The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Hello!     In this episode, we have a conversation with Artistic Director Brian Owens . We talk about the upcoming Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) beginning on September 22nd, the importance of The Royal Theater in Danville, Indiana and the story of their "Big Pickle," why Jaws changed his life, what mistake kills the chances of a film being accepted into a major film fes...

Hello, Hello!   In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we learn from Actor Kris Wente about the dangers of not asking for what you need on set.   Especially when things change in the project or script. Enjoy!     Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love     The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker ( https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker ) program, which is brought to you in...

Hello, Hello!   In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about the branding genius of Serena Williams, the potentially creepy return of MoviePass, Neil Gaiman’s rule of two-thirds, the arms race for the future of media, branding rules to follow before you start marketing, Indie Film scoring, Nick defends his “triple aloha,” and Chris talks art diversification. Enjoy!     Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love  ...

Hello, Hello! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from Actor and Writer Ted Welch . He expounds upon his experiences in the film industry after booking hit films like 'The Help' and hit shows like 'True Blood' and how he overcame hubris to form a true community. Enjoy!  Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love   The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker...

Hello, Hello!   In this episode, we have a conversation with Cinematographer, Writer, and Director Tiffany Murray . We talk about her partnership with Amy Kersten , their new podcast ' Southbridge ,' how to turn a failed television pitch into new media, the major networks creating a lane for podcast domination, knowing when you need a change of scenery creatively, her favorite cameras for...

Hello, Hello!     In this special episode, we have a conversation with Director, Writer Aaron Irons , and Producer, Actor Josh Croft . We talk about their new Found Footage film, ‘Chest,’ the process of making a $30K SAG film, the challenges of shooting, acting, and scoring a Found Footage film, the importance of improv, and getting held at gunpoint and detained while on a location scout. Enjoy!  ...

Hello, Hello!     Nick is on vacation, so in this edition of Indie Talk, Writer, Actor, and Director Matt Williams joins Chris in this Wonderland-rabbit-hole exploration of a conversation. Chris and Matt talk about why creatives should move to Los Angeles to play at the highest levels, finding success as a writer, and when to take a break from social media for the sake of their mental health (but,...

Hello, Hello!     In this episode, we speak with Actress and Writer Florencia Lozano . We talk about her film, ‘ Life After You ,’ her new Netflix series ‘ Keep Breathing ,’ the plague of grief, addiction, shame, and suicide, what Americans get wrong about freedom and what we take for granted, and how to solve the world’s biggest problems, the value of “owning it” as creative, why Soap Actors don’...

Hello, Hello!     In this episode of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about the artists they thought would be more successful, how fake tv singing competitions are, how Joaquin Phoenix uses his asymmetry to his advantage, why we watch the movies that we watch, social engineering, the power of relational and comparative thinking, and the role random chance and stacked decks play in the success of an...

Hello, Hello!     In this episode, we have a conversation with Producer and Director of Programming at Black Public Media, Denise Greene. We talk about her role at Black Public Media , BPM’s relationship with Netflix and Paramount, what makes for a winning pitch, the power, and reach of the 360 Incubator+, why she shuns social media, how she left the doctoral path to pursue Documentary filmmaking,...

Hello, Hello!   In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from Producer Ryan Hartsock . Ryan walks us through his mistake of hubris through metaphor and humble confession. 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 the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!   www.mak...

Hello, Hello!   In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about their recent experiences at the theater, the surprise at the end of the new Thor movie, Winnie The Pooh (and other well-known characters) becoming fair use, the ‘Blood & Honey’ trailer and why it works so well, social media branding choices, and what Netflix can do to get back to their dominate ways. Enjoy!     Listen+Sub...

Hello, Hello!     In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we talk with Cinematographer Logen Christopher . Logen talks about the mistake of creative isolation and how his habit of creating within his comfort zone threatened the success and viability of his studio, Stormlight Pictures, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enjoy!   Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love   Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at...

Hello, Hello!   In this episode, we have a conversation with filmmaker, actor, and philanthropist Julia Rosengren . We talk about her challenging upbringing in Northern Brazil, traveling the world at seventeen, surviving the modeling industry,   climate change, UNIAO GAIA, why she fell in love with trees, her short film, ‘Leaves,’ and what the world gets wrong about money. Enjoy!   Listen+Subscrib...

Hello, Hello!     In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick expounds on the challenges faced by Simone Biles during her latest Olympic experience and her response to those challenges while contrasting those trials with some of the issues filmmakers face once their film gets out of post-production. Enjoy!   Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love   Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.fil...

Hello, Hello!   In this episode, we have a conversation with Entertainment Publicist Amy Prenner . Chris and Amy talk about her documentary ‘Have You Heard About Greg’, her fascination with news as a child, how Zoom helped her have the most successful year of her career, why media training is so important, her work with Ellen DeGeneres, how she would help Alec Balwin and Will Smith, and much more....

Hello, Hello!   In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from Writer, Actor, Author, and Musician Korby Lenker . Korby opens up about a time in his career when he was forced to slow down, take a 9-to-5 job, and rethink his creative path. 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/Bon...

Hello, Hello!   In this episode, we have a conversation with Whistleblower, Documentarian, and Author Michael McCray . We talk about the upcoming Whistleblower Summit and Film Festival , the art of pitching, the film industry’s role in Whistleblowing, social media building user’s psyches, the 30 data points rule, MK Ultra, Whistleblower protection laws, Julian Assange, Elon Musk’s bid to acquire T...

Hello, Hello!   In this episode, we hear from a brilliant panel of female filmmakers and creatives - Kd Amond (AZIF Productions), Elisabeth Donaldson (Rattled, 2020), Tammy Hyler (Smashville Entertainment), Vicki Yates (News Channel 5), and Sarah Zanotti (Faye, 2021, AZIF Productions). We learn about the Bechdel Test, why it matters and why it's becoming easier to pass, the empowerment movemen...

Hello, Hello!     In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick review this week in podcast guests, discuss the usefulness of the DISC profile, take on the constant media dog whistles designed to indoctrinate us, and tackle the idea of being yourself at the expense of doing great work or being a good person. Enjoy!   Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love   Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@...

Hello, Hello!     In this episode, Chris joins the Creative Director of the Nashville Film Festival, Lauren Ponto , and Filmmaker Ava Leigh Stewart on a panel to discuss the best practices and pitfalls of deploying your film across festivals nationwide. We talk about the role of Film Freeway, what an “Oscar qualifying” festival actually means, how Creative Directors program festivals, the role of...

Hello, Hello!   In this conversant episode, we have a conversation with Director Chris St. Croix . We talk about his films 'In The Dark,' 'Shattered,' and 'Final,' the details behind the streaming wars, working with Quentin Tarantino, how to transition from one creative dream to another, overcoming demons, self-doubt, lack of education, and addiction, the realities of Indie...

Hello, Hello!   In this special Juneteenth, Pride Month, and Father’s Day episode, we have a conversation with Author & Actor Chris Haley. We talk about his #1 Amazon Best-Selling book of poetry, ‘Fists & Rainbows: WIth One Fist In The Air and Holla!’, the current state of American society and fairness, how he defends his uncle Alex Haley’s legacy, reparations, how he manages his anxiety,...

Hello, Hello!   In this Indie Talk episode, Chris and Nick coin the term, “Non-Priority To-Do List,” they address the ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ lawsuit, share opinions on Matthew McConaughey’s White House speech and discuss Quinta Brunson’s (Abbott Elementary) response to her Twitter critics on refusing to produce a school shooting episode. Enjoy!   Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love   Questions or Comments?...

Hello, Hello!   In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick details the sentiments of Director Nick Frangione about getting to the core of the message in your film. Enjoy!   Our conversation with Nick   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?...