The Making Of

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

themakingof.substack.com

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

149 episodes
Updated Thursday
Explicit

Episodes149

Newest first

Apr 12, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
"Open Water" Director Chris Kentis On Independent Filmmaking
In this episode, we welcome filmmaker Chris Kentis. Chris is a writer, director, producer and editor, who achieved great success with his independent film, Open Water, in 2003. In our chat, we hear his backstory, path into filmmaking, and process making this movie. Chris also shares about his cinematic inspirations, other projects he’s worked on, and what's next for him. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems. As productions grow in complexity, access to on-set displays for monitoring is crucial. With ample routing inputs and outputs, it’s easy to achieve greater monitoring flexibility and redundancy on-set. Check out this Q&A with DIT Kevin Shiramizu to learn how he’s leveraging AJA KUMO SDI routers to do just this across projects. From our Friends at Videoguys… Media Composer is the most acclaimed and trusted collaborative video editing software solution across the media and entertainment industry. With options for all types of content creators—from students and independent video editors to creative teams, high-level post-production teams and broadcasters, Media Composer provides the most powerful storytelling tools in the industry. From AI-powered timesaving features, flexible workflow options, to customizable UI and remote collaboration tools, Media Composer makes it easy to create and deliver content from anywhere and turn around more projects faster. In the highest quality. On time and on budget. Learn more here Visit ZEISS at the NAB Show: NAB is around the corner, and you don't want to miss what's new at the ZEISS Booth #7312 in Hall C! Come discover the cinematic look of the Nano Prime lenses and check out live demonstrations of the ZEISS CinCraft Scenario camera tracking solution. ZEISS' knowledgeable Product Specialists are excited to discuss your upcoming camera tracking needs and offer their expertise. Whether you're working in indoor or outdoor settings, on film sets with green and blue screens, or in LED volumes, they have the solution for you. If you're looking to save time on lens calibration, come and see how Scenario can accelerate your workflow. Plus, you can explore the complete lineup of ZEISS cinema lenses — including Supreme Prime, Supreme Prime Radiance, CZ.2 Cinema Zoom lenses, CP.3 Primes, and more! Use ZEISS' guest pass code NS7892 to register for free admission and click the link below to add ZEISS to your planner. To add ZEISS to your Show Planner, click here Vimeo Staff Picks Screening: April 23, 2024 | San Francisco Join us for this free screening of recent Vimeo Staff Pick favorites, handpicked and hosted by our curators. Short films will be accompanied by live commentary from featured local filmmakers. After the screening, there’ll be a Networking Party with drinks, snacks, music and swag! RSVP for free here Podcast Rewind: March 2024 - Ep. 28… The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky. If you’d like to promote your products to over 12,500 leading film, TV and video industry pros reading this newsletter, please email us: mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 25, 2024 · 41 min
Adobe's Esteban Toro on Travel Photography, Filmmaking, & Creativity
In this episode, we welcome award-winning photographer and filmmaker, Esteban Toro. Esteban also serves as Adobe’s Sr. Community Relationship Manager and is based in New York City. In our chat, he shares his origin story, how he learned photography, on through becoming an ambassador for brands such as Sony and BenQ. He also talks about his role at Adobe supporting the creative community of filmmakers and editors — and sheds light about recent developments in post workflows, A.I., and much more. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems. Versatile color management and conversion with AJA ColorBox From film to live production, color is an art. Achieving the right look requires a combination of talent and access to tools like AJA ColorBox. The color management and conversion box has quickly become a favorite among DITs with camera log, HDR, and WCG support, 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 connectivity, and unparalleled color processing. Find out why. ZEISS Conversations with Meena Singh Join the ZEISS Conversations webinar featuring renowned Director of Photography Meena Singh on Thursday, March 28th at 12pm PST / 3pm EST. Hear her insights about using ZEISS Supreme Prime Radiance lenses to create the look for the notable romantic comedy film, "Wedding Season." They will also discuss how she created the visual language for Sundance 2024 selected short film “Guts” and several documentary projects. Sign up for free here From our Friends at Videoguys… The Canon EOS C70 offers exceptional cinema capabilities in a compact package. Enjoy stunning images with a 4K Super 35mm DGO Sensor and all the built-in features you could ask for, including ND Filters, mini XLRs, direct touch rotatable LCD screen, Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus, and excellent battery life. Making the EOS C70 even more powerful is compatibility with Canon's expanding line of high-performance RF Lenses. Check it out here! Book of the Month: Woke Up This Morning: The Definitive Oral History of The Sopranos Expanding on their hit Talking Sopranos podcast with exclusive interviews for the book with the cast, crew, producers, writers, directors and creators, stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa deliver the definitive oral history of the landmark television series and streaming hit The Sopranos. Packed with untold stories from behind the scenes and on the set, they’re spilling all the secrets. Get a copy here Podcast Rewind: March 2024 - Ep. 27… The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky. If you’d like to promote your products to over 12,000 leading film, TV and video industry pros reading this newsletter, please email us: mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 4, 2024 · 40 min
Composer Chris Ruggiero on Scoring Music for Film & TV
In this episode, we welcome Emmy-nominated Composer, Score Producer and Musician Chris Ruggiero. Chris has worked on films such as Emily the Criminal, Swallow, The Martha Mitchell Effect, Minding the Gap, Hooligan Sparrow, “Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music,” One Child Nation, Plan C, Camp Courage, episodes of “American Masters" and “American Experience” — and Resynator, which is premiering at SXSW this month. In our chat, we hear Chris’ backstory, his path from working at MTV, to creating jingles for brands, on through scoring many of today’s top independent films and documentaries. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems. Versatile color management and conversion with AJA ColorBox From film to live production, color is an art. Achieving the right look requires a combination of talent and access to tools like AJA ColorBox. The color management and conversion box has quickly become a favorite among DITs with camera log, HDR, and WCG support, 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 connectivity, and unparalleled color processing. Find out why. ZEISS Conversations with Meena Singh Join the ZEISS Conversations webinar featuring renowned Director of Photography Meena Singh on Thursday, March 28th at 12pm PST / 3pm EST. Hear her insights about using ZEISS Supreme Prime Radiance lenses to create the look for the notable romantic comedy film, "Wedding Season." They will also discuss how she created the visual language for Sundance 2024 selected short film “Guts” and several documentary projects. Sign up for free here Movie Book of the Month: Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece This is the definitive story of the making of 2001: A Space Odyssey, acclaimed today as one of the greatest films ever made, including the inside account of how director Stanley Kubrick and writer Arthur C. Clarke created this cinematic masterpiece. Author Michael Benson explains how 2001 was made, telling the story primarily through the two people most responsible for the film, Kubrick and science fiction legend Arthur C. Clarke. Benson interviewed Clarke many times, and has also spoken at length with Kubrick’s widow, Christiane; with visual effects supervisor Doug Trumbull; with Dan Richter, who played 2001’s leading man-ape; and many others.A colorful nonfiction narrative packed with memorable characters and remarkable incidents, Space Odyssey provides a 360-degree view of this extraordinary work, tracking the film from Kubrick and Clarke’s first meeting in New York in 1964 through its UK production from 1965-1968, during which some of the most complex sets ever made were merged with visual effects so innovative that they scarcely seem dated today. A concluding chapter examines the film’s legacy as it grew into it current justifiably exalted status. Available here From our Friends at Broadfield… The Atomos Ninja bundled with Atomos Connect combines the newest 5" monitor/recorder & playback device with the latest Atomos Cloud features enabled by Atomos Connect. The free 6-month subscription to Atomos Cloud Studio enables camera-to-cloud, remote collaboration and review, cloud editing, live production and streaming. This complete solution will even include an accessory kit with rechargeable batteries, fast-charger, screen protector, travel case and more! Browse here Resource of the Month: The Daily Drop “The Daily Drop” is all about the tech, craft and business of producing content. The ongoing daily series (Mon-Fri) from Jem Schofield of theC47 focuses on video production and filmmaking with a core focus on education. Here’s a recent episode that give’s Jem’s initial thoughts on OpenAI’s Sora and how it might impact our industry… More episodes available here Upcoming L.A. Event: Cinelease Open House Cinelease, known for providing the industry's most extensive array of grip, electrical and lighting equipment and full-service studios, opens its doors for a day of talks, tech, live music, games, food truck favorites, drafts & sodas, and out of this world presentations. The festivities run from noon to 8pm on March 16, 2024 at Cinelease headquarters in Los Angeles. Cinelease has lined up something for everyone at their let-your-hair-down Open House: Cutting-edge tech from AC Lighting, ACT (AC Power), Aputure, ARRI, Camera Car, Creamsource, Elation, Illumination Dynamics, INDU, InnerCircle, Jagoteq, JL Fisher, K5600, Kino Flo, KOTO, LA North Studios, LiteGear, Leitz, Lightscape, LRX, Maccam, Matthews Studio Equipment, NBCUniversal / Cineo, Nanlux, Osram, Power Gems, Roe Visuals, Rosco, RST Visions in Color, Sony, Sumolight, TRP, RT Pro, TMB and more. Learn more here Featured NYC Event: Cine Gear NY | March 14-16, 2024 Mark your calendars for March and head on out to the thriving Industry City complex along the Brooklyn Upper Bay waterside. Cine Gear’s studio-style event is gathering steam as state-of–the-art technology brands are preparing to reveal their latest & greatest gear in the historic Paper Factory Hall. New this year is Photo Focus, a one-day educational event dedicated to the art and craft of Still Photography. Get your Free Passes here Podcast Rewind: Feb. 2024 - Ep. 26… The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky. If you’d like to promote your company to over 11,500 leading film & TV pros reading this newsletter, please email us at: mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Feb 10, 2024 · 49 min
Producer/DP Ben Staley On “Deadliest Catch” & Other Tales in Filmmaking
In this episode, we welcome Emmy-winning Cinematographer and Producer Ben Staley. Ben has worked extensively on the popular series “Deadliest Catch” — as well as “Ice Road Truckers,” “Lost Gold of the Aztecs,” “Alaskan Bush People,” “Mysterious Creatures with Forrest Galante,” “Shark Week” and “Pirate Gold of Adak Island”. In our chat, Ben shares all about growing up in Alaska, his path to filmmaking, and tales from shooting in extreme environments all over the world. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems. Maximize the production power of AJA BRIDGE LIVE Whether facilitating remote production, two-way interviews, live event streaming, multi-cam backhaul, field contribution, confidence monitoring, collaborative production, or ABR ladder profiles, AJA BRIDGE LIVE supports many streaming and contribution codecs, including NDI, H.265, H.264, MPEG-2, JPEG 2000, and now JPEG XS. The device also includes support for RTMP, ST2022-7 hitless redundancy, and input auto-reconfiguration for video and audio formats. Learn more at www.aja.com/bridge-live ZEISS Nano Primes Introducing ZEISS Nano Primes - cinema lenses designed for modern full-frame mirrorless cameras - initially available with Sony E-mount. These lenses offer the highest performance and cinematic look in a small package. With six focal lengths ranging from 18mm to 100mm, all featuring a consistent high speed of T1.5, the Nano Primes are the go-to choice for diverse cinematic needs. The lenses come with a small and robust real cine lens housing with professional ergonomics, and also have an interchangeable mount, facilitated by the trusted ZEISS IMS. And with a small and lightweight design, they're perfect for shooting on the go or in tight spaces. ZEISS Nano Primes are the go-to lenses for everyday: True Cinema. For All. Learn more HERE ASC Members Focus On Lighting At “The Art Of Cinematic Lighting” Event The NY filmmaking community gathered at Foto Care Rentals in Manhattan on November 30th to hear ASC cinematographers dive deep into the art of cinematic lighting. The conversation was moderated by Dejan Georgevich ASC and featured Mauricio Rubinstein ASC and Vanja Cernjul ASC. The trio broke down scenes and described how they employed lighting techniques to achieve desired cinematic looks and feels. This edition of Foto Care’s Education & Networking Series was made possible by Nanlux and Nanlite with additional support by ShotDeck. From our Friends at Broadfield… The Atomos Ninja bundled with Atomos Connect combines the newest 5" monitor/recorder & playback device with the latest Atomos Cloud features enabled by Atomos Connect. The free 6-month subscription to Atomos Cloud Studio enables camera-to-cloud, remote collaboration and review, cloud editing, live production and streaming. This complete solution will even include an accessory kit with rechargeable batteries, fast-charger, screen protector, travel case and more! Take a look HERE Upcoming Event: Cine Gear Expo NY | March 14-16, 2024 Mark your calendars for March and head on out to the thriving Industry City complex along the Brooklyn Upper Bay waterside. Cine Gear’s studio-style event is gathering steam as state-of–the-art technology brands are preparing to reveal their latest & greatest gear in the historic Paper Factory Hall. New this year is Photo Focus, a one-day educational event dedicated to the art and craft of Still Photography. Get your Free Passes here For this podcast episode, Special Thanks to Neil Matsumoto. Podcast Rewind: Jan. 2024 - Ep. 25… The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky. Interested in promoting your products to over 11K film & TV industry pros reading this newsletter? Send an email to: mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Jan 31, 2024 · 46 min
Emmy-Winning Editor Arielle Amsalem on Documentary Storytelling
In this episode, we welcome Emmy-winning Documentary Editor Arielle Amsalem. Arielle has worked on docs including By the People: The Election of Barack Obama, When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, “The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth,” Pete Seeger: The Power of Song, Whose Streets?, The Education of Dee Dee Ricks, Coming Back with Wes Moore, and They Called Him Mostly Harmless. In our chat, Arielle shares about her upbringing, path into film editing, education at NYU, and mentorship by legendary editor Sam Pollard. She also talks about her creative process on projects — and offers insights on the art of non-fiction storytelling. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems. Maximize the production power of AJA BRIDGE LIVE Whether facilitating remote production, two-way interviews, live event streaming, multi-cam backhaul, field contribution, confidence monitoring, collaborative production, or ABR ladder profiles, AJA BRIDGE LIVE supports many streaming and contribution codecs, including NDI, H.265, H.264, MPEG-2, JPEG 2000, and now JPEG XS. The device also includes support for RTMP, ST2022-7 hitless redundancy, and input auto-reconfiguration for video and audio formats. Learn more at www.aja.com/bridge-live From our Friends at Broadfield… Now through Feb 15, 2024, you can buy your RED camera from a Broadfield Authorized Dealer and get a FREE Memory Card! Buy RED KOMODO-X or V-RAPTOR Brain and get a Free 325GB OWC CFExpress - $399.99 value. Buy RED KOMODO and get a Free 256GB SanDisk CFast Card - $329.99 value. Find your Broadfield & RED dealer Here ZEISS Conversations with Curren Sheldon Thursday, February 1st Join ZEISS Conversations to explore coal country and discuss the ASC Award Nominated documentary, “King Coal.” Filmmakers Elaine McMillion Sheldon and Curren Sheldon have received accolades including an Oscar nomination and Emmy Award for their documentary filmmaking which frequently seeks to shine a light on their home state of West Virginia. The pair’s latest film is the 2023 Sundance premiering “King Coal,” a lyrical tapestry focused on the complex history of the coal industry and the communities that have grown up in its embrace. The filmmakers chose to mix verité with magical realism to stylistically honor the Appalachians who make up the story. Sheldon selected ZEISS CP.3 lenses with a Canon C300 and a C70 as his primary camera package throughout filming. We are excited hear more about Curren’s novel approach to the cinematography of “King Coal.” Register below to join a virtual Q&A with Curren this Thursday, February 1st at 12pm PST, 3pm EST. Register for Free Here Featured Book: In the Blink of an Eye is celebrated film editor Walter Murch's vivid, multifaceted, thought -- provoking essay on film editing. Starting with what might be the most basic editing question -- Why do cuts work? -- Murch treats the reader to a wonderful ride through the aesthetics and practical concerns of cutting film. Along the way, he offers his unique insights on such subjects as continuity and discontinuity in editing, dreaming, and reality; criteria for a good cut; the blink of the eye as an emotional cue; digital editing; and much more. In this second edition, Murch reconsiders and completely revises his popular first edition's lengthy meditation on digital editing (which accounts for a third of the book's pages) in light of the technological changes that have taken place in the six years since its publication. Get a copy here Podcast Rewind: Jan. 2024 - Ep. 24… The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky. If you’d like to be considered as a guest, or to promote your products to over 10K top film & TV production pros reading this newsletter, email us: mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Jan 20, 2024 · 42 min
American Zoetrope's James Mockoski Talks Restoration of The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, & More
In this episode, we welcomed James Mockoski, Film Archivist and Restoration Supervisor at American Zoetrope. Over the last twenty years, James has worked on and restored The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Outsiders, One from the Heart, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, The Cotton Club, and The Conversation for its 50th Anniversary in 2024. In addition, James restored the Talking Heads concert film “Stop Making Sense” for its 40th Anniversary last year — and is producing Mike Figgis’ documentary about the making of Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis. In our chat, James shares his backstory, how he entered the field of film restoration, his cinematic inspirations, and his perspectives on preservation. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems. Maximize the production power of AJA BRIDGE LIVE Whether facilitating remote production, two-way interviews, live event streaming, multi-cam backhaul, field contribution, confidence monitoring, collaborative production, or ABR ladder profiles, AJA BRIDGE LIVE supports many streaming and contribution codecs, including NDI, H.265, H.264, MPEG-2, JPEG 2000, and now JPEG XS. The device also includes support for RTMP, ST2022-7 hitless redundancy, and input auto-reconfiguration for video and audio formats. Check it out here From our Friends at Videoguys… The Atomos Ninja bundled with Atomos Connect combines the newest 5" monitor/recorder & playback device with the latest Atomos Cloud features enabled by Atomos Connect. The free 6-month subscription to Atomos Cloud Studio enables camera-to-cloud, remote collaboration and review, cloud editing, live production and streaming. This complete solution will even include an accessory kit with rechargeable batteries, fast-charger, screen protector, travel case and more! Learn more here ZEISS CinCraft Scenario Meet the only real-time camera tracking system that works indoors and outdoors, on film sets, with green and blue screens and in LED volumes. That uses natural markers, reflective markers, and even digital markers on LED screens. That provides camera tracking data for real-time use and records it for post-production. And that integrates lens characteristics to skip the cumbersome lens calibration process. Meet ZEISS CinCraft Scenario. New Life Cine is a marketplace committed to getting specialized, professional cinema equipment into the hands of creators and provides a safe, transparent, solution to sell gear that no longer has a place on your set. NLC is known for their technical expertise and consultations, intimate knowledge of used and resale values, and friendly ‘white glove’ service. They offer financing + escrow services for new and used gear. NLC believes that taking the uncertainty out of buying and selling used cinema equipment makes for happier filmmakers and lets the creativity flow! Check out the gear here Podcast Rewind: Jan. 2024 - Ep. 23… The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky. To promote your products to over 8,500 leading film & TV industry pros, email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Jan 12, 2024 · 49 min
Steve Bannerman at Amazon Studios Talks Post Workflows, Tax Incentives, & More
In this episode, we welcomed our friend Steve Bannerman, Head of Post for International Features at Amazon Studios. Steve’s career includes many years at Apple, GenArts, Assimilate, Silverdraft Supercomputing, as well as running Local Hero Post, now REAL by FAKE, in Santa Monica, CA. In our chat, we hear Steve’s backstory and his insights from working for decades for top technology companies and in Hollywood. Topics discussed include evolving technologies, production tax incentives, A.I. in post workflows, and the road ahead for 2024. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: Maximize the production power of AJA BRIDGE LIVE Whether facilitating remote production, two-way interviews, live event streaming, multi-cam backhaul, field contribution, confidence monitoring, collaborative production, or ABR ladder profiles, AJA BRIDGE LIVE supports many streaming and contribution codecs, including NDI, H.265, H.264, MPEG-2, JPEG 2000, and now JPEG XS. The device also includes support for RTMP, ST2022-7 hitless redundancy, and input auto-reconfiguration for video and audio formats. Learn more at www.aja.com/bridge-live New Life Cine is a marketplace committed to getting specialized, professional cinema equipment into the hands of creators and provides a safe, transparent, solution to sell gear that no longer has a place on your set. NLC is known for their technical expertise and consultations, intimate knowledge of used and resale values, and friendly ‘white glove’ service. They offer financing + escrow services for new and used gear. NLC believes that taking the uncertainty out of buying and selling used cinema equipment makes for happier filmmakers and lets the creativity flow! Check out all the gear here From our Friends at Broadfield… Now through Jan 15, 2024 you can buy your RED camera from a Broadfield Authorized Dealer and get a FREE Memory Card plus 10% off additional RED accessories with RED's BACK ON SET promotion. Buy RED KOMODO-X, V-RAPTOR or XL and get a FREE 325GB OWC Atlas CFExpress Card - a $399.99 value. Find your Broadfield & RED dealer at https://www.broadfield.com/redbackonset ZEISS CinCraft Scenario Meet the only real-time camera tracking system that works indoors and outdoors, on film sets, with green and blue screens and in LED volumes. That uses natural markers, reflective markers, and even digital markers on LED screens. That provides camera tracking data for real-time use and records it for post-production. And that integrates lens characteristics to skip the cumbersome lens calibration process. Meet ZEISS CinCraft Scenario. Upcoming Event: Cine Gear Expo NY | March 14-16, 2024 Mark your calendars for March and head on out to the thriving Industry City complex along the Brooklyn Upper Bay waterside. Cine Gear’s studio-style event is gathering steam as state-of–the-art technology brands are preparing to reveal their latest and greatest gear in the historic Paper Factory Hall. Registration is now open for the event including educational Panels and Seminars. Learn more and free passes here Podcast Rewind: Dec. 2023 - Ep. 22… The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky. To promote your brand or products to over 8,500 leading Film & TV industry pros reading this newsletter, contact us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Dec 13, 2023 · 28 min
Jem Schofield on Production, Technology & Education
In this episode, we welcomed producer/director, DP and educator Jem Schofield. Jem has been a fixture in the industry for over twenty years — helping educate filmmakers about cinematography, lighting, cameras, lenses, producing, and much more. He’s also created content for leading groups such as NAB, LinkedIn Learning, AbelCine, Apple, B&H, Canon, RØDE, Sony, Westcott, and ZEISS. In our chat, Jem shares all about his journey into the business, what types of projects he works on, his educational content — and other insights on production workflows and technology. Check out Jem’s YouTube series here The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: Maximize the production power of AJA BRIDGE LIVE Whether facilitating remote production, two-way interviews, live event streaming, multi-cam backhaul, field contribution, confidence monitoring, collaborative production, or ABR ladder profiles, AJA BRIDGE LIVE supports many streaming and contribution codecs, including NDI, H.265, H.264, MPEG-2, JPEG 2000, and now JPEG XS. The device also includes support for RTMP, ST2022-7 hitless redundancy, and input auto-reconfiguration for video and audio formats. Learn more at www.aja.com/bridge-live New Life Cine is a marketplace committed to getting specialized, professional cinema equipment into the hands of creators and provides a safe, transparent, solution to sell gear that no longer has a place on your set. NLC is known for their technical expertise and consultations, intimate knowledge of used and resale values, and friendly ‘white glove’ service. They offer financing + escrow services for new and used gear. NLC believes that taking the uncertainty out of buying and selling used cinema equipment makes for happier filmmakers and lets the creativity flow! Check out all the gear here ZEISS CinCraft Scenario Meet the only real-time camera tracking system that works indoors and outdoors, on film sets, with green and blue screens and in LED volumes. That uses natural markers, reflective markers, and even digital markers on LED screens. That provides camera tracking data for real-time use and records it for post-production. And that integrates lens characteristics to skip the cumbersome lens calibration process. Meet ZEISS CinCraft Scenario. Featured Industry Event: Women in Media’s Annual Holiday Toast Women In Media, a leading organization dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within the entertainment industry, announces that its Annual Holiday Toast to Legendary Women in the Industry is being held on Dec 16, 2023 at the renowned Hotel Sofitel in Beverly Hills. 