Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we talk with Interdisciplinary Artist and Filmmaker Dr. Nicholas Quin Serenati. We talk about how art blossomed from his survival of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, exploring liminal spaces, his documentary Taking Chance, and the little known and most beautiful places to film globally. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Dr. Nicholas’ Links: Website Instagram Lin...
Dec 01, 2020•1 hr 9 min
Happy Thanksgiving! In this episode, Nick taps into the wisdom of writer, producer, director Tony Scott to explore the concept of doing the same thing, but differently. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Tony Scott (screenwriter) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https:...
Nov 26, 2020•5 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about the threat to Indie Filmmakers by well-funded production companies making social content, the why behind the success of The Queen's Gambit, how to double your money in digital streaming, and the little known story of the first Indie Creative Oscar Micheaux. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Links: Shawn Mendes launches producti...
Nov 24, 2020•1 hr 7 min
Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about the importance of getting good references that you can call, instead of just a list of names or logos. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Nov 22, 2020•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we talk with Writer and Director Brandon Rhiness. We talk about the importance of bootstrapping as an Indie, how he overcame addiction to reach success, and his method of churning out screenplays, novels, and comic books. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Brandon’s Links: Higher Universe Comics FaceBook YouTube Twitter IMDb Hot Box (film) Cor Values (film) John, 316 (film) Grotesque (film) I’m Haunte...
Nov 17, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Hello, Indie Investors and Producers, In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about why coffee shop meetings are good for getting cordial but not great for making investment decisions. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Nov 15, 2020•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about what Awards season will look like this year, how to make sense of all the conflicting streaming data, what content people can't live without, and the origin story of the MAKE IT Podcast. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT Links: 2021 Oscar Nominations 2020 Oscar Nominations The Dark and the Wicked (film) Jungleland (film) Kindred (film) Mulan (...
Nov 10, 2020•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Jason and Chris discuss what a plan to 100X your film investment might look like, and the questions all profitable films answer. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT Links: Napoleon Dynamite (film) The Blair Witch Project (film) Star Wars: A New Hope (film) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Pr...
Nov 08, 2020•2 min
In this episode, we have a conversation with Casting Director Kim Petrosky and Talent Agent Kim "Cookie" McCray. We talk about how to get your start as a Casting Director, the dangers of Social Casting and Direct Hires, and how stock footage paydays could be a career-killer. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT Kim Petrosky’s Links: Website FaceBook IMDb Kim “Cookie” McCray’s Links: McCray Agency IMDb FaceBook L...
Nov 03, 2020•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about whether or not it makes sense to ask a producer what their plan is to 100X your money and what the goal behind the question truly represents. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Nov 01, 2020•2 min
"You have to take those opportunities to write, even if it's a small amount. I've found that five minutes turns to thirty." Priscilla Wise In this episode, Nick explores a piece of advice provided by writer Priscilla Wise. Something she calls "The Five Minute Rule." Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT Priscilla Wise (writer) Cecil B. DeMille (Producer) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it...
Oct 30, 2020•5 min
In this episode, Executive and Advisory Producers Christopher Barkley and Nicholas Buggs talk about why "Guilty Pleasures" exist and how Indie's can learn from them, the audience mistake that cost Quibi, how to approach film festivals in a virtual world, and how to mirror top streamers genre metadata. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT Links: Tiger King (tv mini series) The Great British Baking Show (tv series...
Oct 27, 2020•59 min
In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about why investing in Independent Film is different from other types of investment and why we aren't inundated with film investment gurus. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Oct 25, 2020•3 min
In this episode of Industry insights, Nick goes deep on the advice given by the Writer/Director and podcast guest, Rasheena Nash. Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Rasheena Nash (writer) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Oct 24, 2020•4 min
In this episode, we have a conversation with Writer/Director Tony Scott. We talk about his mid-life heart-change from finance to a filmmaker, how the Civil Rights movement inspired his storytelling, and why we have to protect the filmmaker's ability to tell stories about groups, races, and ethnicities outside their own. Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Tony’s Links: IMDb LinkedIn FaceBook...
Oct 20, 2020•1 hr 13 min
In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about what a business moat is, how a filmmaker can build one, and how an investor can spot a filmmaker or producer that is leveraging a moat. Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Links: The Adventures of Pluto Nash (film) Iron Man (film) Sean Baker (writer) Tangerine (film) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-cont...
Oct 18, 2020•3 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this week's episode, we introduce a new podcast series titled 'Industry Insights.' In this series, co-host Nicholas Buggs narrates insights from our blog posts that specifically relate to advice, tactics, and best practices posited by our wonderful podcast guests. For our premiere episode in the series, Nick expounds upon the idea put forth by actress Valerie Jane Parker, "If you can't see the script, don't take the part." Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us ...
Oct 15, 2020•9 min
In this episode, Jason asks Chris to give some examples of bad and good answers to the "Why You, Why Now, and Why This Film" questions. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Oct 11, 2020•2 min
A Conversation with Valerie Jane Parker In this episode, we have a conversation with actress Valerie Jane Parker. We talk about the right reasons to take a role, why it's crucial not to internalize audition feedback, the mistake of looking for early success, and how her late mother supported her career from day one. Enjoy!⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT Valerie’s Links: IMDb Instagram Facebook La Vie Bakehouse ...
Oct 06, 2020•1 hr
In this episode, Jason and Chris continue their conversation from last week and get to the heart of the other three "Why's" of film investment. Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Oct 04, 2020•2 min
In this episode, Advisory and Executive Producers Christopher Barkley and Nicholas Buggs discuss why the industry thinks Tenet is a flop, the differing roles of and values managers and agents provide Indie Creatives, and new tips and tactics to grow your audience. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Enjoy! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Links: Tenet makes $300 mil (article) Tenet (film) Charles D. King Stay Macro Media...
Sep 29, 2020•56 min
In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss what to look for in Producers and Directors pitching a project, and they provide a short introduction into the "Four Why's" of investing. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privac...
Sep 27, 2020•2 min
In this episode, we have twice the fun in a conversation with filmmakers and creative multi-hyphenates, Dycee Wildman and Sarah Saturday. We talk about hosting The Defy Film festival Online, how to thrive in an apocalypse, and the most important technical elements of a Horror film. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #MAKEIT Links: Dycee’s Website Sarah’s Website Defy Film Festival Daisy Dukes Film The Explos...
Sep 22, 2020•1 hr 19 min
In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about the best kind of film projects to invest in and why you shouldn't be scared off by "crazy" filmmakers with "crazy" ideas as long as the execution of the concept is sound. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: ht...
Sep 20, 2020•1 min
In this episode, Advisory and Executive Producers Christopher Barkley and Nicholas Buggs talk about Christopher Nolen's Tenet and Disney's Mulan's release models. We also discuss the concept of "Produce where you are" updated for 2020 and why newly defined web-series and digital content are aligned with Indie Film and creators' future. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative #MAKEIT Links: Tenet (film) Mulan (2020 film) Th...
Sep 15, 2020•50 min
In this episode, Jason and Chris discuss from an investor and filmmaker perspective what macro terms and red flags to look for when negotiating a buyer or distribution deal. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative. #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Sep 13, 2020•2 min
In this episode, we have a conversation with IMDb Top 50 Talent Agent Teri Ritter. We talk about the challenges of representing child talent, the best methods for getting an agent, and how your social media approach can make or break your acting career. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative. #MAKEIT Links: Ritter Talent Agency Facebook Instagram ACTRA Agency Amy Hines (talent agent) Support this podcast at — https://redc...
Sep 08, 2020•50 min
In this edition of the Film Investment Series, Jason and Chris talk about why you should look for long-term players in producing and filmmaking and which types of buyers are best if you do invest. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative. #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.c...
Sep 06, 2020•2 min
In this week's episode, Executive and Advisory Producers Christopher Barkley and Nicholas Buggs discuss the role of foreign pre-sales in Indie Film, answer listener questions, talk about why the PGA and DGA back to set guidelines are so long, and share their thoughts on the passing of Chadwick Boseman. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative. #MAKEIT Links: PGA back to set guidelines Steven Seagal (actor) Motke Dapp (direc...
Sep 01, 2020•50 min
In this edition of the Film Investment Series, Jason and Chris talk about what makes a project intriguing and why the investor needs to be in the client position. Enjoy! Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative. #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Aug 30, 2020•2 min
