Hello, Hello! In this episode of The MAKE IT Podcast, Chris and Nick discuss the current state of film, television, and streaming content. They delve into topics around content overload, authenticity, influencer personas, and actors' early ro

374 - Micah Simms, Cinematographer - The Art of Visual Storytelling, Secrets from a Film and Commercial Shoot Pro, Crafting Shots from Concept to Screen, and Mapping Shots to the Director's Vision

11 days ago 1h 57m

Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with Cinematographer Micah Simms. Chris interviews Micah about his career journey and experiences working in commercials and films. They discuss Micah's passion for the craft of Cinematogr

373 - Filmmakers Dexter Strong Buell & Derek Mindler on Speaking Truth in an Attention-Seeking Culture, Untangling Cult Cinema Cash Cows, A New Kind of Film School, Indie Ingenuity, and Their Short Film The South Shore | Indie Talk Takeover

22 days ago 1h 48m

Hello, Hello! In this episode, Chris and Nick talk with filmmakers Dexter Strong Buell and Derek Mindler about their experiences in the indie film space, including Dexter's recent short film "The South Shore" and Derek's work as a cinematogra

372 - Jason Padgitt, Executive Director of the Nashville Film Festival - Inside the World of Film Festival Programming, The Power of Music Docs, What Festival Selections Reveal about a Film, and Balancing Art, Industry and Integrity

Apr 2nd, 2024 1h 50m

Hello, Hello! In this episode, Chris has a conversation with Jason Padgitt, Executive Director of the Nashville Film Festival. They discuss Jason's role and responsibilities at NaFF, the film selection process, balancing industry and artistic

371 - Angus Benfield - Actor, Director, and Producer | The Story Behind “The Keeper,” Independent Filmmaking on a Budget, Tips for Avoiding Burnout, AI Tools, and Following Your Passion into a Career

Mar 22nd, 2024 1h 35m

Hello, Hello! In this episode, Chris and Nick talk with Angus Benfield about his career as an Actor, Producer, Writer and Director and his upcoming film "The Keeper" which tackles the important issue of veteran suicide. They discuss Angus' pr

370 - Launching Films in the Digital Age, New Models for Connecting Creators and Audiences, Navigating the Legal Landscape of Entertainment, and Optimizing the Film Industry | Daril Fannin & Austin Worrell - Founders, Kino Studios

Mar 12th, 2024 1h 34m

Hello, Hello! In this episode, Chris and Nick talk with Daril Fannin and Austin Worrell from Kino Studios. They discuss challenges in the film industry and opportunities for new models to empower creators through technology. Daril and Austin

369 - Balancing Art and Commerce in Independent Film, Using Art for Activism and Social Change | Actor, Writer & Producer Jordan Charles

Mar 4th, 2024 1h 28m

Hello, Hello! In this episode, Chris and Nick talk with Actor, Writer, and Producer Jordan Charles about his film project "Brothers in Arms," which explores themes of family, redemption, and the impact of war through two brothers separated at

368 - Indie Talk Takeover | Why Film Festivals Still Reign Supreme for Filmmakers, Staying Motivated, and Ranking the Best Films of Awards-Season | Host and Founder of Film Wax Radio - Adam Schartoff

Feb 20th, 2024 1h 34m

Hello, Hello! In this episode, Chris and Nick talk with Adam Schartoff, the host of the long-running podcast Film Wax Radio. They discuss Adam's experience maintaining a podcast for over 790 episodes and the challenges of keeping enthusiasm a

367 - Indie Talk Takeover | Preserving Culture Through Documentary Filmmaking, Nonprofits, and Education | Filmmakers Nicholas Mihm & Rostam Zafari

Feb 9th, 2024 1h 28m

Hello, Hello! In this episode, we are joined by filmmaking partners Nicholas Mihm and Rostam Zafari. They discuss their filmmaking partnership, their new documentary 'Bubjan,' their nonprofit work promoting Iranian culture, and future project

366 - Indie Talk Takeover | Developing a Characters Authenticity, Backstory, and Truth to Roles | Acting Teacher & DigiFest Founder Diane Strand

Jan 30th, 2024 1h 12m

**Warning: Early in this episode, Chris says that Charlton Heston was not in a lead role in the iconic film Ben-Hur. This is obviously insane and a short-term hallucination because Ben-Hur is one of Charlton's most iconic roles.** Apologies!

365 - Indie Talk Takeover | Reinventing the Movie Business with Blockchain: The Future of Independent Film Financing, DAO’s and Smart Contracts | Chris J. Davis - Former WordPress Maverick & Film.io Co-Founder & CTO

Jan 22nd, 2024 1h 31m

Hello, Hello! A few corrections from episode 364: Charlton Heston was in Ben Hur - but not as a primary actor. He was in a scene in which he rode a horse. Our social media handle on Instagram and X are @_makeitpodcast (not @themakeitpodca

365 - Indie Talk Takeover | Reinventing the Movie Business with Blockchain: The Future of Independent Film Financing, DAO’s and Smart Contracts | Chris J. Davis - Former Wordpress Maverick & Film.io Co-Founder & CTO

Jan 16th, 2024 1h 31m

364 - We Survived 2023! A Year In Review - Our Favorite Films, Conversations, and Episodes (And a Look Ahead to 2024) | Indie Talk

Jan 6th, 2024 1h 40m

Hello, Hello! In this episode of The Make It Podcast Chris & Nick recapped 2023 and looked ahead to 2024. They reflected on their favorite films of the year, including BlackBerry and American Symphony, and the best guests of the year includi

Bonus

Happy New Year - Full Episode Drops Friday

Jan 4th, 2024 1m 35s

Hello, Hello! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Chris provides a short update on episodes and content for this month and a hint at 2024. How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content: Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube channel. Subscribe to

363 - An Unlikely Journey to the Top of the Film Festival World | Brian Owens, CIFF Artistic Director

Dec 23rd, 2023 1h 20m

Hello, Hello! In this episode of the MAKE IT Podcast we are joined by Brian Owens, Artistic Director Calgary International Film Festival. He provides his film festival tips, advice, and insights on the MAKE IT podcast. Brian has been at the

362 - Navigating Strikes and Incentives and Getting Films Made in New Orleans with Full Armor Films' Frank Monteleone | Indie Talk

Dec 5th, 2023 1h 36m

Hello, Hello! In this episode of the Make It Podcast, independent filmmaker Frank Monteleone joins Chris and Nick to talk about his company, Full Armor Films, his career, and the film industry in New Orleans and beyond. We also talk about:

361 - The Billion Dollar Tax Loophole: How Studios Legally Pay Zero, Pivoting Your Art to Find Success Later in Life, and The Financial Impact of WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strikes | Indie Talk

Nov 21st, 2023 1h 12m

Hello, Hello! In this edition of the MAKE IT Podcast, Chris and Nick discuss artist Jelly Roll's inspirational acceptance speech for Best New Artist at the CMA Awards. They contemplate the ability to pivot genres throughout a career, using D

360 - Five Night's Box Office Success, Manipulating Criticism and Can Indies Replicate Taylor Swift's AMC Deal? | Indie Talk

Nov 10th, 2023 1h 2m

Hello, Hello! This week on The Make It Podcast, Chris and Nick discuss the success of Five Nights at Freddy's and how it was able to capitalize on existing IP in a way that worked. They also analyze Taylor Swift's deal with AMC to distribute

359 - Director Roxana Baldovin - The Power of Hustle: Cold-Pitching Your Way from Music Videos to Feature Filmmaker | Indie Talk

Oct 31st, 2023 1h 25m

Hello, Hello! In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris is joined by Director Roxana Baldovin. She discusses her career journey from growing up with an immigrant background in Brooklyn to directing music videos for major artists. Roxana also shar

358 - Bias vs. Impartiality: Selection Debates at Independent Film Festivals | Indie Talk

Oct 20th, 2023 1h 25m

Hello, Hello! In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick discuss their experiences at the recent Nashville Film Festival and fielding more feedback from filmmakers than in previous years. They debate filmmakers' perspectives on wanting un

357 - Effectively Exploit Your Film by Leveraging Influencer Marketing Feat. President of QYOU Media, Inc. Glenn Ginsburg | Indie Talk

Oct 10th, 2023 1h 11m

Hello, Hello! In this edition of Indie Talk, we have a conversation with the President of QYOU Media, Inc., Glenn Ginsburg. Glenn provided valuable insights into influencer marketing strategies for major studios and independent films. He out

356 - Embracing Failure, Using Feedback Effectively, and Being Entrepreneurial in Filmmaking Feat. Writer & Director Todd Bogin | Indie Talk

Sep 29th, 2023 1h 18m

Hello, Hello! In this edition of Indie Talk we have a conversation with Writer & Director Todd Bogin. Todd generously shared his experience writing, producing, and distributing his debut feature Hidden Exposure. He discussed his unconventio

355 - Using Film to Explore Radical Honesty w/ Writer and Director Jennifer Cooney | Indie Talk

Sep 19th, 2023 1h 2m

Hello, Hello! In this edition of Indie Talk, we're joined by Jennifer Cooney, Filmmaker and Director of the feature film Wild Fire. We talk about: Jennifer's directorial debut, Wild Fire. It's a drama about radical honesty between frien

354 - Indie Talk feat. Director & Podcaster Andrea Shreeman - Lessons and Realities of Converging Filmmaking, Storytelling, and Podcasting

Sep 8th, 2023 53m 47s

Hello, Hello! Andrea Shreeman, co-Host of The Hero Maker podcast joins the MAKE IT podcast to discuss The Hero Maker podcast https://www.theheromakerpodcast.com/, a true crime podcast telling the story of her friends who were murdered in colle

353 - Indie Talk - Marketing Really Works (especially in Film), Fun with the 48 Hour Film Festival, and How Much Power Should Social Media Influencers Have

Aug 29th, 2023 1h 22m

Hello, Hello! In this episode of The Make It Podcast, hosts Chris Barkley and Nicholas Buggs dive into the topic of social media influence and its potential downsides. They discuss two recent incidents where influencers were able to mobilize l