2023 Honorees include Natasha Foster-Owens, SVP, Production at HBO (Insecure, Divorce, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Staircase, Wizard of Lies) Jen Underdahl, VP: VFX at Marvel Studios (Loki, WandaVision, The Avengers), Stephanie Filo, Editor (2023 three-time Emmy Nominee for Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, A Black Lady Sketch Show, History of the World: Part II) and Dianne Farrington, Camera Operator on Moesha, Mad About You, The Nutty Professor, and Cinematographer on Making the Five Heartbeats. Learn more and reserve tickets here! Film Book of the Month: In the first ever behind-the-scenes story of Goodfellas, film critic Glenn Kenny chronicles the making and afterlife of the film that introduced America to the real modern gangster—brutal, ruthless, yet darkly appealing, the villain we can’t get enough of. Featuring interviews with the film’s major players, including Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, Made Men shines a light on the lives and stories wrapped up in the Goodfellas universe, and why its enduring legacy is still essential to charting the trajectory of American culture thirty years later. Browse here OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Visit here CSS Music is the go-to production Music Library for the Film, TV and A/V markets. CSS offers thousands of tracks in every genre and style — helping producers and editors score their latest projects with licensing to fit any budget, from Royalty-Free or needle drop to Gratis (free) for qualified projects. With its easy-to-use search capability, great service and high-quality music, CSS has continued to serve the community since 1982. Browse the collection: cssmusic.com Any questions? Email info@cssmusic.com Podcast Rewind: Nov. 2023 - Ep. 21… The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky. To promote your products to over 8,200 film & TV industry pros reading this newsletter, contact us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Nov 2, 2023 · 47 min
Filmmaker Martina Radwan on Documentary Cinematography
In this episode, we spoke with Emmy-nominated Cinematographer Martina Radwan. Martina has shot award-winning documentaries including The Last Year, Food and Country, The Social Dilemma, How to Survive a Pandemic, Hot Coffee, Arthur Miller: Writer, Saving Face, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and episodes of American Masters, Frontline, Independent Lens, and P.O.V. On the narrative front, her films include The Killing Floor, Personal Velocity, Love Liza, Nico Icon, and Wim Wenders’ Until the End of The World. In our chat, she shares her journey shooting projects all over the world, how she learned her craft, and insights on the art of documentary filmmaking today. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: AJA ColorBox: A powerhouse for color conversion Perform LUT-based color transformations with powerful video processing using AJA ColorBox in live, on-set, and post production environments. The compact device, which features 12G-SDI in/out and HDMI 2.0 out, provides advanced-level color science via the AJA Color Pipeline, as well as support for Colorfront, ORION-CONVERT, BBC, and NBCU color management approaches. Learn more here: www.aja.com/colorbox ZEISS introduces their new camera tracking system With CinCraft Scenario, ZEISS presents a new, powerful and flexible camera tracking system as part of their CinCraft ecosystem. Built upon NCAM’s unique tracking technology and ZEISS’ expertise in lens data, the camera tracking system introduces a user experience designed to match the film crew’s workflow and ease of use. Learn more here Film Book of the Month: The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood Chinatown is the Holy Grail of 1970s cinema. Its twist ending is the most notorious in American film and its closing line of dialogue the most haunting. Here for the first time is the incredible true story of its making. Looming over the story of this classic movie is the imminent eclipse of the '70s filmmaker-friendly studios as they gave way to the corporate Hollywood we know today. In telling that larger story, The Big Goodbye will take its place alongside classics like Easy Riders, Raging Bulls and The Devil's Candy as one of the great movie-world books ever written. Get a copy here OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Browse here Great Film & TV Music at No Cost to You! All you need to do is provide music cue sheets for your qualified projects. It’s Really That Simple. In addition to most TV Shows and Feature Films, even TV Pilots can qualify. We're not talking about music that sounds like it should be free, this is cutting-edge underscore used daily on a global basis by Hollywood's Major Film & TV Studios. Visit us here Podcast Rewind: October 2023 - Ep. 20… The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky. To promote your products or services to over 7,700 leading film & TV industry pros reading this newsletter, email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 23, 2023 · 41 min
Decentralized Pictures Co-Founders Share About Their Independent Film Production Company
In this episode, we spoke with Decentralized Pictures Co-Founders Leo Matchett and Mike Musante. Along with Roman Coppola, these three founded the innovative film production company that’s helping to fund many independent projects, as well as provide a home for mentorship and other support for emerging filmmakers. Mr. Matchett serves as CEO of the company and Mr. Musante as its Head of Production. In our conversation, Leo and Mike share their backstories and pathways into producing — plus the complete story of Decentralized Pictures. We also discussed the state of the independent film industry, and much more. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: Exciting new solutions and updates from AJA AJA rolled out powerful new products and updates this fall – from KONA X, its next-gen I/O card for ultra-low latency video capture/playback and Desktop Software v17 to a feature-packed AJA HDR Image Analyzer 12G update, and new 12G-SDI openGear conversion solutions. Get acquainted with the latest from AJA via the What’s New Page. ZEISS Conversations: Gather round, horror fans! Join us for ZEISS Conversations on Halloween as we explore the spine-chilling work of Cinematographer James Kniest! Be sure to register now to get the inside scoop on his projects such as the iconic Annabelle, which is the second installment of The Conjuring universe, and his spooky work on The Haunting of Bly Manor and American Horror Stories. Plus, get an exclusive look at what went into crafting Mike Flanagan’s 2022 “The Midnight Club,” including Kniest’s strategic selection of ZEISS Supreme Prime Radiance lenses. Don't miss out on the chance to learn from a master filmmaker who’ll share how he employs various camera techniques, lensing, lighting and composition for creating the most frightening scenes. Halloween has never looked scarier! Register now for an unforgettable and interactive virtual event on Oct 31st at 12pm PST. Sign up Here Film Book of the Month: American Cinematographer's Shot Craft: Lessons, Tips & Techniques on the Art and Science of Cinematography A collection of Jay Holben’s SHOT CRAFT column from American Cinematographer magazine. A treasured series of educational pieces on the art and science of cinematography. An extraordinary book for the film student and refresher for the seasoned pro, SHOT CRAFT is written in an easy-to-read tone that explains the technical and complicated in simple language. It is a must-have for everyone working in the art of visual storytelling in motion pictures. A curated selection from the first five years of SHOT CRAFT providing insights on: cinematography fundamentals, formats, exposure, lighting & electricity, optics, travel & locations, filmmaking techniques, relationships, communication and career. Available from Adakin Press: here OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Check it out here Great Film & TV Music at No Cost to You! All you need to do is provide music cue sheets for your qualified projects. It’s Really That Simple. In addition to most TV Shows & Feature Films, even TV Pilots can qualify. We're not talking about music that sounds like it should be free. This is cutting-edge underscore used daily on a global basis by Hollywood's Major Film & TV Studios. Browse here Podcast Rewind: October 2023 - Ep. 19… The Making Of is produced by Michael Valinsky. To promote your products or services to over 7,270 top film and TV industry pros receiving this newsletter, please email mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 16, 2023 · 49 min
Wolfgang Held ASC on Documentary Filmmaking, Learning From Maysles, & More
In this episode, we welcomed New York-based Cinematographer Wolfgang Held, ASC. Wolfgang has shot over 100 documentaries and feature films including The Andy Warhol Diaries, Joan Baez I Am a Noise, This Stolen Country of Mine, All In: The Fight for Democracy, The Fourth Estate, Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind, Particle Fever, Brüno, Teeth, and the Oscar-nominated documentary Children Underground. In our chat, Wolfgang shares about his early days, his journey into documentary filmmaking, his mentorship with Albert Maysles, thoughts on cinema verité, and much more. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: Exciting new solutions and updates from AJA AJA rolled out powerful new products and updates this fall – from KONA X, its next-gen I/O card for ultra-low latency video capture/playback and Desktop Software v17 to a feature-packed AJA HDR Image Analyzer 12G update, and new 12G-SDI openGear conversion solutions. Get acquainted with the latest from AJA via the What’s New Page. Film Festival This Week: Mallorca Film Festival — October 18-24th The Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival enters its 12th edition this week. This year marks the 2nd Annual Cinematography Focus, which includes Educational Panels, Workshops, Networking and Awards. Erik Messerschmidt, ASC will accept the festival’s Cinematography Icon Award this year — and ARRI joins as an official sponsor. The Mallorca Film Festival is recognized as "One of Europe's 10 Most Exciting Film Festivals" by The Guardian, as MovieMaker’s “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee” and appears on the 100 Best Reviewed Film Festival list on FilmFreeway! Learn more here Film Book of the Month: American Cinematographer's Shot Craft: Lessons, Tips & Techniques on the Art and Science of Cinematography A collection of Jay Holben’s SHOT CRAFT column from American Cinematographer magazine. A treasured series of educational pieces on the art and science of cinematography. An extraordinary book for the film student and refresher for the seasoned pro, SHOT CRAFT is written in an easy-to-read tone that explains the technical and complicated in simple language. It is a must-have for everyone working in the art of visual storytelling in motion pictures. A curated selection from the first five years of SHOT CRAFT providing insights on: cinematography fundamentals, formats, exposure, lighting & electricity, optics, travel & locations, filmmaking techniques, relationships, communication & career. Available from Adakin Press: here ZEISS Conversations with James Kniest Gather round, horror fans! Join us for ZEISS Conversations on Halloween as we explore the spine-chilling work of Cinematographer James Kniest! Be sure to register now to get the inside scoop on his projects such as the iconic "Annabelle," which is the second installment of "The Conjuring" universe, and his spooky work on “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and “American Horror Stories.” Plus, get an exclusive look at what went into crafting Mike Flanagan’s 2022 “The Midnight Club”, including Kniest’s strategic selection of ZEISS Supreme Prime Radiance lenses. Don't miss out on the chance to learn from a master filmmaker who will share how he employs various camera techniques, lensing, lighting, and composition for creating the most frightening scenes. Halloween has never looked scarier! Register now for an unforgettable and interactive virtual event on October 31st at 12pm PST. Sign up Here Great Film & TV Music at No Cost to You! All you need to do is provide music cue sheets for your qualified projects. It’s Really That Simple. In addition to most TV Shows and Feature Films, even some TV Pilots can qualify. We're not talking about music that sounds like it should be free. This is cutting-edge underscore used daily on a global basis by Hollywood's Major Film and TV Studios. Visit Zero Fee Music OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Check it out here Podcast Rewind: Sept. 2023 - Episode XVIII… The Making Of is produced by Michael Valinsky. To promote your products or services to over 6,700 top film, TV and video industry pros receiving this newsletter, email mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 26, 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
Filmmaker Scott Ressler Looks Back: From Barton Fink to Mulholland Drive
In this episode, we spoke at length with filmmaker Scott Ressler. Scott is an industry veteran who’s worked on projects including Barton Fink, Scream, Lost Highway, Who’s Harry Crumb?, Austin Powers, The End of Violence, The Straight Story, The Cider House Rules, Mulholland Drive, Inland Empire, I Heart Huckabees, Jarhead, Jurassic Park III, “Dexter” and “Twin Peaks” S3. Scott was also DP on David Lynch’s short film What Did Jack Do? featured on Netflix in 2020 — and is currently Chair of Cinematography at UNC School of Arts, a Top 10 film school in the U.S. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: AJA ColorBox: A powerhouse for color conversion Perform LUT-based color transformations with powerful video processing using AJA ColorBox in live, on-set, and post production environments. The compact device, which features 12G-SDI in/out and HDMI 2.0 out, provides advanced-level color science via the AJA Color Pipeline, as well as support for Colorfront, ORION-CONVERT, BBC, and NBCU color management approaches. Learn more here: www.aja.com/colorbox. NYC Cinematography Event: A Documentary DP Conversation On Sept. 28th, Foto Care Rentals will open its doors for the first of a brand-new Education & Networking Series in NYC. This evening event will focus on Documentary Cinematography. Moderated by filmmaker David Leitner, award-winning DPs Wolfgang Held ASC, Matt Porwoll and Martina Radwan will take us behind-the-scenes of shooting their latest projects. Join for the Panel, enjoy food & drink, and catch up with filmmaker friends — more info here! Film Book of the Month: Room to Dream In this unique hybrid of biography and memoir, David Lynch opens up for the first time about a life lived in pursuit of his singular vision, and the many heartaches and struggles he’s faced to bring his unorthodox projects to fruition. Lynch’s lyrical, intimate, and unfiltered personal reflections riff off biographical sections written by close collaborator Kristine McKenna and based on more than one hundred new interviews with surprisingly candid ex-wives, family members, actors, agents, musicians, and colleagues in various fields who all have their own takes on what happened. Room to Dream is a landmark book that offers a onetime all-access pass into the life and mind of one of our most enigmatic and utterly original living artists. Check it out here ZEISS introduces their new camera tracking system With CinCraft Scenario, ZEISS presents a new, powerful and flexible camera tracking system as part of their CinCraft ecosystem. Built upon NCAM’s unique tracking technology and ZEISS’ expertise in lens data, the camera tracking system introduces a user experience designed to match the film crew’s workflow and ease of use. Learn more here CSS Music is the go-to production Music Library for the entire Film, TV and A/V markets. CSS offers thousands of tracks in every genre and style — helping producers and editors score their latest productions with licensing to fit any budget, from Royalty-Free or needle drop to Gratis (free) for qualified projects. With its easy-to-use search capability, great service and high-quality music, CSS has continued to serve the community since 1982. Visit cssmusic.com Have questions? Contact us at info@cssmusic.com Upcoming Event: Cine Gear Atlanta | October 6-7, 2023 The industry’s most-renowned southern community event will return in October to Atlanta’s Trilith Studios with its hallmark exhibits, seminars and screenings! It's the event to attend to reconnect with colleagues, friends and collaborators. Learn more and free passes here OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Take a look here Podcast Rewind: Sept. 2023 - Episode XVII… The Making Of is produced by Michael Valinsky. To promote your products or services to over 6,500 leading film, TV and video industry pros, email mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 14, 2023 · 1 hr 19 min
Michael Cioni on Entrepreneurship, Technology, & His New Venture
In this episode, we welcomed workflow technology expert and entrepreneur, Michael Cioni. Michael has launched or played key roles at companies such as Plaster City Digital Post, Light Iron, Frame.io and Adobe — and is now building a brand-new startup, Strada. In our conversation, Michael shares his origin story — from growing up in Chicago, on through all his business and career chapters. Michael also sheds light on his latest venture — and how he plans to harness the power of A.I. to serve the production and post communities. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: AJA ColorBox: A powerhouse for color conversion Perform LUT-based color transformations with powerful video processing using AJA ColorBox in live, on-set, and post production environments. The compact device, which features 12G-SDI in/out and HDMI 2.0 out, provides advanced-level color science via the AJA Color Pipeline, as well as support for Colorfront, ORION-CONVERT, BBC, and NBCU color management approaches. Learn more here: www.aja.com/colorbox. Upcoming NYC Event: A Documentary DP Conversation On September 28th, Foto Care Rentals will open its doors for the first of a brand-new Education & Networking Series in NYC. The focus is Documentary Cinematography. Moderated by filmmaker David Leitner, award-winning DPs Wolfgang Held, ASC and Martina Radwan will take us behind-the-scenes of shooting their latest projects. Join for the Panel, enjoy local food and drink, product raffle, and catch up with filmmaker friends — learn more + register here! ZEISS introduces their new camera tracking system With CinCraft Scenario, ZEISS presents a new, powerful and flexible camera tracking system as part of their CinCraft ecosystem. Built upon NCAM’s unique tracking technology and ZEISS’ expertise in lens data, the camera tracking system introduces a user experience designed to match the film crew’s workflow and ease of use. Learn more here CSS Music is the go-to production Music Library for the entire Film, TV and A/V markets. CSS offers thousands of tracks in every genre and style — helping producers and editors score their latest productions with licensing to fit any budget, from Royalty-Free or needle drop to Gratis (free) for qualified projects. With its easy-to-use search capability, great service and high-quality music, CSS has continued to serve the community since 1982. Visit cssmusic.com Have questions? Contact us at info@cssmusic.com OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Take a look here Parrot Pro: The Ultimate On-the-Go Smartphone Teleprompter Made by the team at Padcaster, the ALL NEW Parrot Pro is a patented, ultra-compact, rugged, simple to use Teleprompter that transforms any IOS, Android smartphone into a storytelling powerhouse. Learn more here Podcast Rewind: August 2023 - Episode XVI… The Making Of is produced by Michael Valinsky. To promote your product or service to over 6,500 leading film, TV and video industry professionals, please contact mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 31, 2023 · 46 min
Cinematographer James Mathers Shares on A Life in the Industry
In this episode, we were fortunate to welcome Mr. James Mathers. James is both a longtime Cinematographer and is the founder of the Digital Cinema Society. In our conversation, James shares his story — from child actor, to meeting Walt Disney, his experiences working on the original “Frost/Nixon” interviews in the late-1970s, to shooting dozens of independent films and documentaries over the years. Some of the projects James has shot include The U.S. vs. John Lennon, Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of ‘Smile’, How Bruce Lee Changed the World, Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him?), and The Chicago 8. In addition to his films and the formation of the Digital Cinema Society, James talks about evolving technologies, recommendations for today’s filmmakers — and much more. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: Validating IMF Packages with the Oxagile Plug-in for AJA Diskover Media Edition AJA Diskover Media Edition provides a powerful, intuitive sustainable data management solution that integrates with a range of plug-ins, including Oxagile’s IMF Validator plug-in. With it, users can scan and validate IMF packages before final delivery from anywhere, cuing content creators and providers into when content is ready to share. For more information, visit here Upcoming Event Mallorca Film Festival — October 18-24th The Evolution Mallorca Int’l Film Festival enters its 12th edition this October. This year will also mark the 2nd Annual Cinematography Focus — including Educational Panels, Workshops, Networking and Awards. In addition, ARRI has joined as a lead festival sponsor. The Mallorca Film Festival is recognized as "One of Europe's 10 Most Exciting Film Festivals" by The Guardian, as MovieMaker’s “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee” and appears on the 100 Best Reviewed Film Festival list on FilmFreeway! More at evolutionfilmfestival.com ZEISS introduces their new camera tracking system With CinCraft Scenario, ZEISS presents a new, powerful and flexible camera tracking system as part of their CinCraft ecosystem. Built upon NCAM’s unique tracking technology and ZEISS’ expertise in lens data, the camera tracking system introduces a user experience designed to match the film crew’s workflow and ease of use. Learn more here CSS Music Boosts Its Library Service with Revolutionary A.I. Technology CSS Music has announced a brand-new feature for the community looking to score their projects. This new state-of-the-art A.I. technology powers search like never before — with incredible speed, accuracy and creativity. CSS Music President Michael Fuller shared, “I’ve been in this industry for over forty years and I’ve never quite seen anything like this. This will not only revolutionize the way we run our business, but it will change the way producers and editors search for music and handle their post workflows. Simply put, it’ll save everyone a lot of time and energy... and we are proud to offer this solution to the creative community.” To browse this new search tool, visit here In addition, CSS Music has announced their 1st Annual "Summer Post Special" for end-users working in post now. For only $199, creatives can acquire a 200-track “You Pick ‘em Plan” to score an unlimited number of projects with no restrictions. And as a bonus, they'll receive a copy of Tom Hanks’ new book, “The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece” absolutely free with their purchase! This is with fulfillment by Amazon. To inquire, call Mike Fuller at 1-800-468-6874. OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Take a look here CSS Music is the go-to production Music Library for Hollywood and the entire Film, TV and AV/Video markets. CSS offers thousands of tracks in every genre and style — helping producers and editors score their latest productions with licensing to fit any budget, from Royalty-Free or needle drop to Gratis (free) for qualified projects. With its easy-to-use search capability, great service and high-quality music, CSS has continued to serve the community since 1982. Visit cssmusic.com Any questions? Contact us at info@cssmusic.com Podcast Rewind: August 2023 - Episode XV… The Making Of is produced by Michael Valinsky. To promote your product or service to over 7,000 leading film, TV and video industry pros, reach out to mvalinsky@me.com The Making Of is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 18, 2023 · 1 hr 2 min
DIT Eli Berg on Workflow, Creativity & Collaboration
On this episode, we were joined by one of the most talented DIT’s in the business, Mr. Eli Berg. Eli has worked on films including The Invitation, Sleepless, The Hate U Give, Jojo Rabbit, The Harder They Fall, and Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis. He’s also worked on tons of music videos, episodic series, and commercials for top brands. In our chat, Eli shares all about his journey from Denver to building a career in Hollywood. We also learn about his role as a DIT, the technologies he uses, his keys to successful collaboration, and other perspectives from years on set… The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: Validating IMF Packages with the Oxagile Plug-in for AJA Diskover Media Edition AJA Diskover Media Edition provides a powerful, intuitive sustainable data management solution that integrates with a range of plug-ins, including Oxagile’s IMF Validator plug-in. With it, users can scan and validate IMF packages before final delivery from anywhere, cuing content creators and providers into when content is ready to share. For more information, visit here ZEISS introduces their new camera tracking system With CinCraft Scenario, ZEISS presents a new, powerful and flexible camera tracking system as part of their CinCraft ecosystem. Built upon NCAM’s unique tracking technology and ZEISS’ expertise in lens data, the camera tracking system introduces a user experience designed to match the film crew’s workflow and ease of use. Learn more here Upcoming Event: Cine Gear Atlanta | October 6-7, 2023 The industry’s most renowned southern filmmaking community event will return this October to Atlanta’s Trilith Studios with its hallmark exhibits, seminars and screenings! It's the event to attend to reconnect with colleagues, friends and collaborators. Check it out here Book of the Month: Masters of Light: Conversations with Contemporary Cinematographers Through conversations held with fifteen of the most accomplished contemporary cinematographers, the authors explore the working world of the person who controls the visual look and style of a film. This reissue includes a new foreword by cinematographer John Bailey and a new preface by the authors, which bring this classic guide to cinematography, in print for more than twenty-five years, into the twenty-first century. Get a copy here CSS Music is the go-to production Music Library for Hollywood and the entire Film, TV and AV/Video markets. CSS offers thousands of tracks in every genre and style — helping producers and editors score their latest productions with licensing to fit any budget, from Royalty-Free or needle drop to Gratis (free) for qualified projects. With its easy-to-use search capability, great service and high-quality music, CSS has continued to serve the community since 1982. Browse at cssmusic.com Any questions? Contact us at info@cssmusic.com OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Take a look here Podcast Rewind: August 2023 - Episode XIV… The Making Of is produced by Michael Valinsky. To feature your product or service, reach out to mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 15, 2023 · 1 hr
Cinematographer Richard Crudo, ASC on his Path from Brooklyn to Hollywood
In this episode, we spoke at length with cinematographer Richard Crudo, ASC. Richard has worked on an impressive list of projects including Raising Arizona, American Pie, American Buffalo, Presumed Innocent, Jungle Fever, Donnie Darko, Federal Hill, Outside Providence, “Justified” and “Jane the Virgin”. He also served for years as President of The ASC. In our chat, Richard shares about growing up in Brooklyn and his path to becoming a Hollywood cinematographer. We also learn about his cinematic influences, mentors, thoughts on technologies old and new — and insights from decades of making movies… The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: Validating IMF Packages with the Oxagile Plug-in for AJA Diskover Media Edition AJA Diskover Media Edition provides a powerful, intuitive sustainable data management solution that integrates with a range of plug-ins, including Oxagile’s IMF Validator plug-in. With it, users can scan and validate IMF packages before final delivery from anywhere, cuing content creators and providers into when content is ready to share. For more information, visit here ZEISS introduces their new camera tracking system With CinCraft Scenario, ZEISS presents a new, powerful and flexible camera tracking system as part of their CinCraft ecosystem. Built upon NCAM’s unique tracking technology and ZEISS’ expertise in lens data, the camera tracking system introduces a user experience designed to match the film crew’s workflow and ease of use. Learn more here Upcoming Event: Cine Gear Atlanta | October 6-7, 2023 The industry’s most renowned southern filmmaking community event will return this October to Atlanta’s Trilith Studios with its hallmark exhibits, seminars and screenings! It's the event to attend to reconnect with colleagues, friends and collaborators. Check it out here Book of the Month: Masters of Light: Conversations with Contemporary Cinematographers Through conversations held with fifteen of the most accomplished contemporary cinematographers, the authors explore the working world of the person who controls the visual look and style of a film. This reissue includes a new foreword by cinematographer John Bailey and a new preface by the authors, which bring this classic guide to cinematography, in print for more than twenty-five years, into the twenty-first century. Get a copy here CSS Music is the go-to production Music Library for Hollywood and the entire Film, TV and AV/Video markets. CSS offers thousands of tracks in every genre and style — helping producers and editors score their latest productions with licensing to fit any budget, from Royalty-Free or needle drop to Gratis (free) for qualified projects. With its easy-to-use search capability, great service and high-quality music, CSS has continued to serve the community since 1982. Browse at cssmusic.com Any questions? Contact us at info@cssmusic.com OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Take a look here Podcast Rewind: July 2023 - Episode XIII… The Making Of is produced by Michael Valinsky. To feature your products or services, contact mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 31, 2023 · 41 min
Sandra Lipski on the Making of the Mallorca Film Festival
In this episode, we spoke with actor, producer and founding director of the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival, Sandra Lipski. We heard Sandra’s story beginning with her early days in Europe, her solo journey to America to pursue acting — on to Los Angeles where much of her career took shape. On the festival front, we learned how she built the event from an idea to one of the most popular European film festivals in action today. An inspiring conversation to check out… The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: Flexible color management and conversion with AJA As color strategies evolve, AJA is advancing its tools to meet modern demands. Recent firmware updates bring ColorBox users an optional add-on license to expand Colorfront Engine processing options, and other improvements, while FS-HDR users gain Colorfront TV Mode and updates that support ARRI LogC4 transforms. Both solutions now support v1.6 BBC HLG LUTs. Visit aja.com ZEISS Conversations Aaron McLisky, ACS joins ZEISS Conversations on Thursday, August 3rd at 7pm EST. Aaron will share his expertise on cinematography, especially on his latest film "Talk To Me" that was filmed using ZEISS Supreme Primes! Aaron has also worked on a number of other projects, including the star-studded action thriller "Poker Face" and Seasons 2 & 3 of the acclaimed television drama "Mr. Inbetween" for Blue Tongue Films, Jungle Entertainment, Foxtel, and FX. The series garnered multiple AACTA Award nominations and worldwide praise, with critics praising Aaron's cinematography. Don't miss out on hearing Aaron's take on working with brothers Danny & Michael Philippou, directors of the film "Talk To Me"! Free registration here! Featured Event Preview: Cine Gear Atlanta | October 6-7, 2023 The industry’s most renowned southern filmmaking community event will return this October to Atlanta’s Trilith Studios with its hallmark exhibits, seminars and screenings! It's the event to attend to reconnect with colleagues, friends and collaborators. Stay tuned for more updates here! OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Check it out here CSS Music is the go-to production Music Library for Hollywood and the entire Film, TV and AV/Video markets. CSS offers thousands of tracks in every genre and style — helping producers and editors score their latest productions with licensing to fit any budget, from Royalty-Free or needle drop to Gratis (free) for qualified projects. With its easy-to-use search capability, great service and high-quality music, CSS has continued to serve the community since 1982! Browse at cssmusic.com Podcast Rewind: July 2023 - Episode XII… The Making Of is produced by Michael Valinsky. To feature your brand or products, reach out to mvalinsky@me.com The Making Of is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 27, 2023 · 43 min
Vimeo's Derick Rhodes Talks Community, A.I. and New Solutions
In this episode, we welcomed an industry veteran and trusted thought-leader, Mr. Derick Rhodes. Derick is Vimeo’s VP of Marketing and is involved in a lot of initiatives including helping shape the platform’s engagement with the creative community. In our conversation, we learn about Derick’s roots, his early inspirations, path to making films — on through his current role at Vimeo. We also chat about Vimeo’s latest solutions, his perspectives on A.I., and much more! The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: Flexible color management and conversion with AJA As color strategies evolve, AJA is advancing its tools to meet modern demands. Recent firmware updates bring ColorBox users an optional add-on license to expand Colorfront Engine processing options, and other improvements, while FS-HDR users gain Colorfront TV Mode and updates that support ARRI LogC4 transforms. Both solutions now support v1.6 BBC HLG LUTs. Visit aja.com Reprise! 2023 HBO Camera Assessment Series Screening Saturday, July 29th, 2023 ZEISS Cinematography, SMPTE Hollywood Section and the Digital Cinema Society invite you to a special screening of the HBO Camera Assessment Series. The HBO Camera Assessment Series, started over 10 years ago, was created to assist producers, directors, and cinematographers across the entire Warner Brothers Discovery family to select the most appropriate capture system for their productions. The goal of these highly objective and format agnostic tests is not to determine which camera system is “best”, but which best matches the needs of each individual production. DCS Founder James Mathers will moderate a Q&A following the screening with the HBO CAS team including: Suny Behar, Director/DP, HBO Camera Assessment Series, 2011-2023, Stephen Beres, HBO SVP of Production Operations – HBO CAS Executive Producer 2011-2023, (WB-Discovery), & Erik Hansen, HBO VP Media & Production Services - (WB-Discovery). Register for free here! 9:00 AM Networking Reception, 10:00 AM Program Begins. Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Linwood Dunn Theater Featured Film Book: Behind the Lens: Dispatches from the Cinematic Trenches, compiles nearly 100 of filmmaker Jay Holben’s best articles from American Cinematographer, Digital Video and TV Technology on everything from camera technology and lenses to tips and techniques for better lighting. This collection provides the tools you need to take your work to the next level and succeed in the world of cinematic motion imaging. Take a look here! CSS Music is the go-to production Music Library for Hollywood and the entire Film, TV and AV/Video markets. CSS offers thousands of tracks in every genre and style — helping producers and editors score their latest productions with licensing to fit any budget, from Royalty-Free or needle drop to Gratis (free) for qualified projects. With its easy-to-use search capability, great service and high-quality music, CSS has continued to serve the community since 1982! Browse at cssmusic.com OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Check it out here Featured Event Preview: Cine Gear Atlanta | October 6-7th, 2023 The industry’s most renowned southern filmmaking community event will return this October to Atlanta’s Trilith Studios with its hallmark exhibits, seminars and screenings! It's the event to attend to reconnect with colleagues, friends and collaborators. Stay tuned for more updates here! Podcast Rewind: July 2023 - Episode XI… The Making Of is created and hosted by Michael Valinsky. Reach out anytime at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 20, 2023 · 57 min
Cinematographer Matt Porwoll on a Career Shooting Documentaries
In this episode, we spoke with Emmy-award winning Cinematographer Matt Porwoll. Matt has worked on an impressive list of Documentaries including Cartel Land, Catching Lightning, LBJ: Triumph and Tragedy, Once Upon a Time in Uganda, Tiger, The Trade, Tigerland, At the Fork, The First Wave, The Way I See It, City of Ghosts, and By the People: The Election of Barack Obama. In our conversation, Matt shares all about his upbringing, his path to becoming a working cinematographer, experiences shooting all over the world, tips for new filmmakers, and much more. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: Flexible color management and conversion with AJA As color strategies evolve, AJA is advancing its tools to meet modern demands. Recent firmware updates bring ColorBox users an optional add-on license to expand Colorfront Engine processing options, and other improvements, while FS-HDR users gain Colorfront TV Mode and updates that support ARRI LogC4 transforms. Both solutions now support v1.6 BBC HLG LUTs. https://www.aja.com/family/color Film Book of the Month: In Hitchcock, film critic François Truffaut presents fifty hours of interviews with Alfred Hitchcock about the whole of his vast directorial career, from his silent movies in Great Britain to his color films in Hollywood. The result is a portrait of one of the greatest directors the world has ever known, an all-round specialist who masterminded everything, from the screenplay and the photography to the editing and the soundtrack. Hitchcock discusses the inspiration behind his films and the art of creating fear and suspense, as well as giving strikingly honest assessments of his achievements and failures, his doubts and hopes. This peek into the brain of one of cinema’s greats is a must-read for all film aficionados. Learn more here CSS Music is the go-to production Music Library for Hollywood and the entire Film, TV and AV/Video markets. CSS offers thousands of tracks in every genre and style — helping producers and editors score their latest productions with licensing to fit any budget, from Royalty-Free or needle drop to Gratis (free) for qualified projects. With its easy-to-use search capability, great service and high-quality music, CSS has continued to serve the community since 1982! Browse at www.cssmusic.com ZEISS Acquires Camera Tracking Pioneer Ncam Technologies ZEISS has acquired UK-based camera tracking pioneer Ncam Technologies Ltd. With this acquisition, ZEISS is expanding its technology portfolio specifically for the cinema, broadcast, and visual effects industries. Ncam's multi-award-winning hybrid camera tracking technology is an excellent complement to ZEISS' cinema product lineup of cine lenses and lens data related services in the CinCraft ecosystem.Together, ZEISS and Ncam are aiming to deliver outstanding, easy to use tracking and VFX solutions for professional production workflows. Read more here OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Check it out here Podcast Rewind: June 2023 - Episode X… The Making Of is created and hosted by Michael Valinsky. Reach out anytime at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 19, 2023 · 1 hr 3 min
Gaffer Jeff Murrell on His Life and Lighting Hollywood Blockbusters
In this episode, we welcomed one of the most talented Gaffers in the business, Mr. Jeff Murrell. Jeff joined us to share about his life and work on films including True Lies, Get Shorty, Men in Black, Gone in 60 Seconds, Lords of Dogtown, Live Free or Die Hard, Ted, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Seberg, Godzilla vs. Kong, The Tomorrow War, and Megalopolis! We learned about how Jeff got started in the business, how he learned his craft, his thoughts on the latest lighting technologies, and advice for new filmmakers. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems: As color pipelines evolve, the AJA FS-HDR and ColorBox keep pace. At NAB 2023, AJA announced support for the latest ARRI LogC4 color science along with updated Colorfront Live and TV Modes for real time SDR / HDR color space conversions. More information at www.aja.com/family/color Remembering Bryce It was just one month ago, on May 19th, 2023, that we lost a longtime friend and colleague, Bryce Button. Bryce was an incredibly smart, warm and generous person — and helped provide priceless advice over the years and as we launched this podcast. A heartfelt Thank You to Bryce for all your support and friendship. We will miss you. Film Festival of the Month: Mallorca Film Festival — October 18-24, 2023 The Evolution Mallorca Int’l Film Festival enters its 12th edition with a clear mission — Bridging Cultures, Bridging People. The festival is recognized as "One of Europe's 10 Most Exciting Film Festivals" by The Guardian, as MovieMaker’s “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee” six years in a row, and appears on the 100 Best Reviewed Film Festival list on FilmFreeway.com! EMIFF is helping shape a creative community, encouraging independent filmmakers to network and thrive in this idyllic Mediterranean island paradise. More at evolutionfilmfestival.com ZEISS Conversations with Jonathan Ingalls The next installment of ZEISS Conversations is coming up on Thursday, June 29 at 12pm PDT/ 3pm EDT! Their latest exciting episode is with Jonathan Ingalls, the renowned expert in the field of Documentary Cinematography. They'll start the conversation with his latest project: "100 Years of Warner Bros.," shot on ZEISS CP.3 and CZ.2 Cinema Zooms. At the end, they’ll have time to cover other favorites such as “Blackfish,” “The Imagineering Story,” and they’ll take questions from the audience. Register here Film Book of the Month To kick off our summer book series, we begin with Easy Riders, Raging Bulls. “When the low-budget biker movie Easy Rider shocked Hollywood with its success in 1969, a new Hollywood era was born. This was an age when talented young filmmakers such as Scorsese, Coppola, and Spielberg, along with a new breed of actors, including De Niro, Pacino, and Nicholson, became the powerful figures who would make such modern classics as The Godfather, Chinatown, Taxi Driver, & Jaws. Easy Riders, Raging Bulls follows the wild ride that was Hollywood in the '70s — an unabashed celebration of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll (both onscreen and off) and a climate where innovation and experimentation reigned supreme. Based on hundreds of interviews with the directors themselves, producers, stars, agents, writers, studio executives, spouses, and ex-spouses, this is the full, candid story of Hollywood's last golden age.” Pick up a copy here OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is the first of its kind, full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply and 11 ports, for additional ease and connectivity while on the Go. It’s a one-dock solution that works with all past, present and future Thunderbolt and USB devices and accessories. Browse here Podcast Rewind: May 2023 - Episode IX… Note: photo in thumbnail taken by Phil Caruso. On set of Megalopolis. The Making Of is created and hosted by Michael Valinsky. Reach out anytime at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe