The Making Of

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

In this episode, we welcome cinematographer Jamie Ramsay BSC, SASC, whose latest work can be seen in the WWII thriller Pressure, now playing in theaters. Jamie's credits include Goodrich, All of Us Strangers, District 9, Living, and See How They Run. In our conversation, Jamie reflects on his early years and filmmaking journey before taking us behind the scenes of Pressure. We explore the film's visual language, his creative and technical approach, and the tools used to bring the story to life. Jamie also shares lessons learned throughout his career and offers advice for the next generation of storytellers.
“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.
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
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
Screamfest — Call to All Storytellers!
Whether you craft terrifying scripts or visioned features and shorts, Screamfest is your home. Our screenplay competition deadline is June 15th—bring your stories to life here. Filmmakers, our extended final deadline is August 15th, 2026. Share your unique perspective and join our vibrant horror community. Submit your film today!
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. 136.
Advertise in The Making Of:
Promote your products or services to 270K film industry pros and content creators reading this newsletter. To explore a partnership, email mvalinsky@me.com



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

In this episode, we welcome Daniel Myrick, co-director of The Blair Witch Project, one of the most influential independent films of all time. Released in 1999, the groundbreaking horror phenomenon helped redefine the found-footage genre, became a cultural touchstone, and changed the landscape of indie filmmaking. In our conversation, Daniel reflects on the origins of the project, its innovative production approach, the unprecedented impact of the film's release, and the lessons he has carried throughout his career as a filmmaker and storyteller.
“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.
Join The Making Of at Panasonic’s Cine Gear Panel:
The Making Of joins Panasonic at Cine Gear Expo Los Angeles for “The New Talk Show,” a panel exploring how cinematic tools and studio design are transforming video podcasts into next-generation talk shows. Founder and host Michael Valinsky joins SoundShed AV Solutions CEO Matt Alvarez for the discussion on Saturday, June 6, 3:45pm–4:35pm in Theater 1. To register for the show, 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. Browse here
IgelkottPlates: One-Lens 360° Driving Plates for VFX
IgelkottPlates announces its redesigned storefront for licensing single-lens 360° driving plates. Read full horizon-strip thumbnails, share collections with DP and VFX supervisor via one link — no logins, and download free ProRes 422 HQ samples in seconds. Captured on real European and US roads, up to 16K.
Learn more here
Meet the YoloCam S7
The YoloCam S7 paired with the included YoloLiv MFT 18mm F1.4 Lens gives creators a complete professional video solution right out of the box — all for just $799. Featuring stunning 4K60FPS video, real-time autofocus, interchangeable lenses, simultaneous HDMI and USB-C output, and seamless integration with YoloBox and YoloLiv workflows, the YoloCam S7 delivers incredible flexibility for livestreaming, content creation, and video production.
Whether you’re using it as a high-end webcam or a full live production camera, this bundle gives you everything you need to get started. Learn more today by contacting Videoguys at 800-323-2325. Visit here
Podcast Rewind:
May 2026 - Ep. 135.
Advertise in The Making Of:
Promote your products or services to 260K film industry pros and content creators reading this newsletter. To explore a partnership, email mvalinsky@me.com


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

In this episode, we welcome cinematographer Pepe Avila del Pino. Pepe has shot projects including Ozark, House of the Dragon, and The Deuce, along with films such as The Kindergarten Teacher and Worth. In our conversation, we discuss the series Love Story, which explores the relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, two of the most iconic and heavily photographed public figures of the 1990s. We talk about building the visual language of the series, recreating the look and energy of New York City during that era, and other insights into the making of Love Story.
“The Making Of” is presented by AJA:
AJA solves IP, sync gen hurdles at NAB
From remote production to monitoring, IP introduces new challenges across productions. Get ahead of them with AJA’s latest ST 2110 solutions, including BRIDGE LIVE IP and an upcoming IP25-R firmware update. The company also unveiled a new OG-GEN10 solution bringing its GEN10 Mini-Converter functionality to an openGear format. Find out more.
You’re invited…
ZEISS Launch Event | Tuesday, June 2 | L.A.
Join us as we move beyond tradition and launch the next major advancement in lens technology…
ZEISS enters a new chapter in lens technology that will be revealed on Tuesday, June 2 at the ZEISS Cinema Showroom in Sherman Oaks, CA. Be one of the first to experience this new technology first hand!
Register here
June 2, 6:00-9:00 PM | 15260 Ventura Boulevard #820, Los Angeles, CA 91403
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
Our Conversation with Markiplier on YouTube:
Women In Media Altitude Awards
June 7th, 11:00am | Burbank, CA
The 5th Annual Women In Media Altitude Awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements of women and gender non-conforming cinematographers, gaffers, and camera operators. Join us for a special champagne toast at 10:30 AM honoring this year’s participants! Tickets here
Meet the YoloCam S7
The YoloCam S7 paired with the included YoloLiv MFT 18mm F1.4 Lens gives creators a complete professional video solution right out of the box — all for just $799. Featuring stunning 4K60FPS video, real-time autofocus, interchangeable lenses, simultaneous HDMI and USB-C output, and seamless integration with YoloBox and YoloLiv workflows, the YoloCam S7 delivers incredible flexibility for livestreaming, content creation, and video production. Whether you’re using it as a high-end webcam or a full live production camera, this bundle gives you everything you need to get started. Learn more today by contacting Videoguys at 800-323-2325. Visit here
Podcast Rewind:
May 2026 - Ep. 134.
Advertise in The Making Of:
Promote your products or services to 260K film industry 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