Explore every episode of the podcast The MAKE IT Podcast

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This episode is brought to you by MAKE IT Academy. Get access to 200+ courses today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy and use code: ACADEMY50 for 50% off the Academy for a year! 
Hello, Hello! In this episode. the fellas are back to chop it up about a wide variety of topics! We explore how a proposed federal film incentive could affect independent production budgets and U.S. filmmaking. We debate AI contract provisions, the shrinking of acting opportunities, and the creative impact of studio consolidation. We also discuss mental health, television storytelling, and what to watch for Halloween. Enjoy!
We also talk about:

• Why introverts may find meaningful conversations energizing, even after a busy week.
• Nick's critique of Vision Quest and its rapid, comic-book-style storytelling.
• Why the new A Different World feels different from the original to Nick, and why he still welcomes the cast’s opportunity.
• The importance of asking friends directly whether they are okay, especially during a period of social and technological change.
• Halloween picks ranging from Whalefall and The Sixth Sense to Gremlins, plus the our thoughts on horror built through story rather than gore.

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:PeopleAdam Schiff Mark MaxeyChris GreeneNichole Marie Lim Sean AstinRJ MitteSacha Baron Cohen / Ali GSydney SweeneyAaron SorkinKadeem HardisonDominic HoffmanTom CruiseArnold SchwarzeneggerEddie Murphy
Organizations & CompaniesAnthropicSAG-AFTRAWGAThe New York TimesIFCSkydanceGEICOProgressiveLiberty Mutual
Films & TelevisionE.T. the Extra-TerrestrialThe Hunger GamesPulp FictionDigger John CarterHoward the DuckNorbitThe Only Living Pickpocket in New YorkTilly NorwoodWandaVisionVision QuestA Different World / Hillman College WhalefallThe Sixth SenseSin CityGremlinsThe Amityville HorrorFriday the 13thA Nightmare on Elm StreetHellraiserHalloweenThe TerminatorPredatorAlienRequiem for a DreamBad Boys: Ride or Die mother!
Products & PlatformsClaude Pro RiversideStoryblocks
PlacesGeorgiaKentuckyLouisianaNew MexicoNew HampshireNew Jersey
Legislation & IndustryH.R. 10582 — Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization ActFilm production incentives in the USSAG-AFTRA contracts WGA contractsParamount Skydance / Warner Bros.

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

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. #MAKEIThttps://themakeitpodcast.store/newsletter
Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness explore Lee Abrams’ path from a teenage radio enthusiast to a media innovator who challenged conventional formats. The conversation explains how audience observation, creative judgment, and careful programming helped build passionate fans. It also considers whether his approach can reshape television news and remain distinctive in an age of AI-generated media.
We also talk about:

• How a WQAM summer job exposed Abrams to radio operations and the frustrations of AM Top 40.
• His callback-card research and the principle that data should verify creative choices rather than originate them.
• The difference between users and fans, and why sequencing turns content into programming.
• XM’s 89 studios, 2.5 million-song library, and the story of blues programmer Bill Wax meeting B.B. King.
• Abrams’ Tribune Company experience, AFDI, the creative batting average, and the challenge of making News Fix credible and compelling.

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleLee AbramsBuzz BennettHenry FordChris SquireJon Anderson Bill WaxB.B. KingTed NugentBarbra StreisandStanley Kubrick
Projects & OrganizationsOriginal MAKE IT episode with Lee Abrams (2021) CelebrityAccessNewsFix XM Satellite RadioTribune CompanyWQAMWLSYesThe Onion
Concepts & TechnologyAlbum-oriented rock (AOR)AM radio / FM radioIBM serversSpotifyAI-generated content
Places & Cultural ReferencesThe MidwestMetallicaChicago Symphony Orchestra2001: A Space OdysseySgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

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We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by http://storyblocks.com/makeit! Storyblocks is a 100% human-made stock media library that’s essential for creators with millions of professionally curated assets — footage, music, sound effects, templates, and images. Everything is pre-licensed and ready to use under one subscription.Head to http://storyblocks.com/makeit to access the human-made stock media library that’s essential to our workflow. For a limited time, get 15% OFF any annual plan!
This episode is brought to you by MAKE IT Academy. Get access to 200+ courses today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy and use code: ACADEMY50 for 50% off the Academy for a year! 
Hello, Hello! In this episode, filmmaker and former performer https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0317364/?ref_=fn_t_2 explains how he made his documentary https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21876766/?ref_=nm_knf_t_2. He shares stories of first responders, civilians, Flight 93, the boat lift, and rare footage from the Pentagon. The conversation also explores creative careers, rejection, film school, entrepreneurship, and what it means to MAKE IT.
We also talk about:
- The personal stories behind the documentary, including Will Jimeno’s rescue, the “Man in the Red Bandana,” and Lauren Grankolus’s voicemail.
- Michael’s journey from theater and television to building Geier Productions after losing his real-estate business in the 2008 crash.
- Lessons from Wounded Heroes, including Michael’s search for treatments that help people living with post-traumatic stress.
- The “Praise You” video, the Torrance Community Dancers, Spike Jonze’s Richard Koufey persona, and the group’s three MTV Video Music Awards.
- Michael’s advice on versatility, business skills, collaboration, learning by doing, and staying grounded through career setbacks.

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:People — Show & Familyhttps://www.gierproductions.com/Terri Gier
People — 9/11https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_JimenoScott Strauss (NYPD ESU)Sgt. John McLoughlinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_93 & Jack Grandcolashttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welles_Crowther https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_and_G%C3%A9d%C3%A9on_NaudetPavel Hlavahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_StaehleJude Koch
People — Performers & Filmmakershttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Hineshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spike_Jonze https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sofia_Coppolahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Ford_Coppolahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Newtonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_Johnhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deidre_Hallhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louie_Andersonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Galifianakishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Sinise https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Pennhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Nolanhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000759/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Damonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Cagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Shorthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Madden
People — Other Public Figureshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Reynoldshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clint_Eastwoodhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Pitthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Cruisehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Anistonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Claude_Van_Dammehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vin_Dieselhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Hiltonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Paulhttps://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/netflixs-untold-series-to-drop-new-documentary-on-the-daejon-love49ers-scandal-040722923.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orson_Welleshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Hitchcockhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevie_Ray_Vaughanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Van_Halenhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Claptonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Framptonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Rockhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eminemhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Martinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Smith
Groups & Charactershttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praise_Youhttps://www.gunsnroses.com/https://korn.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keeping_Up_with_the_Kardashianshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coming_to_Americahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiminy_Glick 
Projectshttps://heroismandresiliency.com/https://filmfreeway.com/WoundedHeroeshttps://www.gierproductions.com/healing-heroes https://www.gierproductions.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torrance_Riseshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praise_Youhttps://www.themakeitpodcast.com/
TV & Filmhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunset_Beach_(TV_series)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_of_Our_Liveshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baskets_(TV_series)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tombstone_(film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Matrixhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bourne_Identity_(2002_film)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33764258/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

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. #MAKEIThttps://themakeitpodcast.store/newsletter
Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness explore Julius Ritter’s evolution from biracial child and working actor to independent writer-director. The conversation examines permissionless work, zero-budget filmmaking, creative solitude, and the search for timeless artistic themes. It is essential listening for filmmakers who want to build original work without waiting for industry approval.
We also talk about:

• How being labeled can lead an artist to invent new worlds and identities.
• Why Ritter paused Sock and Buskin to pursue a $100,000 GoFundMe.
• The relationship between casting debates, colorism, representation, and working artists’ livelihoods.
• Why internet slang can date a screenplay while universal themes remain accessible.
• How solitude prepares a creative blueprint before collaboration brings it to life.

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleJulius Charles Ritter (also on TMDB)Terry JinglesRob ReinerQuentin TarantinoWilliam ShakespeareSoulja BoyActing CreditsGap (Gap Kids)CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationLike Mike Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life The Master of Disguise His Own FilmsSock & Buskin Sock and Buskin Film Fund (GoFundMe)Mr. MiseryAmericana, White SheetsWhat Did Deborah Do? Organizations & PlatformsFord ModelsGoFundMeMammoth Film FestivalReferences & PlacesLooney TunesSock and buskin HollywoodLos Angeles

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by MAKE IT Academy. Get access to 200+ courses today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy and use code: ACADEMY50 for 50% off the Academy for a year! 
Hello, Hello! In this episode, Allison Alonso explains how she led her first 48 Hour Film Project as a director and won with Falling Short. She breaks down the competition’s strict rules, the creative decisions behind the film, and the practical realities of making a short film in 48 hours. The conversation also explores filmmaking careers, crew leadership, food on set, film influences, and what it means to make it.
We also talk about:

• How the 48 Hour Film Project assigns the same prop, required phrase, and character details to every team.
• Why Allison chose fantasy over dystopia/utopia and how the team made a tomato work at a gas station location.
• The importance of feeding a crew, from Mexican bowls at lunch to Hunts Brothers pizza at 2 a.m.
• How a production team can protect a story’s twist by listening to actors and department heads during shooting.
• Why Allison sees the project as a return to film after taking a job at Vanderbilt University for stability, health insurance, paid time off, and a break from the industry.

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:Falling Short Raiders of the Lost ArkE.T. the Extra-TerrestrialEternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindJawsShort CircuitNapoleon DynamiteBarbieTenetThe Green KnightBlack KnightComing to America
Food & BrandsHunt Brothers PizzaDomino’sGabby’s Burgers & FriesEmmy SquaredBig MacSupericaPizookie 
PeopleAllison AlonzoEmElise KnappMartin LawrenceSteven SpielbergJordan ChateauConnor BaconSeth ShepardJones KolbinskiJake GilbertMariah KramerAlfonso RibeiroTia A. Smith
SchoolsVanderbilt UniversityBelmont UniversityCarnegie Mellon University
Film Events & OrganizationsNashville Film Festival48 Hour Film Project — NashvilleFilmapaloozaPoint of VU Film Festival (POVU) — Vanderbilt’s student festival
Places & VenuesDallas, TexasBurbank, CaliforniaMexico CityZanies NashvilleThe GulchGreen HillsFlamingo Cocktail ClubCledis
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. #MAKEIThttps://themakeitpodcast.store/newsletter

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by MAKE IT Academy. Get access to 200+ courses today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy and use code: ACADEMY50 for 50% off the Academy for a year! 
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we speak with Nashville filmmaker Nicole Marie Lim about building a career across makeup, writing, producing, and directing. Nicole explains how supportive relationships, practical set skills, and respectful leadership shape better creative work. The conversation also examines AI, vertical video, mid-budget filmmaking, actor chemistry, and what it means to make it without losing the joy of creating.
We also talk about:

• How makeup artists can prepare for their first professional set.
• Why continuity, schedules, and department-specific language matter.
• The limits of glamour, fame, and money in filmmaking.
• Why directors should trust department heads and communicate according to individual needs.
• How chemistry reads can reveal unexpected casting choices.

