On this episode, we were lucky to welcome Mr. Phil Caruso, one of the industry’s most talented Still Photographers. Phil has shot on-set images on projects including Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Parenthood, Backdraft, Cape Fear, The Age of Innocence, A Bronx Tale, Forrest Gump, Clockers, Casino, 12 Monkeys, The Rainmaker, Wag the Dog, Analyze This, Meet the Parents, Game Change, Sinister, Megalopolis, “Bull,” “Poker Face” and “White House Plumbers.” In our conversation, Phil shares all about growing up, learning photography, his trajectory in the movie business, the unique role of an on-set photographer, and much more. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems:AJA Introduces FS HDR v4.2 and ColorBox v2.0 UpdatesAnnounced at NAB 2023, ColorBox 2.0 and FS-HDR 4.2 both feature updated camera support including Arri LogC4 and Sony S-Log3. Other updates include an expanded Colorfront TV mode, and a new gamma compensation control in the Orion-Convert color pipeline. BBC HLG Luts have been updated to v1.6 and ColorBox 2.0 adds the ability to overlay framelines for shot framing or .png files for branding or watermarking needs. www.aja.comFilm Book of the Month:Martin Scorsese: A RetrospectiveSince his emergence in the early 1970s, Scorsese has become one of the most respected names in cinema. Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas are regularly cited as being among the finest films ever made. This lavish retrospective is a fitting tribute to a remarkable director, now into his seventh decade in cinema and showing no signs of slowing up. Leading film writer Tom Shone draws on his in-depth knowledge and distinctive viewpoint to present refreshing commentaries on all twenty-six main features, from the rarely shown Who's That Knocking at My Door (1967) to the latest release, The Irishman (2019), as well as covering Scorsese's notable parallel career as a documentarian. Impeccably designed and copiously illustrated with more than two hundred stills and behind-the-scenes images, this is the definitive celebration of one of cinema's most enduring talents. View on EbayZEISS Conversations with Ernesto Lomeli Duclos has announced the first in-person event in the Duclos Demo Space featuring ZEISS Conversations with Ernesto Lomeli, moderated by Matthew Duclos! The talk and hands-on demos are taking place at their new space and registration is required. Test out the entire ZEISS lens lineup and mingle with fellow cinematographers. There will be complimentary food and beverages available.  Register hereFeatured Event of the Month:Cine Gear LA — June 1-4, 2023Cine Gear is the premier event for professionals engaged in the film & entertainment technology industry. Taking place June 1st – 4th with exhibits June 2nd – 3rd at The Studios at Paramount, Cine Gear features exhibits, new product and service introductions, complimentary seminars led by industry leaders, and ample opportunity to network with peers. More info here OWC Thunderbolt Go DockThe 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 hereFilm Festival of the Month: Mallorca Film Festival — October 18-24, 2023The Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival enters its 12th edition with a clear mission: Bridging Cultures, Bridging People. Recognized as "One of Europe's 10 Most Exciting Film Festivals" by The Guardian, MovieMaker Magazine’s “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee” six years in a row, and appearing on the 100 Best Reviewed Film Festival list on FilmFreeway.com, EMIFF shapes a creative community, encouraging independent filmmakers to network and thrive in this idyllic Mediterranean island paradise.  Visit evolutionfilmfestival.comSubmission Discount Code: “ThemakingofMallorca” on Filmfreeway. Link herePodcast Rewind:March 2023 - Episode VII…The Making Of is created and hosted by Michael Valinsky.Reach out anytime at [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we had the great opportunity to speak with veteran filmmaker Hugo Perez. A New York-based writer, director and producer, Hugo is most-recently known for “Omara” — a documentary about legendary Cuban singer Omara Portuondo as well as for producing the award-winning feature documentary “Once Upon a Time in Uganda.” In our conversation, Hugo shares about his roots in Miami, education, cinematic inspirations — and his path to building a filmmaking career. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems:ColorBox from AJA with LUT Color TransformsAJA ColorBox is the modern LUT box that simplifies conversion between SDR, HDR, and WCG through a LUT-based and algorithmic color transformation. AJA ColorBox offers 12G-SDI input/output and HDMI 2.0 output for up to 4K/UltraHD 60p 10-bit YCbCr 4:2:2 and 30p 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 signal support. www.aja.com/colorboxFilm Book of the Month:The Stanley Kubrick Archives Now available as part of the Bibliotheca Universalis series, The Stanley Kubrick Archives borrows from the director’s philosophy. From the opening sequence of Killer’s Kiss to the final frames of Eyes Wide Shut, it allows the masterful visuals of Kubrick’s films to impress through a sequence of compelling, mesmerizing stills. It uncovers Kubrick’s creative process through fascinating archival material, including set designs, sketches, correspondence, documents, screenplays, drafts, notes, and shooting schedules. Check it out hereJoin ZEISS Cinematography at SXSW as we present A Conversation with Robert McLachlan, ASC, CSC on Sunday, March 12. We’ll talk with him about his extensive body of work, including GAME OF THRONES, SHINING GIRLS, RAY DONOVAN, WESTWORLD and the reboot of AMERICAN GIGOLO.  We’ll also be on hand with a variety of ZEISS lenses for you to demo.  Looking forward to seeing you in Austin!Partner Event of the Month:Cine Gear NY — March 10-11, 2023Cine Gear Expo New York is taking place this week at historic Industry City, on the Brooklyn waterfront. Visitors will get to experience over 50 technology and service exhibits as well as attend seminars and panels hosted by filmmakers and industry leaders. cinegearexpo.com 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. Learn more here Podcast Rewind:Dec 2022 - Episode VI…The Making Of is created and hosted by Michael Valinsky.Reach out anytime at [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this new podcast, we spoke at length with the legendary Daniel Pearl, ASC. Mr. Pearl is the artist who nearly fifty years ago (in 1973) shot his first feature film, the masterpiece “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” — which changed the face of horror cinema forever. In the years that followed, Daniel also pioneered the music video genre — lensing videos for artists including The Police, U2, Billy Idol, Duran Duran, Guns N’ Roses, Van Halen, Michael Jackson, and Bruce Springsteen. In our talk, we learn about his early days and unique path to becoming a prolific, award-winning Director of Photography. Enjoy hearing from the master himself…The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems:AJA ColorBox: Advancing color accuracy in live production, on set and in postA versatile algorithmic and LUT processing device, AJA ColorBox ensures precise color space conversions in live productions, on set, and in post. The portable unit enables HDR and SDR colorspace conversions and includes 12G-SDI in/out and HDMI 2.0 out for up to 4K/UltraHD 60p 10-bit YCbCr 4:2:2 and 30p 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 signal support, and more. www.aja.com/colorboxFilm Book of the Month:Cinema SpeculationThe long-awaited first work of nonfiction from the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: a deliriously entertaining, wickedly intelligent cinema book as unique and creative as anything by Quentin Tarantino. Browse hereWhether you are shooting a commercial where exquisite color rendition and high contrast is important, or a tense, dramatic sequence in low light situations for a feature film, ZEISS cinematography lenses offer you the performance you need to get the scene right. With a wide range of focal lengths in twelve different lens families each tailored for your needs, ZEISS cinematography lenses give you always the best quality to make your project stand out. Learn more hereFrom 4K HDR zero-delay wireless monitoring, to cloud-based production streaming, and premium lens control, Teradek solutions are used around the world by professionals and amateurs alike to capture and share compelling content. Our mission is to modernize workflows for creators by developing leading edge tools that allow them to expand the possibilities of how they tell their stories.Discover Teradek online at www.teradek.com or in-person at Creative Solutions Los Angeles (CSLA).Podcast Rewind: Nov 2022 - Episode V…The Making Of is created and hosted by Michael Valinsky.Reach out anytime at [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode, we were fortunate to welcome an industry veteran and thought leader, Mr. Bryce Button. During our chat, we hear Bryce’s story - from his early beginnings on set, to years working in post, and on through his position today as Director of Product Marketing at AJA Video Systems. Bryce sheds light on all the changes the industry has seen over the years — changing formats, evolving workflows, and where things might be heading. It’s a fun and fascinating talk with one of our favorite industry friends. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems:AJA ColorBox: Advancing color accuracy on set and in postAJA ColorBox features algorithmic and LUT processing capabilities for delivering precise color space conversions on set and in post. The powerhouse device enables HDR and SDR conversions and includes 12G-SDI in/out and HDMI 2.0 out for up to 4K/UltraHD 60p 10-bit YCbCr 4:2:2 and 30p 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 signal support. Visit aja.com/colorboxFilm Book of the Month: AC Manual - 11th Edition The revised 11th edition of this essential technical reference is now exclusively available from The ASC. Containing entirely new chapters and substantial rewrites of entries from the previous edition, this hardback book designed for on-set use is a must-have for cinematographers and other motion-imaging professionals.Edited by M. David Mullen, ASC and ASC associate member Rob Hummel, contributors to this edition include Society members Bill Bennett, Christopher Chomyn, Richard Crudo, Richard Edlund, John C. Hora, Levie Isaacks, Dennis Muren, James Neihouse, Sam Nicholson, Steven Poster, Christopher Probst, Pete Romano, Roberto Schaefer and David Stump. Browse here.Whether you are shooting a commercial where exquisite color rendition and high contrast is important, or a tense, dramatic sequence in low light situations for a feature film, ZEISS cinematography lenses offer you the performance you need to get the scene right. With a wide range of focal lengths in twelve different lens families each tailored for your needs, ZEISS cinematography lenses give you always the best quality to make your project stand out. Explore here: ZEISSFeatured Event of the Month:One World Open HouseBand Pro’s Guest of Honor this year will be Emmy Award winning cinematographer Checco Varese, ASC. Checco’s work includes Dopesick, It: Chapter 2, The 33, Daisy Jones & the Six, Them, The Strain, & much more. Band Pro’s Open House combines the best television and cinema technology, along with fine food & drink, and attendees comprising a who’s-who of the global cinematography community. Exhibitors this year include Sony, Canon, Angenieux, Fujinon, ZEISS, 16X9 Inc., Litepanels, ORCA Bags and many more.December 8, 2022 | RSVP at Open HouseWooden Camera designs and builds professional camera accessories to outfit any motion picture camera rig with gear tailored for evolving production needs. With R&D based in Los Angeles, CA and a Dallas, Texas-based headquarters, Wooden Camera produces real-world camera solutions demands of everyday production.Discover Wooden Camera products online at woodencamera.com or in-person at Creative Solutions Los Angeles (CSLA).Podcast Rewind:Sept 2022 - Episode IV…The Making Of is published by Michael Valinsky.To inquire about partnership opportunities, email [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

We are excited to share this new conversation with the one and only Jay Holben. Jay wears a few hats in our industry, including writer, director and producer. He also serves as the contributing technical editor for American Cinematographer Magazine, is co-author of The Cine Lens Manual, co-chairs The ASC’s Motion Imaging Technology Council Lens Committee, and moderates many of the industry’s leading educational panels on cinematography and filmmaking.In this podcast, Jay shares about growing up in Arizona, his early film-going experiences, and his path to making movies. We learn about his start in Los Angeles in the mid-90’s and how things evolved from there. An inspiring conversation, Jay also sheds light on the many challenges and lessons learned along the way. The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems:Streaming and Recording with Powerful Multi-Input Video ProcessingAJA HELO Plus is a cost-efficient H.264 streaming and recording device that includes many standout features, including dual streaming outputs, multi-input processing; SRT support; advanced encoding/decoding; improved scheduling options, and more. A “Layouts'' feature lets users combine SDI/ HDMI inputs into a single output and easily add graphic overlays to the composite. https://www.aja.com/products/helo-plusFilm Book of the Month:In this volume, made with the full cooperation of Lucasfilm, Lucas narrates his own story, taking us through the making of the original trilogy―Episode IV A New Hope, Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI Return of the Jedi―and bringing fresh insights into the creation of a unique universe. Complete with script pages, production documents, concept art, storyboards, on-set photography, stills, and posters, this is the authoritative exploration of the original saga as told by its creator. Visit here at TaschenSmallHD designs and manufactures monitoring solutions for professional cinematographers, videographers, post-production professionals, and photographers worldwide. Creators of the world’s first high definition on-camera monitor, SmallHD continues to innovate new on-camera solutions and 4K HDR Production monitors. All SmallHD monitors are powered by PageOS 5, a unique software user experience offering more tools, more speed, and more creative control than ever before. Discover SmallHD online at smallhd.com or in-person at Creative Solutions Los Angeles (CSLA).Partner Event of the Month:The industry's most renowned southern industry event will return to Atlanta Georgia’s Trilith Studios with its hallmark exhibits, seminars, screenings, and world-class hobnobbing. It's the place to reconnect with colleagues, friends and collaborators. Sign-ups for attending the Hollywood-meets-southern-hospitality Cine Gear Expo are free at: cinegearexpo.com Resource of the Month:The Digital Cinema Society is a format agnostic educational cooperative dedicated to informing the entertainment industry about the integration of new technology.  Member benefits include access to educational seminars and networking events, DCS “Streaming Knowledge-on-Demand”, and a monthly eNewsletter featuring unbiased coverage of the latest motion picture technology. DCSonline.orgPodcast Rewind:July 2022 - Episode III…The Making Of is created by Michael Valinsky.To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please email [email protected]. Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

We are pleased to share this mid-summer conversation with a very talented cinematographer, Mr. Mihai Malaimare Jr. Mihai has worked on an impressive slate of films since the year 2007, where he shot the first of three features for Francis Ford Coppola, Youth Without Youth. Since then, he’s lensed Tetro and Twixt for Coppola, The Master for Paul Thomas Anderson, A Walk Among the Tombstones, Nina, Sleepless, November Criminals, The Hate U Give, Jojo Rabbit, The Harder They Fall, and this year’s “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” HBO series. Currently, Mihai is in pre-production on Coppola’s ambitious feature, Megalopolis.In our conversation, Mihai shares about his upbringing and education in Romania, how he began his longtime collaboration with Mr. Coppola, his approach to prepping projects, and how he selects filmmaking technology. We also learn about his collaboration on the amazing series, “Winning Time.” Thank you Mihai for sharing so much with us.The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems:Synchronous Multi-Channel/Multi-System Transport with AJA BRIDGE LIVESynchronous multi-channel/multi-system transport has arrived in AJA’s latest BRIDGE LIVE v1.13 update. The feature-rich release for the multi-channel UltraHD and HD live video solution for remote production, contribution, collaboration, streaming, and delivery also includes features like dual-channel UltraHD support; and multichannel end-to-end HDR support over SDI. https://www.aja.com/products/bridge-liveFilm Book of the Month:Making MoviesWritten by one of America's greatest directors, Sidney Lumet shares about his career and provides insights into the art, craft, and business of the motion picture industry. Lumet credits include 12 Angry Men, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, The Pawnbroker, Fail Safe, Serpico, Murder on the Orient Express, Dog Day Afternoon, Network, Prince of the City, The Verdict, and Before the Devil Knows Your Dead.Get your copy from The Strand.From 4K HDR zero-delay wireless monitoring, to cloud-based production streaming, and premium lens control, Teradek solutions are used around the world by professionals and amateurs alike to capture and share compelling content. Our mission is to modernize workflows for creators by developing leading edge tools that allow them to expand the possibilities of how they tell their stories.Discover Teradek online at www.teradek.com or in-person at Creative Solutions Los Angeles (CSLA).Partner Event of the Month:Cine Gear Atlanta — October 7-8, 2022The industry's most renowned southern industry event will return to Atlanta Georgia’s Trilith Studios with its hallmark exhibits, seminars, screenings, and world-class hobnobbing. It's the place to reconnect with colleagues, friends and collaborators.Sign-ups for attending the Hollywood-meets-southern-hospitality Cine Gear Expo are free at: www.cinegearexpo.com/atl-expo/atl-registration/ Resource of the Month:ProductionHUB is a global network of local crew and vendors that serves the film and video production industry. Find and hire anyone you need, whether it's a cameraman for a day, a video editor for one month, or a full-time producer. Since launching in 1999, we've grown beyond a simple directory into the most-trusted resource for finding qualified and experienced crew, vendors and employees. We're your film and video production partner.Browse the site at productionhub.comPodcast Rewind:June 2022 - Episode II…The Making Of is created by Michael Valinsky.To inquire about partnership opportunities, please contact [email protected] latest changes have been saved. Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

We are pleased to share Episode II of The Making Of, where we talked shop with Oscar-nominated Cinematographer Larry Sher, ASC.  Larry is an amazing DP with a long list of successful films including The Hangover series, Garden State, Kissing Jessica Stein, I Love You Man, Dan in Real Life, Due Date, Paul, The Dictator, War Dogs, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Joker.In our conversation, Larry shares much about his backstory, filmmaking beginnings, and his real-world education about cinematography.  We also hear about his longtime collaboration with director Todd Phillips and we do get confirmation that he’s working away on Joker 2. Check out our conversation at the link above.The Making Of is presented by AJA Video Systems:The HELO Plus Production AdvantageHELO Plus is a cost-efficient H.264 streaming/recording device for traditional and virtual production monitoring applications. It delivers efficient bandwidth, provides high quality imagery to inform practical production decisions, and supports a wide range of streaming platforms, as well as streaming over a private CDN for added security. https://www.aja.com/products/helo-plus.Film Book of the Month: The Godfather NotebookThe most important unpublished work on one of the greatest films of all time, The Godfather, written before filming, by the man who wrote and directed it—Francis Ford Coppola, then only thirty-two years old—reveals the intense creative process that went into making this seminal film. With his meticulous notes and impressions of Mario Puzo’s novel, the notebook was referred to by Coppola daily on set while he directed the movie. The Godfather Notebook pulls back the curtain on the legendary filmmaker and the film that launched his illustrious career. Complete with an introduction by Francis Ford Coppola and exclusive photographs from on and off the set, this is a unique, beautiful, and faithful reproduction of Coppola’s original notebook. Get the book.Partner Event of the Month:The Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival has created a creative community to network, be inspired, & thrive in this Mediterranean island paradise. Included in the “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee” by MovieMaker magazine, 100 Best-Reviewed Film Festivals on FilmFreeway, and as a 10 Best European Film Festivals by The Guardian. https://www.evolutionfilmfestival.com/Resource of the Month:Founded by Lawrence Sher, ASC (Joker, The Hangover), ShotDeck is the world’s largest library of fully searchable film and tv stills. A celebration of the moving image, each of their 300K shots are meticulously tagged in dozens of categories - from color to composition, lens and camera information, shooting location, and much more. This essential research tool is perfect for creatives and ad folks working on pitch decks, as well as filmmakers, students, and educators looking to discover images for inspiration on their next projects. From Pitch to Post - ShotDeck. We celebrate film, one beautiful shot at a time. www.shotdeck.comPodcast Rewind:May 2022: Episode I…Sneak PreviewThis Summer expect fresh episodes with friends including Mihai Malaimare, Scott Ressler, plus some directors, producers, veteran actors, and more.  Stay tuned!The Making Of is created by Michael Valinsky.To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact [email protected]. Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe