The MAKE IT Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, Chris has a conversation with acclaimed film and television producer Gale Anne Hurd. Hurd discusses her storied career, including her start working for legendary producer Roger Corman, her breakout success producing The Terminator, and her influential work on iconic projects like Aliens and The Walking Dead. Throughout the conversation, Hurd shares valuable insights and advice for aspiring filmmakers and producers.

We Also Talk About:

• Gale Anne Hurd introduces herself and her background as a producer of films like The Terminator, Aliens, Armageddon, and the TV series The Walking Dead.
• Hurd shares how her first interview with Roger Corman in 1978 led to her becoming a producer despite initially thinking she would be interviewed for an assistant role.
• Hurd discusses the key skills and qualities essential for successful directors and producers, including having a clear vision, prioritizing, working well with others, and being a team player.
• Hurd reflects on common mistakes she has observed producers make, such as not being fully prepared and trying to "fake it until they make it. " She emphasizes the importance of paying your dues and developing the necessary skillset.
• Hurd provides insights into her approach to marketing and pitching projects, highlighting the value of effective copywriting and visual aids in presentations.
• Hurd shares advice for aspiring filmmakers and producers, stressing the importance of not faking it, being willing to do any legal task, and sacrificing to pursue a career in the industry.
• Hurd discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in the film industry in the 1980s and the progress made, emphasizing the importance of having a support system and not giving up during tough times.
• Hurd shares her contact information and social media presence, including her Twitter handle @gunnerGale, and nods to her support for the Arsenal Football Club.
• Hurd's favorite story about her mentor, Roger Corman, and the valuable lessons she learned from him
• The importance of delegating and not trying to do everything yourself, as Hurd learned early in her career
• Hurd's thoughts on the value of union work and the debates around hiring union versus non-union crew members
• Hurd's advocacy for women and diversity in the film industry and the tools and strategies she has used to overcome challenges
• Hurd's experience with meditation and self-care as a way to stay resilient and optimistic during difficult times in her career

Enjoy! 

Gale on the web:

https://valhallaentertainment.com/

https://x.com/valhallapics

https://x.com/GunnerGale

We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

All Links: https://beacons.ai/themakeitpodcast

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, Chris and Nick discuss the challenges facing the animation industry as it grapples with the potential impact of AI and Warner Brothers' $8.5 billion investment in Nevada, which is contingent on a film tax credit incentive bill.

We also talk about:

- The phenomenon of sequel fatigue and Hollywood's reliance on franchises

- The importance of marketing in the success of independent films

- The need for a new approach to judging the profitability of independent films

- The results of polls on the best rap or hip hop movie and the potential for biopics on various rappers

- Final thoughts and reflections on the changing landscape of the film industry

Enjoy!

Bodega Artist of the Week

Certainly So

Track: Patience

Certainly So is what you get when four long-time friends and musicians, who never seemed to be in the same band, discover what they’d been missing; sparking the birth of a new quartet. The melding of classic influences and unique tastes of each member with an extreme desire to make music that is reminiscent but entirely new and relevant is the perfect recipe for new-age hits. In “Patience,” the band explores a toxic relationship's tumultuous ups and downs. The song has a sweet melody that carries listeners into a building crescendo filled with drums, guitar, soaring strings, and swirling vocals. By the end, it reaches an emotionally chaotic peak while still remaining vulnerable.

Website

Instagram

We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

All Links: https://beacons.ai/themakeitpodcast

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, Chris and Nick talk with filmmaker and festival director Jon Fitzgerald. They discuss Jon's career path from filmmaker to festival director, his advocacy work helping other filmmakers, and his efforts to leverage film for social change. Jon shares insights from his experiences running festivals, making documentaries, and advising other creatives.

We also talk about:

• Jon's experience being rejected from Sundance and subsequently founding the Slamdance Film Festival
• Tips for running a successful film festival, including budgeting, sponsorship, and engaging the local community
• The value of film education versus hands-on experience in the industry
• Resources Jon provides for filmmakers, including his book, courses, and podcast
• Upcoming projects like Jon's narrative film "Impressions" and a new platform called Fest Source

Indie Artist Spotlight

Artist: The Thing With Feathers

Track: Can You See Me

Socials: TikTok & Instagram

The Thing With Feathers is an alt-rock, indie pop, and dance powerhouse. The crew’s natural, quirky swagger and stellar musicianship have resulted in a catalog of equally introspective and uncomplicated tunes dedicated to booty-shakers everywhere. “Can You See Me” is an exciting and dynamic alt-rock and indie-pop track full of contrasting textures and gritty, raw tones.

If you like what we’re doing, please consider supporting our work - every subscriber, rating, and review matters! #MAKEIT

All Links: https://beacons.ai/themakeitpodcast

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Spotify: https://link.chtbl.com/makeitonspotify

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YouTube: https://link.chtbl.com/makeitonyoutube?at=1406156285

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, we have a conversation with Producer and Director of Programming at Black Public Media, Denise Greene. We talk about her role at Black Public Media, BPM’s relationship with Netflix and Paramount, what makes for a winning pitch, the power, and reach of the 360 Incubator+, why she shuns social media, how she left the doctoral path to pursue Documentary filmmaking, and why she believes you shouldn’t go to film school. Enjoy!  

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Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at [email protected] or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

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Shownotes:

Black Public Media

Afropop (tv series)

Black Star Film Festival

360 Incubator+

Denise's Vimeo

Leslie Fields-Cruz (ex. Dir at Black Public Media)

Madeleine Hunt Ehrlich (filmmaker)

Tribeca Film Festival (film)

Dick Gregory (entertainer & activist)

Revolution From Afar (film)

I’ll Make Me a World (tv mini series)

The Color Purple (film)

The Cosby Show (tv series)

Sesame Street (tv series)

NYU Film Program

UCLA

Alex Schmider (filmmaker)

DISC personality profile

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!

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Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at [email protected] or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast

#MAKEIT

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+Subscribe+Rate = Love

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at [email protected] or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

First Winnie the Pooh: Blood And Honey Poster (article)

Nope (film)

Keke Palmer (actress)

Daniel Kaluuya (actor)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Where the Crawdads Sing (film)

Jurassic World Dominion (film)

Top Gun (film)

Thor: Love and Thunder (film)

Minions : The Rise of Gru (film)

Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (tv series)

Burn After Reading (film)

Joel Coen (producer)

Ethan Coen (producer)

Pulp Fiction (film)

Freddy Got Fingered (film)

Tom Green (producer)

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Jennifer Lawrence (actress)

Winter’s Bone (film)

Motke Dapp (director)

Weird Al Yankovic (musician)

FBoy Island Netflix show (article)

Seinfeld (tv series)

Stranger Things (tv series)

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 [email protected] or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast

#MAKEIT

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+Subscribe+Rate = Love

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at [email protected] or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast

#MAKEIT

Follow Julia's Work:

Website

Instagram

FaceBook

Leaves (short film)

Before Sunrise (short film)

União Gaia

Shownotes:

Leonardo DiCaprio (actor)

Martin Scorsese (producer)

Selton Mello (actor, dir)

The Basketball Diaries (film)

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 [email protected] or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast

#MAKEIT

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. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at [email protected] or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast

#MAKEIT

More on Amy

The Prenner Group

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

Veteran publicity executive Amy Prenner is the founder of TPG, where she oversees publicity on behalf of the agency. The Prenner Group has been in business since 2007. With offices in Los Angeles and New York, The Prenner Group helps you develop and implement marketing communications strategies by providing media, trends, and business expertise.

Prenner, who has over 20 years of experience, develops and executes marketing communications strategies to help launch and grow your business. She is a leading entertainment publicist in Los Angeles. Services include public relations, communications strategy, and market evaluation. We specialize in taking entertainment campaigns and getting media attention.

She currently represents Acast Studios as their official agency of record for their original podcasts. She also works with fast channels Swerve Sports, DistroTV, and Best Ever Channels. In 2021, Prenner handled unit publicity on behalf of the indie film "Chocolate Lizards," starring Carrie Ann Moss, Bruce Dern, and Thomas Hayden Church, as well as the feature "The Baby Pact," starring Haylie Duff. On the streaming side, she launched several series on behalf of her client RadicalMedia, including "The Me You Can't See," on Apple+ featuring Prince Harry & Oprah, as well as "Crime Scene" on Netflix, "Sons of Sam," on Netflix and "Confronting A Serial Killer," for Starz. She also launched Lula Rich on behalf of The Cinemart on Amazon.

Amy has created memorable PR campaigns and secured national and local placements for all of the agency's clients. She is currently the chair of TPEC and is based in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and son.

—— 

Have you Heard About Greg? (HYHAG) is a documentary introducing Greg O'Brien, an investigative reporter, best-selling author, and public speaker. Greg takes us into his world where he has survived cancer and now is battling an incurable disease-- AlzhAlzheimer'sThis disease has taken out GregGreg'sily members; his father and mother, grandfather, and uncles. Now Alzheimer's has come for him. Greg faces the journey with authenticity, humor, and a ferocious courageousness that has rarely been captured on camera until now.

www.facebook.com/hyhagregmovie

www.instagram.com/hyhagreg/

twitter.com/hyhagreg

www.youtube.com/channel/UCpsRqXT6RO2KOYSd5yEGAwQ

—— 

Shownotes:

Have You Heard About Greg? (documentary)

Still Alice (film)

Vortex (film)

Oprah Winfrey (producer)

Law and Order (tv series)

Los Angeles Times

Ellen DeGeneres (producer)