The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about Canadian filmmaker Kelly Fyffe-Marshall, her film 'Black Bodies,' and why it took a shout out from Ava DuVerney for Canada to recognize its success as one of six films from Canada to make Sundance. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love   Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the we...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this week's episode, we have a deep-dive conversation with Director & Writer Emil Gallardo. We talk about his award-winning and Oscar-nominated short film '1, 2, 3, All Eyes On Me,' what it's like to win the HBO Access Directing Fellowship, and how he found the courage to leave a six-figure job to pursue his dream of filmmaking. Enjoy! Listen+Subscrib...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this week's episode, we have a conversation with Animator and Director Valerie Barnhart. We talk about her award-winning short film 'Girl In the Hallway', the method she used to teach herself how to animate, how to get noticed as an artist, and much more. Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love   Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or o...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers,  In this installment of FIS, Jason and Chris discuss how to develop contract terms that set the floor (or walk away point) instead of focusing on getting the best terms on every agreement. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redc...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this episode, we have a conversation with Writer/Director Robert Broadhurst. We talk about his award-winning film 'An Occurrence at Arverne,' how his film reveals bias across racial and national lines, and why he doesn't like to depend on coverage. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this Indie Talk, Chris and Nick discuss the effect of Mimetic Desire on branding and creative within filmmaking communities, the unfortunate failings of WW84 (potential spoilers), and the rich and necessary film content that's available to view about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights movement.  Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bo...

Hello, Indie Investors,  In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about the value to an investor to receive the contract terms at the same time you receive the project prospectus. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcir...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this week's episode, we have a conversation with emerging filmmaker Nick Lopez. Nick talks about his experience coming out as a Queer filmmaker, the underserved groups he believes needs their stories told most, and how superior scoring can win you laurels. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr...

Hello, Indie Investors,  In this week's episode, Jason and Chris talk about Pari Passu payment and Gross versus Net profit returns. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hello, Indie Creatives! This is an Indie Talk week with Executive and Advisory Producers Christopher Barkley and Nicholas Buggs. Chris and Nick look back on the unprecedented year that was 2020 and the biggest events that shaped the year for the Indie Filmmaker and the Film industry, alike. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://lin...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this year ending episode, we have a conversation with Producer, Actor, and Co-Owner of Pollen Path Entertainment, Tom Stajmiger. Tom talks about the correct expectations for making and exploiting a short film, finding your filmmaking tribe, and the downside of funding your film via Kickstarter. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on s...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with the Executive Producer and Owner of Agency 850 and 850 Entertainment, Chris DeBlasio. We talk about how he turned a commercial gig into a reality show, comparing Los Angeles to Atlanta, and his latest project, Government Records.  Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at htt...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick explores the actions and principles of persistence by tapping into the wisdom of writer, director, and composer Korby Lenker and script consultant and executive Shannan E. Johnson.  Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT   Korby Lenke...

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with Marketing and Brand Elevation Strategist Sandra Garcia. We talk about the best ways to overcome introversion, the future of digital advertising, and what the best value per dollar is in social media marketing. Enjoy!  Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/Bonsa...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers!  In this week's episode, Jason and Chris continue on the topic of allowing for a cooling-off period, falling out of love with a project, and going back to foundational thinking.  Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle....

Hello, Indie Creatives! In this week's episode of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about how to set your film's branding and marketing plan up for success, and the lessons we can learn from Warner Brothers Studio filmmakers about their resistance to have their films go straight to HBO Max and streaming. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and th...

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers!  In this week's Film Investment Series, Jason and Chris talk about why taking a 48-hour "cooling-off" period is instrumental in making a sound investment decision. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/bra...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this episode, Nick taps into the wisdom of writer/ director/producer Dycee Wildman about the importance of letting go of petty pride, admitting when you don't know, and allowing yourself to ask questions.  Enjoy!  Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT   Dycee Wildman (filmma...

Hello, Indie Creatives!  In this episode, we talk with Interdisciplinary Artist and Filmmaker Dr. Nicholas Quin Serenati. We talk about how art blossomed from his survival of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, exploring liminal spaces, his documentary Taking Chance, and the little known and most beautiful places to film globally. Enjoy!  Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on soc...

Happy Thanksgiving!  In this episode, Nick taps into the wisdom of writer, producer, director Tony Scott to explore the concept of doing the same thing, but differently.  Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT   Tony Scott (screenwriter)   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy &...

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...