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:PeopleNichole Marie Lim (also IMDb) Joy ToddDavid LimMichelle LimJohn AugustCraig MazinJim HensonJ.K. SimmonsBrad PittDavid AyerStephen NorringtonTim BurtonChristopher NolanZendayaRobert PattinsonMilla JovovichViola Davis
Brands & ProductsMy Kit CoRCMA MakeupSenna CosmeticsListerineAltoids
Her ProjectsCheckmate, The Way Back Down, Mom Cult, American Quilt Contest
FilmsHolland (2025)BladeThe League of Extraordinary GentlemenThe MigrantMarie AntoinetteAmélieRomeo + Juliet The Sound of MusicThe Expendables 2SinnersThe 'BurbsPoor ThingsThe OdysseyOppenheimerGrizzly ManJawsAlienA Week Away
Places & InstitutionsNashvilleOhioNew YorkAmsterdamMumbaiNashville Film FestivalFrist Art Museum
MAKE ITMake It AcademyMastering Film Marketing (e-book)The MAKE IT Podcast
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. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

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. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support
Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness examine Keith McDaniel’s path from singer, designer, and scriptwriter to documentary filmmaker and community leader. They explore how he learned filmmaking without formal training, documented complex Tennessee history, and built a sustainable local film festival. The conversation also connects creative independence with health, discipline, and the possibility that starting late can mean starting prepared.
We also talk about:

• How a poor first documentary can still reveal the right creative medium.
• Why interviewing original Oakridgers preserved primary historical testimony.
• How James Earl Jones added credibility and distribution power to The Clinton 12.
• Why Keith treated 40 film festivals as research laboratories rather than applause tours.
• How the seven-day shootout created audience ownership through participation.

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Keith McDaniel (also IMDb)James Earl Jones Ken Burns
Films & ProjectsThe Clinton 12 Secret City: The Oak Ridge Story The Belmont Reasons
Companies & OrganizationsSecret City FilmsSecret City Film Festival Knoxville Film FestivalDogwood ArtsDiscoveryJupiter EntertainmenteBayMotel 6
PlacesOak Ridge, TennesseeRoane County, TennesseeKnoxville, TennesseeRegal Downtown West Cinema 8
History & ConceptsBrown v. Board of EducationManhattan ProjectVHSSlow-carb diet

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeitThis episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing. Use the Discount code: NASHFILM20 for 20% off EVERYTHING at themakeitpodcast.com
Hello, Hello! In this episode, Isabel Hagen joins us to discuss her work as a comedian, filmmaker, and classically trained violist. She explains how her freelance music career inspired the feature film On a String, which premiered at Tribeca and won Best Screenplay in the U.S. Narrative Competition. The conversation also explores comedy in the age of clips, creative persistence, protecting real people in fiction, film criticism, artistic identity, and what it means to make it.
We also talk about:

• Turning experiences from weddings, funerals, and private music gigs into heightened comedic characters and situations.
• Why live comedy benefits from audiences putting their phones away while performers test unfinished material.
• Isabel’s process for becoming a stronger comedian through open mics, recordings, repeated performance, and daily review.
• The creative lessons she draws from Paul Thomas Anderson, including the scale of One Battle After Another and the score of Phantom Thread.
• How nostalgia, streaming overload, and the paradox of choice influence how audiences rewatch their favorite movies.

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
PeopleIsabel Hagen (isabelhagen.com)Brandon Tamburri William PrimrosePaul Thomas AndersonMaria BamfordMarina AbramovićLana Del Rey
Films & TVOn a StringThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonOne Battle After AnotherPhantom ThreadHappinessThe OmenThe Parent Trap GoodfellasChallengersSaltburnIt's a Wonderful LifeThe Princess BrideFerris Bueller's Day OffThe NeverEnding StoryThe Dukes of Hazzard
Companies & OrganizationsJoke ZeroTribeca Film FestivalThe Juilliard SchoolNBC Symphony OrchestraHollywood Walk of FameNashville Film FestivalSubstackSoho House
MusicGuns N' Roses"Welcome to the Jungle"
Food & PlacesLaGuardia AirportSeattle7th Street BurgerShake ShackBeecher's Handmade Cheese The Capital Grille
MAKE ITMake It AcademyMastering Film Marketing (e-book)
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. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

WHAT IS FILM BRIEF?Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking.
BRIEF:In this episode, Nick reviews Who Is Stan Smith?, Danny Lee’s documentary about the tennis champion whose name became attached to one of the world’s most recognizable sneakers. The film moves from athletic achievement and fashion history to Stan Smith’s friendship with Arthur Ashe, humanitarian work, and commitment to players’ rights. The conversation ultimately asks what kind of signature each person leaves behind when fame and branding are stripped away.
TAKEAWAYS:

• Smith’s rise from Southern California and USC tennis to former world number one.
• His 1971 U.S. Open victory, 1972 Wimbledon victory, five U.S. Open titles across singles and doubles, and eight championship Davis Cup teams.
• The open era of professional tennis and the movement for greater player control.
• Smith’s 1973 Wimbledon boycott after Nikola Pilic was suspended.
• The sneaker’s adoption by musicians, artists, designers, and fashion communities.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:The FilmWho Is Stan Smith?Danny LeeRebecca Halpern
PeopleStan SmithArthur AsheJohn McEnroeDarryl "DMC" McDanielsPharrell WilliamsNiki Pilić 
Products & BrandsAdidas Stan SmithRun-DMC
Institutions & EventsUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUS OpenWimbledonDavis CupEbook: "Mastering Film Marketing"The MAKE IT Podcast
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 us, or leaving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT
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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

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. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support
Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the world of filmmaker and Scientist, Alexis Gambis. He explains how a background in molecular biology can serve as a foundation for filmmaking rather than be an abandoned career. The conversation explores the Science New Wave, a movement that combines rigorous science with emotional storytelling, culture, and personal identity. It also examines CRISPR, de-extinction, creative practice, and the infrastructure needed to bring hybrid science films to audiences.
We also talk about:

• The patience and observation skills Gambis developed while studying fruit flies.
• His father’s shift from engineering to painting and the role of family history in his films.
• The resistance Gambis encountered from both biology and film communities.
• Spike Lee’s mentorship and the fruit-fly drawing displayed beside a photo of Patrick Ewing.
• The Symbiosis initiative’s one-week collaborations between scientists and filmmakers.

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Alexis Gambis Spike LeeJames FrancoJessica ChastainTenoch Huerta Kurt AndersenThomas Hunt Morgan
Films & ProjectsThe Fly Room (2014)Son of Monarchs (2020/21)The Next Jaguar Disposable The Color of Time 
Institutions & PlatformsThe Rockefeller UniversityNYU Tisch School of the ArtsColumbia UniversityLabocineImagine Science FilmsScience New Wave — LabocineSundance Film FestivalAlfred P. Sloan Prize
Science & ConceptsSymbiosisCRISPRCas9Thylacine (Tasmanian tiger)Woolly mammothAsian elephant

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing. Use the Discount code: NASHFILM20 for 20% off EVERYTHING at themakeitpodcast.com
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we dive deep into the cultural and philosophical battle between physical ownership and the digital future, using Sony's elimination of physical game discs and Xbox's pro-physical media stance as a launching point for a wide-ranging conversation about what we lose when we lose the tangible things we love. We pay heartfelt tribute to recently lost icons — including Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Peter Cullen, Hayden Panettiere, and Michael Wright — reflecting on how physical artifacts, authentic storytelling, and genuine human connection define lasting legacies. We also cover upcoming film releases, fall film festival Oscar buzz, the Nashville Film Festival, and celebrate our milestone of 300K YouTube subscribers.
We also talk about:
- The generational nostalgia crisis — what happens when the next generation's cultural touchstones are memes instead of physical media, Saturday morning cartoons, or vinyl records, and why that loss of human connection to art matters
- The University of Michigan's decision to eliminate grades in response to students using AI to complete coursework for them, and what that means for the future of education and creativity
- The Tennessee Titans' underwhelming $10,000 charity gesture for former star Chris Johnson (CJ2K), who was diagnosed with ALS, contrasted with Dolly Parton's 330-million-book donation legacy and what "real" philanthropy looks like
- The upcoming Netflix reboot of A Different World, why Kadeem Hardison's involvement gives fans hope, and what the show must get right to honor the original's legacy of hope, pride, and HBCU culture
- The "infoist" philosophy described in Yuval Noah Harari's 21 Lessons for the 21st Century and how it explains why tech companies are relentlessly pushing toward a fully digital, ownership-free world

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:Products / Software / Technologyhttps://www.playstation.com/https://www.xbox.com/https://www.spotify.com/ / https://www.apple.com/apple-music/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITuneshttps://www.netflix.com/https://www.hp.com/https://www.funko.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_2600https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Genesishttps://chatgpt.com/https://www.flocksafety.com/
Films / Shows / Musichttps://www.themakeitpodcast.com/ (ebook)https://tribecafilm.com/films/on-a-string-2025Black Zombiehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_BourdainDigger (Tom Cruise)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Different_Worldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel-Air_(TV_series)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Times_(2024_TV_series)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Five_Heartbeatshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blonde_(Frank_Ocean_album)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jolene_(Dolly_Parton_song)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_Many_Colors_(song)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9_to_5_(Dolly_Parton_song)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Will_Always_Love_YouBoys Don't Cry (Frank Ocean magazine) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blonde_(Frank_Ocean_album)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rocky_Horror_Picture_Showhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_(1982_film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Transformers_(TV_series)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoshhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate_Rainhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Bit_My_Fingerhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt27564844/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32359069/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backrooms_(film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Framptonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21_Lessons_for_the_21st_Centuryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapiens:_A_Brief_History_of_Humankind
Peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolly_Partonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Curryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Cullenhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayden_Panettierehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Wright_(actor)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Johnson_(running_back)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Oceanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitney_Houstonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presleyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porter_Wagonerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eminemhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuval_Noah_Hararihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadeem_Hardisonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markiplierhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kane_Parsonshttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm9648537/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabel_Hagenhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Padilla & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Hecoxhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tay_Zondayhttps://www.paulkuharsky.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cosby
Places / Events / Organizationshttps://nashvillefilmfestival.org/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashville,_Tennesseehttps://www.dollywood.com/https://telluridefilmfestival.org/https://www.filmlinc.org/nyff/https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinemahttps://tiff.net/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

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. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support
Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the remarkable career of Jeffrey Pittle, a senior creative director, animator, and self-described "agent of transformation" who has spent over two decades working with industry giants like Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., and Nickelodeon. Drawing from the original MAKE IT interview, they unpack the audacious, humble, and often painful journey of a creative professional who built a unicorn skill set by refusing to stay in any single lane. From knocking on a comic legend's front door as a teenager to producing an Oscar-nominated Holocaust animated short, Jeff's story is a masterclass in surviving — and thriving — in the unpredictable business of creativity.
We also talk about:

• How Jeffrey's childhood obsession with '70s Disney films, Jim Henson's Muppets, and the original Star Wars at a drive-in theater planted the seeds of his creative identity and gave him the cognitive leap to realize that making art was an actual, payable profession
• The critical balance between audacity and humility in a creative career — why having the ego to knock on a legend's door means nothing without the willingness to sit in a freezing car all night just to hold a parking spot for a film crane
• The dangers of tying your creative work to a proprietary tech platform, illustrated by the heartbreaking story of a technically stunning Chaka Khan music video that was locked away forever when the startup behind it went bankrupt
• Jeffrey's sharp critique of modern art schools, which excel at teaching technical craft but consistently fail to equip young creatives with the business skills — invoicing, taxes, pricing their time — needed to survive as professionals
• The philosophical paradox that closes the episode: if a masterpiece is created but legally sealed away from the public forever, does it still have value — or does the true worth of creativity lie entirely in how the process of making it transforms the artist?

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Jeffrey PittleWill EisnerBill MurrayCaroll Spinney Chaka KhanJim Krupa (NY puppet company)Daniel Alcheh Leonardo da Vinci Isaac NewtonSteven Spielberg
Films & ShowsPete's Dragon Winnie the PoohStar Wars (1977)Scrooged (1988)Eureeka's Castle Deal or No DealWipeoutThe Tattooed Torah
Companies & OrganizationsNickelodeonUniversal PicturesNick Jr.School of Visual ArtsQB (vertical video startup)QuibiFish Eggs (Venice, CA)USC Shoah Foundation11 Dollar Bill 
Platforms & ToolsAdobe After EffectsFitbitGoogle ImagesMTV
PlacesSouth FloridaBoca Raton, FloridaNew York CityQueens, New YorkVenice, CaliforniaLos Angeles, CaliforniaMoscow, Russia
Concepts & AwardsEisner AwardsAcademy Award for Best Animated Short Film Motion captureChroma key (green screen)SteampunkJack of all trades, master of noneStar Trek vs. Star Wars


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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeit
This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing. Use the Discount code: NASHFILM20 for 20% off EVERYTHING at themakeitpodcast.com
Hello, Hello! In this episode, Chris & Papa Bear sit down with filmmaker Oscar Boyson to discuss his directorial debut, Our Hero, Balthazar, a provocative and critically talked-about indie film that has been called the most controversial movie of the year. Oscar shares how his unconventional path — from competitive freestyle skier in Maine to Craigslist hire at the Neistat Brothers' studio — shaped him into the filmmaker he is today. The conversation spans filmmaking craft, the dangers of AI dependency, the power of perseverance over ideas, and what it truly means to get an independent film in front of audiences.
We also talk about:

• The thematic parallels between Our Hero, Balthazar, and the 1995 indie classic Kids, including how both films straddle the line between being cautionary tales for parents and romanticized adventures for younger viewers
• The growing role of AI tools like ChatGPT in everyday decision-making, and whether over-reliance on AI is creating a generation that can no longer think or fail independently — including the concept of "Gellman Amnesia" as a lens for understanding AI's credibility problem
• The social media "validation machine" phenomenon, how algorithms reinforce existing beliefs and behaviors, and what that means for youth culture, mental health, and even real-world violence
• The importance of perseverance over ideas in the creative process, drawing on Casey Neistat's famous motto — "Ideas are common, perseverance is rare" — and how Oscar applied that philosophy to his own career and filmmaking journey
• The practical and ethical considerations of using firearms and blank-firing weapons on an indie film set in the post-Rust era, including the critical role of a professional armorer and the creative reasoning behind using blanks for actor authenticity

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:PeopleOscar BoysonCasey NeistatVan NeistatRicky CamilleriNate DeYoungJosh & Benny SafdieGreta GerwigNoah BaumbachTom SachsFrank GehryAsa ButterfieldJaeden MartellStephen PhelpsChristopher MessinaLena DunhamSam LisencoHarmony KorineRosario DawsonChloë SevignyRoger EbertGene SiskelOscar Hammerstein IIOscar MicheauxOscar IsaacOscar LevantDick GregoryMrBeastJordan Gallant (composer)Spike LeeSpike JonzeDavid FincherGaspar NoéAndrew TateBig Mike (Oscar’s father)Elise (Oscar’s sister)FilmsOur Hero, BalthazarKids (1995)Frances HaGood TimeHeaven Knows WhatAdolescenceThe OdysseyBoogie NightsTrainspottingTaxi DriverStraw Dogs (1971)Jour de fêteThe Last Temptation of ChristIrréversibleEx MachinaA Most Violent YearLady Be Good (1941)State Fair (1945)
TV ShowsThe Neistat Brothers
Platforms, Websites & ToolsChatGPT / OpenAICraigslistVimeoThe Wayback MachineDigital Cinema Package (DCP)Art House Convergence
PlacesWilliams CenterNashville, TennesseeMarylandLowe

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!In this episode, Kevin Goetz, Hollywood's leading audience research expert and founder of Screen Engine, shares one of his most humbling professional mistakes — advising Mattel's entertainment team to walk away from the Barbie movie project before it became a global cultural phenomenon. Kevin reflects on how he misread early research data that showed limited audience interest in a Barbie film, and how a visionary filmmaker, a bold creative pivot, and a brilliant marketing strategy transformed a seemingly doomed IP into one of the highest-grossing films in history. This conversation is a masterclass in intellectual humility, the limits of data, and the power of creative conviction.
We also talk about:

• How Kevin's proprietary "capability testing technique" works — measuring awareness, interest, intensity, and format preference — and why even well-executed research has its limits when creative transformation hasn't yet occurred
• The behind-the-scenes story of how Greta Gerwig pitched her vision for Barbie in a New York brownstone, describing the film as existing "somewhere between a stiletto and a Birkenstock," and how that single creative framing changed everything
• Why two previous Barbie film attempts — one with Anne Hathaway and one with Amy Schumer — never made it to production, and what pattern Kevin saw that made him skeptical a third attempt would succeed
• How Barbie's marketing team turned the color pink into a full visual language and cultural movement, driving audiences to theaters dressed in Pepto-Bismol pink and making the film a genuine zeitgeist moment
• How this pivotal mistake reshaped Kevin's approach to advising clients, leading him to offer a new kind of hope to filmmakers and studios working with IP or projects that appear to have limited audience potential on paper

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:PeopleKevin GoetzRobbie Brenner Margot RobbieTom Ackerley Greta GerwigNoah BaumbachRyan GoslingAmerica FerreraIssa RaeAnne HathawayAmy SchumerCompanies & OrganizationsScreen Engine/ASIMattelSimon & Schuster Films & FranchisesBarbie (2023)Dallas Buyers ClubFast & Furious franchiseList of Barbie films BooksAudienceologyHow to Score in HollywoodPodcastsDon't Kill the MessengerMattel IP ReferencedBarbie Hot WheelsWebsites & Social MediaKevinGoetz360.com
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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the extraordinary life and career of Nathaniel Nuon, a Cambodian refugee-turned Emmy-winning filmmaker who transformed personal and financial limitations into groundbreaking creative work. They explore how a childhood spent watching a broken, silent television set trained Nathaniel's brain to become a master storyteller, and how that same constraint-driven mindset led him to make an Emmy-winning short film about one of history's most overlooked genocides. From designing a feature film specifically for visually impaired audiences to using a cheap VR gaming puck to replicate Hollywood-grade camera tracking, Nathaniel's story is a masterclass in turning obstacles into innovation.
We also talk about:

• How Nathaniel's Cambodian refugee background and his family's adoption of American names shaped his identity and creative drive
• The psychological science behind why cognitive constraints — like missing audio — can actually hardwire the brain to become a more powerful problem-solving storyteller
• The concept of inclusive design in filmmaking and how designing for marginalized audiences (such as the visually impaired) can unintentionally produce a richer, more atmospheric experience for all audiences
• The culture and output of Full Sail University as a 24/7 creative incubator, and how its high-pressure environment produced 140 graduates who worked on Oscar-nominated films in a single year
• A forward-looking philosophical question about the future of filmmaking: as AI, LED walls, and game engines make visual perfection cheap and ubiquitous, will audiences eventually crave the imperfection of practical, physical effects just to feel something authentically human?

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleNathaniel NuonJordan Ladd Valerie Jane Parker Films & ProjectsResidue The Voices Shows ReferencedMister EdJohn WickMarvel Cinematic UniverseOrganizations & CompaniesNuon Films3rd Realm CreationsFull Sail UniversityTechnology & ProductsHTC Vive TrackerLED walls / virtual productionREDARRI AlexaDSLR camerasViagra (sildenafil)UberHistorical Events & Concepts*Operation MenuKhmer RougeAudio descriptionParallax
*This was actually a US Air Force operation, not a CIA operation — Strategic Air Command B-52 strikes authorized by Nixon and Kissinger (1969–70), kept secret from Congress. The CIA did run separate covert programs in Cambodia, including training Cambodian irregulars, which is the premise Residue actually dramatizes.
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. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – http://www.claude.ai/makeit
This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing. Use the Discount code: NASHFILM20 for 20% off EVERYTHING at themakeitpodcast.com
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we sit down with three legendary voice actors from the animated series https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16026746/?ref_=fn_t_1 — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0952801/ (Rogue), https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2765391/?ref_=fn_t_1 (Morph), and https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0396406/?ref_=fn_t_1 (Nightcrawler) — to discuss Season 2 of the hit Disney+ show, the craft of voice acting, and the personal journeys that have shaped each of their careers. The trio shares candid reflections on preserving character continuity across decades, the challenges facing working voice actors in an AI-driven industry, and how their art intersects with social justice, environmental advocacy, and political engagement. From cheat day meals to what it truly means to "MAKE IT," this conversation is as heartfelt as it is illuminating.
We also talk about:
- The origins of Rogue's iconic catchphrase "sugar" and how it became part of Lenore Zann's everyday speech, blurring the line between character and performer
- The nostalgia for the 1990s circulating on social media, and why JP Karliak believes humans were never biologically designed to process the volume of information we consume today via the internet
- The very real threat of AI voice cloning in the animation industry, including Adrian Hough's discovery of unauthorized voice copies of his characters Nightcrawler and Haytham Kenway, and what that means for workhorse voice actors
- The role the COVID-19 pandemic played in reviving interest in X-Men: The Animated Series on Disney+, and how that surge in viewership likely led directly to the creation of X-Men '97
- Each guest's deep personal commitment to causes beyond entertainment, including environmental advocacy for old-growth forests (Adrian), LGBTQIA+ voice actor support and nonpartisan voter engagement (JP), and social/political justice work rooted in Lenore's 12-year career as a Canadian politician

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13623148/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men:_The_Animated_Series https://www.disneyplus.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revival_(TV_series) https://www.peacocktv.com/https://www.audible.com/ / https://www.amazon.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Visions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Life_with_the_Walter_Boys https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Mash-Up https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Trevino_Likes_Ithttps://letterboxd.com/film/our-hero-balthazar/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Days_(film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaker_Morant_(film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mephisto_(1981_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruling_Class_(film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chant_of_Jimmie_Blacksmith https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picnic_at_Hanging_Rock_(film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Brilliant_Career_(film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_Hawks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boss_Babyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocomelonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo_Gabba_Gabba!https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluey_(2018_TV_series)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Joy_Luck_Club_(film)The Aussie Six
Peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenore_Zannhttp://jpkarliak.comhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0396935/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracie_Laymon https://www.instagram.com/thetedwelch/https://www.filmslop.com/interviews/oscar-boyson-and-ricky-camilleri https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathalie_Boltt https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Margolyes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacki_Weaver https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Davishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Neill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Woodwardhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Thompson_(actor)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Brownhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_O%27Toolehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Hopkins / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal_Lecterhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_McKellenhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Stewarthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Kenny / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpongeBob_SquarePants_(character)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Rockhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Fitzgeraldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Monroehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Gaiman / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Graveyard_Bookhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Letterman / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Aniston
Charactershttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Forcehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Factor_(comics)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaris_(Marvel_Comics)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee_(character) / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunspot_(character)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graydon_Creedhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Danvers

