporting the behind-the-scenes editing and post workflows that brought the evening to life. From pre-show prep to real-time content delivery, discover how OWC’s high-performance shared storage powered the Academy’s digital team. See how professionals rely on Jellyfish when the pressure’s on—and the world is watching.Read the full story » A Special Offer on Avid Media Composer: Save 20% on Avid Media Composer Ultimate 1-Year Subscription! Whether you’re a seasoned video editor or just starting your career, get unmatched speed and creative freedom to tell more inspired stories. Do your best work with Media Composer’s award-winning toolset, the go-to choice of professional editors. Hurry though, this offer expires on 3/31/2025 and is available at Videoguys.com Learn more here ZEISS Introduces the Otus ML: The ZEISS Otus ML lenses are crafted for photographers who live to tell stories. Inspired by the legendary ZEISS Otus family, the new lenses bring ZEISS’ renowned optical excellence combined with precise mechanics to mirrorless system cameras. Thanks to the distinctive ZEISS Look of true color, outstanding sharpness and the iconic “3D-Pop” of micro-contrast, your story will come to life exactly like you envisioned. A wide f1.4 aperture provides outstanding depth of field directing attention to your focus area, providing a soft bokeh that elegantly separates subjects from the background. The aspherical design effectively minimizes distortion and chromatic aberrations. Coupled with ZEISS T* coating that reduce reflections within a lens, minimizing lens flare and enhancing image contrast, and color fidelity. Learn more here Podcast Rewind: March 2025 - Ep. 72… “The Making Of” is published by Michael Valinsky. To advertise your products or services to 145K filmmakers, video pros, TV, broadcast, live event production pros, & photographers reading this newsletter, email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 17, 2025 · 23 min
Andrew Hutton on EDEN, the ground-breaking, new solution from Anton/Bauer
In this episode, we welcome back Andrew Hutton, Head of Product at Anton/Bauer. Recently, the company released one of its latest innovations, EDEN. In our conversation, Andrew gets us up to speed on everything cooking at Anton/Bauer batteries recently — and all about this new, groundbreaking power solution. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: How Cromorama solves HDR production challenges with AJA ColorBox Cromorama is transforming HDR workflows for live production across the globe, using AJA ColorBox and its integrated ORION-CONVERT pipeline to power SDR/HDR transforms, quality control checks, and more for high-stakes productions like the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship. Find out how in this interview with Cromorama CEO and CTO Pablo Garcia here Igelkott Studios: Redefining Driving Plates Say goodbye to the limitations of array rig plates. Igelkott’s precision-crafted single-lens driving plates deliver perfect parallax, seamless stitching, and true-to-life depth—no mismatched angles or post headaches. The choice of top filmmakers for flawless in-camera realism. Experience the future of driving plates at www.igelkottplates.com Explore the OWC Jellyfish Nomad: Discover how the OWC Jellyfish Nomad turned a desolate location in the Utah Salt Flats into a fully equipped, mobile production studio. This compact, powerful device allows video professionals to manage, share, and collaborate on high-resolution projects in remote environments. Click through to see how you can streamline your workflow, no matter where your next shoot takes you! Read here A Special Offer on Avid Media Composer: Save 20% on Avid Media Composer Ultimate 1-Year Subscription! Whether you’re a seasoned video editor or just starting your career, get unmatched speed and creative freedom to tell more inspired stories. Do your best work with Media Composer’s award-winning toolset, the go-to choice of professional editors. Hurry though, this offer expires on 3/31/2025 and is available at Videoguys.com Learn more here ZEISS Introduces the Otus ML: The ZEISS Otus ML lenses are crafted for photographers who live to tell stories. Inspired by the legendary ZEISS Otus family, the new lenses bring ZEISS’ renowned optical excellence combined with precise mechanics to mirrorless system cameras. Thanks to the distinctive ZEISS Look of true color, outstanding sharpness and the iconic “3D-Pop” of micro-contrast, your story will come to life exactly like you envisioned. A wide f1.4 aperture provides outstanding depth of field directing attention to your focus area, providing a soft bokeh that elegantly separates subjects from the background. The aspherical design effectively minimizes distortion and chromatic aberrations. Coupled with ZEISS T* coating that reduce reflections within a lens, minimizing lens flare and enhancing image contrast, and color fidelity. Learn more here Podcast Rewind: March 2025 - Ep. 71… “The Making Of” is published by Michael Valinsky. To advertise your products or services to 130K filmmakers, video pros, TV, broadcast, live event production pros, & photographers reading this newsletter, email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 12, 2025 · 50 min
Oscar-Winning Costume Designer Jenny Beaven On Her Career, Working on Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Cruella, & More
