435 - Kanye Deserves More Credit, Jaafar Jackson’s “Michael” Performance, “Interest Tentpoles” and a Chat with The Napa Boys, Nick Corirossi & Armen Weitzman
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
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:
BC (Brian Comer, Cards and Capes)
Companies, Platforms & Organizations:
USPS.
Podcasts, Shows & Internal Series:
Mistakes in the Making (series on the MAKE IT Podcast)
Films, TV, IP & Characters:
He-Man: Masters of the Universe
Snow White (2025 Disney remake)
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (concert film)
Albums, Music & Artists:
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Books & Concepts:
Mastering Film Marketing (ebook)
The Hero's Journey (Joseph Campbell)
Documentaries & Upcoming Projects:
Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey
Games & Game-Based IP:
Backrooms (liminal-space concept)
Concepts, Themes & Cultural References:
White House Correspondents' Dinner
Interest tentpoles — Chris's coined concept
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
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
More description
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
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:
BC (Brian Comer, Cards and Capes)
Companies, Platforms & Organizations:
USPS.
Podcasts, Shows & Internal Series:
Mistakes in the Making (series on the MAKE IT Podcast)
Films, TV, IP & Characters:
He-Man: Masters of the Universe
Snow White (2025 Disney remake)
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (concert film)
Albums, Music & Artists:
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Books & Concepts:
Mastering Film Marketing (ebook)
The Hero's Journey (Joseph Campbell)
Documentaries & Upcoming Projects:
Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey
Games & Game-Based IP:
Backrooms (liminal-space concept)
Concepts, Themes & Cultural References:
White House Correspondents' Dinner
Interest tentpoles — Chris's coined concept
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
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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