Director Jay Holben on Filmmaking Essentials, the State of the Industry, his New Book, & More

In this episode, we welcome back Jay Holben. Jay is a director, producer, educator and author of many essential filmmaking books. In our chat, we hear about his new book, The Director’s Guide to Everything — as well as his thoughts on where the industry is at now, and about new technologies that he finds interesting. Jay also offers useful advice for students, younger filmmakers, and other creatives persevering through these challenging times. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA:AJA DRM2-Plus 3RU Frame Unlocks Flexible Mini-Converter ConfigurationsIdeal for production and post environments where signal conversion needs vary, the AJA DRM2-Plus is a high-capacity, 3RU Mini-Converter frame houses up to 12 full-size AJA Mini-Converters of any kind, and up to 24 of AJA’s compact Mini-Converters. DRM2-Plus boasts flexible cooling and redundant power supply options and an intuitive faceplate design that lets users quickly access installed converters. Learn more about DRM2-Plus.Massive Speed. Big Capacity. DIY Ready.The OWC Express 4M2 delivers up to 32TB of high-performance NVMe storage with real-world speeds up to 3200MB/s over USB4. Built for demanding workflows like 4K/8K editing and VFX, it features thermally controlled fans for quiet, sustained performance. With massive capacity, a compact footprint, and easy drive installation, it’s the ultimate DIY solution for creative pros who need speed and flexibility.Browse hereFeatured Book: The Director’s Guide to Everything is the ultimate road map for mastering the craft. More than just a guide — it’s a masterclass in how to turn your vision into reality. The Director’s Guide delivers a comprehensive, no-nonsense education in the art and science of directing — with practical knowledge drawn from decades of experience in the trenches of motion picture production.www.adakinpress.comGet your copy hereZEISS Summer Savings EventNow through September 1, save up to $4,000 on select Nano Prime lens sets and another $3,000 on the ZEISS Lightweight Zoom LWZ.3.Browse here New Solutions from Videoguys:The SanDisk Professional G-RAID PROJECT 2 is a powerhouse 2-bay storage system built for serious creators. Pre-configured in RAID 0 and featuring Thunderbolt™ 3 connectivity, it delivers the speed and capacity you need for demanding 4K, 8K, and VR video workflows—up to a massive 52TB. With a PRO-BLADE™ SSD Mag slot for ultra-fast offloads and edits, it's the perfect solution for high-performance production environments. Call Videoguys at 800-323-2325 to for free tech advice and to learn more!Visit herePodcast Rewind:July 2025 - Ep. 89…“The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky.Advertise your products or services to over 215K filmmakers, TV production pros, studios, & content creators reading this newsletter… email us: [email protected] Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe