The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about the threat to Indie Filmmakers by well-funded production companies making social content, the why behind the success of The Queen's Gambit, how to double your money in digital streaming, and the little known story of the first Indie Creative Oscar Micheaux.  Enjoy!  Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers!  In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about the importance of getting good references that you can call, instead of just a list of names or logos.  Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this episode, we talk with Writer and Director Brandon Rhiness. We talk about the importance of bootstrapping as an Indie, how he overcame addiction to reach success, and his method of churning out screenplays, novels, and comic books.  Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT   Brandon’s Links: Higher Universe Comics Fac...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers, In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about why coffee shop meetings are good for getting cordial but not great for making investment decisions.  Enjoy!  Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about what Awards season will look like this year, how to make sense of all the conflicting streaming data, what content people can't live without, and the origin story of the MAKE IT Podcast.  Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative   #MAKEIT   Links: 2021 Os...

In this episode, Jason and Chris discuss what a plan to 100X your film investment might look like, and the questions all profitable films answer.  Enjoy!  Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT   Links: Napoleon Dynamite (film) The Blair Witch Project (film) Star Wars: A New Hope (film)   Advertising Inquiries: https://red...

In this episode, we have a conversation with Casting Director Kim Petrosky and Talent Agent Kim "Cookie" McCray. We talk about how to get your start as a Casting Director, the dangers of Social Casting and Direct Hires, and how stock footage paydays could be a career-killer. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #M...

In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about whether or not it makes sense to ask a producer what their plan is to 100X your money and what the goal behind the question truly represents. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.c...

"You have to take those opportunities to write, even if it's a small amount. I've found that five minutes turns to thirty." Priscilla Wise In this episode, Nick explores a piece of advice provided by writer Priscilla Wise. Something she calls "The Five Minute Rule." Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicrea...

In this episode, Executive and Advisory Producers Christopher Barkley and Nicholas Buggs talk about why "Guilty Pleasures" exist and how Indie's can learn from them, the audience mistake that cost Quibi, how to approach film festivals in a virtual world, and how to mirror top streamers genre metadata. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram...

In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about why investing in Independent Film is different from other types of investment and why we aren't inundated with film investment gurus.  Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com...

In this episode of Industry insights, Nick goes deep on the advice given by the Writer/Director and podcast guest, Rasheena Nash. Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT   Rasheena Nash (writer)   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we have a conversation with Writer/Director Tony Scott. We talk about his mid-life heart-change from finance to a filmmaker, how the Civil Rights movement inspired his storytelling, and why we have to protect the filmmaker's ability to tell stories about groups, races, and ethnicities outside their own. Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai....

In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about what a business moat is, how a filmmaker can build one, and how an investor can spot a filmmaker or producer that is leveraging a moat.  Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT   Links: The Adventures of Pluto Nash (film) Iron Man (film) Sean Baker (writ...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this week's episode, we introduce a new podcast series titled 'Industry Insights.' In this series, co-host Nicholas Buggs narrates insights from our blog posts that specifically relate to advice, tactics, and best practices posited by our wonderful podcast guests. For our premiere episode in the series, Nick expounds upon the idea put forth by actress Valeri...

In this episode, Jason asks Chris to give some examples of bad and good answers to the "Why You, Why Now, and Why This Film" questions. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A Conversation with Valerie Jane Parker In this episode, we have a conversation with actress Valerie Jane Parker. We talk about the right reasons to take a role, why it's crucial not to internalize audition feedback, the mistake of looking for early success, and how her late mother supported her career from day one. Enjoy! ⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on...

In this episode, Jason and Chris continue their conversation from last week and get to the heart of the other three "Why's" of film investment. Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Advisory and Executive Producers Christopher Barkley and Nicholas Buggs discuss why the industry thinks Tenet is a flop, the differing roles of and values managers and agents provide Indie Creatives, and new tips and tactics to grow your audience. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀...

In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss what to look for in Producers and Directors pitching a project, and they provide a short introduction into the "Four Why's" of investing.  Enjoy!  Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: http...

In this episode, we have twice the fun in a conversation with filmmakers and creative multi-hyphenates, Dycee Wildman and Sarah Saturday. We talk about hosting The Defy Film festival Online, how to thrive in an apocalypse, and the most important technical elements of a Horror film. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀...

In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about the best kind of film projects to invest in and why you shouldn't be scared off by "crazy" filmmakers with "crazy" ideas as long as the execution of the concept is sound.  Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.c...

In this episode, Advisory and Executive Producers Christopher Barkley and Nicholas Buggs talk about Christopher Nolen's Tenet and Disney's Mulan's release models. We also discuss the concept of "Produce where you are" updated for 2020 and why newly defined web-series and digital content are aligned with Indie Film and creators' future. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach ou...

In this episode, Jason and Chris discuss from an investor and filmmaker perspective what macro terms and red flags to look for when negotiating a buyer or distribution deal.  Enjoy!  Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative. #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we have a conversation with IMDb Top 50 Talent Agent Teri Ritter. We talk about the challenges of representing child talent, the best methods for getting an agent, and how your social media approach can make or break your acting career. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative. #MAKEIT   Links: Ritter Talent...