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing. Use the Discount code: NASHFILM20 for 20% off EVERYTHING at themakeitpodcast.com
Hello, Hello! 
In this episode, Chris, Nick, and Producer Papa Bear sit down with Jesse Weglein — 15 years at Pixar, now founder of Illuminai Studios — joining live from the foot of Mount Fuji. Jesse worked on Up, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4 before a mass layoff ended that run and pushed him into building his own studio. He's using AI as a tool, not a replacement, to make original animated films for audiences the industry keeps overlooking — including his short film Roar, which Whoopi Goldberg picked for the Tribeca Film Festival.
We also talk about:
- The creative culture at Pixar and what makes it impossible to replicate — including how directors would skip watching their own films in theaters to study the audience's reactions instead
- The global divide on AI in animation, from China's breakneck adoption of the technology to Japan's philosophical hesitation around whether AI can carry the "soul" of an artist's vision
- The economic fragility of the animation business model, including the trend of outsourcing animation overseas and how AI might offer a path to reclaiming domestic production jobs
- The importance of traditional art training as the essential foundation before any aspiring animator or filmmaker touches AI tools — and why skipping that foundation produces hollow, soulless content
- The passionate debate around AI's role in filmmaking, including the social policing happening on different platforms, copyright and trademark risks when using AI-generated imagery, and the distinction between using AI to accelerate creativity versus allowing it to replace it entirely


People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:Peoplehttps://illuminaistudios.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lasseterhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Catmullhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Docterhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Ozhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Stantonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whoopi_Goldberghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Tippetthttps://www.arch.tamu.edu/directory/people/tmclaughlin/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCarthy_(computer_scientist)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Kurosawahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayao_Miyazakihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Langhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toshiro_Mifunehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Kurzweilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Asimovhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dario_Amodei https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Altman https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1836560/?ref_=fn_t_1https://tribecafilm.com/films/roar-2026 
Films & Showshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt1049413/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435761/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1979376/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29355505/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317705/https://tribecafilm.com/films/roar-2026 Shine (Illuminai Studios)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Color_Purple_(1985_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_(1927_film) (1927)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Samurai https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_and_Low_(1963_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wind_Rises https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirited_Away https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashomon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Beard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starship_Troopers_(film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumpin%27_Jack_Flash_(film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sister_Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.I._Artificial_Intelligence https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33764235/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boy_and_the_Heron https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33764258/ 
Companies & Organizationshttps://www.pixar.com/https://illuminaistudios.com/https://www.ilm.com/https://deepmind.google/https://tribecafilm.com/https://www.arch.tamu.edu/academics/departments/visualization/https://www.anthropic.com/https://openai.com/ / https://chatgpt.com/https://www.apple.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technicolorhttps://nashvillefilmfestival.org/https://www.wga.org/
Software & Technologyhttps://www.autodesk.com/products/maya/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presto_(animation_software) (Pixar's proprietary tool)https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.htmlhttps://suno.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_tracing_(graphics) / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Render_farm
Websites & Social Mediahttps://illuminaistudios.com/https://nashvillefilmfestival.org/
Books & Productshttps://www.themakeitpodcast.com/ (ebook)https://www.themakeitpodcast.com/https://www.lego.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxo_Jr.
Placeshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emeryville,_California 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness take a deep dive into the life, craft, and career philosophy of actress Christine Woods — known for her roles in HBO's Hello Ladies, ABC's Flash Forward, and The Walking Dead — exploring how a profoundly shy girl from Lake Forest, California built a sustainable, authentic acting career by rejecting Hollywood's arbitrary rules. Drawing from a wide-ranging interview hosted by Chris, he unpacks how Christine transformed her fear of failure into a powerful, service-driven approach to storytelling that flips the traditional power dynamic of the audition room on its head. From her early tap dancing days and her grandfather Sterling's love of classic movie musicals to her unconventional college path, her manager's game-changing advice, and her expanding work as a producer and director, this episode offers a masterclass in building a creative career on your own terms.
We also talk about:

• How Christine's grandfather Sterling — a hulking, ex-military man who secretly loved classic movie musicals — introduced her to films like Meet Me in St. Louis and Gene Kelly and Judy Garland, fundamentally shaping her belief that performance is communal storytelling, not ego-driven spectacle
• Why Christine chose to attend the University of Arizona on a singing and vocal jazz scholarship rather than audition for prestigious conservatories like Juilliard or Carnegie Mellon, and how she made a calculated pivot to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater to fill a critical gap in her training
• How severe creative constraints on low-budget indie sets — such as having only one hour left at a location to capture a crucial, emotionally exhausting scene — can actually serve as a psychological gift by forcing actors entirely into the present moment and bypassing the internal critic
• The fascinating physiological mechanics behind Christine's on-set habit of performing classical vocal warm-ups right before the director calls action — including how stretching the jaw and engaging the vocal cords stimulates the vagus nerve to calm the parasympathetic nervous system
• Christine's expanding work behind the camera, including producing and directing experimental comedy shorts with friends, such as one brilliantly titled Finding the Asshole, as a way to tell stories on her own terms without waiting for permission from industry gatekeepers

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleChristine Woods (actress)Sterling Woods (Christine's grandfather)Eric Emery (Christine's first LA manager)Joe Sill Gene KellyJudy GarlandBilly Corgan Frank Ocean
Shows, Films & ProjectsHello Ladies FlashForward The Walking DeadMeet Me in St. LouisStray Finding the Asshole — experimental comedy short
Schools & ProgramsUniversity of ArizonaJuilliardCarnegie Mellon
Social Media@TrickyBear (Christine Woods' Instagram)
Bands / ArtistsThe Smashing PumpkinsFrank Ocean
PlacesLake Forest, California
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. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing
Hello, Hello! In this episode, Chris and Nick reunite for an Indie Talk episode packed with film industry insights, starting with Chris's powerful experience watching the James Baldwin documentary https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5804038/?ref_=fn_t_1 and a heartfelt shoutout to Carlton Adkins and the https://enlightenmentfilmacademy.orgstanding-room-only student film screening in Nashville. We dive deep into the evolving box office landscape, dissecting why certain legacy IP films are underperforming while YouTube-lore-driven films like Backrooms are shattering A24 records, and what that means for the future of indie filmmaking. We close with a rich discussion on George Lucas's comments about AI and audience testing, the Warner Bros./Paramount merger controversy, and a passionate defense of the theatrical experience as a community-building institution.
We also talk about:
- The cultural and historical significance of the deaths of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Medgar Evers in the 1960s, and how their simultaneous loss effectively ended a generation of Black empowerment leadership
- The nostalgia and community value of Blockbuster Video, including employee perks, the tactile VHS experience, and how video rental stores created a unique social ecosystem that streaming has failed to replicate
- The philosophical tension between George Lucas's belief in pure artistic storytelling and Kevin Goetz's data-informed audience testing approach, and what each means for the future of cinema
- The proposed Warner Bros./Paramount merger, the protests and petitions against it, what it could mean for creative competition and content diversity, and parallels to Disney's acquisition of Marvel and Star Wars
- The complicated cultural conversation around celebrities and public figures in the internet age, and how total transparency disabuses audiences of the idea that their heroes are perfect or infallible

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
Peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Baldwinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Xhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medgar_Evershttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jacksonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Sharptonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lewishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Gregoryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._D._Jakeshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Charleshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevie_Wonderhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Hollandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zendayahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobey_Maguirehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Hardyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Bradyhttps://enlightenmentfilmacademy.org/about/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kane_Parsonshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markiplierhttps://kevingoetz360.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Lucashttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Kellyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Claude_Van_Dammehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Momoahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Willishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viggo_Mortensenhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Harrishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hurthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hurthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cronenberghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwayne_Johnsonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_L._Jacksonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Maherhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Scorsesehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiefer_Sutherlandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Baconhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Reevehttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm5947149/?ref_=fn_t_1Tom McCullough (PB's childhood friend)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Galitzine https://www.samharris.org/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlamagne_tha_God https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortal_Techniquehttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/backrooms-producer-chris-ferguson-1236610885/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Schwarzenegger
Films & Documentarieshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt5804038/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backrooms_(film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longlegs https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Invite-The-(2026) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33764258/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_No_Way_Homehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fifth_Elementhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_Monkeyshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moana_(2026_film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moana_2https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29355505/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435761/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_(2025_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supergirl_(2026_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mandalorian_and_Groguhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie_(film)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6710474/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_History_of_Violencehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inceptionhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt27564844/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the remarkable journey of Caroline Locorriere, founder and lead coach of the Nashville Acting Studio, exploring how she walked away from a thriving commercial acting career in Los Angeles to discover her true calling as an acting teacher and coach. They unpack her empathy-driven teaching philosophy, which stands in direct opposition to the industry's notorious "whiplash method" of emotional terrorism, and examine how her three core pillars of acting craft — staying human on camera, accessing emotional life, and rigorous script analysis — create self-sufficient, sustainable artists. Drawing parallels far beyond the world of acting, this conversation serves as a masterclass in career self-awareness, psychological safety in creative environments, and the relentless tenacity required to survive in any subjective, competitive industry.
We also talk about:

• Why getting a talent agent too early can permanently damage an actor's reputation with casting directors and how Caroline advises building craft first before seeking representation
• The fascinating story of student Matt Williams, whose romantic performances lacked emotional depth because he had never been in love — and how Caroline's unconventional homework assignment (to go fall in love) led him to eventually get married
• The brutal reality of casting subjectivity, illustrated through a heartbreaking story of a highly talented student who auditioned flawlessly for David Fincher's Mindhunter but lost the role to someone Caroline felt was objectively less impressive on screen
• The role of tenacity over pure talent in sustaining a creative career, exemplified by former student Alan Powell, who wrote, produced, and starred in a film that reached number four on Netflix
• The mystical and deeply personal story of Martha, an 80-year-old Episcopalian woman with the ability to see auras, whose unprompted words to Caroline at a crossroads moment gave her the validation she needed to trust her instincts and pursue teaching

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleCaroline Locorriere Matt Williams Alan Powell Missy (Caroline's mother)Martha (Episcopalian aura reader) Toni MorrisonShelley DuvallBear BryantNick SabanMeryl StreepDavid FincherKonstantin StanislavskiShows / FilmsMindhunterThe ShiningInstitutions / PlacesNashville Acting StudioBelmont UniversityOhio State UniversityPlatformsNetflixConcepts / MethodsThe Whiplash Method Sunk Cost Fallacy"The three pillars of acting craft" — Caroline's framework"Camera appropriateness"Active listening/listening labs
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. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeit
This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing
Hello, Hello! In this episode, Nick flies solo — without co-host Chris Barkley or Producer Papa Bear, who are both traveling in Italy — to discuss acclaimed independent filmmaker and producer Oscar Boyson and his feature directorial debut, Our Hero Balthazar, a darkly comedic psychological drama that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Nick shares his visceral, gut-punch reaction to watching the film, unpacking how its unflinching portrayal of online culture, performative activism, masculinity, and gun violence caught him completely off guard and forced him to confront uncomfortable realities facing young people in modern America. The episode weaves together Nick's personal reflections on the film, audience poll results about social media, Gen Z viewing habit data, filmmaker quotes from Oscar Boyson, and a closing definition of success borrowed from Matt Damon.
We also talk about:

• How Our Hero Balthazar uses dark comedy and social satire to hold a mirror up to the uncomfortable realities of young people navigating social media, identity, and belonging
• Nick's personal Instagram algorithm experiment — and what it revealed about how social media can trap users in a cycle of consuming the same content repeatedly, potentially shaping their identity
• Gen Z viewing habits data from Deloitte's Digital Media Trends Study (2025–2026), including how much more time Gen Z spends on social platforms versus traditional TV and movies
• Why going to the theater is increasingly becoming an event-driven, culturally shared experience — and what independent filmmakers must do to get young audiences off their couches and into seats
• Matt Damon's definition of success — "all we have as the people making it is the love of the doing it" — and how that philosophy connects directly to the spirit of the MAKE IT Podcast

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:PeopleOscar BoysonNoah BaumbachThe Safdie BrothersRicky Camilleri Jaeden Martell Noah CentineoAsa Butterfield Chris Bauer Matt DamonClaire HuxtableFilms & TVOur Hero BalthazarFrances HaUncut GemsStreet FighterFestivals & EventsTribeca Film FestivalPlatforms & Social MediaLetterboxdPostly.aiCanvaRiverside.fmResearch & StudiesDeloitte Digital Media TrendsFandango Moviegoing Study OrganizationsWater.org (Matt Damon's charity)
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. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

WHAT IS FILM BRIEF?Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking.
BRIEF:In this episode, Nick dives deep on Toy Story 5, the highly anticipated return of Pixar's beloved franchise directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris, exploring how the film tackles the timely and thought-provoking theme of childhood imagination in a screen-saturated world. The episode examines how Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang face their most contemporary challenge yet — competing with a tablet named Lily Pad that promises endless digital entertainment — while unpacking the film's deeper philosophical questions about identity, connection, and what it means to truly grow up. Nicholas reflects on the emotional resonance of experiencing the film in a theater alongside family and community, ultimately framing Toy Story 5 as a love letter to imagination, collaboration, and the irreplaceable power of human connection.
TAKEAWAYS:

• The directorial pairing of Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris, and how their distinct backgrounds shape the film's artistic and emotional vision
• The symbolic role of the Lily Pad tablet as a representation of digital culture's competition with imaginative play, rather than a traditional villain
• The identity crisis sparked by an army of Buzz Lightyear action figures, and how the film uses their existence to explore what truly makes a person — or a toy — special
• Jessie's expanded emotional arc as she steps into the center of the story, discovering that leadership is about becoming who others need you to be
• The film's connection to Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey framework, and how Toy Story 5 quietly argues that no hero — and no healing — happens in isolation

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Films / ProjectsToy Story 5Toy Story (original)Toy Story 4Finding NemoWALL-ECiao Alberto PeopleAndrew Stanton Kenna Harris Randy Newman Joseph Campbell CharactersWoodyBuzz LightyearJessieBonnieTechnology / Products (Fictional)Lilypad (the tablet, voiced by Greta Lee)Organizations / BrandsPixarEbook: "Mastering Film Marketing"The MAKE IT Podcast
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 us, or leaving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT
All Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the archives of the MAKE IT Podcast (Episode 174) to extract the raw, unfiltered reality of indie filmmaker Josh Bishop's journey — from his punk rock-influenced teenage years in Europe to premiering his debut documentary at South by Southwest after an extraordinary 11-year production process. They explore how Josh's philosophy of film as "a window in a tunnel" shapes not only his creative vision but also the production company he co-founded with his wife, Keturah, and how advice from his idol Jim Jarmusch permanently redirected his career. The episode serves as a masterclass for any creative — filmmaker, writer, or entrepreneur — wrestling with the timeless tension between authentic artistic expression and the brutal financial realities of independent creation.
We also talk about:

• The stark philosophical and structural differences between the European taxpayer-funded film system and the commercially driven American Hollywood machine, and what those differences mean for artistic freedom
• The profound influence of old-school New York stop-motion animator and punk rock musician Jim Starace on Josh's creative DNA and his lifelong rejection of "selling out"
• The psychological and professional whiplash filmmakers experience when they transition from the creative grind of making an independent film to the cutthroat business reality of festival circuit sales and distribution pitching
• The radical democratization of filmmaking technology, including a local filmmaker named Kd Amond who shot an entire feature-length horror film called Faye using only an iPhone 8, and what that means for the "I don't have the right equipment" excuse
• Josh's deeply humble personal philosophy of holding up a mirror to society rather than preaching — including his decision to spend four straight days shooting raw documentary footage in the aftermath of a Nashville tornado without any commercial agenda

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleJosh Bishop Jim Starace Jim Jarmusch Keturah BishopTomi Fujiyama Morgan Spurlock Elijah WoodStefan Pokorny Anthony BourdainKd AmondMartin Scorsese Bands & MusicPuny Human Norman Bates & The Showerheads — limited web presence; best found via DiscogsThe Ramones Films & ProjectsDown by Law Coffee and Cigarettes Made in JapanThe DwarvenautDestination Fantastic Faye Companies, Organizations & PlatformsA Window in a Tunnel Grand Ole OprySouth by Southwest (SXSW)Dwarven ForgeKickstarterDungeons & DragonsLegion M iPhone 8 Cotton BureauPlacesIceland Netherlands (Holland) BelgiumNew York City 
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. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – http://www.claude.ai/makeit
This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we welcome back https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7050977/, founder and CEO of https://www.corporate.kino.studio, to celebrate the major milestone of his horror film Undertone being acquired by A24 and its theatrical run, which generated over $9 million in opening weekend box office on a $500,000 budget. Daril shares the journey of bringing Undertone from the Fantasia International Film Festival to Sundance and ultimately to wide release, while discussing A24's unique and authentic marketing approach that helped the film connect with audiences in a meaningful way. The conversation also dives deep into the independent film ecosystem, the economics of filmmaking, the role of social media and AI tools in modern content creation, and what it truly means to "make it" in Hollywood.
We also talk about:
- The debate around Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic and how much critical scores actually influence moviegoers' choices, including an audience poll revealing that 56% of viewers say critics don't influence their decisions at all
- The viral social media post by an art director on the film Obsession, who expressed frustration about her low pay despite the film's massive financial success, and what that reveals about systemic economic inequity in the independent film industry
- The rise of Neuralink and the broader philosophical conversation about AI integration into human life, including comparisons to Brave New World, social media data harvesting, and the future of human creativity and autonomy
- Why horror is the new comedy in 2026, and how films like Undertone, Obsession, Iron Lung, and Backrooms are proving that audience-first, word-of-mouth driven indie horror is the most viable path for independent filmmakers today
- The power of resilience in the creative journey, with Daril sharing personal reflections on bouncing back from failure, surrounding yourself with the right people, and the importance of not sharing your biggest ambitions with those who can't understand the artist's path

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:Platforms, Tools & Serviceshttps://claude.ai/ / https://claude.ai/ (Anthropic)https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-cowork (Claude's agentic desktop app)https://www.rottentomatoes.com/https://www.metacritic.com/https://www.imdb.com/https://letterboxd.com/https://neuralink.com/https://gemini.google.com/https://www.stage32.com/blog/collection-account-management-for-film-tv-producers-2436 https://filmchain.co/ Films https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undertone_(film) (Kino Studios / A24) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32359069/ (Curry Barker) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27564844/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backrooms_(film) (Kane Parsons / A24) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Matrix https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raiders_of_the_Lost_Ark https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator_(2000_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumb_and_Dumber https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mask_(1994_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_Ventura:_Pet_Detective https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_%26_Marie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_School_Musical https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31193180/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15398776/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14905854/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Deer_Hunter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_(2025_film) (Russell Crowe)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_Crashershttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Episode_I_%E2%80%93_The_Phantom_Menace (Episodes I–III)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creed_IIIhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant-Man_and_the_Wasp:_Quantumaniahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Train_Your_Dragon_(2025_film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Phone_2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regretting_You_(film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avengers:_Endgamehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_No_Way_Homehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt12042730/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Terminatorhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapons_(2025_film) (Zach Cregger)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33071426/?ref_=fn_t_1(Zendaya / Robert Pattinson)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curious_Case_of_Benjamin_Button_(film)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meet_Joe_BlackPeople — Industry & Public Figureshttps://www.instagram.com/darilfannin/ (Kino CEO)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Tuason (director of Undertone) (see note)https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5781290/ (lead, Undertone)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Rubinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainer_Maria_Rilkehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Peelehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markiplierhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm9648537/ (Obsession)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kane_Parsons (Backrooms)https://x.com/TheWrap/status/2063089837067186539?s=20(art director, Obsession)https://kevingoetz360.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Carreyhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm6013236/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zendayahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Pattinson

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the remarkable career of London-based filmmaker and visual effects artist Magali Barbe, whose passion project short film Strange Beasts went viral overnight and landed her offers from 20th Century Fox and top Hollywood talent agencies. They explore how her 13 years as a pre-visualization artist on blockbuster films like Wonder Woman, Avengers: Endgame, and Fantastic Beasts gave her the technical foundation to create an independently produced short film so polished that Hollywood executives assumed it was a multi-million dollar studio production. The conversation broadens into a sweeping philosophical examination of how digital technology — from augmented reality and deepfakes to social media algorithms and genetic manipulation — is fundamentally reshaping human connection, perception, and society itself.We also talk about:

• The psychological toll of spending over a decade executing someone else's creative vision as a pre-visualization artist, and how that frustration became the fuel for Magali's creative pivot into independent filmmaking
• The deliberate design philosophy behind the robot Max in This Time Away — specifically, why giving a futuristic robot the texture and finish of a 1970s kitchen appliance was a calculated psychological choice rooted in the uncanny valley theory
• The structural and cultural differences between the French and British film industries, including how France's government-subsidized CNC system creates institutional bureaucracy, while the UK's scarcity of funding forces a passionate, grassroots DIY filmmaking culture
• The concept of a "water bottle tour" in Hollywood — the grueling marathon of studio meetings that newly signed talent must endure, which functions less as a pitch session and more as a high-stakes personality and temperament audit
• The piano chord metaphor shared by Chris Barkley in the original interview, which equates the musical necessity of space between notes to the human need for distance and breathing room in relationships, and how modern technology's relentless drive to eliminate friction may be destroying the beautiful music of genuine human connection

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleMagali Barbe (filmmaker/VFX artist)David Heyman (producer)Timothy Spall (stars in This Time Away)Tom Cruise (deepfake example)Films & ProjectsStrange Beasts (her viral short)This Time Away (her second short)Wonder Woman (previs)Kingsman: The Golden Circle (previs)Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (previs)Avengers: Endgame (previs)WALL-E (robot design reference)Companies, Organizations & PlatformsVimeo20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox)United Talent Agency (UTA)CNC (Centre National du Cinéma)Silicon ValleyConcepts & TechnologiesPre-visualization (Previz)Augmented Reality (AR)The Uncanny ValleyDeepfakesCRISPRBully Whippets (myostatin / double-muscling)The Marketplace of Ideas"Move Fast and Break Things"Water Bottle Tour — industry-ritual slang for a series of back-to-back Studio meetingsThe Piano / F♯ and F♮ Metaphor — Chris Barkley's original analogy about conflict when one note (or person) smothers another
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. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we sit down with legendary audience research expert Kevin Goetz, the CEO of Screen Engine, who has tested over 5,000 film and television titles for major studios over three decades. Kevin shares his journey from aspiring Broadway performer to becoming Hollywood's most trusted voice on audience testing, discussing how filmmakers can use audience feedback to enhance rather than compromise their creative vision. The conversation explores the evolution of audience expectations in the streaming era, the importance of knowing your deficits as an entrepreneur, and Kevin's philosophy on following passion over profit.
We also talk about:• Kevin's childhood in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and the family dynamics that shaped his drive for success • The misconceptions filmmakers have about audience testing and how it actually enhances creative vision • How streaming platforms have changed viewer behavior, and the need for compelling cold opens • The importance of self-awareness in leadership and surrounding yourself with people better than you at specific skills • Kevin's approach to delegation, team building, and scaling a business with 320 employees
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
Screen Engine/ASIBBMG Entertainment — kevingoetz360.comHow to Score in HollywoodAudienceologyProducers Guild of AmericaAmerican CinemathequeNashville Film Festival
News & Media ServicesGround NewsSemafor The Media Line
PeopleDerek Guy (menswear writer)Joan RiversNicole KidmanCharles Roven (producer)Lauren Shuler Donner  Richard DonnerStephanie Allain Donald De Line (PGA)Ben Fritz (Wall Street Journal)Barbara JarrettBrooke ShieldsJared LetoTravis Knight
Films & TVGhostSinnersEverything Everywhere All at OnceHacks (HBO Max)Masters of the Universe (He-Man movie)Backrooms (A24)Iron Lung
Places & InstitutionsBensonhurst, BrooklynEast Brunswick, New JerseyNashville, TennesseeVanderbilt University
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. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
WHAT IS FILM BRIEF?Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking.
BRIEF:In this episode, host Nick explores Spider Noir, a groundbreaking superhero series that transforms Marvel mythology into a Depression-era noir meditation on aging, regret, and redemption. The show stars Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, a worn-down private investigator and former masked vigilante navigating the rain-soaked streets of 1930s New York. This isn't your typical superhero story—it's a slow-burn character study that prioritizes atmosphere and emotional depth over explosive action sequences.
TAKEAWAYS:• Harry Bradbeer's directorial approach and the creative decision to use four different directors across eight episodes • The series' bold aesthetic choice offering both color and authentic black-and-white viewing options • How the multiverse concept allows superhero storytelling to age alongside audiences • The evolution from the animated Spider-Verse version to this more emotionally grounded live-action adaptation • Why prioritizing older heroes and mature themes represents an important shift in superhero cinema
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Spider-NoirNicolas CageHarry Bradbeer (director)Oren Uziel (writer)Ben Reilly (character)FleabagEnola HolmesRaymond ChandlerSpider-Man: Into the Spider-VersePeter Parker1930s New YorkGreat DepressionMarvelSpider-ManEbook: "Mastering Film Marketing"
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. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness discuss the career of actress Danielle Vega, who transitioned from childhood stardom in "Barney and Friends" to adult success. Vega's journey is highlighted as a case study in resilience, detailing her early audition process, the demanding physical conditions for performers, and the supportive environment at Katie Studios. The conversation explores Vega's transition to adult professionalism, her humbling experiences on the red carpet, and her eventual success in roles like "East Los High" and "Chicago Med." The discussion emphasizes the importance of preparation, learning from failures, and the impact of early experiences on professional growth.
We also talk about:

• What it meant to be a mixed‑race child actor on a 1990s non‑union set that was paradoxically safer and more protective than many mainstream productions.
• The brutal physical reality behind the Barney suit and how witnessing that sacrifice shaped Danielle’s understanding of professionalism and dedication.
• How the “illusion of competence” and the credential trap led her to repeat the same mistake at age 22 that she learned to avoid at age 9.
• Her return to acting with East Los High, a pioneering transmedia teen drama that secretly delivered critical sex‑ed and abuse‑prevention resources to its audience.
• How all of this culminated in work on network television (including Chicago Med, directed by Carl Weathers) and a “closed‑loop” career that echoes the educational mission of Barney & Friends in a more mature form.

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Danielle Vega David Joyner (Barney suit performer)Bob West (Barney's voice)Penny Wilson (choreographer) Carl WeathersApollo Creed (fictional character)Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show Barney & Friends Barney's Sense-Sational Day East Los High Chicago Med RockyBarney (the purple dinosaur) Kim — Danielle's character on Barney & Friends; Ceci Camayo — Danielle's character on East Los HighMima & Pop Pop — Kim's fictional grandparents on Barney & FriendsSAG-AFTRA Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dallas, Texas HuluTransmedia storytelling Beginner's mind (Shoshin)Illusion of competence (Dunning–Kruger effect) Credential trap — a discussed concept, no single authoritative source Very Special EpisodeTrojan horse (as an education-delivery strategy)
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. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://allthingsmakeit.com/collections/learn
This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – http://www.claude.ai/makeit
Hello, Hello! In this episode, veteran line producer https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0003657/ shares his 35+ years of experience managing productions across 30+ countries, from working with James Cameron to developing Line Budgeter, a revolutionary budgeting platform created by actual line producers. He discusses the essential skills needed for production management, the art of problem-solving on complex international shoots, and how his military upbringing shaped his detail-oriented approach to filmmaking. Stephen reveals the reality of managing multi-million dollar budgets and provides invaluable advice for aspiring production managers.
We also talk about:• The development of https://linebudgeter.com and why existing production software falls short • How to read scripts like a line producer and identify all hidden costs • The importance of communication and relationship management on set • Breaking down scenes to understand the true scope of production requirements • The role of AI in future film production and maintaining human creativity
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:People
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0003657/
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000116/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Best (Seed&Spark)
- Sarah Childress (NPT Creative Director) https://www.wnpt.org/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Woods 
- https://tigerwoods.com/
- https://www.ezekielemanuel.com/ (Rahm Emanuel's brother, author of Eat Your Ice Cream)
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005408/
- https://www.barakasamsara.com/samsara/credits (producer of Samsara)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Fricke (director of Samsara)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bix_Beiderbecke (subject of the film Bix)

Films & TV 12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349557/ 13. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096754/ 14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28607951/ 15.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185937/ 16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374900/ 17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458352/ 18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31176520/ 19. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033467/ 20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1371111/ 21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/ 22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094898/ 23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054215/ 24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388419/ 25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460791/ 26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101460/ 27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795176/ 28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770802/ 29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103767/ 30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3110330/ 31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5057054/
Media, Tech & Institutions 32. https://www.cbs.com/ 33. https://abcnews.go.com/ 34. https://claude.ai/ (and Claude Pro) 35. https://gemini.google.com/ 36. https://www.ableton.com/ 37. https://workspace.google.com/ (Sheets, Docs, etc.) 38. https://www.linebudgeter.com/ (Stephen's platform)39. https://www.ep.com/ 40. https://www.finaldraft.com/ 41. https://www.kickstarter.com/ 42. https://www.seedandspark.com/ 43. https://www.allthingsmakeit.com/ 44. Nashvillehttps://nashvillefilmfestival.org/ 45. https://www.wnpt.org/ 46. https://www.reddit.com/r/FilmTVBudgeting/
Places 47. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Rafael,_California 48. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest 49. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia 50. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco 51. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrilla_in_Manila 52. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novato,_California 53. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont,_California 54. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_Cities / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davenport,_Iowa 55. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skywalker_Ranch 56. https://www.dga.org/ (part of the DGA)
Wrestling & Guilds 57. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Championship_Wrestling 58. https://www.wwe.com/ 59. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWE (World Wrestling Federation, now WWE)60. https://www.dga.org/ 61. https://www.producersguild.org/
Industry Roles & Concepts62. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_producer 63. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_production_manager 64. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_unit 65. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_producer 66. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_imaging_technician 67. 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness explore the unconventional career journey of indie filmmaker Jennica Schwartzman, examining how she built a successful multi-hyphenate creative life without sacrificing family or integrity. They discuss her rejection of traditional linear career models in favor of a fluid, chapter-based approach that integrates multiple roles as actor, producer, writer, and parent. The conversation reveals how her background as a pastor's kid shaped her performance skills and fearless approach to grassroots filmmaking.
We also talk about:• How growing up in the 1990s evangelical church culture provided unexpected creative training • Practical strategies for making film sets parent-friendly through structural changes • The psychology of grassroots fundraising and community relationship building • Why filmmakers should never waste social capital on short films • The importance of execution over talent in building trust within creative industries
People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Jennica SchwartzmanPurpose Pictures ProductionsTMDB (The Movie Database)Parker's AnchorRidge RunnersGordon Family TreeXPK Podcast (Ex-Pastor-Kids, co-hosted with brother Marc Hampson)Movie Baking: The Indie Work-At-Home-Parent FilmmakerBehind the ScreensDCLAPromise KeepersFayetteville Travel CenterKickstarter
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. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://allthingsmakeit.com/collections/learn
Hello, Hello! In this episode, entertainment lawyer Elsa Ramo joins us to discuss the critical role of legal strategy in filmmaking and the entertainment industry. Ramo shares her journey from printing business cards at Kinko's to becoming a trusted advisor for major studios like Imagine Entertainment and production companies working on projects with Ron Howard, Ridley Scott, and Jude Law. The conversation covers everything from contract negotiations and creative deal-making to the impact of AI on the film industry and the importance of building relationships in Hollywood.
We also talk about:• The difference between hiring a lawyer and the cost of not hiring one for independent creators• Whether filmmakers should hire an agent, manager, or lawyer first when starting their careers• How AI is transforming both content creation and legal services in the entertainment industry• The challenges of user-generated content versus traditional filmmaking in today's market• Key decision points in the filmmaking process where creators need legal consultation
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:Imagine EntertainmentRon HowardScott Free Productions (Ridley Scott)Universal Studios back lotMax (HBO Max)Cartoon NetworkCalifornia Lawyers for the ArtsFilm IndependentSundance Film FestivalCannes Film FestivalMarina del ReyLA East Side vs. West SideLisa FrankTMZDianna Russini & Mike VrabelChris Martin / Coldplay jumbotron incidentDon's PlumFather's OfficeThe CounterIn-N-Out BurgerThe Real Housewives of Orange CountyRamo Law PC
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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
WHAT IS FILM BRIEF?Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking.
BRIEF:In this episode, host Nick dives deep into Mortal Kombat II, exploring how the sequel successfully delivers on fan expectations through authentic combat, expanded mythology, and commitment to the franchise's core identity. The discussion examines how the film embraces its video game origins rather than apologizing for them, creating a spectacle that rewards longtime fans while demonstrating the evolution of video game adaptations in modern cinema. Nick analyzes the film's approach to character development, visual design, and fight choreography as a blueprint for successful franchise filmmaking.
TAKEAWAYS:• Karl Urban's portrayal of Johnny Cage and the character's journey from washed-up action star to genuine hero • Martyn Ford's intimidating performance as Shao Kahn and the film's expanded character roster • Simon McQuoid direction and how it serves the existing fanbase rather than courting new audiences • The evolution of video game adaptations from niche entertainment to generational storytelling • How the film's visual design embraces fantasy over realism to create authentic arcade-inspired environments
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Mortal Kombat IIKarl Urban (Johnny Cage)Martyn Ford (Shao Kahn)Simon McQuoid (director)Jeremy Slater (screenwriter)Ed BoonJohn TobiasLiu KangSonya BladeJaxRaidenScorpionKitanaJadeBarakaSindelQuan ChiNoob SaibotEbook: "Mastering Film Marketing"The MAKE IT Podcast
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
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We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
In this episode, Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness explore the remarkable journey of writer, director, animator, and VFX artist Sevan Najarian, from his constrained upbringing in a strict Jehovah's Witness household in Modesto, California, to directing the crowdfunded animated feature film "Mars" for the legendary comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U Know. Through his story, we discover how limitations and community support can fuel extraordinary creative achievements, and examine the importance of human intention in an age of artificial intelligence. This deep dive reveals how a DIY spirit, honed through platforms like Channel 101, can lead to professional success while maintaining creative integrity.
We also talk about:
• The difference between SFX (practical special effects) and VFX (digital visual effects) • Channel 101's brutal but effective feedback loop for creative development • The toxic culture of big VFX houses versus television's constraint-driven efficiency • How the pandemic forced the Mars project from live-action to animation • The role of AI tools in creative work and why generative AI can't replace human intention
People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:
Sevan NajarianThe Whitest Kids U' KnowTrevor MooreZach CreggerSam BrownTimmy WilliamsDarren TrumeterChannel 101Dan HarmonRob SchrabJustin RoilandModesto Junior CollegeGeorge LucasAdobe After EffectsMidnight Kid StudiosHotel St. George, BrooklynMars (animated film)Tribeca Film FestivalClaudeThe Real Animated Adventures of Doc and MhartiBarbarian
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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – http://www.claude.ai/makeit
Hello, Hello! 
In this episode, hosts Chris Barkley and Nicholas Buggs dive into current events ranging from recent political incidents to Kanye West's public apology, before exploring the massive success of the Michael Jackson biopic and what it reveals about Hollywood's "interest tent pole" strategy. They discuss how studios now greenlight films based on search trends and IP rather than storytelling merit, and examine the challenges facing independent filmmakers in today's market. The conversation concludes with insights from indie filmmakers Nick Corirossi and Armen Weitzman about their comedy "The Napa Boys" and how Hollywood has commoditized nostalgia at the expense of genuine storytelling.
We also talk about:
• The difference between what audiences want (horror) versus what they need (comedy) based on audience polling• How modern filmmaking has lost essential storytelling elements that create lasting nostalgia• The rise of "interest media" and how search algorithms influence film production decisions• Why physical newsletters and tangible media create deeper fan connections than digital alternatives• The challenge of maintaining artistic integrity while pursuing commercial success in independent filmmaking
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
People:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0179880/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6296046/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanye_Westhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Jackson_(manager)https://www.taylorswift.com/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005056/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Whitehttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0736929/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucker_Carlsonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Gregoryhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005158/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4170484/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0385644/https://x.com/HenryMa79561893 https://www.instagram.com/cardsandcapes/http://www.nickolasbarnes.com/https://natebargatze.com/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3182920/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3683006/
Companies, Platforms & Organizations:
https://www.paniniamerica.net/https://www.magpictures.com/  https://www.lionsgate.com/  https://www.netflix.com/https://a24films.com/https://www.usps.com/.https://www.wsj.com/https://www.sundance.org/ https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/ https://tiff.net/ https://www.secretservice.gov/https://www.congress.gov/ https://www.imax.com/ https://www.dolby.com/
Podcasts, Shows & Internal Series:
https://youtu.be/GWUW6VnDL9Y (series on the MAKE IT Podcast)
Films, TV, IP & Characters:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37532179/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13649982/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12042730/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089092/  https://tubitv.com/movies/517521/adult-interferencehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt14218830/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15398776/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335345/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099653/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247745/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163651/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118276/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He-Man_and_the_Masters_of_the_Universe  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083944/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093870/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092005/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6208148/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruella_de_Vil  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_Witch_of_the_West  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Fighter_II:_The_World_Warrior  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29068425/
Albums, Music & Artists: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bully_(Kanye_West_album) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Beautiful_Dark_Twisted_Fantasyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeezus
Books & Concepts:
https://www.bonsai.film/makeitpodcast https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Hail_Maryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey
Documentaries & Upcoming Projects:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35520315/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33764235/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33764258/
Games & Game-Based IP: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_Evil https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Nights_at_Freddy%27s https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26657236/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Backrooms 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

