Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with Filmmaker, Entrepreneur, and Podcaster Alex Ferrari. In addition to his best-selling books, 'Shooting for the Mob' and 'Rise of the Filmtrepreneur,' we talk about his latest film 'On the Corner of Ego and Desire,' his childhood growing up in Jamaica Queens, NY, where and how he developed his "Hustle" mentality, his infamous Hollywood Video and GameStop arbitrage stories, why he decided to retire from Post Production work, and s...
Oct 05, 2021•1 hr 17 min
Hello, Indie Producers & Investors! In this final episode of the Film Investment Series, Chris and Jason talk about when to use your gut and when to use the investment playbook, and why investing in your brand is a win-win, even if you're not profitable. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/true...
Oct 03, 2021•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about the stacked deck experience for Indie Filmmakers at most Festivals, Addison Rae's Netflix deal and how Indie actors can best respond, and why stronger unions might prevent IATSE members from getting their protest demands. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a ...
Sep 28, 2021•56 min
Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason highlight the importance of all of the "Why Questions" and what they reveal about the temperament of the Founder Filmmaker. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast #MAKEIT Support this podcast ...
Sep 26, 2021•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with the Co-Founder of XM Radio and Media Innovator and Legend, Lee Abrams. We discuss why he created the Album-Oriented Rock format for radio, the concept of making people into fans, not users, his latest innovation 'News Movies,' his forthcoming book 'Solutions for a Creatively Starved Planet,' his forthcoming documentary, 'Sonic Messengers,' the meaning of "AFDI," and so much more. Enjoy! Listen + Subscribe + Rate = Love Question...
Sep 21, 2021•1 hr 6 min
Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about what investors can do to help their films be financially successful beyond the check you wrote for development. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast #MAKEIT Support this podcast a...
Sep 19, 2021•3 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with the Co-Founder and CEO of IndieFlix, Scilla Andreen. We discuss how a chance catering job transformed into a career in film, her time working on the Wonder Years, her platform for Indie Creatives, IndieFlix, her new film 'Race,' her new book 'The Creative Coping Toolkit', and the future of streaming and distribution. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social a...
Sep 14, 2021•1 hr 35 min
Hello, Indie Creatives and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about the upsides and risks of investing in a slate versus a single film project and break down the meaning of a Pseudo-Indie Film. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast #MAKEIT Links: N...
Sep 12, 2021•3 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about the self-directed marketing initiatives deployed by actor Ryan Reynolds on his recently released feature film, 'Free Guy,' the new world of storytelling through tech, and the new "talent stack" in Indie Film. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! ...
Sep 07, 2021•48 min
Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss "trust games", examples of trust games, and why they are so invaluable to an investors risk mitigation and deal flow. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/t...
Sep 05, 2021•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with former Actor and current Writer and Director, Julius Ritter. We discuss growing up in Hollywood as a bi-racial actor and model, how to harness pain into creative writing, his upcoming film 'Sock And Buskin', Unconscious Bias in Casting, and so much more. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? ...
Aug 31, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss trust patterns to look for in your filmmakers and what are the three behaviors and beliefs every investor should employ to be successful. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — htt...
Aug 29, 2021•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this week's episode, Chris is live at the Defy Film Festival where he was tasked with asking one question: How would you define defiant cinema? He also conducts sit-down interviews with filmmakers Jaclyn Bethany (Highway One), Evan Sorlien (Bakersfield), and Christopher Ryan Laughter (Demon Cooler) and many more. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative...
Aug 28, 2021•52 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with 2D Animator Jasmine Kenya. We talk about her Netflix short film 'Cops & Robbers', her five-star book 'Hair As Big As My Dreams,' why being likable is better than a strong resume in the short run, why drawing well isn't the most critical factor in a career in Animation, what role creatives play in creating a better a world, and the twelve principles of Animation. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Rea...
Aug 24, 2021•50 min
Hello, Indie Investor and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about why it's critical to travel to the proximity of your investments and deal flows as an outside investor. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-p...
Aug 22, 2021•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, Executive Producers Chris Barkley and Nick Buggs talk about what the theater business will be like after COVID-19, what else could change forever, and why the Indie Film community shouldn't fall for the Shang-Chi "We are not experiments" issue. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a Tru...
Aug 17, 2021•55 min
Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss why investments in Film continue to get made despite the high risk and time commitment. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-c...
Aug 15, 2021•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with Documentarian Keith McDaniel. We talk about his nationally distributed documentary 'The Clinton 12', working with James Earl Jones, how he got his start as a founder of the Secret City and Knoxville Film Festivals, his commitment to Indie Creatives, and how he lost 130 pounds, and much, much more. Enjoy! More About Keith McDaniel Keith McDaniel is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and oral historian. For more than 20 years...
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr 29 min
Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss why some investors won't engage with filmmakers and why investors need to be married to the investment. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-pod...
Aug 08, 2021•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with Filmmaker and Biologist Alexis Gambis (@agambis on IG, @alexisgambis on Twitter). We talk about his films 'Son of Monarchs,' 'The Color of Time,' 'The Fly Room,' and 'The Next Jaguar.' His "Netflix of Science" platform, Labocine, how Spike Lee became a mentor and investor, CRISPR, how winning at Sundance changed his life, and his annual film festival, Imagine Science (and so much more). Enjoy! More About Alexis Gambis ( www.ale...
Aug 04, 2021•1 hr 13 min
Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this installment of the Film Investment Series, Chris and Jason discuss what measures you can take to expose or discover potential points of conflict within your film crew and filmmaking team. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans #MAKEIT Support this...
Aug 01, 2021•3 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about why film creatives tend to fight Imposter Syndrome, why the major players in the movie business are snapping up Intellectual Property at an alarming rate, and what you can do to play the IP game, too. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai....
Jul 27, 2021•36 min
Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about the little things every investor and producer should be aware of on the set and within your film team to ensure that the film's final cut is the best it can be and your investment is better protected. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True F...
Jul 25, 2021•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this edition of Industry Insights, we spotlight the wisdom and advice of Actor, Writer, Producer Brandon Hirsch. Nick explores Brandon's feelings on what his biggest challenges are as a filmmaker and what we can all learn to help us along in our own Indie Filmmaking journeys. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Pod...
Jul 22, 2021•6 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with TV & Film Producer Chris Conner. We talk about his anonymity on social media, why Steve Guttenberg was the first Tom Hanks, how to find a mentor, his most challenging time on set, the story of when and why he robbed a Barbecue restaurant, his upcoming stop-motion animation film, and upcoming projects with Hideout Pictures, and how the CMT show 'Still The King' was pitched and sold. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questi...
Jul 20, 2021•1 hr 17 min
Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about methods and tools for finding film projects in need of investment and how to increase your deal flow. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans #MAKEIT Links: IMDb Pro Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.co...
Jul 18, 2021•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with Founder and Principle at Rockridge Venture Law, Kevin Christopher. We talk about how to protect your Intellectual Property rights, the rights of the Creative, who owns digital rights and works, suppression of rights in China, and conducting Due Diligence for Film Investors. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreati...
Jul 13, 2021•1 hr 16 min
Hello, Indie Investors & Producers! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about whether or not every Independent Film can be profitable and what opportunities exist along the way to increase the probability of profitability. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans #MAKEIT Support this podc...
Jul 12, 2021•2 min
Hello, Indie Creatives! In this episode, we have a conversation with the Executive Producer, Producer, Filmmaker, Author, and son of the late Dick Gregory, Dr. Christian Gregory. This was a marathon conversation that we are incredibly proud of and jammed-packed with knowledge gems. We talk about his new documentary now on Showtime, 'The One and Only Dick Gregory,' the concept of finding the 'cracks in the fiber' and duality, Civil Rights Activism, growing up with nine other siblings and a celebr...
Jul 06, 2021•2 hr 24 min
Hello, Indie Producers and Investors! Happy Independence Day! In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about the leverage your project needs to be "in the black" and the variety of ways that Indie Films can be successful. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love Indie Film? Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.bonsai.film/truefans #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — h...
Jul 04, 2021•2 min