In this episode, we welcome three-time Oscar-Winning Costume Designer Jenny Beaven. Jenny has brought her talents to films including A Room with a View, Howards End, Swing Kids, The Remains of the Day, Sense and Sensibility, Jane Eyre, Gosford Park, The Gathering Storm, Alexander, Defiance, Sherlock Holmes, The King’s Speech, Mad Max: Fury Road, Cruella, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. In our chat, she shares about her upbringing, path into costume design, and her experiences working on a variety of award-winning films. In addition, Jenny reveals many of her influences — and offers advice for up-and-coming Costume Designers today. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: How Cromorama solves HDR production challenges with AJA ColorBox Cromorama is transforming HDR workflows for live production across the globe, using AJA ColorBox and its integrated ORION-CONVERT pipeline to power SDR/HDR transforms, quality control checks, and more for high-stakes productions like the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship. Find out how in this interview with Cromorama CEO and CTO Pablo Garcia here Igelkott Studios: Redefining Driving Plates Say goodbye to the limitations of array rig plates. Igelkott’s precision-crafted single-lens driving plates deliver perfect parallax, seamless stitching, and true-to-life depth—no mismatched angles or post headaches. The choice of top filmmakers for flawless in-camera realism. Experience the future of driving plates at www.igelkottplates.com Explore the OWC Jellyfish Nomad: Discover how the OWC Jellyfish Nomad turned a desolate location in the Utah Salt Flats into a fully equipped, mobile production studio. This compact, powerful device allows video professionals to manage, share, and collaborate on high-resolution projects in remote environments. Click through to see how you can streamline your workflow, no matter where your next shoot takes you! Read here Introducing Atomos Sun Dragon: A Rope Light Made for Filmmakers. The world's first full sun-spectrum rope light, Sun Dragon offers creatives more options. It’s uniquely flexible, so it fits into places other lights can’t. You can wrap it around objects for creative highlighting and special, colour-controllable effects including dramatic underlighting. The world’s first sun spectrum, HDR, waterproof, DMX controlled, 2000 lumen 5-color LED, mount-anywhere, lightweight flexible production and cinema rope light. Learn more here CSS Music Presents Your 1-Stop Source for Royalty Free Music: Unlimited Uses In Unlimited Productions — 8 Power Searches including 2 AI applications, Pay As You Go pricing or choose from 2 subscription plans with rollover feature, a Playlist Tool, and E-Z Cue Sheet App. Browse here or call 1.800.468.6874 ZEISS Introduces the Otus ML: The ZEISS Otus ML lenses are crafted for photographers who live to tell stories. Inspired by the legendary ZEISS Otus family, the new lenses bring ZEISS’ renowned optical excellence combined with precise mechanics to mirrorless system cameras. Thanks to the distinctive ZEISS Look of true color, outstanding sharpness and the iconic “3D-Pop” of micro-contrast, your story will come to life exactly like you envisioned. A wide f1.4 aperture provides outstanding depth of field directing attention to your focus area, providing a soft bokeh that elegantly separates subjects from the background. The aspherical design effectively minimizes distortion and chromatic aberrations. Coupled with ZEISS T* coating that reduce reflections within a lens, minimizing lens flare and enhancing image contrast, and color fidelity. Learn more here Podcast Rewind: March 2025 - Ep. 70… “The Making Of” is published by Michael Valinsky. To advertise your products or services to 130K filmmakers, video pros, TV, broadcast, live event production pros, & photographers reading this newsletter, email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 6, 2025 · 28 min
Eddie AI's Co-Founder on Their Revolutionary Solution, Evolving Post Workflows, & More
In this episode, we welcome Shamir Allibhai. Shamir is the co-founder of Eddie AI, a revolutionary new AI-powered software for filmmakers, editors, and content creators. In our chat, he shares about his early days, career working in production and post, and about the creation of his company, Eddie AI. He also deep dives on the solutions it provides — and other insights on the industry and production workflows. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: How Cromorama solves HDR production challenges with AJA ColorBox Cromorama is transforming HDR workflows for live production across the globe, using AJA ColorBox and its integrated ORION-CONVERT pipeline to power SDR/HDR transforms, quality control checks, and more for high-stakes productions like the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship. Find out how in this interview with Cromorama CEO and CTO Pablo Garcia here Igelkott Studios: Redefining Driving Plates Say goodbye to the limitations of array rig plates. Igelkott’s precision-crafted single-lens driving plates deliver perfect parallax, seamless stitching, and true-to-life depth—no mismatched angles or post headaches. The choice of top filmmakers for flawless in-camera realism. Experience the future of driving plates at www.igelkottplates.com Introducing Atomos Sun Dragon: A Rope Light Made for Filmmakers. The world's first full sun-spectrum rope light, Sun Dragon offers creatives more options. It’s uniquely flexible, so it fits into places other lights can’t. You can wrap it around objects for creative highlighting and special, colour-controllable effects including dramatic underlighting. The world’s first sun spectrum, HDR, waterproof, DMX controlled, 2000 lumen 5-color LED, mount-anywhere, lightweight flexible production and cinema rope light. Learn more here Explore the OWC Jellyfish Nomad: Discover how the