WHAT IS FILM BRIEF?Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking.
BRIEF:In this Film Brief, Nick explores a young Black man's journey through his Oakland neighborhood to a barbershop. The episode examines how this student film showcased Coogler's early mastery of visual storytelling and cultural representation, serving as a foundation for his later acclaimed works. Through detailed analysis, Buggs demonstrates how "Locks" proves that meaningful filmmaking doesn't require massive budgets, just precision, intention, and authentic storytelling.
TAKEAWAYS:• The power of symbolism and visual narrative in short films • How limited resources can strengthen rather than weaken a film's impact • The importance of short films as training grounds for emerging filmmakers • Community support and collaboration in independent filmmaking • The connection between early student work and future Hollywood success
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Ryan Coogler (director)Locks (2009)Oakland, CaliforniaUniversity of Southern CaliforniaFruitvale Station (2013)CreedBlack PantherSundance Film FestivalSundance Grand Jury PrizeSundance Audience AwardEbook: "Mastering Film Marketing"
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: www.themakeitpodcast.com

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We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
In this episode, Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness explore filmmaker Robert Broadhurst's dramatic career pivot from directing high-end luxury commercials for brands like Armani and Yeezy to creating minimalist, confrontational cinema designed to expose audience biases. They examine how his film "An Occurrence at Arvern" functions as a psychological Rorschach test, forcing viewers to confront their own internalized assumptions about race in America. The discussion reveals how cultural timing and geography dramatically affected the film's reception, transforming it from "pointless" to "essential" without changing a single frame.
We also talk about:• Broadhurst's unconventional journey from suburban Connecticut to Columbia University MFA to commercial success • His technical background in editing and how it shaped his visual storytelling approach • The ethical boundaries he maintained during production, including refusing funding to ensure proper representation • His philosophy on surviving as an artist in capitalist systems like New York City • The role of physical movement in creative problem-solving and breakthrough moments
People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Robert BroadhurstChange the Narrative with JD Fuller (YouTube)JD FullerCurtiss Cook Jr.Charles Hayes IV (see note)Quentin TarantinoKanye WestGeorge FloydConnecticutChicagoBostonEast CoastQueens, New YorkArverne, Queens (see note)England, UKColumbia UniversityGhostbusters (1984)An Occurrence at ArverneAn Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (1962)Armani BeautyAdidas Y-3Alexander WangYeezyVimeo
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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

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Hello, Hello! 
In this episode, filmmaker and director Motke Dapp returns to discuss his journey from a nomadic childhood to becoming a successful commercial director and feature filmmaker. The conversation explores the realities of independent filmmaking, the importance of building a creative community, and the challenges of balancing artistic vision with commercial viability. Motke shares insights from his experience directing Another Version of You and his current work creating commercials for Whisker's Litter Robot.
We also talk about:
• The essential tools needed to start filmmaking and building a crew through community connections• Whether independent filmmakers actually watch independent films, and the time constraints that limit viewing• The role of celebrity and notoriety in achieving commercial success in filmmaking• Handling conflict and collaboration on set while maintaining creative relationships• The choice between making passion projects versus commercially viable films
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
Micah Simms (cinematographer)Ken Conrad (editor)Nichole Marie LimKim "Cookie" McCrayCiciley HoffmanSara AntonioEcca VandalChristopher NolanA24Ben ProudfootAnother Version of YouTangerinePrimerIron LungSugar GlassSchindler's ListDunkirkHair LoveInocenteDaVinci ResolveCanon 5D Mark camerasRed camerasWhisker (Litter-Robot)MTVKickstarterSeed & Spark48 Hour Film ProjectNashville 54 Hour Film FestSundance Film FestivalDenver, ColoradoNashville, TennesseeMontana

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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
In this Mistakes in the Making, Emmy-nominated actress Danielle Vega shares her hard-learned lessons about the critical importance of preparation in entertainment careers. She candidly discusses her early mistakes in red-carpet interviews in LA, where a lack of preparation led to embarrassing moments with guests she hadn't properly researched. Vega emphasizes that these failures served as stepping stones, motivating her to approach future opportunities with better preparation and professionalism. Enjoy!
We also talk about:• The transition from journalism education to entertainment industry work• How acting experience doesn't automatically translate to journalism success• The bare minimum preparation requirements for actors on set• Using embarrassing career moments as motivation for future excellence• The ongoing psychological impact of professional mistakes
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:Southern Methodist UniversityBroadcast Journalism (major/field of study)Los Angeles, CABarney & FriendsEast Los High@themsdaniv on 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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
In this episode, Colombian American writer-director Nick Lopez discusses his journey from an international upbringing to USC film school graduate, sharing insights about his award-winning short films, including "Milk Teeth" and "Sunshine Room." He opens up about the importance of representing queer and Latin American voices in cinema, his collaborative approach to filmmaking, and his current project, "West's Neighborhood," a web series exploring racism in American suburbia. Nick also provides practical advice for aspiring filmmakers about film school, budget constraints, and the creative process.
We also talk about:• The challenges and benefits of attending film school versus independent learning • Building compelling short films from "outside in" rather than character-first approaches • The democratization of content through streaming platforms and its impact on diverse storytelling • Working with limited budgets while maintaining high production values • The importance of sound design and practical effects in low-budget filmmaking
People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Nick LopezTiffany Lin Felipe VargasUniversity of Southern California (USC)Milk TeethSunshine RoomFlour BabyPan's LabyrinthGuillermo del ToroRyan MurphyPoseDesperate HousewivesAmerica's Next Top ModelPluto TVnicklopezfilms.comnic.lopezz on 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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeit
This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at www.shopify.com/makeit---
Hello, Hello! In this episode, YouTube creator and filmmaker Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) joins us to discuss his journey from gaming content to theatrical filmmaking, particularly his successful horror film Iron Lung. The conversation explores his philosophy of continuous learning, the pivotal hospital moment that changed his career trajectory, and how he built an audience of 38+ million subscribers through authentic connection and creative risk-taking. Mark shares insights about wearing multiple filmmaking hats, the psychological pressure his crew felt making a feature film, and his experience attending the Academy Awards.
We also talk about:• The importance of output over input when developing creative skills• How interactive YouTube projects taught him about audience psychology• Building crew relationships and knowing enough about each department to communicate effectively• The stigma around video game adaptations and why many fail• Why he'll continue making YouTube content alongside feature films
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:DaVinci ResolveBlackmagic DesignIron LungAcademy AwardsYouTube OriginalsA Heist with MarkiplierIn Space with MarkiplierUnus AnnusMcKenna GraceFive Nights at Freddy'sCincinnati, OHMilford High SchoolFischbach, GermanyFinal Cut ProApple Motion
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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
WHAT IS FILM BRIEF?Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking.
BRIEF:In this episode, host Nick explores "Papillon," an animated short film by Florence MIAL that tells the powerful story of Olympic swimmer Alfred Nakash, a Jewish athlete whose life was forever changed by the Holocaust. The film uses hand-painted oil-on-glass animation to create a dreamlike visual experience that flows between memories of triumph and tragedy. Through water as a storytelling metaphor, the film captures themes of memory, resilience, and the quiet power of human dignity in the face of unimaginable loss.
TAKEAWAYS:• Florence MIAL's unique oil paint on glass animation technique that creates living, breathing artwork • Alfred Nakash's journey from childhood fear of water to Olympic competition at the 1936 Berlin Olympics • The impact of the Vichy Regime and the Holocaust on Nakash's life and family • The film's success on the international festival circuit and Academy Award nomination • How minimalist storytelling can create maximum emotional impact
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Florence Miailhe (Director)Marie Desplechin (Co-writer)Alfred NakacheConstantine, AlgeriaBerlin Olympics (1936)Auschwitz concentration campBerlin International Film FestivalAnnecy Animation FestivalClermont-Ferrand Film FestivalAcademy AwardsCésar AwardsCrystal Bear AwardPaint-on-glass animation techniqueEbook: "Mastering Film Marketing"The MAKE IT Podcast
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://themakeitpodcast.store

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
In this episode, Alex and Allison discuss actress Valerie Jane Parker's psychological toolkit for surviving the brutal entertainment industry, exploring how she built emotional armor through redefining success metrics and developing extraordinary empathy. They examine her unique upbringing with hippie-turned-pastor parents, her technical mastery of dialects, and her philosophy that struggle is mandatory for building resilience. The conversation reveals how true creatives adapt their drive across mediums, from acting in complex roles to running a bread speakeasy during the pandemic.
We also talk about:• Her approach to auditions as personal wins rather than booking jobs • The biological mechanisms behind vocal co-regulation and de-escalation • Her intensive preparation methods for playing a blind character in "The Voices." • How she transforms internet trolls through applied empathy • The dangers of early success without struggle in creative careers
People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Valerie Jane ParkerGreenleafNashvilleThe VoicesBobby HollandChick-fil-ABlockbuster VideoLa Vie BakehouseFive Daughters Bakery
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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeitThis episode is brought to you by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at www.shopify.com/makeit---Hello, Hello!In this Indie Talk, we dive deep into the latest film industry developments, including Netflix's multi-million dollar acquisition of Ben Affleck's AI startup and Google's expansion into micro dramas with Range Media Partners. We explore how AI is reshaping filmmaking workflows, debate whether film festivals should include children's programming, and discuss the growing trend of vertical video content in entertainment. We also break down the recent Oscar winners, share audience poll results about preferred film genres, and offer our insights on snubs and surprises from this year's Academy Awards ceremony.
We also talk about: • The controversy surrounding Timothy Chalamet's comments about ballet and opera being "irrelevant art forms." • How streaming has changed music structure and incentives, paralleling changes in film content• The disconnect between what audiences watch most (action/adventure at 65%) versus what wins awards (drama/thriller) • International film recommendations, including "No Other Choice" as a major snub • The future of micro dramas and whether they'll follow Quibi's failed model or succeed globally
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:NetflixBen AffleckRange Media PartnersQuibiNew York International Children's Film FestivalOne Battle After AnotherSinnersHamnetF1The BrideFrankensteinPaul Thomas AndersonMichael B. JordanJessie BuckleyConan O'BrienTrevor NoahGaithersburg, MarylandNorth CarolinaSouth CarolinaAustralia
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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
WHAT IS FILM BRIEF?Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking.
BRIEF:In this episode, Nick explores "The Devil is Busy," a documentary that takes viewers inside America's reproductive health clinics to witness the quiet humanity of caregivers working in one of the most divisive areas of healthcare. The film, directed by Geeta Gandhir and Christolyn Hampton, uses observational storytelling to focus on the daily experiences of nurses, counselors, and staff members rather than political debates. Through its restrained approach, the documentary offers a humanizing portrait of healthcare workers who provide compassionate care in emotionally charged environments.
TAKEAWAYS:• The filmmakers' deliberate choice to avoid narration and editorializing in favor of pure observation• How the documentary serves as a companion piece to reality, showing the normal rhythm of a workday• The emotional balancing act reproductive health workers must perform daily• Critical reception praising the film's simplicity and compassion over sensationalism• The broader lesson for independent filmmakers about the power of acknowledging human stories
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:"The Devil is Busy" documentary Geeta GandhirChristolyn HamptonEbook: "Mastering Film Marketing"The MAKE IT Podcast
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
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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
In this episode, Alex and Allison discuss the unexpected career pivot of Toronto talent agent Teri Ritter, who transitioned from a 30-year career in corporate accounting to managing actors. Inspired by her daughter Maya's success in film, Ritter applied her strategic planning skills to build a profitable roster. They highlight the importance of professionalism in the industry, the risks of a poor digital footprint, and the strategic timing of joining unions. They also touch on the challenges of representing child actors and the evolving roles within the agency, exemplified by Maya's return to the industry as an agent. The conversation underscores the balance between artistic talent and business strategy in the entertainment industry.
We also talk about:• The myth that talent alone guarantees success in the entertainment industry • How digital footprints can permanently derail acting careers decades later • Strategic timing for union membership and why joining too early can be career suicide • The toxic dynamics of pushy stage parents and child actors • Maya Ritter's full-circle journey from child star to talent agent
People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Teri Ritter (Toronto Talent Agent) Ritter Talent Agency Maya Ritter (Child actor turned agent) Amy HinesHines Management Mike Lummis (Agent) ACTRA (Canadian actors' union) Julia Roberts Molly Ringwald Toronto Casting Community
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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

This episode is brought to you by Factor. No prep, no cooking. Just dietitian-approved, chef-prepared meals delivered to your door and ready to eat in 2 minutes.Go to https://factormeals.com/makeit50off and use the code MAKEIT50OFF to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year.
This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeit
Hello, Hello! In this episode, veteran character actress Amy Hill shares her incredible journey from growing up in a Finnish-Japanese household in Deadwood, South Dakota, to building a prolific career spanning over 230 television and film credits. Hill discusses her breakthrough roles, including the beloved grandmother in "All American Girl" and her current work on Amazon Prime's "Ballard," while emphasizing the power of saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities throughout her decades-long career. The conversation reveals how her multicultural background and improv training shaped her approach to acting, from voice work to memorable roles in shows like "Just Add Magic" and films such as "50 First Dates."
We also talk about:• The challenges of being an Asian American actor in Hollywood and finding representation on screen • Her experiences on toxic film and TV sets, including working with difficult personalities • The importance of professionalism, preparation, and building genuine relationships in the industry • Voice acting career development and the transition from San Francisco theater to Hollywood • Current projects include "Ballard" Season 2 and the upcoming film "Flowers para los Muertos."
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:Deadwood, South DakotaSeattle, WashingtonSan Francisco, CaliforniaTokyo, JapanNashville, TennesseeGaithersburg, MarylandHonolulu, HawaiiMerida, Yucatan, MexicoCarnegie Mellon UniversityAsian American Theater Company (San Francisco)Philippine AirlinesThe Gong ShowAll American Girl (TV show)Just Add Magic (TV show)Ballard (Amazon Prime series)Bosch (TV series)I Love LucyGolden GirlsNancy KwanBetty WhiteMarie OsmondCraig FergusonMike MyersMaggie QYolonda RossMargaret ChoTéa LeoniMark RobertsHolland TaylorThe Naked Truth (TV show)Cat in the Hat (film)50 First Dates (film)Lilo and Stitch (animated film)King of the Hill (animated series)Everything Everywhere All at Once (film)The Brutalist (film)Anora (film)Sinners (film)Birdman (film)Nomadland (film)Anna May WongThe Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong (1951 TV series)DuMont Television NetworkAmy Hill Actor websiteInstagram: Amy Hill
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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

WHAT IS FILM BRIEF?Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking.
BRIEF:In this brief, host Nick explores Mary Bronstein's psychological drama "If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You," starring Rose Byrne in a raw portrayal of mental health struggles and emotional collapse. The film defies traditional narrative structures, instead offering an intimate look at a woman whose world slowly fractures under invisible pressures. Through Bronstein's unconventional storytelling approach, the movie forces viewers to confront discomfort and develop empathy for those experiencing quiet psychological crises.
TAKEAWAYS:• Mary Bronstein's filmmaking approach and her previous work "Yeast" (2008) • Rose Byrne's dramatic departure from her typical comedic roles • The film's festival circuit premiere on October 10, 2025, and its critical reception • How the ambiguous title serves as a metaphor for helplessness and lost agency • The importance of cinema that prioritizes understanding over entertainment
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You (2025)Mary BronsteinRose ByrneYeast (2008)BridesmaidsNeighborsStar WarsDead Poets Society"Mastering Film Marketing: A Filmmaker's Guide to Crafting Impactful Marketing Campaigns for Independent Films"
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


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!
In this episode, Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness unpack a masterclass interview with independent filmmaker Derek Estlin Purvis, exploring the hidden mechanics of film financing and the entrepreneurial strategies behind successful indie filmmaking. They dive deep into Derek's three-pillar funding framework using equity, debt, and soft money, while examining his "skyscraper approach" to pre-selling films before production begins. The discussion reveals how Derek's early experiences on the set of "On Golden Pond" and his chance encounter with a Paramount executive shaped his revolutionary approach to filmmaking as extreme problem-solving.
We also talk about:• Derek's career journey from bartending in New Orleans to working with major studios • The "59-cent pencil" philosophy of finding simple solutions to complex filmmaking problems • Creative problem-solving examples from Star Trek and MTV music videos • The Sistine Chapel metric for measuring artistic success and cultural impact • The evolving media landscape and how data is becoming the true commodity in entertainment
People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Derek Estlin Purvis (filmmaker, producer, writer, director)The Kids Are All RightThe 10Savage Lands - The Ballad of Davy CrockettOn Golden PondHenry FondaMike Basik (finance banker/mentor)Paramount PicturesStar Trek reboot (JJ Abrams)MichelangeloSistine ChapelRaging BullForrest GumpOculusNew Orleans, LANew HampshireMTVGolden Globe Awards
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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Learn more about Jefferson White here:
Hello, Hello!
Jefferson White discusses his evolving definition of success in the entertainment industry, emphasizing the importance of having control over creative choices and working with people you care about. He reflects on how his goals have changed from wanting to get on a show like Yellowstone to now prioritizing creative fulfillment and collaborative energy on projects of any size. White shares his perspective that "making it" is an ongoing process rather than a destination, requiring continuous growth and openness to change.
We also talk about: • The feeling of helplessness that actors can experience in the entertainment industry • How definitions of success evolve throughout an actor's career • The value of independent filmmaking and creative collaboration • Behind-the-scenes photography as a way to document the creative process • The importance of supporting independent films financially, not just verbally
Products, Software, Websites, People, or Places Mentioned: Jefferson White (actor)Yellowstone (TV show)Drink and Be Merry (independent film)
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


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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

Learn more about Jefferson White here:
Hello, Hello!
Jefferson White discusses his top three films, including The Matrix Reloaded, In the Mood for Love, and three recent foreign language films that impressed him. The conversation covers his commitment to film education, particularly international cinema, and his honest admission about pretending to have seen films he hasn't watched. White also shares insights about the challenges of being an actor, including industry pressures around diet and the difficulty of finding consistent work.
We also talk about: • Nashville hot chicken spots and the origin story of Prince's restaurant• Christmas movies and why Miracle on 34th Street doesn't work for him• His upcoming film, Caravan about medical tourism for insulin• The reality of spending most of an acting career waiting to work rather than actually working• How independent filmmaking requires learning multiple skills, from editing to financing
Products, Software, Websites, People, or Places Mentioned: The Matrix ReloadedIn the Mood for LoveIt Was Just an AccidentThe Secret AgentNo Other ChoiceI'm Still HereMiracle on 34th StreetIt's a Wonderful LifeAfter the HuntWong Kar-WaiJulia RobertsJim CarreySundance Film FestivalSarasota, FloridaBedford ParkToronto, CanadaHattie B'sPrince's Hot ChickenBishop's Restaurant (Franklin, TN)Drink and Be MerryCaravanNashville Film Festival
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

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-make-it-podcast--7516419/support.

We’re humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work, and your support makes it all possible. If you want to go deeper, join the MAKE IT Academy. Members get 200+ courses on screenwriting, acting, producing, directing, and film financing, plus members-only perks, discounts, and a bi-weekly newsletter with exclusive grants and film programs. 

Memberships start at $9.99/month, and you can gift one to a fellow filmmaker.
Join here: https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy

Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT