Our work with MKS/Newport began at the University of Arizona, helping tell the story behind the new Optics Building expansion. That relationship took us to Irvine, where their state of the art facility opens with the hum of production and the quiet confidence of teams manufacturing optics.

Over several days, we embedded with six distinct manufacturing cells to map the process end to end. From forming and shaping to finishing and inspection, we captured the choreography of people, tools, and measurement—how glass becomes purpose-built hardware ready for environments where failure isn’t an option.

This project brings clarity to complex work. The film and stills showcase the precision culture at MKS/Newport, as well as the real world applications of these components, including space shuttles, missile guidance, quantum research, and more. It’s the story of world class optics, told from the ground where they’re made.