NYC Camera Specialist Eway Mak Rises to Global Fame

New York Art Life magazine features an exclusive interview with the 2025 SVA graduate who became a lead First Assistant Camera for top artists and brands.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 10:55pm

New York Art Life magazine is publishing an exclusive interview with Eway Mak, a rapidly ascending talent in film production who has become a lead First Assistant Camera (1st AC) for global icons like Shakira, Drake, Ralph Lauren, and Nike. The comprehensive feature delves into the high-stakes world of the Camera Department, offering an unprecedented look at how Mak, a 2025 School of Visual Arts graduate, bypassed the traditional industry hierarchy to work on visually stunning projects across commercials and narrative films.

Why it matters

Eway Mak's story challenges long-held conventions about career progression in the film industry, highlighting the intense technical mastery required to succeed in the modern digital and celluloid landscape. The interview provides rare insights into the role of the 1st AC, often viewed as a mere stepping stone, but which Mak treats as a specialized art form demanding psychological steel and razor-sharp precision.

The details

The feature covers Mak's work on high-profile projects like the Shakira x Spotify Anniversary campaign, the Drake x PartyNextDoor "Somebody Loves Me" treatment, and campaigns for luxury brands like Rolex, Ralph Lauren, and Supreme. It explores how Mak's proficiency with advanced gear and his holistic understanding of the post-production process enable him to operate with unparalleled efficiency on set.

  • Mak graduated from the School of Visual Arts in May 2025.
  • The exclusive New York Art Life interview with Mak is set to be published later this week.

The players

Eway Mak

A 2025 graduate of the School of Visual Arts who has rapidly ascended to become a lead First Assistant Camera (1st AC) for global icons like Shakira, Drake, Ralph Lauren, and Nike.

New York Art Life

The premier publication dedicated to the vibrant, chaotic, and beautiful world of art and creativity in New York City.

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What they’re saying

“New York is the ultimate accelerator; no other city demands this level of adaptability.”

— Eway Mak (New York Art Life)

What’s next

The exclusive interview with Eway Mak will be published this week on the New York Art Life digital platform.

The takeaway

Eway Mak's story serves as a blueprint for how to navigate the competitive New York film scene, proving that in the city, if you are technically proficient and reliable, opportunities will find you regardless of your age or tenure.