The Making Of

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 mvalinsky@me.com



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 mvalinsky@me.com


Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome Eben Bolter ASC, BSC, cinematographer of the new Apple TV series Cape Fear. Eben has also lensed acclaimed projects including The Life of Chuck, The Last of Us, and Slow Horses. In our conversation, he shares his journey into cinematography, the experiences that shaped his career, and his approach to developing the visual language of Cape Fear. He takes a deep dive into the cameras, lenses, lighting, and techniques used to bring the series to life, while offering valuable advice 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
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:
June 2026 - Ep. 139.
Promote your Brand with The Making Of:
Reach 270,000+ film industry, broadcast pros, and content creators reading this weekly newsletter. To explore a partnership, please email mvalinsky@me.com


Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Making Of, we welcome legendary colorist and Company 3 founder/CEO Stefan Sonnenfeld. Stefan shares his journey into color grading, the evolution of his career, and the story behind building one of the industry's most respected post-production companies. He also discusses his work on Michael, the global blockbuster about Michael Jackson that has grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide, and how he helped shape the film’s visual identity through color. During our chat, Stefan offers advice for the next generation of creatives on craftsmanship, collaboration, and building a lasting career in film.
“The Making Of” is presented by AJA:
Bridging ST 2110 with the Broader IP World
As IP adoption accelerates, establishing a seamless flow for IP media across a production is fundamental. Need to move compressed IP production media onto an ST 2110 network or deliver ST 2110 media to platforms that only accept compressed media? Discover how AJA BRIDGE LIVE makes both easy.
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. Browse 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:
June 2026 - Ep. 138.
Advertise with The Making Of:
Reach 270,000+ film industry professionals and content creators reading this newsletter. To explore a partnership, please email mvalinsky@me.com



Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we welcome the Backrooms production team— Cinematographer Jeremy Cox, VFX Supervisor Edward J. Douglas, Editor Greg Ng, and Production Sound Mixer Jan Hetmer. Together, they take us behind the scenes of the groundbreaking indie horror phenomenon, sharing how they brought the film’s unsettling world to life through innovative cinematography, visual effects, editing, and sound design. We explore their creative process, technical workflows, lessons learned during production, and the collaborative approach that transformed a viral internet sensation into a blockbuster feature film.
“The Making Of” is presented by AJA:
Bridging ST 2110 with the Broader IP World
As IP adoption accelerates, establishing a seamless flow for IP media across a production is fundamental. Need to move compressed IP production media onto an ST 2110 network or deliver ST 2110 media to platforms that only accept compressed media? Discover how AJA BRIDGE LIVE makes both easy.
Vimeo L.A. Event | June 23
A night of inspiring Vimeo Staff Picks + live filmmaker commentary!
6:30pm | Doors7:30-9pm | Films + commentary9-11:00pm | Reception (complimentary drinks)
Vidiots — 4884 N Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
Free passes 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. Browse 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:
June 2026 - Ep. 137.
Sponsor The Making Of:
Reach 250,000+ film industry professionals and content creators reading this newsletter. To explore a partnership, please email mvalinsky@me.com



Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe