The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this week's episode, Advisory Producers Chris Barkley and Nicholas Buggs talk about making short-form content for Quibi or their myriad forthcoming competitors, how to focus on your audience engagement, why now is a once in a lifetime opportunity for profitability if you have a completed feature film, and a breakdown of the Nick Cordero story. Enjoy! Questions? Reac...

Hello Indie Creatives! In this week's episode, we talk with the actor and creative multi-hyphenate, Elisabeth Donaldson. We cover the creative life from top to bottom, including how to be brave in your branding on social media, why humility is a creative's top weapon and the best type of relationship for living at your highest level. Enjoy! Questions? Reach us contact@bonsai.film #MAKEIT  ...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this week's episode, Indie Producers Chris Barkley and Nicholas Buggs talk about the "run on the banks" scenario playing out in the Streaming world and Independent Filmmakers can take advantage, the macro bets being made in the global movie industry, and the perfect timing of Ozark Season 3. Enjoy!   Questions? Reach out to us @ contact@bonsai.film Find us on...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this week's episode, we have a conversation with Director and Producer Amanda Paige Young. We talk about how to create extremely personal art, why it's important to focus on the brilliance in the basics, and which is the better quarantine film; 'Saving Private Ryan' or 'Children of Men.' Enjoy! Questions? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film  or...

Hello!  In this week's episode, Executive and Advisory Producers, Chris Barkley and Nicholas Buggs talk about brand building during the Great Social Distancing of 2020, what might some of the long-term effects of COVID-19 be on filmmakers and Hollywood, our excitement and disappointment with Quibi, and we introduce a new concept, 'Mistakes in the Making' while offering our own. Enjoy!...

Hello!  In this week's episode, we talk about the effect of COVID-19 on Independent Filmmakers and the tools and concepts needed to Educate, Inspire, and Entertain with short works of film on social media.  Enjoy!    Questions? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film   #MAKEIT    Links: SXSW Cancellation (news) John Hopkins COVID map Indie Flix Seed and Spark crowdfunding The Creature from Jeky...

Hello!  In this week's episode, Advisory Producers Chris Barkley & Nicholas Buggs talk about the harsh realities facing Independent Filmmakers in 2020. From the potentially absurd total cost of making a film to the systematic obstacles placed in front of filmmakers during the sales and distribution process. You'll want to sit down for this one.  Enjoy!  #MAKEIT   Links: U.K. Indie Prod...

In this week's episode, we correct a mistake from our 2019 wrap-up show (sorry, Dean!) and we reair one of the most liked podcasts of last year, the conversation with Sara Antonio.  Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love   Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT   Links: Website Instagram IMDb The Reason (f...

In this week's episode, we take the key quotes from each of our guests from the 2019's interviews and provide our opinions on them. We go a bit deeper on the meaning of each, whether we agree or not, and offer some valuable advice along the way. Thank you to all of our guests in 2019, and thank you, the audience, and supporters of this podcast. We have a killer 2020 in store for you. Quest...

In this episode, we talk about the five deadly myths of Independent Filmmaking and how to prepare yourself to avoid or counter each of them. If you're a Director, Producer, or Executive Producer, you'll want to listen to this one!  Enjoy! Questions? Reach out to us @ contact@bonsai.film   www.bonsai.film #MAKEIT   Links: Scarface (film) The Blair Witch Project (film) Napoleon Dynamite (fil...

In this episode, we have a conversation with writer/director Motke Dapp. We talk about his magical childhood, how Indie Film can help itself, and his new latest feature film, Another Version of You. Enjoy!  Questions: Reach out to us @ questions@bonsai.film  Learn more about Bonsai Creative and the MAKE IT Podcast @ www.bonsai.film   #MAKEIT    Links: Website IMDb Another Version of You (film)   S...

Hello! In this week's episode, we continue our Indie Talk conversation from last week to discuss a topic near and dear to an Indie filmmaker's heart: the path to profitability. Enjoy!  Questions? Reach out to us @ contact@bonsai.film   Learn more about Bonsai Creative @  www.bonsai.film   #MAKEIT   Links: Lulu Wang (director) The Farewell (film) Yesterday (film) The Big Sick (film) Love Ac...

Hello! In this week's episode, we talk about the slow-moving theatrical trend toward only making IP (Intellectual Property) and franchise films for big-box theater. We ask the question, Does it make sense to write an original screenplay with the intent on theatrical wide-release?  What do you think?  Let us know on Twitter or Insta @_bonsaicreative Questions? Reach out to us @ contact@bonsai.f...

In this episode, we have a conversation with Director and Writer, Kd Amond, and Producer and Actress Tiffany Montgomery. We did this one live in the VIP tent at the Nashville Film Festival, where Kd and Tiffany's dramedy, Five Women In the End, premiered. We talked about the inspiration behind the film, the upsides, and downsides of shooting a feature film on an iPhone, and how a creative know...

In this week's episode, we have a conversation with Writer and Director Joey von Haeger. We talk about the biggest pitfalls new filmmakers should avoid, the reason he hasn't moved to Los Angeles, and why Star Trek is better than Star Wars. Enjoy!    Questions? Reach out to us @ contact@bonsai.film   Visit  www.bonsai.film  to learn about how Bonsai Creative can help you make your best film...

Hello! On this Indie Talk week, we get tactical about how to get the most out of your festival run. We dive into how to ensure a sellout at your feature film premiere, how to break the ice when networking, and some of the ways you can brand and market yourself or your services during a festival. Enjoy!    Questions? Reach us at contact@bonsai.film To learn more about Chris & Nick, visit www.bo...

"If you can figuratively get naked in front of your audience as an artist...that's what creates the best art." - Matt Williams    In this episode, we have a conversation with Actor and Writer Matt Williams. We chat about why creative work dries-up and what to do about it, what makes for the rawest art, and why Method acting doesn't work for him. Enjoy!    To learn more about Matt a...

Hello all, on this week's episode of Indie Talk, we discuss the nature of great art versus highly derivative art (and how to avoid the latter), a new way to view the EMMY Awards as a casting research tool, and the possibility of living forever. Enjoy!  www.bonsai.film #MAKEIT    Links: The Farewell (film) Awkwafina (actress) Malcom Gladwell podcasts The Joe Rogan Experience podcast WTF with Ma...

"Live your life for a short period of time the way most people won't, to live the rest of your life the way most people can't." - Rasheed Stephens On this episode, we have a conversation with comedian, writer, actor, and producer Rasheed Stephens. We chat about his creative mindset, how to know when you're going bomb a comedic set, and how to make a feature film for less than $...

On this episode, Chris and guest host Sandrene Mathews talk about the requirements to get into the Writers and Producers guilds, how to spot a snake in the grass in the movie business, and how Deep Fakes might change the film industry in the future. Enjoy!  To learn more about Chris visit  www.bonsai.film To learn more about Sandrene, you can find and follower her on all platforms @iamsandrene #MA...

"If we're rehearsing something, writing something, do not waste my time, let's get to work. Come over, let's work on what we're going to work on, and then if you want to go get a beer, we'll go get a beer." - Ted Welch On this episode, we have a conversation with actor and writer, Ted Welch. We talk about his new film Adult Interference, how his approach to acting has c...

On this weeks episode, Chris & Nick discuss four choices all Indie Filmmakers need to make and four systematic walls that the Indie Film community needs to topple. Enjoy!  To learn more about Chris & Nick, please visit www.bonsai.film Follow the Bonsai journey on social media @_bonsaicreative  #MAKEIT   Links: Sarena Khan (producer) Belcourt Theatre – Nashville Blockbuster didn’t buy Netfl...

On this weeks episode, we talk with Producer and Writer, Sarena Khan. We explore what it takes to be a great producer, going all-in on acting parts, and making art that's culturally significant. Enjoy! To learn more about Sarena and Chris, visit www.bonsai.film Send us your questions at contact@bonsai.film   #MAKEIT   Links: IMDb LinkedIn Adult Interference (film)   University of Southern Cali...

On this episode, Chris & Nick talk about The Farewell and Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, how your goals for your film should influence your approach to distribution, and why excellent filmmaking relies on a series of great choices. Enjoy!    Questions? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film   To learn more about Chris and Nick, visit www.bonsai.film #MAKEIT   Links: The Farewell (film) Awkwafi...

In this episode, we have a conversation with the writer, director, producer, Jennifer Bonior. We talk about why horror is such an influential social genre, the 48 Hour Film Project as a proving ground, and why attempting to improv an entire feature is a horrible idea. Enjoy!  To learn more about Jennifer and Bonsai Creative visit www.bonsai.film  or www.daisydukesfilm.com #MAKEIT   Links: Instagra...