Hello, Hello! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we learn from Director Spencer Glover . Spencer expounds on the frustration of knowing what you want to see on the screen in your mind’s eye but not being able to reproduce those qualities in the real world starting out as a neophyte Director. His advice? Let your good taste guide you until you get it right. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker ( https://www.bonsai.film/voic...
Oct 09, 2022•15 min
Hello, Hello! It’s an Indie Talk week, and Chris and Nick have a conversation about the about-face of Sundance on the festival acceptance turned rejection of the Meg Smaker documentary, ‘Jihad Rehab,’ fake Twitter fights, the bombast and publicity genius of Ye (formerly Kanye West), and we break down what we learned from the Nashville Film Festival pitch contest and provide the tactics, tools, and tips on how to present a successful pitch. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love The MAKE IT podcast ...
Oct 04, 2022•1 hr 9 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, Actor Aaron Muñoz teaches us not to psyche ourselves out from over-preparation. Aaron expounds on an experience in which he was cast in a significant role and wanted to be prepared—but that readily turned into an obsession with minutia and over-preparation that didn't help him perform better but instead put too much in his head about his character. Enjoy! Follow Aaron: Website Instagram Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice ...
Oct 02, 2022•10 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with Director, Producer, and Cinematographer Haley Watson . We talk about the Academy Award Winning film ‘Queen Of Basketball,’ her film ‘The Getaway,’ working with Director Ben Proudfoot, the concept of “measurable error,” the challenges of shooting outside of her home country (U.S.), the importance of building community, and her formula for getting incredible shots. Enjoy! Follow Haley: Website LinkedIn Instagram Twitter Listen+Subscribe+Ra...
Sep 27, 2022•1 hr 13 min
Hello, Hello! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we explore Actor Chris Greene's experiences around learning to honor the business side of show business and not letting fear decide whether or not to question a less than straightforward agent. Enjoy! Connect with Chris: Instagram Twitter Website Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker ( https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker ) program, which is brought to you in partnership with...
Sep 25, 2022•8 min
Hello, Hello! In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about being able to compartmentalize the art and the artist, provide an explanation for this year's low Emmy ratings, and expound about what we loved about the Emmys (including the Cheryl Lee Ralph speech), and introduce the concept of non-fiscal currency, and it's importance in guaranteeing Indie Film ROI. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker ( https://www.bonsai.fi...
Sep 20, 2022•58 min
Hello, Hello! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we learn from Actor Brandon Hirsch . He talks about a time when he accepted a writing job that didn't pan out. Through this experience, he learned to value his time better and always scrutinize opportunities and the people that offer them. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker ( https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker ) program, which is brought to you in partnership with...
Sep 18, 2022•8 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with Artistic Director Brian Owens . We talk about the upcoming Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) beginning on September 22nd, the importance of The Royal Theater in Danville, Indiana and the story of their "Big Pickle," why Jaws changed his life, what mistake kills the chances of a film being accepted into a major film festival, how he balances the needs of the local filmmakers while expanding CIFF to new audiences, why reducing a m...
Sep 13, 2022•1 hr 23 min
Hello, Hello! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we learn from Actor Kris Wente about the dangers of not asking for what you need on set. Especially when things change in the project or script. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker ( https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker ) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization). The Voice of t...
Sep 11, 2022•4 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about the branding genius of Serena Williams, the potentially creepy return of MoviePass, Neil Gaiman’s rule of two-thirds, the arms race for the future of media, branding rules to follow before you start marketing, Indie Film scoring, Nick defends his “triple aloha,” and Chris talks art diversification. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker ( https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilm...
Sep 05, 2022•1 hr 7 min
Hello, Hello! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from Actor and Writer Ted Welch . He expounds upon his experiences in the film industry after booking hit films like 'The Help' and hit shows like 'True Blood' and how he overcame hubris to form a true community. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker ( https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker ) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and ...
Sep 04, 2022•8 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with Cinematographer, Writer, and Director Tiffany Murray . We talk about her partnership with Amy Kersten , their new podcast ' Southbridge ,' how to turn a failed television pitch into new media, the major networks creating a lane for podcast domination, knowing when you need a change of scenery creatively, her favorite cameras for novice filmmakers and experts, how technology has changed Cinematography, and the story behind her best advice...
Aug 30, 2022•1 hr 9 min
Hello, Hello! In this special episode, we have a conversation with Director, Writer Aaron Irons , and Producer, Actor Josh Croft . We talk about their new Found Footage film, ‘Chest,’ the process of making a $30K SAG film, the challenges of shooting, acting, and scoring a Found Footage film, the importance of improv, and getting held at gunpoint and detained while on a location scout. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker ( https:/...
Aug 28, 2022•53 min
Hello, Hello! Nick is on vacation, so in this edition of Indie Talk, Writer, Actor, and Director Matt Williams joins Chris in this Wonderland-rabbit-hole exploration of a conversation. Chris and Matt talk about why creatives should move to Los Angeles to play at the highest levels, finding success as a writer, and when to take a break from social media for the sake of their mental health (but, can non-celebrity creatives afford to?), and 25 tangents destined and designed to educate, inspire and ...
Aug 25, 2022•1 hr 13 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we speak with Actress and Writer Florencia Lozano . We talk about her film, ‘ Life After You ,’ her new Netflix series ‘ Keep Breathing ,’ the plague of grief, addiction, shame, and suicide, what Americans get wrong about freedom and what we take for granted, and how to solve the world’s biggest problems, the value of “owning it” as creative, why Soap Actors don’t get the respect they deserve, and the secret to winning over Producers and Casting Directors in auditi...
Aug 16, 2022•1 hr 13 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about the artists they thought would be more successful, how fake tv singing competitions are, how Joaquin Phoenix uses his asymmetry to his advantage, why we watch the movies that we watch, social engineering, the power of relational and comparative thinking, and the role random chance and stacked decks play in the success of an artist. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Fi...
Aug 09, 2022•1 hr 8 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with Producer and Director of Programming at Black Public Media, Denise Greene. We talk about her role at Black Public Media , BPM’s relationship with Netflix and Paramount, what makes for a winning pitch, the power, and reach of the 360 Incubator+, why she shuns social media, how she left the doctoral path to pursue Documentary filmmaking, and why she believes you shouldn’t go to film school. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or ...
Aug 02, 2022•1 hr 13 min
Hello, Hello! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from Producer Ryan Hartsock . Ryan walks us through his mistake of hubris through metaphor and humble confession. Enjoy! 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 the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast #MAKEIT Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-c...
Jul 31, 2022•11 min
Hello, Hello! In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about their recent experiences at the theater, the surprise at the end of the new Thor movie, Winnie The Pooh (and other well-known characters) becoming fair use, the ‘Blood & Honey’ trailer and why it works so well, social media branding choices, and what Netflix can do to get back to their dominate ways. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web ...
Jul 26, 2022•56 min
Hello, Hello! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we talk with Cinematographer Logen Christopher . Logen talks about the mistake of creative isolation and how his habit of creating within his comfort zone threatened the success and viability of his studio, Stormlight Pictures, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love the MAKE IT Podcast? ...
Jul 24, 2022•11 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with filmmaker, actor, and philanthropist Julia Rosengren . We talk about her challenging upbringing in Northern Brazil, traveling the world at seventeen, surviving the modeling industry, climate change, UNIAO GAIA, why she fell in love with trees, her short film, ‘Leaves,’ and what the world gets wrong about money. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at ht...
Jul 19, 2022•56 min
Hello, Hello! In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick expounds on the challenges faced by Simone Biles during her latest Olympic experience and her response to those challenges while contrasting those trials with some of the issues filmmakers face once their film gets out of post-production. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! ...
Jul 17, 2022•9 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with Entertainment Publicist Amy Prenner . Chris and Amy talk about her documentary ‘Have You Heard About Greg’, her fascination with news as a child, how Zoom helped her have the most successful year of her career, why media training is so important, her work with Ellen DeGeneres, how she would help Alec Balwin and Will Smith, and much more. Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or ...
Jul 14, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Hello, Hello! In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from Writer, Actor, Author, and Musician Korby Lenker . Korby opens up about a time in his career when he was forced to slow down, take a 9-to-5 job, and rethink his creative path. 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 the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast #MAKEIT Support this...
Jul 10, 2022•10 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with Whistleblower, Documentarian, and Author Michael McCray . We talk about the upcoming Whistleblower Summit and Film Festival , the art of pitching, the film industry’s role in Whistleblowing, social media building user’s psyches, the 30 data points rule, MK Ultra, Whistleblower protection laws, Julian Assange, Elon Musk’s bid to acquire Twitter, and much more! Enjoy! Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love More on Michael: Website Twitter Whistleblo...
Jul 05, 2022•1 hr 19 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, we hear from a brilliant panel of female filmmakers and creatives - Kd Amond (AZIF Productions), Elisabeth Donaldson (Rattled, 2020), Tammy Hyler (Smashville Entertainment), Vicki Yates (News Channel 5), and Sarah Zanotti (Faye, 2021, AZIF Productions). We learn about the Bechdel Test, why it matters and why it's becoming easier to pass, the empowerment movement for women in film, the age of consent, and overcoming your fear as a female creative. Enjoy! Listen+Subs...
Jul 03, 2022•51 min
Hello, Hello! In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick review this week in podcast guests, discuss the usefulness of the DISC profile, take on the constant media dog whistles designed to indoctrinate us, and tackle the idea of being yourself at the expense of doing great work or being a good person. 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 the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a ...
Jun 28, 2022•50 min
Hello, Hello! In this episode, Chris joins the Creative Director of the Nashville Film Festival, Lauren Ponto , and Filmmaker Ava Leigh Stewart on a panel to discuss the best practices and pitfalls of deploying your film across festivals nationwide. We talk about the role of Film Freeway, what an “Oscar qualifying” festival actually means, how Creative Directors program festivals, the role of alternate film festivals, the value of in-person festival attendance compared to virtual, and why you sh...
Jun 26, 2022•53 min
Hello, Hello! In this conversant episode, we have a conversation with Director Chris St. Croix . We talk about his films 'In The Dark,' 'Shattered,' and 'Final,' the details behind the streaming wars, working with Quentin Tarantino, how to transition from one creative dream to another, overcoming demons, self-doubt, lack of education, and addiction, the realities of Indie Film distribution, and much more. Enjoy! More about Chris: Website Instagram In the Dark (film) Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love ...
Jun 21, 2022•2 hr 11 min
Hello, Hello! In this special Juneteenth, Pride Month, and Father’s Day episode, we have a conversation with Author & Actor Chris Haley. We talk about his #1 Amazon Best-Selling book of poetry, ‘Fists & Rainbows: WIth One Fist In The Air and Holla!’, the current state of American society and fairness, how he defends his uncle Alex Haley’s legacy, reparations, how he manages his anxiety, tips on how to audition and remember lines, and how self-sabotage and self-doubt cost him work with Wa...
Jun 19, 2022•2 hr 1 min
