The MAKE IT Podcast

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+Subscri...

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 movement f...

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 Film distribution...

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, tips on...

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?...

Hello, Hello!     In this episode, we have a conversation with Director Janlatae\' Mullins. We talk about the incredible lengths she went through to pitch Dawson’s Creek, why being seen as a minority creator is so important, how she overcame suicidal thoughts and depression to pursue her filmmaking dreams, and how she identified procrastination as a form of Imposter Syndrome, and her new education...

Hello, Hello!   In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, Writer Sandrene Mathews shares an experience in which she lost her confidence and then her job. 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 Fan!   www.bonsai.film/...

Hello, Hello!   This episode brings you a special panel conversation from the recent SWIFT Summit Conference hosted by Women In Film and Television. Chris joins executive and creative panelists Ken Carpenter, Stuart Bishop, Dave Moody, and Andy Van Roon to discuss a variety of topics concerning pitching your project, the future of distribution, and how to get funding.    Moderated by Valerie Conne...

Hello, Hello!   In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick explores and expounds on the wisdom of actor Joshua Noble . If change is a constant, it\'s not about who we are but who we are willing to be. 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...

Hello, Hello!   In this episode, we have a conversation with Director and Actor, Sam Brooks. We talk about the tools he uses to book high-profile roles, being a good scene reader, serving the story instead of his ego, why he hasn’t joined SAG, and how he got the name “Pillsbury Flowboy.” Enjoy!   Follow Sam: Instagram IMDb Fear Street: Part Two – 1978 (film) Stargirl (tv series) These Streets We H...

Hello, Hello!   In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick expounds on the confession and wisdom of Actor & Director Matt Williams. Nick talks about how to mitigate the feast and famine swings while living and working the creative life. 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...

Hello, Hello!   In this Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about the diminishing effects of caffeine during the creative flow state, when and if artists should play the race/gender/sex/nationality card, and how facial recognition company Kairos and production company Legendary Pictures aim to make better films using advanced AI. Enjoy!   Legendary Pictures and AI screenings (article) Kairos (AI compa...

Hello, Hello!   In this episode, Writer & Actor Joshua Noble talks about his early career experience of putting all of his eggs in one basket and how that taught him to take a diversified approach to his creative work. Enjoy! Follow Joshua   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   Lo...

Hello, Hello!   In this episode, we have a conversation with Director Traci Hays. We talk about her latest feature film ‘Tangled’ streaming on Passionflix now, how she overcame childhood health and learning issues to pursue filmmaking, the benefits of career coaching, overcoming barriers as a female in the film industry, the role women play in holding other women back, how to find a mentor, and so...

Hello, Hello!   In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick borrows wisdom from Writer and Director, Kali Bailey to deep dive into the mindset of positivity. Enjoy!     “Never underestimate the importance of a good attitude, it’s part of a skill set that’s really important.” - Kali Bailey   Follow Kail Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (book)   Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love   Questions or Comment...