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In this episode of The Making Of, recorded live at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival in Hollywood in October 2026, host Michael Valinsky moderates an engaging conversation with cinematographers Lowell A. Meyer (Other Mommy, Knock at the Cabin) and James Kniest (Annabelle, The Haunting of Bly Manor). Presented by ShotDeck, The Art of Horror Cinematography explores the creative and technical craft behind bringing horror to life on screen — from lighting and camera movement to building atmosphere, suspense, and visual tension. Both cinematographers share insights into their creative processes, collaborations with directors, and the art of creating unforgettable cinematic imagery. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: How Harvard scales sports production Go behind the scenes of Harvard Athletics’ production workflow and learn how it’s pushing the boundaries of live, cross-platform sports storytelling. Read the full interview to find out how NDI/SDI gateway, streaming, fiber/SDI conversion and USB 3.0 capture devices from AJA streamline its day-to-day operations, saving countless hours and headaches. How to Choose the Right Desktop Storage for Video Workflows For video and post-production professionals, choosing desktop storage comes down to balancing capacity, speed, and connectivity. This guide breaks down when HDD, SSD, single-bay, multi-bay, USB, and Thunderbolt solutions make the most sense, helping you match your storage to active editing, backup, archive, and high-performance post workflows. Learn more here What’s Better Than Royalty Free Music? Unlimited music uses in unlimited productions. One straightforward license. And now free Sound FX too! CSS Music gives filmmakers and content creators access to music from human composers, backed by a broad standard license with unlimited uses, unlimited productions, and no time limits. Find the right track faster with powerful search options, then customize it for your production with custom-length and stem extraction tools. Plus, easily create playlists and generate cue sheets—all designed to make music licensing and production simpler. No hassles. No surprises. Just great music and tools built for creators. Explore here or email us at [email protected] 2026 Women In Media Holiday Toast December 5 | Beverly Hills, CA Raise a glass on December 5th at the Women In Media Holiday Toast! Join us in honoring trailblazers Cybel Martin, ASC, cinematographer; Laura Karpman, award-winning composer; and Tessa Blake, director, producer, and writer. Enjoy a champagne brunch, engaging honoree panel, and silent auction— as well as tributes celebrating these legends! Get tickets here. ATOMOS SUMO PRO-19 The ATOMOS SUMO PRO-19 combines a 19-inch 4K HDR DCI-P3 monitor, multi-camera recorder, and live switcher into one powerful solution for on-set review and video village workflows. With four SDI inputs, ISO recording, NDI HX3, ProRes/DNx/ProRes RAW recording, advanced monitoring tools, and XLR audio, it delivers a complete monitor-record-switch workflow for modern production. Learn more by calling Videoguys at 800-323-2325. Visit here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Read more here Podcast Rewind: Oct. 2026 - Ep. 154. Advertise with The Making Of: Reach 275,000 film industry, broadcast pros, and content creators reading this newsletter. To explore advertising, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome Daniel Garber ACE, editor of the new A24 film Primetime, directed by Lance Oppenheim and starring Robert Pattinson. In our conversation, Daniel shares his journey into filmmaking, his approach to storytelling through editing, and the making of Primetime. He also discusses his longtime collaboration with Oppenheim, the creative decisions behind shaping the film’s pacing and tension, and the editing tools and techniques used throughout the production. Daniel also offers valuable insights and advice for the next generation of filmmakers. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: How Harvard scales sports production Go behind the scenes of Harvard Athletics’ production workflow and learn how it’s pushing the boundaries of live, cross-platform sports storytelling. Read the full interview to find out how NDI/SDI gateway, streaming, fiber/SDI conversion and USB 3.0 capture devices from AJA streamline its day-to-day operations, saving countless hours and headaches. How to Choose the Right Desktop Storage for Video Workflows For video and post-production professionals, choosing desktop storage comes down to balancing capacity, speed, and connectivity. This guide breaks down when HDD, SSD, single-bay, multi-bay, USB, and Thunderbolt solutions make the most sense, helping you match your storage to active editing, backup, archive, and high-performance post workflows. Learn more here What’s Better Than Royalty Free Music? Unlimited music. Unlimited productions. One straightforward license. CSS Music gives filmmakers and content creators access to music from human composers, backed by a broad standard license with unlimited uses, unlimited productions, and no time limits. Find the right track faster with 8 powerful search options, then customize it for your production with custom-length and stem extraction tools. Plus, easily create playlists and generate cue sheets—all designed to make music licensing and production simpler. No hassles. No surprises. Just great music and tools built for creators. Explore here or email us at [email protected] Film Threat Compendium — Kickstarter! Launched in 1985, FILM THREAT magazine established itself as the most respected authority in covering cult, underground and independent cinema. Our upcoming Compendium and Digital Archive celebrate the spirit of true indie film. This project is about preserving the cinema history you care about, and we need your help to bring it to life! Learn more here ATOMOS SUMO PRO-19 The ATOMOS SUMO PRO-19 combines a 19-inch 4K HDR DCI-P3 monitor, multi-camera recorder, and live switcher into one powerful solution for on-set review and video village workflows. With four SDI inputs, ISO recording, NDI HX3, ProRes/DNx/ProRes RAW recording, advanced monitoring tools, and XLR audio, it delivers a complete monitor-record-switch workflow for modern production. Learn more by calling Videoguys at 800-323-2325. Visit here Podcast Rewind: Oct. 2026 - Ep. 153. Advertise with The Making Of: Reach 275,000 film industry, broadcast production pros, and content creators reading this weekly newsletter. To explore advertising, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we talk with director Kate Dolan about SOULM8TE, the latest addition to the M3GAN universe, produced by James Wan. Kate, whose previous work includes the acclaimed horror feature You Are Not My Mother, takes us inside the making of SOULM8TE, discussing her approach to directing and storytelling, and how she collaborated with her creative team to shape the film’s distinctive visual style and atmosphere. She also reflects on her journey as a filmmaker and shares advice for the next generation of directors and storytellers. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: How Harvard scales sports production Go behind the scenes of Harvard Athletics’ production workflow and learn how it’s pushing the boundaries of live, cross-platform sports storytelling. Read the full interview to find out how NDI/SDI gateway, streaming, fiber/SDI conversion and USB 3.0 capture devices from AJA streamline its day-to-day operations, saving countless hours and headaches. Featured Book: OWEN ROIZMAN: LIFE BEHIND THE CAMERA Learn the art and craft of cinematography from a modern master: OWEN ROIZMAN. From how he launched his career in New York City to accepting an Academy Award for a lifetime of exceptional artistry. From The French Connection to The Exorcist to Network to Tootsie to Wyatt Earp — all Oscar-nominated examples of his expert camerawork. With 328 pages and hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes images from Roizman's personal archive, this new biography is a must-have as the cinematographer discusses his approach to visual storytelling, innovative lighting techniques, and key collaborations with directors including William Friedkin, Sydney Pollack and Lawrence Kasdan. Throughout, Roizman’s candid take on the cinematographer’s role provides rare insight on the filmmaking process. Visit here How to Choose the Right Desktop Storage for Video Workflows: For video and post-production professionals, choosing desktop storage comes down to balancing capacity, speed, and connectivity. This guide breaks down when HDD, SSD, single-bay, multi-bay, USB, and Thunderbolt solutions make the most sense, helping you match your storage to active editing, backup, archive, and high-performance post workflows. Learn more here What’s Better Than Royalty Free Music? Unlimited music. Unlimited productions. One straightforward license. CSS Music gives filmmakers and content creators access to music from human composers, backed by a broad standard license with unlimited uses, unlimited productions, and no time limits. Find the right track faster with 8 powerful search options, then customize it for your production with custom-length and stem extraction tools. Plus, easily create playlists and generate cue sheets—all designed to make music licensing and production simpler. No hassles. No surprises. Just great music and tools built for creators. Explore here or email us at [email protected] ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Visit here Meet G-RAID PROJECT 2 G-RAID PROJECT 2 delivers high-performance storage for demanding video workflows. With dual 7200RPM Ultrastar enterprise-class drives, Thunderbolt 3, and capacities up to 52TB, it’s built for 4K, 8K, VR, and content-intensive projects. Shop at Videoguys or call 800-323-2325 for expert advice. Visit here Podcast Rewind: Sept. 2026 - Ep. 152. Advertise with The Making Of: Reach 275,000 film industry, broadcast production pros, and content creators reading this weekly newsletter. To explore advertising, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome four-time Emmy Award winner David X. Cohen, co-creator, executive producer and head writer of Futurama. David takes us inside the making of the iconic animated series, from its origins and his longtime collaboration with Matt Groening on The Simpsons, to the creative process behind Futurama and its new season. He also shares insights and advice for today’s writers and creators developing their own original work. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Tackle production problems head-on with AJA’s latest products From FS8 to OG-FiDO-4, AJA’s newest products address modern production demands. A 12G-SDI/SMPTE ST 2110 Media Processor, FS8 delivers powerful tools for navigating mismatched frame rates, rasters, and color spaces, streamlining audio routing, and more. OG-FiDO-4 openGear four-channel SDI/Fiber conversion cards let teams extend SDI infrastructure over fiber. Explore here Vimeo Announces 2nd Annual Short Film Grant Launched in 2025, this initiative supports the production of artistically driven short films by awarding five emerging filmmakers with money, mentorship, and access to gear for the production of their next short film projects. Following this open call for submissions, a dream team jury featuring Koganada, Josephine Decker, Pete Ohs, Sarah Winshall, and Jomo Fray, ASC will select five winners to each receive a $60,000 cash production grant, access to select Panavision camera packages and OWC storage, one-on-one mentorship with the jury, screenings, distribution and promotion on Vimeo, and more. With support from Panavision, OWC, AJA Video Systems, and ShotDeck. Explore here Post|Production World New York Oct. 20-21 | New York, NY Post|Production World New York returns to NAB Show New York, Oct 20-21 at the Javits Center. Two days of high-impact training in editing, motion graphics, AI workflows, & visual storytelling, taught by the industry’s leading trainers in Premiere, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, and Cinema 4D. Discount Code: PPWTMO Visit here Build Your RAID. Save While You Do It. The OWC Express 4M2 gives video and post professionals a flexible four-slot NVMe RAID solution with speeds up to 3200MB/s, support for up to 32TB today, and near-silent adaptive cooling. Choose your own NVMe drives and configure the storage your workflow needs. Right now, the Express 4M2 enclosure is on sale starting at just $178.99 Explore here Cineverse Oct. 16-17 | Rome, Italy Cinematography, technology, and the next generation - at the iconic Cinecittà Studios, Rome. Join us for Cineverse from 16–17 October 2026. Two days of exhibition, technology, AIC IMAGO panels, Frame Bar sessions and networking. Discover the people, ideas and innovations shaping the future of cinematography, from established industry voices to the next generation of talent. Visit here What’s Better Than Royalty Free Music? Music That Enhances Your Creative Experience. Unlimited music. Unlimited productions. One straightforward license. CSS Music gives filmmakers and content creators access to music from human composers, backed by a broad standard license with unlimited uses, unlimited productions, and no time limits. Find the right track faster with 8 powerful search options, then customize it for your production with custom-length and stem extraction tools. Plus, easily create playlists and generate cue sheets—all designed to make music licensing and production simpler. No hassles. No surprises. Just great music and tools built for creators. Explore here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Visit here Meet G-RAID PROJECT 2 G-RAID PROJECT 2 delivers high-performance storage for demanding video workflows. With dual 7200RPM Ultrastar enterprise-class drives, Thunderbolt 3, and capacities up to 52TB, it’s built for 4K, 8K, VR, and content-intensive projects. Shop at Videoguys or call 800-323-2325 for expert advice. Visit here Podcast Rewind: Sept. 2026 - Ep. 151. Partner with The Making Of: Reach 275,000 film industry, broadcast pros, and content creators reading this newsletter. To explore advertising opportunities, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Making Of, we’re joined by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, the writer-director team behind Vacation, Game Night, and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, to go behind the scenes of their latest film, Apple TV’s MAYDAY, starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh. John and Jonathan take us inside the making of MAYDAY, reflect on the creative partnership they’ve built across more than a decade, and share advice for the next generation of filmmakers. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Tackle production problems head-on with AJA’s latest products From FS8 to OG-FiDO-4, AJA’s newest products address modern production demands. A 12G-SDI/SMPTE ST 2110 Media Processor, FS8 delivers powerful tools for navigating mismatched frame rates, rasters, and color spaces, streamlining audio routing, and more. OG-FiDO-4 openGear four-channel SDI/Fiber conversion cards let teams extend SDI infrastructure over fiber. Explore here What’s Better Than Royalty Free Music? Music That Enhances Your Creative Experience. Unlimited music. Unlimited productions. One straightforward license. CSS Music gives filmmakers and content creators access to music from human composers, backed by a broad standard license with unlimited uses, unlimited productions, and no time limits. Find the right track faster with 8 powerful search options, then customize it for your production with custom-length and stem extraction tools. Plus, easily create playlists and generate cue sheets—all designed to make music licensing and production simpler. No hassles. No surprises. Just great music and tools built for creators. Explore here Post|Production World New York Oct. 20-21 | New York, NY Post|Production World New York returns to NAB Show New York, October 20-21 at the Javits Center. Two days of high-impact training in editing, motion graphics, AI workflows, and visual storytelling, taught by the industry’s leading trainers in Premiere, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, and Cinema 4D. Discount Code: PPWTMO Register here A Solution Built Around Your Workflow The OWC Express 4M2 Ultra is available in a range of configurations to fit your workflow and budget. Choose from ready-to-run solutions with up to 32TB of high-performance NVMe storage, giving you the speed, capacity, and reliability needed for everything from multi-camera editing to demanding VFX and finishing workflows. Available now. Explore here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Visit here Meet G-RAID PROJECT 2 G-RAID PROJECT 2 delivers high-performance storage for demanding video workflows. With dual 7200RPM Ultrastar enterprise-class drives, Thunderbolt 3, and capacities up to 52TB, it’s built for 4K, 8K, VR, and content-intensive projects. Shop at Videoguys or call 800-323-2325 for expert advice. Visit here Podcast Rewind: Sept. 2026 - Ep. 150. Partner with The Making Of: Reach 275K film industry, broadcast pros, and content creators reading this newsletter. To explore advertising opportunities, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Carlson Young to discuss her latest feature, The Last Sunrise, and her evolution from actor to director. Carlson reflects on her early years in front of the camera, including Scream: The TV Series and Emily in Paris, and how those experiences shaped her instincts as a filmmaker. She also takes us inside the making of The Last Sunrise, her collaboration with cinematographer Rob Givens, and shares advice for emerging filmmakers building their own careers. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Tackle production problems head-on with AJA’s latest products From FS8 to OG-FiDO-4, AJA’s newest products address modern production demands. A 12G-SDI/SMPTE ST 2110 Media Processor, FS8 delivers powerful tools for navigating mismatched frame rates, rasters, and color spaces, streamlining audio routing, and more. OG-FiDO-4 openGear four-channel SDI/Fiber conversion cards let teams extend SDI infrastructure over fiber. Explore here OWC @ IBC 2026 OWC is bringing new storage and connectivity built for demanding video workflows to IBC 2026, including the Thunderbolt 5 Dock with Dual HDMI and the USB4 Hub. Stop by the booth to go hands-on with the gear and talk shop with the team. Learn more here SportStream Sept. 15 | Virtual SportStream is a three-day event featuring vendors and experts focused on the impact of live streaming and production in today’s dynamic world of sports. Discover tips, tricks, and tools for remote production, live video streaming, professional graphics, and instant replay — all designed to help you capture the action and excitement of every game. From schools to pro leagues, we’re here to provide you with everything you need to elevate your sports productions and live streams. Join us September 15 – 17th, 2026! Your FREE one-time registration gains you access to three days of informative webinars, interviews with industry guests, live demos, chances to win great prizes, and more! Register here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Visit here Meet G-RAID PROJECT 2 G-RAID PROJECT 2 delivers high-performance storage for demanding video workflows. With dual 7200RPM Ultrastar enterprise-class drives, Thunderbolt 3, and capacities up to 52TB, it’s built for 4K, 8K, VR, and content-intensive projects. Shop at Videoguys or call 800-323-2325 for expert advice. Visit here Podcast Rewind: Aug. 2026 - Ep. 149. Partner with The Making Of: Reach 275,000 film industry, broadcast pros, and content creators reading this weekly newsletter. To explore advertising opportunities, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome Sara DeWitt, SVP & GM of PBS KIDS and Education, for a wide-ranging conversation about her background and career, her leadership role at PBS KIDS, and the organization’s mission to educate and inspire children nationwide. We discuss current and back-to-school programming, supporting early literacy, and how PBS KIDS is navigating funding challenges while continuing its educational mission. Sara also shares her perspective on the future of children’s media, education, and much more. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Futureproofing with IP video As production workflows rapidly evolve, IP video is key to building more scalable, future-ready pipelines. To get up to speed on the IP fundamentals and gain insights into the various IP paths – like ST 2110, NDI, Dante AV, and SRT – download AJA’s free IP video white paper today. SportStream Sept. 15 | Virtual SportStream is a three-day event featuring vendors and experts focused on the impact of live streaming and production in today’s dynamic world of sports. Discover tips, tricks, and tools for remote production, live video streaming, professional graphics, and instant replay — all designed to help you capture the action and excitement of every game. From schools to pro leagues, we’re here to provide you with everything you need to elevate your sports productions and live streams. Join us Sept 15–17th! Your FREE registration gains you access to three days of informative webinars, interviews with industry guests, live demos, chances to win great prizes, and more! Register here A Solution Built Around Your Workflow The OWC Express 4M2 Ultra is available in a range of configurations to fit your workflow and budget. Choose from ready-to-run solutions with up to 32TB of high-performance NVMe storage, giving you the speed, capacity, and reliability needed for everything from multi-camera editing to demanding VFX and finishing workflows. Available now. Explore here Elgato Prompter XL The Elgato Prompter XL is a professional all-in-one teleprompter with a 15.6” removable display and a reading range of up to 15 feet. Featuring USB 3.2 connectivity and broad compatibility, it’s ideal for live productions and content creation. Available now at Videoguys.com—call 800-323-2325 to learn more. Learn more here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Explore here Podcast Rewind: Aug. 2026 - Ep. 148. Partner with The Making Of: Reach 275,000+ film production industry, broadcast pros, and content creators reading this weekly newsletter. To explore advertising, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome Sophie Darlington ASC, an award-winning cinematographer whose remarkable career has taken her around the world capturing wildlife and the natural world. In our conversation, she takes us behind the scenes of LION, sharing how she filmed the documentary over the course of four years in the wild, and what went into bringing the Jon Favreau–executive-produced project to life. She discusses the technologies used to craft the film’s stunning imagery, along with the challenges of this type of production. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Futureproofing with IP video As production workflows rapidly evolve, IP video is key to building more scalable, future-ready pipelines. To get up to speed on the IP fundamentals and gain insights into the various IP paths – like ST 2110, NDI, Dante AV, and SRT – download AJA’s free IP video white paper today. Post|Production World New York Oct. 20-21 | New York Sharpen your edit, your motion graphics, and your AI workflow in two days. Post|Production World New York brings certified trainers and working pros to NAB Show New York, October 20-21, with hands-on sessions in Premiere, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, and Cinema 4D. Registration includes show floor access. Discount Code: PPWTMO Register here A Solution Built Around Your Workflow The OWC Express 4M2 Ultra is available in a range of configurations to fit your workflow and budget. Choose from ready-to-run solutions with up to 32TB of high-performance NVMe storage, giving you the speed, capacity, and reliability needed for everything from multi-camera editing to demanding VFX and finishing workflows. Available now. Explore here Elgato Prompter XL The Elgato Prompter XL is a professional all-in-one teleprompter with a 15.6” removable display and a reading range of up to 15 feet. Featuring USB 3.2 connectivity and broad compatibility, it’s ideal for live productions and content creation. Available now at Videoguys.com—call 800-323-2325 to learn more. Explore here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Read more here Podcast Rewind: July 2026 - Ep. 147. Partner with The Making Of: Reach 275,000+ film industry, broadcast pros, and content creators reading this weekly newsletter. To explore advertising, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome co-directors Christian Hurley and Ben Oliphint, and producer Matt Wassong—the filmmakers behind the horror feature A Most Atrocious Thing, made for just $8,000 and ultimately landing distribution on Roku and other platforms. In our conversation, the team shares the inspiration behind the film, writing it during the pandemic, shooting the feature on a shoestring budget, and navigating its evolving post-production process. They also demystify indie film distribution—sharing their experiences on the festival circuit, making a key connection at Tubi, and other secrets behind the film’s success. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Futureproofing with IP video As production workflows rapidly evolve, IP video is key to building more scalable, future-ready pipelines. To get up to speed on the IP fundamentals and gain insights into the various IP paths – like ST 2110, NDI, Dante AV, and SRT – download AJA’s free IP video white paper today. Screamfest 2026 October 6-15 | Los Angeles, CA Ready for a thrill? Screamfest returns October 6–15 with ten nights of spine-chilling world premieres, terrifying shorts, and exclusive filmmaker Q&As and panels. Catch the newest discoveries in horror on the big screen before anyone else. Don’t wait—secure your festival passes and tickets today before they sell out! Learn more here A Solution Built Around Your Workflow The OWC Express 4M2 Ultra is available in a range of configurations to fit your workflow and budget. Choose from ready-to-run solutions with up to 32TB of high-performance NVMe storage, giving you the speed, capacity, and reliability needed for everything from multi-camera editing to demanding VFX and finishing workflows. Available now. Explore here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Read more here Elgato Prompter XL The Elgato Prompter XL is a professional all-in-one teleprompter with a 15.6” removable display and a reading range of up to 15 feet. Featuring USB 3.2 connectivity and broad compatibility, it’s ideal for live productions and content creation. Available now at Videoguys.com—call 800-323-2325 to learn more. Explore here Podcast Rewind: July 2026 - Ep. 146. Partner with The Making Of: Reach 275K film production industry, broadcast pros, and content creators reading this newsletter. To explore advertising, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome the creative team behind the 19-time Emmy-nominated Apple TV series Widow’s Bay—cinematographer Christian Sprenger ASC, editor Isaac Hagy ACE, and production sound mixer Kevin S. Parker. In our conversation, Christian, Isaac, and Kevin take us behind the scenes of the series, sharing how they helped create its distinctive blend of horror, comedy, mystery, and character. They break down the elements that shape the world of Widow’s Bay, while exploring their collaboration, and the tools and techniques behind some of the series’ most memorable moments. They also offer advice for students and filmmakers looking to improve their craft and grow their careers. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Futureproofing with IP video As production workflows rapidly evolve, IP video is key to building more scalable, future-ready pipelines. To get up to speed on the IP fundamentals and gain insights into the various IP paths – like ST 2110, NDI, Dante AV, and SRT – download AJA’s free IP video white paper today. A Solution Built Around Your Workflow The OWC Express 4M2 Ultra is available in a range of configurations to fit your workflow and budget. Choose from ready-to-run solutions with up to 32TB of high-performance NVMe storage, giving you the speed, capacity, and reliability needed for everything from multi-camera editing to demanding VFX and finishing workflows. Available now. Learn more here Elgato Prompter XL The Elgato Prompter XL is a professional all-in-one teleprompter with a 15.6” removable display and a reading range of up to 15 feet. Featuring USB 3.2 connectivity and broad compatibility, it’s ideal for live productions and content creation. Available now at Videoguys.com—call 800-323-2325 to learn more. Explore here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Read more here Podcast Rewind: July 2026 - Ep. 145. Advertise with The Making Of: Reach 270K film production industry, broadcast professionals, and content creators reading this newsletter. To explore advertising, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome Lowell A. Meyer, cinematographer of Other Mommy, Tuner, Knock at the Cabin, Thunder Road, and the Apple TV+ series Servant. In our conversation, Lowell shares his early inspirations, his journey to becoming a feature film cinematographer, and about the making of Tuner and Other Mommy. He also breaks down the tools and techniques used on Tuner, offering behind-the-scenes insights into his creative process, as well as invaluable advice for the next generation of filmmakers. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Futureproofing with IP video As production workflows rapidly evolve, IP video is key to building more scalable, future-ready pipelines. To get up to speed on the IP fundamentals and gain insights into the various IP paths – like ST 2110, NDI, Dante AV, and SRT – download AJA’s free IP video white paper today. A Solution Built Around Your Workflow The OWC Express 4M2 Ultra is available in a range of configurations to fit your workflow and budget. Choose from ready-to-run solutions with up to 32TB of high-performance NVMe storage, giving you the speed, capacity, and reliability needed for everything from multi-camera editing to demanding VFX and finishing workflows. Available now. Learn more here Cost Effective Sports Video Production Guide Hosted by Key Code Media Thursday, August 6 | 1-2PM EDT Mid-tier sports programs, college athletics departments, and K-12 media teams are being asked to produce more live content for traditional and emerging sports with less time, fewer staff, and tighter budgets. The challenge is not just finding the right gear. It is building a production workflow that looks professional, is easy to operate, and can be used consistently by staff, students, and volunteers without requiring a large technical team. In this Broadcast2Post Live Podcast, host Michael Kammes will be joined by Dennis Trapani, Associate Athletics Director for Broadcast and Video Production at the University of Wyoming. Together, they will explore how schools and organizations are creating broadcast-quality sports productions using cost-effective tools, practical system design, and streamlined workflows. Register here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Read more here Elgato Prompter XL The Elgato Prompter XL is a professional all-in-one teleprompter with a 15.6” removable display and a reading range of up to 15 feet. Featuring USB 3.2 connectivity and broad compatibility, it’s ideal for live productions and content creation. Available now at Videoguys.com—call 800-323-2325 to learn more. Explore here Podcast Rewind: July 2026 - Ep. 144. Explore a Partnership with The Making Of: Reach 270,000 film production industry, broadcast professionals, and content creators reading this weekly newsletter. To learn more, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome Natasha Braier ASC, ADF, the cinematographer behind acclaimed films such as She Said, Honey Boy, The Neon Demon, Gloria Bell, and I Love Boosters. In our conversation, Natasha shares her journey from her roots in Argentina to building a career in Los Angeles, along with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of I Love Boosters, directed by Boots Riley. She also discusses DeepLight, the cinematography community she founded, and offers thoughtful advice for the next generation of filmmakers. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: Futureproofing with IP video As production workflows rapidly evolve, IP video is key to building more scalable, future-ready pipelines. To get up to speed on the IP fundamentals and gain insights into the various IP paths – like ST 2110, NDI, Dante AV, and SRT – download AJA’s free IP video white paper today. A Solution Built Around Your Workflow The OWC Express 4M2 Ultra is available in a range of configurations to fit your workflow and budget. Choose from ready-to-run solutions with up to 32TB of high-performance NVMe storage, giving you the speed, capacity, and reliability needed for everything from multi-camera editing to demanding VFX and finishing workflows. Available now. Learn more here Intelligent Production Hub New this summer from the Intelligent Production Hub: hands-on training in the AI and real-time tools working productions run on. Intro to NVIDIA NvRTX (Jul 29), AI Video Creators Workshop (Aug 7), AI Creativity with Comfy (Aug 12), plus role-based AI sessions for editing, VFX, sound, and design. See the full schedule here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Read more here Elgato Prompter XL The Elgato Prompter XL is a professional all-in-one teleprompter with a 15.6” removable display and a reading range of up to 15 feet. Featuring USB 3.2 connectivity and broad compatibility, it’s ideal for live productions and content creation. Available now at Videoguys.com—call 800-323-2325 to learn more. Explore here Podcast Rewind: July 2026 - Ep. 143. Explore a Partnership with The Making Of: Reach over 270,000 film production industry, broadcast professionals, and content creators reading this newsletter. To learn more, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome cinematographer Nik Summerer ASC, best known for his work on the critically acclaimed series Dark, as well as 1899 and the feature film Color Book, now streaming on Netflix. In our conversation, Nik shares his journey into cinematography, reflecting on his influences and the path that led him behind the camera. We take a deep dive into the making of Color Book, exploring his visual storytelling approach, the techniques he employed, and the tools he used to bring this striking black-and-white drama to life. Nik also offers real-world advice for students and emerging filmmakers looking to build a career in the industry. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: AJA introduces high-performance Thunderbolt™ 5-enabled PCIe expansion chassis Meet Io Xpand, a Thunderbolt 5 expansion chassis for AJA KONA and Corvid I/O cards. Io Xpand lets video professionals integrate the performance of AJA PCIe I/O cards on Thunderbolt 5 laptops and mini-PCs for an incredibly powerful, fast, and portable I/O solution for on set, remote production, and live switching. Visit here Intelligent Production Hub New this summer from the Intelligent Production Hub: hands-on training in the AI and real-time tools working productions run on. Intro to NVIDIA NvRTX (Jul 29), AI Video Creators Workshop (Aug 7), AI Creativity with Comfy (Aug 12), plus role-based AI sessions for editing, VFX, sound, and design. See the full schedule here A Solution Built Around Your Workflow The OWC Express 4M2 Ultra is available in a range of configurations to fit your workflow and budget. Choose from ready-to-run solutions with up to 32TB of high-performance NVMe storage, giving you the speed, capacity, and reliability needed for everything from multi-camera editing to demanding VFX and finishing workflows. Available now. Learn more here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Read more here Elgato Prompter XL The Elgato Prompter XL is a professional all-in-one teleprompter with a 15.6" removable display and a reading range of up to 15 feet. Featuring USB 3.2 connectivity and broad compatibility, it's ideal for live productions and content creation. Available now at Videoguys.com—call 800-323-2325 to learn more. Explore here Podcast Rewind: July 2026 - Ep. 142. Explore a Partnership with The Making Of: Reach over 275,000 film production industry, broadcast professionals, and content creators reading this newsletter. To learn more, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome director Connie He and Google DeepMind’s Márcia Mayer to discuss the making of Dear Upstairs Neighbors, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival in June. Connie and Márcia, both Pixar alumni, embarked on a creative journey to explore how emerging technologies could help bring Connie’s story and artistic vision to life. In our conversation, they discuss their respective roles in the project, the collaborative process behind this unique animated film, DeepMind’s mission to empower creators through cutting-edge technology, and what they learned along the way. They also share advice for the next generation of storytellers navigating today’s rapidly evolving creative landscape. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: AJA introduces high-performance Thunderbolt™ 5-enabled PCIe expansion chassis Meet Io Xpand, a Thunderbolt 5 expansion chassis for AJA KONA and Corvid I/O cards. Io Xpand lets video professionals integrate the performance of AJA PCIe I/O cards on Thunderbolt 5 laptops and mini-PCs for an incredibly powerful, fast, and portable I/O solution for on set, remote production, and live switching. Visit here A Solution Built Around Your Workflow The OWC Express 4M2 Ultra is available in a range of configurations to fit your workflow and budget. Choose from ready-to-run solutions with up to 32TB of high-performance NVMe storage, giving you the speed, capacity, and reliability needed for everything from multi-camera editing to demanding VFX and finishing workflows. Available now. Learn more here New York City | July 28 The sports-production landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation as a result of the cloud and AI, and SVG’s new Cloud & Content Workflows Summit is where the industry comes together to navigate it. As virtualized hardware, cloud-based workflows, and AI-powered tools become more commonplace, the entire sports-production supply chain is being reimagined from the ground up. This special event brings together SVG’s previous Cloud Production and Content Management events into a single, comprehensive day of programming—covering both live and non-live production workflows alike. Learn more here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Read more here SanDisk Extreme PRO USB4 Portable SSD Power your workflow with the SanDisk Extreme PRO USB4 Portable SSD, available in 2TB and 4TB capacities. Featuring speeds up to 3800 MB/s read and 3700 MB/s write, it’s built for fast transfers and editing. The rugged, IP65-rated design is ready for work anywhere. Learn more at Videoguys or call 800.323.2325 for free tech advice. View here Podcast Rewind: July 2026 - Ep. 141. Explore a Partnership with The Making Of: Reach over 275,000 film industry, broadcast professionals, and content creators reading this weekly newsletter. To learn more, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome award-winning cinematographer Jeff Hester, whose work includes documentaries such as Postcard from Earth, Our Planet, Dolphins Up Close with Bertie Gregory, Planet Earth III, and Hammerhead Sharks Up Close for Nat Geo’s annual summer event, SHARKFEST. In our conversation, Jeff shares his journey into cinematography, how he developed his unique skill set, and the making of Hammerhead Sharks Up Close. He also discusses what it’s like to film underwater alongside sharks, the specialized cameras and techniques used to capture these incredible images, and offers valuable insights for the next generation of filmmakers. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA: AJA introduces high-performance Thunderbolt™ 5-enabled PCIe expansion chassis Meet Io Xpand, a Thunderbolt 5 expansion chassis for AJA KONA and Corvid I/O cards. Io Xpand lets video professionals integrate the performance of AJA PCIe I/O cards on Thunderbolt 5 laptops and mini-PCs for an incredibly powerful, fast, and portable I/O solution for on set, remote production, and live switching. Visit here Thunderbolt 5 Speed. DIY RAID Without Limits. The OWC Express 4M2 Ultra is a next-gen Thunderbolt 5 NVMe enclosure built for serious post workflows. Delivering up to 6622MB/s, it lets you use your own drives to create a high-performance RAID with up to 32TB—and beyond via daisy chaining. Compact, powerful, and scalable for 8K+ and VFX workflows. Available for pre-order now, shipping in late June. Explore here New York City | July 28 The sports-production landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation as a result of the cloud and AI, and SVG’s new Cloud & Content Workflows Summit is where the industry comes together to navigate it. As virtualized hardware, cloud-based workflows, and AI-powered tools become more commonplace, the entire sports-production supply chain is being reimagined from the ground up. This special event brings together SVG’s previous Cloud Production and Content Management events into a single, comprehensive day of programming—covering both live and non-live production workflows alike. Learn more here ZEISS Introduces Horizon Anamorphic: Full-Frame 2x Anamorphics with a New Lens Technology Platform ZEISS unveils the Horizon Anamorphic series, a new lineup of full-frame 2x anamorphic cinema lenses designed to deliver a distinctive cinematic look along with a new lens technology platform that answers the need for speed and precision demanded by contemporary production workflows. Spanning 35mm to 200mm across seven focal lengths, Horizon lenses combine their anamorphic look—incorporating a pronounced oval bokeh and stretched sense of spatial depth—with a lightweight, fully integrated motorized system that eliminates the need for external focus or iris motors. Read more here SanDisk Extreme PRO USB4 Portable SSD Power your workflow with the SanDisk Extreme PRO USB4 Portable SSD, available in 2TB and 4TB capacities. Featuring speeds up to 3800 MB/s read and 3700 MB/s write, it’s built for fast transfers and editing. The rugged, IP65-rated design is ready for work anywhere. Learn more at Videoguys or call 800.323.2325 for free tech advice. View here Podcast Rewind: July 2026 - Ep. 140. Promote your brand with The Making Of: Reach 275,000+ film industry, broadcast pros, and content creators reading this newsletter. To explore a partnership, please email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe