"Anora" Cinematographer Drew Daniels on Working with Director Sean Baker, Shooting on 35mm, & More

In this episode, we welcome Drew Daniels. Drew is the cinematographer of the award-winning film Anora, directed by Sean Baker. He has also shot projects including Krisha, It Comes At Night, Waves, The Boy from Medellín, Red Rocket, “Euphoria,” “Outer Range,” “Swarm” and “The Idol”. In our chat, he shares about his early days, path into filmmaking, and experiences making Anora. He also talks about the cameras, lights and lenses used on the project — and shooting on 35mm film. In addition, Drew offers thoughts on how to elevate your craft as a cinematographer or filmmaker. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA:IP, HDR, and cloud advancements have unlocked new workflow possibilities. Stay ahead of the curve with AJA solutions like the KONA IP25, a SMPTE ST 2110 I/O card for Mac, Windows, and Linux, and OG-ColorBox for color management and conversion, and more. Get the full rundown on AJA’s latest gear here.To all our friends in Los Angeles, we are thinking of you during this time. We encourage our readers to help support in any way they can.American Red CrossLos Angeles Fire Department FoundationPasadena HumaneLos Angeles Regional Food Bank Featured Resource:Film ParliamentGot a script you want to produce?Film Parliament offers a self-paced, step-by-step online course that guides you through the process of scheduling and budgeting your feature film.Level up your 2025 filmmaking skills with 25% off when you use code “NewYear25”.Learn more hereIntroducing Eddie AI:Craft rough cuts in seconds with text prompts. Eddie is the AI video editing assistant for video professionals. Iterate with Eddie: reverse the topic order, ask for a stronger hook, make this punchier. With Eddie, you can easily export to MP4 or polish in Adobe Premiere Pro, Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer. Explore hereFrom our Friends at Anton/Bauer:Today’s episode is also powered by Anton/Bauer — batteries built with no compromise for filmmakers and creators. From blockbuster sets to solo projects, Anton/Bauer batteries deliver high-performance power with unmatched reliability so your story never misses a beat. Trusted by industry pros worldwide, Anton/Bauer keeps your gear ready when it matters most. Visit hereNetflix Hit Series “The Helicopter Heist” Employs Igelkott StudiosOne of Netflix's standout series in 2024 is undoubtedly "The Helicopter Heist," which centers on a daring bank robbery in Stockholm. In episode six, titled "Showtime," the filmmakers made a strategic choice to partner with Igelkott Studios, leveraging their advanced technology and top-tier craftsmanship for the helicopter sequences. Founded and led by Eric Hasso, Igelkott Studios is the definitive leader in In-Camera Visual FX. To explore this cutting-edge studio and its capabilities, visit here.OWC Atlas Cards:Kick off your creative 2025 with OWC Atlas Cards — from stunning 8K video to fast transfers, these memory cards and readers deliver unmatched performance. Perfect for photographers, filmmakers, and tech enthusiasts. Explore hereNew Solutions from Videoguys: The EOS C80 camera is designed for limitless creative vision. The compact, full-featured camera body includes Canon's 6K full frame Back-Illuminated Stacked CMOS sensor, Cinema RAW Light and 4K/120p internal recording, Canon’s next-generation Dual Pixel CMOS AF II and a 12G-SDI interface. The EOS C80 seamlessly integrates into almost any production providing the ultimate flexibility and outstanding image quality. Explore hereZEISS Introduces Supreme Zoom Radiance:The new ZEISS Supreme Zoom Radiance set includes three purpose-built T2.9 high-end cine zooms: 15-30mm, 28-80mm and 70-200mm. Featuring the same T* blue lens coating as the popular Supreme Prime Radiances, they offer a similar look with consistent flares and warmer color rendition. Learn more herePodcast Rewind:Jan 2025 - Ep. 62…“The Making Of” is published by Michael Valinsky.Advertise your products or services to 108,000 filmmakers, TV, documentary, broadcast & live event production pros reading this newsletter. Email us at [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe