The MAKE IT Podcast

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...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with TV & Film Producer Chris Conner. We talk about his anonymity on social media, why Steve Guttenberg was the first Tom Hanks, how to find a mentor, his most challenging time on set, the story of when and why he robbed a Barbecue restaurant, his upcoming stop-motion animation film, and upcoming projects with Hideout Pictures, an...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers!  In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about methods and tools for finding film projects in need of investment and how to increase your 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 Podcast? Become a True...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with Founder and Principle at Rockridge Venture Law, Kevin Christopher. We talk about how to protect your Intellectual Property rights, the rights of the Creative, who owns digital rights and works, suppression of rights in China, and conducting Due Diligence for Film Investors. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comment...

Hello, Indie Investors & Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about whether or not every Independent Film can be profitable and what opportunities exist along the way to increase the probability of profitability. 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 F...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this episode, we have a conversation with the Executive Producer, Producer, Filmmaker, Author, and son of the late Dick Gregory, Dr. Christian Gregory. This was a marathon conversation that we are incredibly proud of and jammed-packed with knowledge gems. We talk about his new documentary now on Showtime, 'The One and Only Dick Gregory,' the concept of finding t...

Hello, Indie Producers and Investors!  Happy Independence Day! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about the leverage your project needs to be "in the black" and the variety of ways that Indie Films can 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 Fi...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about why mentorship is so important, ask the listeners for support in finding mentors globally, and why films can't be made without community investment and outreach coming first. Enjoy!  Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linkt...

Hello, Indie Film Investors and Producers!  In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about being prepared as an investor or producer for the business shortcomings of your buyer or distributor. 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 multi-hyphenate, Oscar-Nominated Creative & Art Director Jeffrey Pittle. We talk about his forty-time (and growing) award-winning animated film 'The Tattooed Torah', how he received wisdom from Sidney Poitier and Will Eisner, and he tells the greatest plagiarism story ever. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Question...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about the "new normal" of film festivals, what worked for virtual festivals last year and developing a festival run by aligning your film with the flavor of a given festival. 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....

Hello Indie Film Investor & Producers!  In this edition of FIS, Chris and Jason break down why Indie Film distributors don't need a film to be a runaway success to be 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://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a Tr...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this week's episode, we have a conversation with award-winning director Nathaniel Nuon. We go deep on the influences behind his powerful short film Residue, what it took to start his own production company on the heels of a recession, his latest feature film, 'The Voices,' and how he designed his auditions, shots, and script specifically for the blind. We als...

Hello, Indie Investors & Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about why "Services Deals" are all they seem and what type of distribution methods are best for investors. 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? Becom...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick talks about making sure not to comprise your creative goals to satistfy someone elses expectations of you. He borrows wisdom from Actress & Writer Elisabeth Donaldson. 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 L...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about the whirlwind of M&A activity in media and movies, another reminder of the coming fifth wave of the movie business and distribution, and what buyers are actually buying from filmmakers. 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.e...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers!  In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss why Star Talent often acts in small roles in Indie Films and why an investor should be cautious when a film project promises an expensive cast in a film with a low budget. 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/Bons...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with writer/producer Paula Landry. We talk about how to find and close film financing, creative financing structure, how screenwriting for VR differs from writing for the screen, selling your film as an NFT, using a digital wallet instead of a traditional Escrow account, which social media platforms are most filmmaker friendly, and wh...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this episode, we have a conversation with the owner of Nashville Acting Studio and Acting Coach extraordinaire Caroline Locorriere. We talk about how she got started as an owner and acting coach, her international adventure coaching Actor Alan Powell on Quantico, how to coach without using emotional terrorism, understanding camera appropriateness, when not to get an age...