The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Hello! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Chris provides a short update on episodes and content for this month and a hint at 2024. How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content: Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube channel. Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe. The MAKE IT podcast amplifies the voice o...

Hello, Hello!    In this episode of the MAKE IT Podcast we are joined by Brian Owens, Artistic Director  Calgary International Film Festival . He provides his film festival tips, advice, and insights on the MAKE IT podcast. Brian has been at the helm of some of North America\'s top film festivals, helping launch countless careers along the way. In this interview, Brian shares stories from his unli...

Hello, Hello!    In this episode of the Make It Podcast, independent filmmaker Frank Monteleone joins Chris and Nick to talk about his company, Full Armor Films , his career, and the film industry in New Orleans and beyond.   We also talk about:   - Frank discusses starting Full Armor Films in New Orleans and how the city\'s film tax incentives have helped grow the local industry. - The group talk...

Hello, Hello!    In this edition of the MAKE IT Podcast, Chris and Nick discuss artist Jelly Roll\'s inspirational acceptance speech for Best New Artist at the CMA Awards. They contemplate the ability to pivot genres throughout a career, using Darius Rucker\'s transition from rock to country, the SAG Strike is over (right?), Coyote Vs. Acme drama, and an all-new Things We Should Know and Culture C...

Hello, Hello!    This week on The Make It Podcast, Chris and Nick discuss the success of Five Nights at Freddy\'s and how it was able to capitalize on existing IP in a way that worked. They also analyze Taylor Swift\'s deal with AMC to distribute her concert film and whether others can replicate her success. Nick provides a culture check on a controversy involving the head of HBO being caught crea...

Hello, Hello!    In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris is joined by Director Roxana Baldovin . She discusses her career journey from growing up with an immigrant background in Brooklyn to directing music videos for major artists. Roxana also shares insights on navigating the unpredictable music video industry, building her skills as a director, and her transition into narrative filmmaking.   We als...

Hello, Hello!    In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick discuss their experiences at the recent Nashville Film Festival and fielding more feedback from filmmakers than in previous years. They debate filmmakers\' perspectives on wanting unbiased consideration from festivals versus wanting special treatment if not accepted. Chris aims to be a voice for independent filmmakers in their communit...

Hello, Hello!    In this edition of Indie Talk, we have a conversation with the President of QYOU Media, Inc., Glenn Ginsburg. Glenn provided valuable insights into influencer marketing strategies for major studios and independent films. He outlined how his company executes large-scale social media campaigns for studios using top creators to drive awareness and engagement. The conversation offered...

Hello, Hello!    In this edition of Indie Talk we have a conversation with Writer & Director Todd Bogin.   Todd generously shared his experience writing, producing, and distributing his debut feature Hidden Exposure . He discussed his unconventional path into the industry and lessons learned around writing screenplays, attaching talent, and distribution strategies. Throughout, Todd emphasized the...

Hello, Hello!    In this edition of Indie Talk, we\'re joined by Jennifer Cooney, Filmmaker and Director of the feature film Wild Fire.   We talk about:   Jennifer\'s directorial debut, Wild Fire . It\'s a drama about radical honesty between friends.  Writing and filming locally in Pennsylvania as an independent filmmaker Chris and Nick provide advice on building a crew with the right \"vibe\" and...

Hello, Hello!   Andrea Shreeman, co-Host of The Hero Maker podcast joins the MAKE IT podcast to discuss The Hero Maker podcast  https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com/ , a true crime podcast telling the story of her friends who were murdered in college and the ripple effects it had. Andrea shares how the podcast has brought healing while exploring the case and positive reforms it may help facilitate....

Hello, Hello!   In this episode of The Make It Podcast, hosts Chris Barkley and Nicholas Buggs dive into the topic of social media influence and its potential downsides. They discuss two recent incidents where influencers were able to mobilize large crowds of young fans into risky or illegal situations. Chris and Nick debate the growing power of social media personalities and how it can be wielded...

Hello, Hello!     In this special edition of Indie Talk, we miss Bonsai Nick but bring on two fantastic guest hosts. Director and Producer Maggie Contreras ( https://instagram.com/maggiecontreras ) and Actress and   Producer Charity Wakefield ( https://instagram.com/charitywakefield ). Both worked on the incredible documentary Maestra, Executive Produced by David Letterman’s Production company, Wo...

Hello, Hello!     In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, Filmmaker and PhD Professor Lance Clark reminisces on his first SAG feature when he cast an A-List actress that reneged on her contract three days before principal photography.   Lance expounds on how he used grace to overcome the situation.   Enjoy!   The MAKE IT podcast is brought to you by the Voice of the Filmmaker program, which is...

Hello, Hello!     In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick are back with a wide-ranging conversation and make room for special guest Production Designer & Art Director Frances Hernandez ! We talk about:   Why Voles are evil Moles Frances\' work on Ahsoka and Next Goal Wins The quiet, easy genius of Taika Waititi The failure of the latest round of Marvel films Why the WGA, SAG, and AMPTP might...

Hello, Hello!     In this edition of Indie Talk,   Chris and Nick are back with a wide-ranging conversation! We talk about:   The long-tail of the brand-less hat movement The consequences of taking too much advice and sharing the vision Writers are starting to use AI to work faster and get better   What should studios and networks pay for an AI-assisted piece of creative   How Apple Vision Pro mig...

Hello, Hello!     In this edition of Indie Talk, we bring on special guest Christopher Everett. He’s a Documentarian and the Artistic Director of the Southern Documentary Fund . We talk about:     The Wilmington, NC Massacre of 1898 Northern shipper’s roles in Slavery His documentary ‘ Wilmington On Fire ’ (Parts 1 and 2) Using Guerrilla marketing to ROI his films The filmmaker benefits from the S...

Hello, Hello!     In this episode, we have a conversation with Emmy-Nominated Filmmaker and Best-Selling Author Tiffany Shlain (@tiffanyshlain on Instagram). We talk about:     The invention of the “Failures Bio” Using constraints as a lever for creating your best work   How to thrive creatively in a recession   AI fears and the fault in short-selling humans   Why she sold the Webby awards   Enjoy...

Hello, Hello!     In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we learn from Writer and Filmmaker Matt Williams. He expounds upon:   The consequences of taking too much input from others   How difficult it is to regain your artistic vision once you lose it   The critical importance of developing a concise vision for your work - day one The trap of not receiving advice from qualified people   Enjoy!...

Hello, Hello!     In this episode, we have a conversation with Sophie Holland, Casting Director for the breakout shows The Witcher , Wednesday , and the upcoming hit Heads of State (starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas,   Idris Elba, and Jack Quaid). We talk about:     Casting The Witcher and Wednesday Jenna Ortega ’s rise to stardom Why has acting become such a desired career in the current generation...

Hello, Hello!     In this episode, we have a conversation with Jeff Clanagan, Founder of CodeBlack and President & Chief Distribution Officer of Hartbeat, Kevin Hart\'s entertainment and production company. We talk about:     His opinions on the WGA Strike Why he doesn\'t want his kids to work in entertainment His concerns regarding AI in the Film & TV Industry Working with Kevin Hart, Master P, a...

Hello, Hello!     In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick expounds upon the wisdom of Michael McCray , Founder of the Whistleblower Summit and Film Festival. He reminds us to be intentional by defining our core values.     Enjoy!   The MAKE IT podcast is brought to you by the Voice of the Filmmaker program, which is sponsored by Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501(c)(3) non-profit or...

Hello, Hello!     In this edition of Indie Talk, we invite guest host Lance Clark, Filmmaker, and Huntington University Ph. D. Professor of Digital Media and Film to the podcast. We talk about:     His Films Wayfaring Stranger and Patterns The heartbreaking and surprising story of how he cast Stephen Baldwin   The difference between Faith-based and Faith-aligned film Things We Should Know with Pro...

Hello, Hello!     In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick expounds upon the wisdom of award-winning actress Florencia Lozano to share an essential point on perspective — and urges us as creatives to never forget that we get to do this . Enjoy!     The MAKE IT podcast is brought to you by the Voice of the Filmmaker program, which is sponsored by Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501(c)(...

Hello, Hello!     In this episode, we have a conversation with Actor, Writer, and Producer Josh Plasse (@joshplasse on Instagram). We talk about:     How he almost died during his pilgrimage to Los Angeles   Why he gave up potential careers in the military and football to pursue acting   When an actor should question their talent or approach His film The Resurrection of Charles Mason How to build...