The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Hello! (Hello)   In this episode, Chris and Nick follow up on Chris\' massive films to watch list, discuss why \'Power Of The Dog\' didn\'t win Best Picture, the coming creative explosion of 2022/23, why \'Drive My Car\' was the best movie of 2021, how to protect your screenplay (or not to), the importance of hiring an entertainment lawyer, and how to keep your rights in a negotiation. Enjo...

Hello, Hello! In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick expounds upon the wisdom of Producer David Perry. He covers the concepts of Pathos, Ethos, Logos, Branding, and Marketing. 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!...

Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with Producer, Media Futurist, and Executive Director of the New Media Film Festival, Susan Johnston.  We talk about the importance of being kind and being on time, what makes the New Media Film Festival different than other festivals, the potential and literal aftermath of IP and Trademark theft, algorithm use in streaming services, NFT\'s rol...

Hello, Hello!  In this episode, Film and Television writer AJ Bermudez bravely shares her experiences with envy and her learned understanding of deploying her \"empathy muscle.\" Enjoy! Follow AJ 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, Hello!   Chris and Nick are back to answer your burning questions in this episode! We talk about what it takes to land a streaming deal with a mini-major or a major streamer, what rights to fight for during contract negotiation, and if diversity in film is still a problem. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the...

Hello, Hello! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from Actor Dean Shortland (Best Laid Plans, The Vanished, Nashville). He lets us see behind the curtain into the layers of insecurities all actors must feel. Dean reminds us to trust ourselves, trust that the Casting Director wants us in the role, and bring what\'s uniquely you to every audition. Enjoy! Follow Dean Listen+Subscribe+R...

Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with Filmmaker and Executive Director of the Bend Film Festival, Todd Looby. We talk about the advantages of submitting and attending the Bend Film Festival, why Bend, Oregon is America’s best-kept secret, Improv as a catalyst to the creative life, the cross-section of engineering and artistry, and his feature films ‘Lefty,’ ‘Son of None,’ and...

Hello, Hello! In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick deconstructs the following piece of wisdom from Director and Writer Motke Dapp , “Part of what we have to do as Independent Filmmakers is to find ways to support each other.” 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 Indi...

Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with the Founder and Executive Director of the AV Film Festival (formerly the Alexander Valley Film Festival). We talk about Sean Baker, why we can and can\'t forgive others and ourselves, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, how artists channel pain to make great art, and how love became the deciding factor in her life’s biggest decisions, “thin privilege...

Hello, Hello! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from   Costume Designer and Wardrobe Stylist, Ciciley Hoffman. Ciciley recounts a moment in her career in which she didn\'t set the correct expectations on set due to questioning her talent. 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/...

Hello, Hello! In this special episode, Chris and Nick give their one-of-a-kind take on the Will Smith and Chris Rock Academy Awards confrontation, a situation we are terming “The Slap Heard ‘Round The World.” 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 I...

Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with the Director of Photography and Director Rick Page. We talk about his first editing hack, the harmony between Cinematography, Lighting, and Production Design, what NBC executives got wrong about \'Brooklyn 99,\' the polar roles of rabid fans in entertainment, where to cut corners on a budget (and where not to), the importance of joining a...

Hello, Hello! In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick expounds on the insights of Writer and VP of Operations at Worldwide Stages, Priscilla Wise. Employ the \" five-minute \" rule if you want to get started as a writer or move past a creative block. 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/Bo...

Hello, Hello!   ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ After a short hiatus, Chris and Nick are back with a new edition of Indie Talk. In this conversation, we cover Academy Award nominees, what stance the film industry should take going forward on oppressive regimes like China, North Korea, and Russia, and why making a short film before you jump into feature films could save you millions of dollars, years of lost time, and s...

Hello, Indie Film Creatives! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making , we hear from Actor and Filmmaker Stefanie Black. She details a casting competition from her past that could have gone better if she only believed she was worth all the attention and work offered to her. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web a...

Hello, Indie Film Creatives!  In this episode, we have a conversation with Documentary Director and Producer Sarah Klein. We talk about her partnership at Redglass Pictures, why knowing your audience is essential for making the best documentary films, why she loves short-form docs, her working friendship with Ken Burns, why constantly creating meaningless content for social media is a bad idea, in...

Hello, Indie Film Creatives! In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick outlines the importance of being brilliant in doing the basic things well - a sentiment shared with us by filmmaker Amanda Paige Young. 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, Indie Film Creatives! In this special in-depth episode, writer Jason McConnell and Executive Producer Chris Barkley take an essential deep dive into investing in Independent Film. You\'ll learn everything you need to know about what it takes to have success as an Executive Producer, as well as some of the pitfalls to avoid. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach ou...

Hello, Indie Film Creatives!  In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from writer and former studio executive, Shannan E. Johnson. She talks about the mistake of lack of focus. This episode is perfect for those multi-hyphenate creatives that are so broadly talented that they have difficulty choosing which creative path to pursue. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments...

Hello, Indie Film Creatives!  In this episode, we have a conversation with Ann Arbor Film Festival Executive Director Leslie Raymond. We talk about what it takes to push the film medium beyond the status quo, balancing a two artist relationship, the 60th anniversary of the Ann Arbor Film Festival (coming in March), working past the unsexy parts of the film business to reach your goals and her expe...

Hello, Indie Film Creatives! In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick borrows from the following wisdom, \"Learn to ignore what people say, because what they say ultimately doesn\'t matter; it\'s what they do. If you want to collaborate with someone, watch their work first,\" provided by inaugural podcast guest, Kristopher Wente . Enjoy!  Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach...

Hello, Indie Film Creatives! This is an Indie Talk week, and in this edition, we talk about men with unusual names, how \'Encanto\' has remained in our collective consciousness, why Indie Filmmakers need to back Kayne West, the Lin-Manuel Miranda and Immortal Technique dichotomy, the greatest of \'Tick Tick Boom,\' Andrew Garfield, \'CODA,\' \'TITANE,\' and \'C\'mon, C\'mon,\' \'Queen of Basketbal...

Hello, Indie Film Creatives!  In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, Actor JesseJames Locorriere talks about the lesson of finding out that he wasn\'t special and that acting is a great job, but not a great identity. Enjoy! JesseJames’ Facebook 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, Indie Film Creatives!  In this episode, we have a conversation with filmmaker, lawyer, and Executive Director of the Wheaton Film Festival, Brian Frankel. We talk about the Wheaton Film Festival, his experience growing up in a hotel, the impact of Cuban Immigrants on South Beach, how he balances being a filmmaker and lawyer, protecting filmmakers Intellectual Property, the importance of div...

Hello, Indie Film Creatives!  In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick shares the wisdom of Director and Writer Robert Broadhurst and expounds upon Robert\'s quote, “It’s really hard to make art, to begin with, it’s even harder if you can’t pay your bills doing it.\" Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at http...