OWC Jellyfish Nomad turned a desolate location in the Utah Salt Flats into a fully equipped, mobile production studio. This compact, powerful device allows video professionals to manage, share, and collaborate on high-resolution projects in remote environments. Click through to see how you can streamline your workflow, no matter where your next shoot takes you! Read here ZEISS Introduces the Otus ML: The ZEISS Otus ML lenses are crafted for photographers who live to tell stories. Inspired by the legendary ZEISS Otus family, the new lenses bring ZEISS’ renowned optical excellence combined with precise mechanics to mirrorless system cameras. Thanks to the distinctive ZEISS Look of true color, outstanding sharpness and the iconic “3D-Pop” of micro-contrast, your story will come to life exactly like you envisioned. A wide f1.4 aperture provides outstanding depth of field directing attention to your focus area, providing a soft bokeh that elegantly separates subjects from the background. The aspherical design effectively minimizes distortion and chromatic aberrations. Coupled with ZEISS T* coating that reduce reflections within a lens, minimizing lens flare and enhancing image contrast, and color fidelity. Learn more here Podcast Rewind: Feb 2025 - Ep. 69… “The Making Of” is published by Michael Valinsky. To advertise your products or services to 128K filmmakers, video pros, TV, broadcast, live event production pros, & photographers reading this newsletter, email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Feb 26, 2025 · 37 min
Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Jimmy Chin on Storytelling, Creativity, & Adventure
In this episode, we welcome Jimmy Chin. Jimmy is an inspirational mountain climber, award-winning photographer, and Oscar-winning filmmaker with projects including Meru, Free Solo, The Rescue, Return to Space, Wild Life, Nyad, and Endurance. He is also a longtime Canon Explorer of Light. In our conversation, we hear about his upbringing in Minnesota, path into photography, adventures in filmmaking, and all about his first foray into narrative work with Nyad. In addition, Jimmy talks about what keeps him inspired — and other thoughts on a life on the edge of adventure. This episode was recorded live at Canon HQ in Melville, NY. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: How Cromorama solves HDR production challenges with AJA ColorBox Cromorama is transforming HDR workflows for live production across the globe, using AJA ColorBox and its integrated ORION-CONVERT pipeline to power SDR/HDR transforms, quality control checks, and more for high-stakes productions like the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship. Find out how in this interview with Cromorama CEO and CTO Pablo Garcia here Explore the OWC Jellyfish Nomad: Discover how the OWC Jellyfish Nomad turned a desolate location in the Utah Salt Flats into a fully equipped, mobile production studio. This compact, powerful device allows video professionals to manage, share, and collaborate on high-resolution projects in remote environments. Click through to see how you can streamline your workflow, no matter where your next shoot takes you! Read here Introducing Atomos Sun Dragon: A Rope Light Made for Filmmakers. The world's first full sun-spectrum rope light, Sun Dragon offers creatives more options. It’s uniquely flexible, so it fits into places other lights can’t. You can wrap it around objects for creative highlighting and special, colour-controllable effects including dramatic underlighting. The world’s first sun spectrum, HDR, waterproof, DMX controlled, 2000 lumen 5-color LED, mount-anywhere, lightweight flexible production and cinema rope light Learn more here Netflix Feature “Let Go” Showcases Igelkott Studios’ Masterful Visual FX Netflix’s Let Go (2024) tells a heartfelt story with beautifully crafted visuals. Igelkott Studios contributed to the car and airplane sequences using advanced In-Camera Visual FX. Led by Eric Hasso, we focus on authenticity and innovation. Watch Let Go on Netflix and learn more at Igelkott Studios. Explore here From our Friends at Anton/Bauer: Today’s episode is also powered by Anton/Bauer — batteries built with no compromise for filmmakers and creators. From blockbuster sets to solo projects, Anton/Bauer batteries deliver high-performance power with unmatched reliability so your story never misses a beat. Trusted by industry pros worldwide, Anton/Bauer keeps your gear ready when it matters most. Visit here ZEISS Introduces the Otus ML: The ZEISS Otus ML lenses are crafted for photographers who live to tell stories. Inspired by the legendary ZEISS Otus family, the new lenses bring ZEISS’ renowned optical excellence combined with precise mechanics to mirrorless system cameras. Thanks to the distinctive ZEISS Look of true color, outstanding sharpness and the iconic “3D-Pop” of micro-contrast, your story will come to life exactly like you envisioned. A wide f1.4 aperture provides outstanding depth of field directing attention to your focus area, providing a soft bokeh that elegantly separates subjects from the background. The aspherical design effectively minimizes distortion and chromatic aberrations. Coupled with ZEISS T* coating that reduce reflections within a lens, minimizing lens flare and enhancing image contrast, and color fidelity. Learn more here Podcast Rewind: Feb 2025 - Ep. 68… “The Making Of” is published by Michael Valinsky. To advertise your products or services to 125K filmmakers, video pros, TV, broadcast & live event production pros reading this newsletter, email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe