The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with the Executive and Artistic Directors of the Indie Memphis Film Festival, Knox Shelton and Miriam Bale. We talk about why Festivals around the country are taking more COVID precautions than theaters and sporting venues, what sacrifices they look for in serious filmmakers, how festivals can create more opportunity and remove barrie...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with Filmmaker, Entrepreneur, and Podcaster Alex Ferrari. In addition to his best-selling books, 'Shooting for the Mob' and 'Rise of the Filmtrepreneur,' we talk about his latest film 'On the Corner of Ego and Desire,' his childhood growing up in Jamaica Queens, NY, where and how he developed his "Hustle&#3...

Hello, Indie Producers & Investors!  In this final episode of the Film Investment Series, Chris and Jason talk about when to use your gut and when to use the investment playbook, and why investing in your brand is a win-win, even if you're not profitable. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://li...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about the stacked deck experience for Indie Filmmakers at most Festivals, Addison Rae's Netflix deal and how Indie actors can best respond, and why stronger unions might prevent IATSE members from getting their protest demands. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on so...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers!  In this episode, Chris and Jason highlight the importance of all of the "Why Questions" and what they reveal about the temperament of the Founder Filmmaker. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Pod...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with the Co-Founder of XM Radio and Media Innovator and Legend, Lee Abrams. We discuss why he created the Album-Oriented Rock format for radio, the concept of making people into fans, not users, his latest innovation  'News Movies,' his forthcoming book 'Solutions for a Creatively Starved Planet,' his forthcoming docum...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about what investors can do to help their films be financially successful beyond the check you wrote for development. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Beco...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with the Co-Founder and CEO of IndieFlix, Scilla Andreen. We discuss how a chance catering job transformed into a career in film, her time working on the Wonder Years, her platform for Indie Creatives, IndieFlix, her new film 'Race,' her new book 'The Creative Coping Toolkit', and the future of streaming and distributi...

Hello, Indie Creatives and Producers!  In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about the upsides and risks of investing in a slate versus a single film project and break down the meaning of a Pseudo-Indie Film. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE I...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about the self-directed marketing initiatives deployed by actor Ryan Reynolds on his recently released feature film, 'Free Guy,' the new world of storytelling through tech, and the new "talent stack" in Indie Film. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss "trust games", examples of trust games, and why they are so invaluable to an investors risk mitigation and deal flow. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Po...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with former Actor and current Writer and Director, Julius Ritter. We discuss growing up in Hollywood as a bi-racial actor and model, how to harness pain into creative writing, his upcoming film 'Sock And Buskin', Unconscious Bias in Casting, and so much more. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers!  In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss trust patterns to look for in your filmmakers and what are the three behaviors and beliefs every investor should employ to be successful. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love t...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this week's episode, Chris is live at the Defy Film Festival where he was tasked with asking one question: How would you define defiant cinema? He also conducts sit-down interviews with filmmakers Jaclyn Bethany (Highway One), Evan Sorlien (Bakersfield), and Christopher Ryan Laughter (Demon Cooler) and many more. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comm...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with 2D Animator Jasmine Kenya. We talk about her Netflix short film 'Cops & Robbers', her five-star book 'Hair As Big As My Dreams,' why being likable is better than a strong resume in the short run, why drawing well isn't the most critical factor in a career in Animation, what role creatives play in creating...

Hello, Indie Investor and Producers!  In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about why it's critical to travel to the proximity of your investments and deal flows as an outside investor. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, Executive Producers Chris Barkley and Nick Buggs talk about what the theater business will be like after COVID-19, what else could change forever, and why the Indie Film community shouldn't fall for the Shang-Chi "We are not experiments" issue. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or o...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers!  In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss why investments in Film continue to get made despite the high risk and time commitment. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai....

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this episode, we have a conversation with Documentarian Keith McDaniel. We talk about his nationally distributed documentary 'The Clinton 12', working with James Earl Jones, how he got his start as a founder of the Secret City and Knoxville Film Festivals, his commitment to Indie Creatives, and how he lost 130 pounds, and much, much more. Enjoy! More About Keith...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers!  In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss why some investors won't engage with filmmakers and why investors need to be married to the investment. Enjoy!   Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with Filmmaker and Biologist Alexis Gambis (@agambis on IG, @alexisgambis on Twitter). We talk about his films 'Son of Monarchs,' 'The Color of Time,' 'The Fly Room,' and 'The Next Jaguar.' His "Netflix of Science" platform, Labocine, how Spike Lee became a mentor and investor, CRISPR, how winni...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this installment of the Film Investment Series, Chris and Jason discuss what measures you can take to expose or discover potential points of conflict within your film crew and filmmaking team. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love In...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about why film creatives tend to fight Imposter Syndrome, why the major players in the movie business are snapping up Intellectual Property at an alarming rate, and what you can do to play the IP game, too. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https:...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about the little things every investor and producer should be aware of on the set and within your film team to ensure that the film's final cut is the best it can be and your investment is better protected. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social an...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this edition of Industry Insights, we spotlight the wisdom and advice of Actor, Writer, Producer Brandon Hirsch. Nick explores Brandon's feelings on what his biggest challenges are as a filmmaker and what we can all learn to help us along in our own Indie Filmmaking journeys. Enjoy!  Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bons...